I wonder if some of you Christians speak to people in your life the way you speak to people on Answers...?

Question

*Remember....some, not all Christians.

When someone tells you they are going through a tough time in their life, do you just tell them to read the Bible and they will find the answers?

When someone asks a question, do you exclaim "Praise God!" then proceed to actually answer the question?

After you have told someone that you disagree with them and why (or even when you say a nasty remark to someone,) do you end your statement with "God bless you?"

I have a hard time believing that what people write on here is what would actually come out of their mouths if we were having a face-to-face conversation. I've never had a conversation where people do that, but it may happen.

So, let me know, do you speak like that to people in your life?

Answer 1

good one, people on youtube are so, ERR un holy

Answer 2

Well, that all depends. If someone has a problem or needs a sympathetic ear, I don't just tell them to "read the Bible." I try to listen and give any help that I can, just the same way that I do here.

Admittedly, sometimes I will say, "Praise God!" if something good has happened and the situation warrants, but that's just a gut reaction. And sometimes I *do* say "God bless you" if the other person has done something nice or has helped me.

I'm pretty much the same person here that I am in real life, so my posts reflect the way that I talk and act.

Answer 3

I don't meet people in my life who ASK the questions that I find here on Answers so I can't answer to that.
I think a lot of the questions here are from Christians just trying to get the Word out there or by people trying to stir up trouble and controversy.

When I do get (in my life) people who are seeking God, I first really try to listen to where they are and try not to Push my view (unless they ask).
If this is someone I know well, then the way I live my life daily says more than any words I can say, and boy does that keep one humble! Knowing people will think badly of God if I mess up (even though I am human and do mess up and it's not God messing up) gives me a reason to stay focused on what I really believe and cause me to try to live that way.

If I don't know the person well, then I hope I can be a friend and sounding board for future questions.

I am not much of an exclaimer of "Praise God" or to say "God Bless you", but I have know people who do use those terms freely, it is a personality thing sometimes.


Unfortunately this forum does not allow for much interaction or allow you to see someones expression to know the context of the question or the look in their eyes. That can say much more than words. But here we only have words and so to give someone a reference to a Bible verse can be appropriate or not, depending on how specific the question.

Whew! Don't know if I covered everything or not, but it is a good question you asked! Thanks! Made me think!

Answer 4

It is strange how people on this board do things since they are anonymous.

Even statements like, "Learn to spell.' If they were dealing with a person face to face who was filling our a form would they actually do that???

Some do not take into consideration that there might be people with handicaps on this board.

However, I believe there are some wise guys on this board that want to "stir the pot."
It sometimes is good to look at a person's profile and see their other answers and their questions. I think some are deliberately trying to set some religion against the other.

I am on the genealogy board a lot and smart alec or snooty answers will get a person a lot of thumbs down on that board.

Answer 5

I recently talked with a friend going through a situation at home with his wife cheating on him and leaving he and his 7 year old daughter. I never pretend to have all the answers and don't throw the Bible at someone as a quick fix. I listened, made sure I told him I didn't know when I really didn't, I offered my ear, my time, my home, and my service if needed, and then prayed with him, and for him. That is all we can do. Again, you are at least trying not to generalize, but most Christians live their belief. Don't judge us by the few poor examples you have encountered here.

Answer 6

Well, it is a little easier to say something in an email or whatever than it is face to face, but I try to be consistent and say what I would actually say in person.

I don't usually type God Bless You, but that doesn't mean that I don't want God to bless you, I just don't say or type it! I am more likely to pray that privately.

And yes, I would probably give Scripture examples if I could think of one that fit when I didn't have the luxury of typing it in the computer and looking it up!

Answer 7

Yes I do all the time.

But when someone is hurting they usually aren't asking questions about the aorist tense vs. the present indicative active verb in a certain passage of scripture.

Hurting people are usually upset about someone or something that has hurt them and need a hug or a prayer or someone to hand them some money to fix something or well who knows if its even possible to fix certain problems with money.

The answers I give here are exactly what I'd tell you if you sat in my office and asked the same question.

Pastor Art

Answer 8

I very much appreciate your question. I can never stay in R&S for too long, because it is painful to do so.

I can honestly say that if people asked me these questions in real life, I would answer them the same way I do here.

I think all Christians who post on here would go a long way toward bettering their answers as well as their own spirits by praying over their answers, and praying over people they feel persecuted by, yet (and this is important) never telling people "I am praying for you." No matter how well-intended or sincere, to a non-believer it unfortunately sounds self-righteous, sanctimonius and holier-than-thou.

And honestly, is that the nature of a Christian? Of Christ? Absolutely not, who, although He was GOD, "took on the very nature of a servant....and becoming obedient, humbled himself, even unto death."

Thanks for your great Q.

Answer 9

I usually never have any conversations about my religious life with anybody. But what I say on here about religion is what I would say about in real life. But anything else then no. The people here actually need help(supposedly) and I take them seriously.But my friends don't really need to be taken seriously because they usually don't ask me questions and it kind of is boring having to act serious around with them.

Answer 10

Hmmm, I think I answer on here pretty much the way I would in real life. Yeah, even saying things like, "hmmm"! LOL.

Although, I must admit, I feel much freer here to say certain things. In real life, you have to be more careful discussing religion, and I'm usually more agreeable in real life, because I don't want to get into an argument. On here, people come here expecting you to speak your mind, and I do.

Answer 11

LOL!! I am not Christian so I know that this question was not directed towards me but...anyways I agree with you. It makes me uncomfortable when I read answers like that. I dont know maybe thats just me. I don't like it when people throw religion at eachother. I think that religion is a personal thing that you can only apply to yourself and your own life. For example, I had a friend who straight out told me that I was going to hell because I'm not Christian. Keep religion to yourself...and its not just Christians there are people like that in every religion..