I was with a friend this evening. We (she and I) are on a business trip. She has brought her boyfriend along, which is fine. Except that she is married. Earlier today, I had called her to ask her to stop at an office for some paperwork. Apparently, because she had to run that errand, it made it easier for her to sneak out of the house and get her boyfriend. My problem is with what happened next. She said "Praise Jesus that you called me and made that happen". Seriously. Then she said that the phone call was God's intervention in her life showing her that the affair was OK.
I'm afraid I don't understand... Do you? Or is this why I can't seem to grasp Christianity?
2007-11-26 14:47:27 · 43 answers · asked by Katie Short, Atheati Princess 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
FYI - for those who don't know me, I disavowed myself of Christianity long ago. Well before I knew this co-worker.
2007-11-26 14:56:15 · update #1
I notice that you are disturbed by her actions enough to ask a question about it.
You, as a disavowed Christian, could probably sit through "The Sermon on the Mount."
She couldn't.
Obviously, she's in trouble. Self-dishonesty does not work with either Christianity, Thelema, or any other religious or ethical creed.
Hopefully, she'll find her way. My true will would not be to judge her: she might have a very bad marriage from which she is trying to escape; but I would ask her why she's driving around town with a bad muffler bearing and make sure she's aware of it in the first place.
--Frater Boomer.
2007-11-26 15:30:25 · answer #1 · answered by Boomer Wisdom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She probably has her own anger issues with that religion. I wouldn't give any more thought to it. I hope your disbelief is based on what's in the Buy-bull and not on this or that person's 'example'. I was raised Xian and knew lots of people who said they were-some were nice, others were not. Some were hypocrites, others were very serious. Some interpreted this God character as loving and others were based in fear (those typically are the judgmental ones-whether they're hypocrites or not). If you're friend is a believer and actually believes what she said, tell her some scripture and ask her why it says that but her life isn't reflecting it. Make her think about it. At least she'll think twice about telling you stuff like that. :-)
2007-11-26 15:12:23 · answer #2 · answered by strpenta 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes our human nature gets in the way of our walk with Jesus. Your friend is seriously mistaken in believing that God condones any part of this relationship with this boyfriend.
It's what she wants, not what God wants, so she will mold life around her wants. Your phone call was mere coincidence at best, but perfect timing for her. Now she needs to justify her bad behavior by claiming it's blessed by God.
There will come a time when her whole world will come crashing down on her, so stand clear. If you want to be a friend, help her understand that her actions don't quite seem to be in line with the Christian faith.
2007-11-26 14:56:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a reason many have a problem grasping Christianity. Behavior and speech that are directly contradictory with what is preached and taught.
I can't claim I understand her specific reasoning, but I think I might have the gist of it.
First of all, this person is confused. God cannot condone and condemn at the same time. And this lady broke a commandment. There is NO way God helped her. She just became a pawn of Satan, who used her.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Not only has God comanded his children to not do these things, he has said that they who do will not inherit the kingdom.
Exodus 20:14 (King James Version) Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Galatians 5:13 (King James Version) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Romans 6:2 (King James Version) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:15 (King James Version) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
God is pretty specific on the subject. Your friend, however, seems to think that this is optional obedience. She is stepping into very dangerous territory. I hope that she realizes her error, and repents.
Christians are to obey God's will as revealed in his word. Even so, we have loads of liberty, which is where abuses and misconstruing/deliberate misinterpretation comes in. Sometimes we forget we are accountable for our thoughts and actions, which is a huge mistake and lead to Christians committing egregious errors in judgement. Hence the world looking in sometimes doesn't know what we are about, from one person to the next.
If you want to identify a Christian, the Bible says by their fruits you will know them:
Matthew 7:16 (KJV) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
and
Matthew 7:20 (KJV) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
These are the spiritual fruit to look for. You may not see everything all of the time, but there should always be some recognizable trait from God's lists. there should always be something that proclaims to the world (even without speech) that God is good.
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Philippians 4:8 (KJV) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
If there is no evidence of the fruit, there is a great possibility that the person is a professing Christian only, and not one who is living for God.
Meanwhile, I hope this may have clarified things for you a bit.
Hope I helped. God bless you.
2007-11-26 15:35:16 · answer #4 · answered by 1985 & going strong 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anyone can say they're a Christian, and talk is cheap. Christians like to say "We're not perfect," which is true, but Christians aren't supposed to be morons either. People use God, prayer, circumstance, even Scriptures, to justify their behavior and beliefs all the time. That doesn't make it right, and that doesn't make it Christian. Besides, whether one practices a religious faith or not, adultery is always wrong. Please don't judge Christianity on the ones who misuse it.
2007-11-26 14:56:59 · answer #5 · answered by No Shortage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your first answerer. She is the one who cannot grasp what it means to believe in Jesus and follow him. I can understand both your problem with her and your problem with Christianity if you view her as an example of Christian faith. Unfortunately, there are many people who don't take their faith seriously or choose to only believe parts of Christ's message, or choose to interpret God's word their own way, or believe that it's OK to sin since you are "automatically" forgiven.
Sorry you had this experience, but there are none of us who are perfect and none of us truly measure up to God's expectations for us. Each of us has shortcomings. Hopefully, most of us are moving closer to what God wants us to be, and maybe your friend is also.
2007-11-26 14:55:28 · answer #6 · answered by William D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be surprised nor confused. Some would go on killing rampage, chant the name of God and believe what they did is acceptable and holy. If what you just witness from your friend is unacceptable to your standard then don't be like her. But don't disown her either. She might need you one day to undo the damage she has done to her life. You are the best person to help her out.
2007-11-26 15:27:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is self-justification NOT Christianity. I am no fan of Christianity (read my past answers for proof) but the religion is pretty clear on that subject. She is grasping at straws trying to assuage her guilt at knowingly betraying another's trust by inventing superstitious 'signs from god' to justify her actions.
2007-11-26 14:54:41 · answer #8 · answered by thewolfskoll 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am with you on this one. I don't understand it either. God would not condone, let alone help with a thing like that. But she will have to answer to God about it, because I am not her judge. My opinion is that she is feeling guilty about it, and needs any thing she can grasp on to make her feel that it is right. But as I said, that is just my opinion.
2007-11-26 14:56:04 · answer #9 · answered by jenx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's atypical; most christians are catholic or mainstream protestant and this woman is a fundamentalist and they have very,very extreme views. She is espousing an extremist version of a doctrine called determinism,the idea that god determines every tiny detail of our lives. Don't judge two billion christians on the basis of a loonie fringe.
2007-11-26 14:54:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋