There are some misconceptions about what it means to be a Christian on a day to day basis. Being a Christian doesn't mean one renounces their humanity. Some people have expectations of Christians based on an idealization: namely - the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our example to strive for, but there is only one Christ, and no Christian is perfect.
We are no holier than anyone else and just as human as everyone. We make mistakes and have regrets just like everyone. We laugh, tell jokes, have a sense of humour, and even have our sensual sides, enjoying the physical pleasures with our spouses--we view it as a gift from God. We also try to learn from our mistakes and appreciate that we can learn from others, including others of different beliefs. Personally, I enjoy the respectful sharing that comes from interaction with others.
Please consider then, what is the accurate perception of a Christian and if you think I am correct in my statements. :)
2007-09-15 15:50:13 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
smiley - of COURSE you have a sense of humour- you just don't know it yet! LOL
2007-09-15 15:59:11 · update #1
dear capnarlo: I am by no means advocating a sell out of Christianity - or sherking my commitment to doing as the Lord wills. I think I am simply stating that in doing so- we submit ourselves in humility before the Lord - not in SELF righteousness...which is something that fundies seem to have a very difficult time with and that unbelievers sometimes accuse us of.
2007-09-15 16:49:20 · update #2
Dear bobby: very well said my brother!
XX
2007-09-15 16:49:48 · update #3
I am here to add a hearty amen, and to commend you for your courage. I am sorry that I have been too sick to participate, and I am woefully behind in answering questions, but I wanted to be counted in this this wonderful group of Christians that realize that we still battle the flesh because we are human, yet know to go to a loving Father with a contrite spirit when we have offended Him. I wish some could know the benefit of true blessed sexual pleasure in a marriage based on desire rather than lust, because God did not forbid Christians from being a cyclone between the sheets, He simply set guidelines, as any loving Father would do.
As far as humor goes, God has given me the ability to laugh as a child over some of the harmless things I witness, but to cry like one at the cruel jesting over another's beliefs.
2007-09-16 03:39:41 · answer #1 · answered by One Wing Eagle Woman 6 · 8⤊ 2⤋
Christians are just like any group of people you want to look at from nuns to whores, and from priests to child molesters. The only difference is that if I am a true Christian, I try to live it, not just talk it.
Blessed Be
2007-09-21 14:10:47 · answer #2 · answered by Linda B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank-you, dear one, for putting into words what many of us Christians on here feel very deeply about but don't ever say. It greatly saddens me that we are grouped in with Hitler and the inquistions and every troll on here who writes hate mail then claims to be a Christian. And it saddens me that true Christians can't be human and err. If we do then non-believers seem to throw out all of Christianity as hypocritcal. Jesus promised forgiveness not perfection. He commanded us to strive for it but also made it clear that we will never acheive it in this world. God bless you Rammie. (((((huggies))))))))
2007-09-16 00:43:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Rammie, I don't need to be told that the vast majority of Christians are just like me. My entire family is Christian, and I love them dearly. I know their faults, and I know their strengths. Heck, I used to be one! I know that most Christians are kind and loving people, and all do indeed deal with the same weaknesses that we all deal with. I think you're confusing peoples' frustration with fundamentalists with their feelings towards decent, loving Christians. The same thing that *some* Christians accuse we atheists of doing :)
I'll admit this, though: I should probably try to address my questions here towards 'fundies' or 'fundamentalists' - even though in my experience, questions worded like that generally don't post. At least, for me, it seems they don't. I've tried it.
2007-09-15 16:06:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 1⤋
AMEN (((RAMJET))))
I am a person of few words but you have described my feelings and perceptions to being a Christian perfectly.
2007-09-16 04:59:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes Ramjet, most of what you say is a good characterization of a Christian. But in the spirit of truth and with no condemnation I must say that lacking in your statement is the confession of obedience to God's laws. We are called to be obedient to God's laws. And I believe you are incorrect about holiness. We are called to be holy by a holy God. We are called to be righteous by a righteous God. So if we are no more righteous or holy then say a Satanist in a whore house, or a murdering pedophile or even any unsaved " good person " on the street then we need to examine our faith. Now this does not mean I am against the doctrine of justification by faith ( grace ). I am only stressing that the factors of obedience and righteousness and holiness are conspicuously absent from many modern so called Christians' lives. If one can't tell the difference between a sinner and a saint by their actions something is wrong with this picture. Very wrong indeed. Jesus said ye shall know them by their fruits.
1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Psalms 11:7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
God bless you brother.
Later edit:
Well I guess I am guilty of being a "fundie" but I by no means think I am any more righteous than another man. I know that I am but flesh and capable of sin. I am not being SELF righteous by standing up for obedience and holiness. I didnt invent these commandments . This is what God says in his holy word. Any one who thinks that they can continue in wilfull sin, and not be holy and righteous to the absolute best of their ability, and still make it to heaven is only fooling himself. Nearly all those who say "I am not under the law, Im under grace" seem to eventually fall into disgrace. I pray brother that you are not amoung those non-fundies who believe such false teachings.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Your fundemental brother in Christ.... Cap'n Arlo
2007-09-15 16:13:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
i know that they're human.
i have a good friend and a sister who are christians. my daughter is catholic (which is really the same thing).
some are kind...like you. others are not...i won't mention any names.
just like every other religion or belief out there.
bright blessings to you.
edit
i see the thumbs down fairy has been here.
2007-09-15 16:03:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
It is a very objective perception of a christian...
2007-09-15 15:58:24 · answer #8 · answered by NONAME 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
We all are loved ones of God if you say your a Christian
2007-09-22 18:38:30 · answer #9 · answered by K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are right on.
The bad news is that there are a LOT of people out there calling themselves Christians who do say that we must renounce our humanity and that they never experience sadness or doubt and that they are holier than anybody who doesn't' believe like them: fundamentalists.
I think it is horrible the judgmental and hateful image these people put onto Christianity, and it's even more horrible that most people identify the two: Christianity and fundamentalism.
2007-09-15 15:56:27 · answer #10 · answered by Acorn 7 · 10⤊ 2⤋