Being Christian in America?

[aric]

Being an agnostic/atheist, I really can't say for myself. But, considering that most of you wonder people here ( ) are Christian, then perhaps you guys can illuminate something for me.

What does it mean to publicly and proudly proclaim yourself to everyone that you're a Christian when, by most measures, 75% of the people in this country are Christian?

It's not as if this is something that all Christians do since if they did I'd be bombarded by crosses, biblical proverbs, and "I Love Jesus" bumper stickers 24/7.

But from my experiences, this isn't how most American Christians conduct themselves in their day to day activities and lives.

So that being said, why are there some Christians out there who seemingly stress a point that the vast majority of Americans already seem to agree with and believe at a basic and widespread level? Are they unhappy with the degree to which other Americans worship (or don't worship) God and Jesus? Is it just about their own personal faith? What does it say about what they think of others who may be Christian but don't wear it on their shoulder the same way some of these outwardly-expressing Christians do? Do they think they're not Christian enough? Is it not even about other people, or is there no way to avoid some implications about the relationship between them and other Christians who may not worship in the same manner as they do? Is it just proselytizing?

- Aric

[Wolf]

I can understand what you are asking but i don't quite know how to answer. As a pagan who was raised christian but never felt a connection too it, i was never one to wear it openly. It was too much like a hat that didn't fit.

My thoughts on why some of it might be:

Consider: If you believed wholely and truly that your religion was the one and only true religion and that any who did not believe were going to spend their eternities in eternal torment, would you not want to help others come to your religion? Any humanitarian (that word just seems funny to me. . . too much like vegetarian i guess. Canibal's diet anyone?) would.

As to your other questions, i don't know how to respond to them. I will consider further and get back to you on them if i come up with something. Or maybe if i get a chance to ask one of my christian friends.

Eb Dr

[Barry]

Well. I'm a Christian and I don't go around announcing it
to everyone I see in town I come to any more. For one thing, it has a way of scaring people away from the things you say about it.
That depends on Who you tell it to. Some people may accept
it while others spit in your face. I found this out in Pittsburgh
when I used to walk through the city trying to gain souls
for God's kingdom. There are a lot of bad people in that city
and you don't know what to suspect. I had a few people
Who accepted it. I had some that didn't, I even heard from a few people that I shouldn't be doing it at all because a few people
that tried got shot because of it. So that kinda put a lid on
that. But there is another way you can get to people
without revealing your faith and blurting out that your Christian.
It's in the way you talk and act towards a person. You don't
have to mention God or Jesus or any religious related stuff
and still get to them. They may not know it. God can have
you say things in ways that won't tip your hat and blow your
cover. I found if you try to help people like, give them food or
money and slowly work your way in gaining their trust.
It will be a lot easier to tell them about God or Jesus.
I find this works well in defusing arguments. The mistake
most often made by some Christians is that they get to bold
and start saying things that upset others like, e.g. If you go around
and say things like "Your going to hell if you don't get right with God" or they try to analyze people. (Matthew Ch 7) Some use scare tactics to try to get 'Their' point across. This isn't from God, its from the persons viewpoint which can be very misleading. Some like to yell a lot when they preach. This isn't God either. God speaks like a loving father. I noticed that some preachers tend to yell and point the finger at times. This gets very annoying at times.

[Tiasalle]

I would have to agree with Dwaggie,
Being LDS, we believe that it is more effective to teach by the Spirit than to try and "prove our point". Some of us Mormons get into "Bible Bashes" with other Christians, and, like Dwaggie said, entirely forget that our message is not our own, but God's. There is an amazing difference in emotions and the number of open hearts when you speak softly and through the Spirit than when you yell, scream, and tell people they are going to hell if they don't worship the way you do.
Aric, you said something about crosses, biblical passages and bumper stickers. I will say this: that while these symbols are very recognizable in the eyes of America in particular, they are not the core of our religion. Our One, True Symbol (if you want to call Him that), is our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ and the light that shines thru us because of our testimony of His love and unconditional sacrifice.
I'm sorry, I may sound a little too preachy. As you can tell, I get really passionate about this stuff. I hope none were offended, especially Aric, since I directed it to him in particular.

[aric]

blazetail said:

Aric, you said something about crosses, biblical passages and bumper stickers. I will say this: that while these symbols are very recognizable in the eyes of America in particular, they are not the core of our religion. Our One, True Symbol (if you want to call Him that), is our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ and the light that shines thru us because of our testimony of His love and unconditional sacrifice.

Good point there. However, I'm interested in the reasons why folks wear their faith on their shoulders using these "lesser" symbols, so to speak. In fact, I'm less interested in the symbols themselves than the people who are expressing their faith in this public manner.

blazetail said:

I'm sorry, I may sound a little too preachy. As you can tell, I get really passionate about this stuff. I hope none were offended, especially Aric, since I directed it to him in particular.

No problemo. And believe me, that wasn't preachy at all.

- Aric

[Tiasalle]

Aric, I don't think that I would be the best person to answer that interest, since my religion does not carry around these symbols (a fact which has been questioned repeatedly). However, we do have people to sort of overdo themselves in trying to prove to the world that they are right and everyone else is wrong in order to receive praise and recognition. This is a terrible practice and all I can do is cringe at such actions. Now, I'm not saying that these common Christian symbols are a sign of hypocrisy, many might simply be trying to spread the word of their beliefs.
Great, now I'm getting off subject. I would ask Dwaggie, he would know more about it than I would. However, if you have any questions about the LDS religion, I'll be happy to answer them.

[Barry]

However, we do have people to sort of overdo themselves in trying to prove to the world that they are right and everyone else is wrong in order to receive praise and recognition. This is a terrible practice and all I can do is cringe at such actions.

I agree, I couldn't have said it any better than that. Some do go overboard and try to push it on you. That is not how God works.
That right there is what Aric calls proselytizing. I ran in to people
like that. These people are the kind Who don't give up very easily.
I tried to get out by saying something like I have something very important to do, or I have an appointment for something, but that doesn't stop them. They step it up a notch and start using scare
tactics on you. Now Who do you think would use scare tactics?
Not God. He's not like that. Sometimes you have to say things to
them that may not be to friendly just to get out of these situations.
I know I had to on some occasions. It wasn't easy to do. I for one
don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or offend anyone. Sometimes
you have to step on their toes just to get away. As for the common Christian symbols, to me they are just signs to express your faith.
Take the Christian cross e.g. , it represents the cross of Christ's crucifixion. A very strong symbol of the Christian faith. But you
have to watch out. Some Christians worship wooden gods.
I have a lot of crosses, but I don't worship them. They are a
reminder of Who was crucified on it. I worship Who was crucified on it, not the cross. If I worshipped the cross itself, then I would
be worshipping an idol and God hates that. It's been said through the Old Testament that you can not do that.

Apologies if I offended anyone what I said here.

[Tiasalle]

Thank you, Dwaggie, I was wondering why so many Christians wore crosses as well.

[Rosa]

I agree with what you said, Dwaggie, and Blazetail. I too find it sickening to see people who declare their Christianity, but their lives do not match up to their preaching. As Jesus said in the book of Matthew, "Ye shall know them by their fruits..." this refers to how to know who is a true Christian and who isn't. Just because someone says that they are Christian doesn't mean that they truly are. Also, Christians are humans so they do make mistakes, just like anyone else. The difference is that if a person is a true Christian, he will do his best to do what is right and avoid sinful behaviour. And if he does commit a sin, and God or a fellow Christian, and even sometimes a nonChristian, brings it to his attention, he will want to repent and ask for God's forgiveness and ask the forgiveness of those he may have hurt or offended.

However, if you have any questions about the LDS religion, I'll be happy to answer them.

I apologize for my ignorance, but what does LDS stand for?

[Tiasalle]

LDS stands for "Latter-Day Saint", or, if you want the full version of the name, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints", we have also been called Mormons many times because a lot of people think we worship Mormon, who was the translator of the Book of Mormon, but we don't, we do consider him a prophet that was called of God, however. By the way, don't be ashamed of "ignorance", we are all ignorant about one thing or another...

[Rosa]

Thank's for explaining that to me. I've heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Mormons, but I hadn't seen the abbreviation LDS. So now I know.

[cassandria]

I'm a Christian, and my closest friend didn't even know until three years after we initially met. I used a lot of bible quotes to her, and she was all surprised, and asked who said it. I told her Jesus, and she was quite surprised Christianity held more wisdom than she knew. I think the best way to preach is to use a quote that relates to their situation. Jesus holds a heck of a lot of surprises. I've been a Christian all my life, and even now, I see stuff and am like, 'wow...that really helps...' It's amazing sometimes how you think you know so much and can know so little.

(EDIT: I can't spell. I got a cat on my head, a dog on my butt and next door are talking about piles. Story of my life. No wonder I can't spell.)