Hey my Post earlier was a little harsh. I have no problems with Christians. I am one. But I do have a problem with the fundamentalists whackos, the same people who tell me I am not a Christian because I understand that man and dinosaurs did not live together. The same ones who think that we must initiate the clash of civilizations and WW3 to bring back Jesus. These people are just plain crazy. And if that means I have to stay away from Church and the Religion to keep away from these people. I will. It is not worth it. Too many psychos. I wish I could get involved in it again. But there is just no way. Sad I know.
But I think you all know what I am talking about. :wink:
Hey Bob26003,
I know that there are some people who give us a bad name. I personally do not know of any people like that who post here. I'm glad to hear that you believe in Jesus and have accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour.
With the 'man living with dinosaurs' thing, I think it is possible but I also wouldn't condemn you for not believing it. Once again, I know there are Christians who interpret Genesis to mean that it did not take literally seven days, but a longer time. I personally do not see any evidence in the Bible to suggest that when it is said that God created the world in 7 days, it meant anything but that. I do believe that God created everything in 7 days, literally. I do not believe that Christians should be condemning each other or others for that, and I do not believe that accepting either theory has much impact on whether one is a Christian or not.
I believe that all war and violence is wrong, as Christ Himself said in the Gospels. I do not believe that a person who truly believes in Christ and follows Him can take pleasure in war or wage it against anyone. I believe that following Jesus means not only not waging war, but also working for peace and standing up for the victims of oppression and injustice, and proclaiming the Gospel in our words and deeds to expose others to the Kingdom of God. And if we are hated or persecuted because of it, we are called to turn the other cheek, to pray for our enemies, to continue serving God but not fight those who are out to hurt us. It can be dangerous, Jesus did not lightly say that those who follow Him should be prepared for persecution, even death. In the West, most of us have no idea what persecution or true oppression really is. But look at El Salvador or South Africa or the Phillipines or Sudan or other parts of the world where so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ laid down their lives for Him and continue to do so.
Also, with regards to the 'clash of civilizations', I do not see the conflict between the West and many in the Muslim world as a clash between 'Christianity and Islam'. I can't speak for Muslims, but I know Christians wouldn't drop bombs on others or invade others' countries or torture people or condemn some people for terrorism while hypocritically doing the same thing themselves. I do not believe that our leaders and others waging this 'war on terror' are Christians. I do not hate them, but I hate what they do. I think that their hands are just as bloody if not more than the hands of Osama bin Laden. I believe that both are serving Satan, not God.
I also believe that like all of us they are sinners and while we should speak out against their crimes and do what we can to help the victims on both sides and work for peace, we should not condemn them. Jesus died for George Bush and Osama bin Laden, and if they choose to reject their ways and repent and believe in Him and try to follow Him, they too will enter Heaven. God loves them too. I think we need to pray for them too.
Not that anyone asked me, but if I were to say what I think a Christian is, I would say someone who:
1) believes in God, and that Jesus is His Son, that they are one.
2) has accepted Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Saviour
3) believes that Jesus died for all of us, and that by putting his/her faith in Him s/he is saved.
4) believes what the Gospels say about Him
5) Wants to follow Jesus' teachings- so tries not to sin, tries to love everyone around him/her regardless of how they are treated by that person, cares about those who are suffering around him/her and tries to help, believes in being a peacemaker, does not condemn others, forgives others, tries to live out the Gospel and be a witness of Him to others, many more things that are written in the Bible...
6) Realizes that s/he is not perfect and asks God for forgiveness when s/he messes up.
When you say you want to stay away from 'Church', can I ask you what churches you went to? I know that some are filled with people who do support war and are condemning of others, but there are many who don't. Maybe you should check some others out. Have you tried going to a Mennonite church?
I'm not saying that if you don't go to church that makes you a non-Christian. But it definitely helps us in our walk with God. I'm currently looking for a church as well, and sometimes it can take a while before we find one to which God is calling us. It's helpful to be an environmnet sorrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ who also put their faith in Him and are willing to live it out. It helps keep our minds on Jesus and living a life for Him. At least it has definitely helped me.
I'll pray for you, Bob26003. It's been good hearing from you!
Cristo Vive!
- Tomasz
