Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[Tasha+Scott]

Just curious, how many people use the term "Born Again" to describe themselves in real life? I only have ever used it here on the DIS boards. I fit into the definition of "born again" but it is not a term I use, or I hear anyone at my church use. We just call ourselves Christians.

I never use the term "born again" IRL. I have been known to say I am "saved" but mostly I just refer to myself as a Christian too.

 

[Albertan mom]

One of the best things about this thread is that it has helped to evaporate the myth that all Born Again Christians are members of the religious right. There is greater diversity in beliefs among conservative Christians than most people realize. I think that the exposure of diversity among supposedly "single minded" groups is a good thing.

Very true.

I bet many born-again Christians could get into big debates about their own personal beliefs on this forum. A few hot topisc could be divorce, homosexuality, abortion, gambling, drinking, smoking, Harry Potter, etc....

Many BAC will have strong opinions about these things that don't match up with other BAChristians.

My BAC friends and I always disagree about things. The last one-should Christians watch Desperate Housewives? It is full of adultery, murder, homosexuality, nudity, greed, lying, cheating, sex, scandals and so on. It is all make-believe though right? You can find all those things in the bible right? But you shouldn't surround yourself with sinful things right? But it is just mindless entertainment right? But would you watch it with Jesus sitting on the couch beside you? Then you shouldn't watch it. And on and on it goes, with pros and cons from each person....we all agree-everyones conviction level is different, and as much as Christians need to hold each other accountable, it is not our job to be someones Holy Spirit.

***Not intended to start a Desperate Housewives debate!!!!!***

Have a good day!!!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

People can post on whatever thread they wish. I post on the Godless Heathen thread and no one has EVER made me feel unwelcome. The same can't be said about this thread.

Does the homosexuality debate get old? Yes. But I have to agree with Cardaway because it is often us Christians who keep making such a big deal about it.

Again I throw out this question (because it never seems to get answered). Am I in perpetual sin (according to the Bible) because I am married to a man who is divorced (thus involved in an adulterous relationship per God's word)?

Sheesh, I always seem to get involved in these debates.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

My BAC friends and I always disagree about things. The last one-should Christians watch Desperate Housewives? It is full of adultery, murder, homosexuality, nudity, greed, lying, cheating, sex, scandals and so on. It is all make-believe though right? You can find all those things in the bible right? But you shouldn't surround yourself with sinful things right? But it is just mindless entertainment right? But would you watch it with Jesus sitting on the couch beside you? Then you shouldn't watch it. And on and on it goes, with pros and cons from each person....we all agree-everyones conviction level is different, and as much as Christians need to hold each other accountable, it is not our job to be someones Holy Spirit.

***Not intended to start a Desperate Housewives debate!!!!!***

Have a good day!!!

Okay, won't debate this but wanted to add that I am a Christian and yet I love Desperate Housewives! Being a Christian doesn't mean being perfect and I guess my love of that show might be a flaw to some Christians but I still love it!

 

[WDWHound]

Again I throw out this question (because it never seems to get answered). Am I in perpetual sin (according to the Bible) because I am married to a man who is divorced (thus involved in an adulterous relationship per God's word)?

Sheesh, I always seem to get involved in these debates.

In my opinion, there is no canned answer for this. I beleive much would depend on the reason for your divorce. In the end, we can tell you what the scripture says and what we believe, but you are the only one who understands the reasons for your divorce and your relationship with God since then. We can offer our interpretations of scripture and our advice, but only God truly knows your heart in this. I am not saying that all divorces are OK in God's site if the people who get them choose to think they are OK (Jesus was real clear that divorce can be a sin), but I am saying that outside of what the Bible says of the subject, you are the only one who can bring it to God to learn what he feels about the situation.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

In my opinion, there is no canned answer for this. I beleive much would depend on the reason for your divorce. In the end, we can tell you what the scripture says and what we believe, but you are the only one who understands the reasons for your divorce and your relationship with God since then. We can offer our interpretations of scripture and our advice, but only God truly knows your heart in this. I am not saying that all divorces are OK in God's site if the people who get them choose to think they are OK (Jesus was real clear that divorce can be a sin), but I am saying that outside of what the Bible says of the subject, you are the only one who can bring it to God to learn what he feels about the situation.

I am not the one who is divorced, it is my DH.

 

[WDWHound]

I am not the one who is divorced, it is my DH.

OK, remove the word "you" and replace it with the word "he" whereever it takes place.

My answer is still pretty much the same. If the reasons for his divorce were legit in God's sight, you have no problem. If not, well, my understanding is that you may be commiting a sin, but again, only God's understanding matters here. The thing is, I can't truly know or judge your hubby's reasons for his divorce. Only God can.

 

[acrucifer]

Nobody has trivialized the reasons that you have posted here...

Actually, I merely pointed out the TRUE reason that you have posted here.
And, I am correct, am I not.....

If you don't like it, quit posting!

(PS: I was not overtly disrespectful.... However, coming on this thread and taking pock-shots at what you call the 'religious right' is definately not respectful.... Respect is a two way street... Remember, on this thread, you are in our neighborhood.)

And, having said that, I would suggest that we ignore and starve this troll.... Otherwise, he will successfully hijack this thread.

Im in.

 

[Aidensmom]

Okay, won't debate this but wanted to add that I am a Christian and yet I love Desperate Housewives! Being a Christian doesn't mean being perfect and I guess my love of that show might be a flaw to some Christians but I still love it!

Me too! Watching it is not going to cause me to want to follow the characters examples. And I'd watch it with Jesus on the couch next to me, bet he'd be laughing his butt off at some of that ridiculousness.

 

[Aidensmom]

People can post on whatever thread they wish. I post on the Godless Heathen thread and no one has EVER made me feel unwelcome. The same can't be said about this thread.

Does the homosexuality debate get old? Yes. But I have to agree with Cardaway because it is often us Christians who keep making such a big deal about it.

Again I throw out this question (because it never seems to get answered). Am I in perpetual sin (according to the Bible) because I am married to a man who is divorced (thus involved in an adulterous relationship per God's word)?

Sheesh, I always seem to get involved in these debates.

I am divorced too, and it is me, this is my current DH's first marriage. PM me and I would love to discuss it with you if you want.

 

[ead79]

People can post on whatever thread they wish. I post on the Godless Heathen thread and no one has EVER made me feel unwelcome. The same can't be said about this thread.

I haven't posted or kept up with the heathen thread, so I can't comment about that, but I thank you for the reminder that we should all be mindful of our tones of voice (especially on the internet where there are no facial expressions to convey meaning). It makes me sad that some people don't feel welcome here. As long as respect is maintained, then I want to be a welcoming person and this thread to be a welcoming place. As LukenDC pointed out (I believe that's who it was), this thread helps people outside the BAC community understand what we're about. Since that should be imitating Christ, then welcoming is a distinct part of it. Thanks again for the reminder, Miss Jasmine.

 

[shelly3girls]

I just wanted to comment on something mentioned in an earlier post. Someone talked about "intolerance" in the Christian church concerning homosexuals. I personally believe that homosexual acts are a sin but that does not mean that I am intolerant towards gays. In fact I have friends who are gay and I love them just as much as any other friend. Jesus taught us to love everyone. We are all sinners and we should be tolerant of anyone no matter what their sin. Just because I do not agree with someone's actions does not mean that I am intolerant or prejudice against them. This may seem like a technicality but I see it as a huge difference. I think this is something many people misunderstand about Christians.

On another note, can anyone suggest a good book for the beach. I am looking for some light reading, nothing intense.

Hypthetical question. If you found out your boss was an atheist (from what you hear) would you continue to work there?

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have not followed the Godless Heathen thread either. (I really just would not want to...) But, I did pop over there, and what I saw were post after post and page after page of completely judgemental and disrespectul and untrue statements flaming Christians.

Christians are being painted as everything from completely mindlessly stupid for our beliefs, to cruel, intolerant, etc... It really is incredible. Note, that no other group is being flamed... just Christians...

No, I would not feel welcome there at all. Why would I post there. They have already called me, as a Christian, every negative name in the book.

Which is fine... Let them do that. Doesn't phase me...

But, hey, they are judging others, they are intolerant of our beliefs. No question about it. So, I just have to when they come over here on the Christian thread and start attacking us, and telling us that we are intolerant?????

 

[Saphire]

I personally believe that homosexual acts are a sin but that does not mean that I am intolerant towards gays. Jesus taught us to love everyone. We are all sinners and we should be tolerant of anyone no matter what their sin. Just because I do not agree with someone's actions does not mean that I am intolerant or prejudice against them. This may seem like a technicality but I see it as a huge difference. I think this is something many people misunderstand about Christians.


Hypthetical question. If you found out your boss was an atheist (from what you hear) would you continue to work there?

I agree. Just because God said the act is a sin does not mean we as Christians feel intolerant towards homosexuals. Everyone is a sinner, and each Christian is a sinner. Every time we point a finger at them, we must also point it back at ourselves. If we keep this in mind, maybe there would be less finger pointing going on. I just think that sometimes Chrisitans are quick to judge others sin without really understanding that they are just as guilty.

I definately would work with an atheist as my boss. I don't think God inteneded us to be all congregated together, never interacting with the world. We are meant to be out there, as light and salt. Besides, I might miss a good friendship!

 

[Grandma Bear]

Saphire, I agree with you.

 

[Aidensmom]

On another note, can anyone suggest a good book for the beach. I am looking for some light reading, nothing intense.

Hypthetical question. If you found out your boss was an atheist (from what you hear) would you continue to work there?

I always enjoy Mary Higgins Clark books, they are suspenseful, but still light, if that makes any sense.

And yes, I would work for an atheist. The only boss I have ever had that I really couldn't stand was also the only Christian boss I have had.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I would definitely work with an atheist as a boss. I tend to keep my personal life separate from the workplace and have never really been close enough to any of my bosses to discuss religion. Plus, my understanding is religion and the workplace are supposed to be separate if you want to keep your job. That may be sad to some but it's true and that's fine by me. There's a time and a place for everything. What I do in my free time is my business. What my boss (of course I am a SAHM right now so I guess dd is my boss right now! ) does in his free time is his business. Now if I were asked about my religion I wouldn't hide it but I won't bring it up at work unless asked.

 

[luvthatduke]

A good book I read recently is "Storm Over the Land" by Carl Sandburg,
it's about the Civil War.
He really does a good job of re-telling
accounts of all the major players, not just Lincoln.
It gave me a different perspective,
especially on how the rest of the world was reacting.
One passage really made me think, I'll put it here for anyone's interest:

'Now also, as a result flowing from the war, the United States was to take its place among nations counted World Powers...
... And as a World Power the expectation was it would be a voice of the teachings of Washington, Jefferson, Jackson - and Lincoln - speaking for republican* government, for democracy, for institutions "of the people, by the people, for the people."
That too was the hope of the British masses, the workingmen whose decisive stand for the Union and emanciaption had helped the North win, as also did the counsels of Queen Victoria, the Duke of Argyll, and a fraction of the upper classes.'
(*republican by definition, not necessarily by party)

There are other passages in the book that convey those same
sentiments (foreign press articles, etc.), and it was interesting
for me to read how foreign powers were watching our war intently,
with great support for the Union.

eta: I would have no problem working with a boss or anyone
of another or no religion - I always have as far as our conversations
have revealed.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Hmm funny that wdwhound (and aidensmom) answered me, but the rest of your are ingoring my question.

I take that to mean that even though I have asked Jesus into my heart, that I live my life for him, that I am subject to hell.

 

[luvthatduke]

Hmm funny that wdwhound (and aidensmom) answered me, but the rest of your are ingoring my question.

I take that to mean that even though I have asked Jesus into my heart, that I live my life for him, that I am subject to hell.

HUH???

I apologize if I forgot after 3 pages that there
had been a discussion about what we call ourselves.
I only remembered it when I got the email alert re:your post here.
You can see from my last post that I had to go back
and edit in something I'd already forgotten about.
My memory is shot, what can I say?

In any case, I don't usually stick out my hand and say,
"Hi! I'm Born Again!"
Nope, I am actually a casual talker, and in any given
conversation I usually just follow the subject at hand.
Although, there are certainly times I've felt the desire
to share not necesarily my testimony, but something regarding faith.