Openly Christian...I love it (Raleigh, Apex: school, move to, yard)

[ncsu99]

Originally Posted by I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA

What I tell people is don't look to these so called Christians but look to Jesus for the way to live.

There couldn't be a better way of saying this! Christians aren't perfect, but Jesus IS perfect. As a Christian, I strive to be like Jesus, but I will always fall short. Fortunately His grace forgives us.

[nctarheel]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Oh I do for the most part....but when they are standing in your front yard screaming...lol...it's sometimes hard. I just don't think it's right that a certain group of people can be rude to others and never called on it...especially, since we've been told many times in this thread, Christians are supposed to be kind and loving.

I don't tolerate hypocrisy well....and to see it being branded 'southern culture' (when I know it isn't) is just wrong.

I have never heard of anyone standing in front of someones yard screaming at them for not going to church.

To be completely honest, if you are asked to attend church with someone and you dont go, no one will care. Ive lived here my whole life and never been asked that question anyways.

Could you clarify what 'certain group of people' you are refering to? If its Christians, you should turn on the tube, read the paper, etc. Never has there ever been so many shows on tv that degrade Christianity and its teachings.

[ncsu99]

Originally Posted by nctarheel

Never has there ever been so many shows on tv that degrade Christianity and its teachings.

Absolutley. Unfortunately, many Christians are numb to the constant assault on us as well as Jesus himself. Sad to say, I'm numb to a certain degree, but the Lord lays a burden on me to speak up for Him at certain times.

[spunky1]

[quote=Desdemona123;257258]It seems that some folks are having a problem with this comment of mine...lots of negative reputation comments (but guess what...lol....more positive ones...it balances.)

Maybe when you get here you will understand a bit the issues that the not overly churchy folks go through in NC. It's not uncommon to be treated rudely, openly shunned, have false gossip spread about the neighborhood if you mention to the wrong person that you don't attend church, or just as bad, go to a church they don't approve of. Never mind that their kid is a drug dealer....he does it at chruch so it's okay. **rolls eyes**


"Not overly church folks" ?? Can you define, as opposed to people that are "overly churchy? I am sorry you must have had a bad experience with people who have attended church that made you have such a bitter and skeptical feeling toward Christians in general.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by ncsu99

Absolutley. Unfortunately, many Christians are numb to the constant assault on us as well as Jesus himself. Sad to say, I'm numb to a certain degree, but the Lord lays a burden on me to speak up for Him at certain times.

The Lord has put a burden on me too - He wants me to say that the only ones that are degrading Christianity are the holier than thou Christians who turn up their nose on everyone, including other Christians. Also, the other people that are/have degraded Christianity and Christians are those that have hijacked Christianity for political purposes and gain. The only thing that I'm numb to are the hypocrites who have mixed religion and politics and who have turned people against people.

P.S. - I have been a Christian my whole life.

As far as I'm concerned, Christ gave several laws:

(1) Love God with all of your heart, soul, being
(2) Love one another

Plain and simple.

The media has nothing to do with numbing people against Christianity; if anything, some of the biggest hypocrites of Christianity have been exposed to their flock for who they are; people like Foley, and others like him. I think people are just sick and tired of wolves in sheep clothing.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA

I hate hypocrisy as well. That is NOT the way a Christian should be. Christians should be kind and loving and follow the example of Jesus. I am a Christian but I am not religious. I try to live my life as an example of Jesus. and just for the record, if we were friends I would NEVER condem you, be rude to you, or yell at you that is wrong. What I tell people is don't look to these so called Christians but look to Jesus for the way to live.

I'm going to say that the most judgmental, mean people that I've ever had the displeasure of associating with are Evangalical Christian women on large family boards. I am a 44 year-old "Christian" women with a large family. I used to post on large family boards to take a break and associate with other like-minded women/mothers who also have a large family. I've never seen such spiteful, hateful, witches (please feel free to substitute a "b" for the "w" - as it would be accurate) in my life - ever! If you're not a "member" of the board, if you don't toe the right-wing Evangalical Christian line, your thoughts and opinions will be ignored, you will be shunned and you will be made to feel that you don't exist. I've seen "guests" on these boards attacked, their views attacked, even other Christian women who dare say anything different than what the few self-appointed matriarchs on the forum think. I didn't think that so-called "Christians" could be so cold, harsh, and brutal to other women and moms.

Because of these experiences, I can honestly say that if Christianity is criticized, it is not because of the media, it is because of some Christians themselves who do not respect or validate other Christians and their opinions and beliefs. Thank you for listening.

[Ms.Charlotte]

Originally Posted by Donna7

As far as I'm concerned, Christ gave several laws:

(1) Love God with all of your heart, soul, being
(2) Love one another

Plain and simple.

You mean I've been reading and dilligently studying the Bible for all these years and all I needed to know were these two lines??? What a waste of my time!!

Just joking.
Seriously, though, if you are a Christian, as you say, then you believe that the Bible is God's Word. If you beleve the Bible is God's Word...umm I feel compelled to tell ya, you left out a couple of things.

[Carolina_native]

Originally Posted by Donna7

I'm going to say that the most judgmental, mean people that I've ever had the displeasure of associating with are Evangalical Christian women on large family boards. I am a 44 year-old "Christian" women with a large family. I used to post on large family boards to take a break and associate with other like-minded women/mothers who also have a large family. I've never seen such spiteful, hateful, witches (please feel free to substitute a "b" for the "w" - as it would be accurate) in my life - ever! If you're not a "member" of the board, if you don't toe the right-wing Evangalical Christian line, your thoughts and opinions will be ignored, you will be shunned and you will be made to feel that you don't exist. I've seen "guests" on these boards attacked, their views attacked, even other Christian women who dare say anything different than what the few self-appointed matriarchs on the forum think. I didn't think that so-called "Christians" could be so cold, harsh, and brutal to other women and moms.

Because of these experiences, I can honestly say that if Christianity is criticized, it is not because of the media, it is because of some Christians themselves who do not respect or validate other Christians and their opinions and beliefs. Thank you for listening.

Let me clarify something. I dont think 'Christian' is the problem here.

Rather it is the women themselves.

[Donna7]

Ms. Charlotte,

You may be a Christian your way, and I'll be a Christian my way. I need zero approval from you on the type of Christian I am, or how deeply a Christian I am, etc.

As to the other poster that said that it's a "women" problem vs. a Christian problem; yes, you are right; except for the fact that most of these women claim to be "Quiverfull" Evangalical Christian women (the ones that posted on the Large Family board).

[robin from Oregon]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Oh I do for the most part....but when they are standing in your front yard screaming...lol...it's sometimes hard. I just don't think it's right that a certain group of people can be rude to others and never called on it...especially, since we've been told many times in this thread, Christians are supposed to be kind and loving.

I don't tolerate hypocrisy well....and to see it being branded 'southern culture' (when I know it isn't) is just wrong.

These comments make me a little concerned. Are you exaggerating here or were there really Christians standing in your front yard screaming at you for not being a Christian or going to their church? I have lived in the Bible Belt before and currently in very liberal Oregon, never experienced anything like you describe anywhere. Is NC really that different? As a Christian I just find it hard to believe the people would be so overtly hostile and disobedient to the teachings of their Lord.