One of the most open and frank personal stories I've ever had the privilege to hear!
And then one of the best spoken word pieces I've ever heard.
We've got some talented folk here at Windsor.
Enemies of the Cross, definitely worth the time to think about!
Don't tar everyone with the same brush....
ReplyDeleteJust because the first speaker needed the threat of hell when he dies to make him a better person doesn't mean everyone does. Believe it or not there are good people out there who are great humanitarians leading good lives because they have empathy and respect themselves and others who do not believe in God.
It's so annoying and actually quite disrespectful of Christians towards others when you insinuate none Christians are evil sinners. This is what gives Christians a bad name and turns others against them. How would you like being criticised, judged and found guilty for things you haven't done? This is what you do to people you don't know when you assume none Christians are evil sinners. Some are actually good people with good hearts doing good things in life. Just because some of you slide into bad habits without your God doesn't mean everyone does.
You are quite right when you talk about being chocked by those around you, the toxic attitude of some people be they Christian or not turns people against each other.
Hey there! It might be worth noting that not all of us share the same views on this, but at Windsor we feel we should let everyone have a voice whther they are more on the conservative side or the liberal side. The important thing for us is that the community leads the community, rather than being told what to think by those in "authority" all the time.
DeleteBut thanks for engaging, feel free to keep commenting, because you're a voice that needs to be heard too. People need to hear that these ideas actually affect people, they're not things that exist solely in the 'ideas' world. Ideas can ruin people's lives. Ideas can oppress and push people out.
I'm a believer that ideas can also be really positive too. I don't necessarily agree with Rupert, I like a much bigger stroke when it comes to humanity and God. Here's a little bit of my thinking. What do you reckon?
http://au.christiantoday.com/article/whakama-its-a-bit-of-a-shame/15221.htm
I'm actually quite appalled that everyone turned their back on him and shunned him in the first place. They guy is human, I not saying adultery is good and I'm sure the guy fraught with himself emotionally for a long time about it. It's something that hurts people deeply and I'm sure he was aware of that. It's not like trading in an old car for a new one. It wreaks lives. But it happened and it would have been tough on everyone concerned including him. I have no doubt that the public rejection of him aided him going off the rails and impacted on his downfall. A perfect example of how rejection impacts people's lives and the hurt it causes. He and all people, his ex wife and new partner needed support and understanding in a difficult situation and they never got it. People were accusing and judgemental instead. They only want the praise and worship but abandon you when life doesn't go according to plan. Funny, but he is still someone that committed adultery, that hasn't changed, but he has a good story to tell about it so has Vonnegut favour again. The word Fickle comes to mind.this is typical as when I went to church I was avoided like the plague when I hit a bad patch. So I left. Had only been going a couple of years so was no great loss. I found church to be like a club, either you fit or you don't. I didn't so I left. I found love, encouragement and acceptance elsewhere. Like most people, I needed my place in society where I feel loved, accepted, valued and feel I belong. People need that. This guy lost it and broke down, I lost it and broke down. I'm lucky, I managed to find it again and appreciate those that gave it to me. That's where peace is.
ReplyDeleteYeah exactly my point :)
DeleteI guess were wanting similar things but for different reasons.
DeleteYou encourage people to do the right think in Gods strength, because God says. Your first priority is God. I remember someone once said they were kind to me because God tells them to. My reaction was " don't bother" if your only being kind because someone tells you then its fake. Take God out of the equation and they wouldn't want to know me.. I can do without that thanks. I'm a person not a good deed to score someone points for doing as they're told.
I'm a humanist, I do things because I care about people. I know what it's like to be down and in need and wouldn't wish that on anyone. One good thing comes out of it though, I learnt how to survive and what's important in life. I learnt who to trust and to spot a fake a mile away. I found the church I went to lacking in sincerity and genuine compassion. It preached a good sermon but lacked the depth gained from actual experience. It talked about love and forgiveness but didn't actually practice them. Not to outsiders anyway. I went there looking for truth about life, who we really are, wanting to get to know and understand God a little better. I learnt the hard way its not for me. I couldn't cope with the guilt and shame they put upon me by continually being told we are sinners in need of Gods grace. Only by Gods grace are we saved. Jesus died for us, for me because of our sin. We are not worthy, only in Gods strength, only through Gods Grace. It all got too much. I know what it's like to suffer and I couldn't cope with being the reason for someone else's suffering, someone else's death. That's to mush to put onto sensitive people. It's emotional blackmail. It bought me crashing down in a big way and left me struggling.
I'm lucky I managed to get away from it all and found people that built me back up. People that affirmed I'm a good person, deserving of love and happiness and that I am capable in my own strength.
I love humanity and see a lot of good in it. I see goodness in people and do what I can to encourage that to grow. I give people a belief in themselves. I do this for the good of people, for the good of the world we live in. You and I want similar things but for different reasons.
Tell me, do Christians consider people who don't believe in god to be their enemies ?
DeleteNot at all! Did the mp3 kinda sound like that?
DeleteThe first guy and something else I read made it sound as though mixing with none Christians encourages you lot to become wayward and drink, get stoned and have loose sexual morals.. I would hate to be involved with a Christian only to one day be thought of as a mistake that led them astray. Although I can assure you I have height moral standards and am not in any way a pleasure seeker.
DeleteTBH I think that speaks more about the speakers personal lack of control in life than human nature in general as its the exception not the rule for people to become drug addicts, alcoholics and sexually immoral. It's a myth that people need god to live a decent life.
I think the title in general "enemies of the cross" puts it in my mind there are people you consider to be enemies. It's sounds as though what's mentioned is only a small part of a bigger problem. Just wondered who you consider your enemies ?
I suppose you might call me one of those critical dogs that keeps yapping away in the background. I don't mean to be critical, just want to understand where you people are coming from as I recently got to know a Christian guy quite well and don't understand all his and other Christians thinking. For instance. Do you take into account where people are coming from as in why people do things. Take for instance some of those critical dogs. Why are they critical ? There has to be a reason, there's always a reason why a person behaves the way they do. Ever watched "old yellow" old yellow turned because he had rabies. There was a reason, why would someone become a critic, we all know nobody likes a critic so something bad must have happened to make them so. If you really cared, wouldn't you find out what's happened to make them mad and bad rather than just dismiss them as the critical dog to be avoided. What do they need to tame them.
DeleteI think I'm critical and want to understand how you people work because I'm curious and cautious. I don't want to be someone's latest conversion project then they move on and I don't want to be thought of as a mistake in a moment of weakness
@Fifi Roberts, I think you miss understood the whole point of the first speakers message, he was sayign that you can be influenced by the things you surround yourself with , and if you dont know who you are properly then the things around you will influence you, he was in an enviromnents heavily surrounded by alchohol and loose sexual morals as a normality therefore conformed to the norm, not so much that "all" non christians cause such behaviour. also the enemies that the topic is addressing is not the enemies such as people groups but enemies such as practises. And dont worry i understand completely what you mean about being critical for a reason, that was the main reason I walked away from christianity in the first place. but then I realised it wasnt god that let me down but people, and no one is perfect so would be dumb to get angry because of it.
ReplyDelete