DVC Christian Owners

[cherylp3]

I'm Jewish. Should I return my DVC membership? Make sure to go at a different time from the Christians? Do I have to be "saved" in order to be a DVC member?

I'm not picking on you specifically. I guess I'm a little confused by the entire thread.

I am a Jewish DVC member as well and started a thread here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1812470

 

[Kimmumum]

A Lutheran DVC member signing in.

 

[photobob]

If that is the case, why do people feel the need to comment that its surprising the Disney fans are sometimes non-religious or non-Christian?

I'm not sure what you are asking and how that relates to what I posted.

 

[eva]

If that is the case, why do people feel the need to comment that its surprising the Disney fans are sometimes non-religious or non-Christian?

I'm not sure how one person's words all of a sudden become the beliefs of an entire group of posters on the thread. Just because one person states something doesn't mean everyone agrees. I have no idea what the statistics are for religious beliefs of DVC members. And to be honest I never paid much attention to it one way or the other. Please don't judge an entire group of people based on one person's comments.

It's interesting how some take immediate offense to a few Christians (that happen to share a love for Disney and DVC) just wanting to say hi to one another and maybe offer some encouragement. I sure haven't seen any comments about it being the "right" religion or anyone condemning anyone for having other beliefs. I'm not sure why some have taken immediate offense. I usually ignore threads that make me feel that way. I figure the more I post to a thread the more likely it will hang around longer.

 

[crisi]

I'm not sure what you are asking and how that relates to what I posted.

My post references Carl's post.

Since you brought it up, I must say that when I first came to this board about Disney, I was (and am) surprised on how many people who are very interested in Disney, are not Christians - or even believers in God, for that matter. I don't know why I expected people interested in Disney to be religious, but I just did.

Because, while he likely didn't intend to, what Carl posted was an admission of a prejudice that is hurtful to those of us who struggle often with not being a member of the majority in the U.S.

People of different faiths or no faith are more like you than they are unlike you. Except non-Christians probably spend less time at Church (and even that isn't certain if you replace Church with 'place of worship', there are a lot of Unitarians in my congregation who do not have a God centered belief system who teach Sunday School, sing in the choir and participate in the comfort ministry, just like you probably do. (I teach Sunday School myself) And if we include non-Christians - Hebrew school is a commitment!)

Some of us like Disney. Some of us like baseball. Some of us do Bible Study (one of the best amateur biblical scholars I've ever come across is an atheist). Some of us quilt. Some of us play musical instruments. Some of us preach (my minister is an agnostic!) Those of us with kids raise them the best they can.

And yet, we are blamed, by some, as being "what is wrong with America. We are told we can't possibly be moral, compassionate people. We are told we are doomed to hell. Some people, on finding out, don't allow their children to play with ours. I know Christians don't perceive themselves this way, for the most part, but threads like this are a indication that yours is a private club - they are exclusionary.

Why in the world would anyone want to have a general invitation meet at Disney for just Christians? If someone had a meet at Disney for just white people, wouldn't that be offensive?

 

[Carl]

Another DVC Christian. Since you brought it up, I must say that when I first came to this board about Disney, I was (and am) surprised on how many people who are very interested in Disney, are not Christians - or even believers in God, for that matter. I don't know why I expected people interested in Disney to be religious, but I just did.

Since some seem to be taking offense at my post, I'd like to point out that I said that I did not know WHY I expected people interested in Disney to be religious, BUT I JUST DID. Perhaps you can reflect upon why I might have supposed such a thing, instead of criticizing me for having thought it.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Hey everyone. DH & I have been DVC members since 2001. I was baptized Catholic, went to Catholic school until grade 8, and don't belong to any church at the moment. I believe in Jesus Christ, but have lost my connection to the Catholic church and am not sure I want to reclaim it. My DH is Methodist and he also has not been to church is a very long time. We are both Christians, but don't participate in any organized branch at this time.

 

[marieNJkitty]

Another Lutheran DVC member here.

 

[crisi]

Since some seem to be taking offense at my post, I'd like to point out that I said that I did not know WHY I expected people interested in Disney to be religious, BUT I JUST DID. Perhaps you can reflect upon why I might have supposed such a thing, instead of criticizing me for having thought it.

I know you didn't mean offense, and I actually admire you for admitting it. We all have stereotypes and prejudices about people, but I am interested in why you were surprised to find so many non-Christian Disney fans. Disney is not Jars of Clay or dc Talk, their entertainment is overwhelmingly secular. (It would surprise me to discover dc Talk or Veggie Tales had a large non-Christian following). Disney has a reputation for tolerance of homosexuality (something not all Christian churches agree with) and is highly popular in the gay/lesbian community (and there are plenty of GLBT Christians out there).

I'll admit, I'm always a little shocked when I find the conservative Christian world (specifically the Conservatives) and the non-religious hippies intersect - but they do surprisingly often - over things like homeschooling and breastfeeding and non-commercialism and crafting. Both groups have a back to traditions philosophy.

 

[eva]

Why in the world would anyone want to have a general invitation meet at Disney for just Christians? If someone had a meet at Disney for just white people, wouldn't that be offensive?

This is a bit ridiculous to associate a gathering of Christians at WDW on the same level as a "whites" only club. Do you feel that the gay community should not be allowed to meet at WDW as well? I know that I would stand up for their right to do so. Do I feel like I am being excluded because I am not gay? Of course not. There are a lot of meets that are geared towards different types of populations. I think there are just some people that are just a bit too sensitive when they feel they don't belong to one group or another. I believe that the main goal for the gathering was to have a prayer service, since WDW no longer has services on Sundays. You can bet that all people would be welcome. Why must we go to extremes on this thread?

 

[crisi]

This is a bit ridiculous to associate a gathering of Christians at WDW on the same level as a "whites" only club. Do you feel that the gay community should not be allowed to meet at WDW as well? I know that I would stand up for their right to do so. Do I feel like I am being excluded because I am not gay? Of course not. There are a lot of meets that are geared towards different types of populations. I think there are just some people that are just a bit too sensitive when they feel they don't belong to one group or another. I believe that the main goal for the gathering was to have a prayer service, since WDW no longer has services on Sundays. You can bet that all people would be welcome. Why must we go to extremes on this thread?

Then post the meet as a prayer gathering. I have no issue with that, that isn't a DIS meet, that's a prayer meeting at Disney. But then why limit that to DVCers - wouldn't you want to open it to all Christians (and, it the spirit of Christianity, all people interested - Christianity being generally a proselytizing faith), in which case, why the problem where the same thread had to be moved three times yesterday to the community board?

I think the gay community should be able to meet at Disney. I do not think there should be a thread on the DVC board for gay DVC members to meet. Nor atheists, nor liberal democrats, nor Christians, nor neo-Nazis nor Star Trek fans. Location meets are different, you are unlikely to fly from California to the DIS meet in Pittsburgh.

 

[Muushka]

Great thread! Can we close it now? Before somebody gets hurt?

 

[eva]

Then post the meet as a prayer gathering. I have no issue with that, that isn't a DIS meet, that's a prayer meeting at Disney. But then why limit that to DVCers - wouldn't you want to open it to all Christians (and, it the spirit of Christianity, all people interested - Christianity being generally a proselytizing faith), in which case, why the problem where the same thread had to be moved three times yesterday to the community board?

I think the gay community should be able to meet at Disney. I do not think there should be a thread on the DVC board for gay DVC members to meet. Nor atheists, nor liberal democrats, nor Christians, nor neo-Nazis nor Star Trek fans. Location meets are different, you are unlikely to fly from California to the DIS meet in Pittsburgh.

But these comments you made were after the thread was already moved. Why is there still a problem? And who said anything about limiting who came to a meet? I feel there is a lot being read into to what people say. And definitely some judging towards people's intentions. The thread was not started with the intent of a meet anyway. It was just mentioned by a couple of people.

 

[WhitFam]

I'm a pastor and a DVC owner.

Among other things I love Disney World because when I'm there I see people from different countries and cultures not shooting and killing each other but laughing and playing together.

I see people of various skin colors and languages using their creativity not to make smarter bombs but to celebrate life through music, art, dancing, engineering and physics (those heart stopping rides!), etc.

I've seen the Kingdom of Heaven at Disney World. The only thing missing? It can't be the Kingdom of Heaven if anyone (who doesn't want to be) is left out.

So how do we convince Disney to make it free?

 

[BrerMom]

I'm a pastor and a DVC owner.

Among other things I love Disney World because when I'm there I see people from different countries and cultures not shooting and killing each other but laughing and playing together.

I see people of various skin colors and languages using their creativity not to make smarter bombs but to celebrate life through music, art, dancing, engineering and physics (those heart stopping rides!), etc.

I've seen the Kingdom of Heaven at Disney World. The only thing missing? It can't be the Kingdom of Heaven if anyone (who doesn't want to be) is left out.

So how do we convince Disney to make it free?

Excellent post!!

and

 

[tigertamm]

I'm a pastor and a DVC owner.

Among other things I love Disney World because when I'm there I see people from different countries and cultures not shooting and killing each other but laughing and playing together.

I see people of various skin colors and languages using their creativity not to make smarter bombs but to celebrate life through music, art, dancing, engineering and physics (those heart stopping rides!), etc.

I've seen the Kingdom of Heaven at Disney World. The only thing missing? It can't be the Kingdom of Heaven if anyone (who doesn't want to be) is left out.

So how do we convince Disney to make it free?

Now that's what I am talking about. The true Spirit of Disney!

 

[eva]

I'm a pastor and a DVC owner.

Among other things I love Disney World because when I'm there I see people from different countries and cultures not shooting and killing each other but laughing and playing together.

I see people of various skin colors and languages using their creativity not to make smarter bombs but to celebrate life through music, art, dancing, engineering and physics (those heart stopping rides!), etc.

I've seen the Kingdom of Heaven at Disney World. The only thing missing? It can't be the Kingdom of Heaven if anyone (who doesn't want to be) is left out.

So how do we convince Disney to make it free?

Wow! I've often thought heaven must be WDW multiplied a million times. It sure does allow you to escape the "real world." Great post!

 

[tigertamm]

It is funny or maybe not so funny how this thread caused such a ruckus. It's true intent was to find out how many people out there had DVC ownership that also loved the Lord. I, like the minister that posted, find that Disney brings out the holiness in people and I can feel it when I am at Disney World. It brings tears to my eyes when I even see a commercial. But it's not so much that I love Disney as much as I love the feeling of happiness or holiness and even a peacefulness it brings to my family. It amazes me when people complain about disney or a disney trip-for some reason I only see the good when I am there. Regardless of how hot it is or how long the lines are or how many babies are crying-I feel the magic and when something extra special happens-like you get to ride in the front of the monorail or you time your bus pick up perfectly-I announce it outloud to the family-"Do you feel the magic?" or "That was a magical moment" So ultimately I feel God when I am at Disney World-Only God could make such a magical place.

 

[sm4987]

Hi! I just noticed this thread and decided to say that I am am a Christian and I own as SS. Nice to meet you all

 

[tigertamm]

Keep it up DVCers-Disney Vacation Christians! Let us know where you find God at Disney.