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I'm going to have to jump in on Lorelei's side here a bit. I believe that she is asking a very valid question, although perhaps a bit too narrowly focused.
Unfortunately, there are Christians who believe that if you are not having the same experience/convictions/actions that they are that you are not a "good enough Christian". My mother is very much this way. Anytime she is convicted of something she not only has to tell everyone about it, but will hound you and tell you you are going to be lost if you don't accept it too. Now that does not make it an invalid belief, but too many Christians are trying to do the job of the Holy Spirit, whose job it is to convict us - either of truth or sin.
Sure, the Bible teaches that there is no such thing as a not good enough Christian, but it isn't that simple. First, it is uncomfortable - even unpleasant to worship where the majority of people have a different belief/practice than you. I have changed churches a few times for this very reason - the nature of the worship service changed to something that wasn't for me - doesn't make it wrong, just not for me. Second, it isn't so easy as to just say I'm good enough. If it was, there wouldn't be any self-esteem issues in the world. Even as adults, peer pressure has an effect on us, even if we don't follow it.
Why I feel that this was too narrowly focused is that it isn't just evengelicals that do this, it's mainstream Christians, fundamentalists, athiests - oh heck, it's humans!! We want every one to think that what we think is great is the only thing that's great!
Thank you, ellemaew!
I need to remember what you've said before I talk to the UR people on City-Data again.
Has anyone becoming dillusioned with going to church because of the influence of evangelicals in society? I was previously a regular church-goer, and now I find myself so upset with evangelicals, that I am having struggles with how faith fits into my daily life. I feel like evangelicals are saying my faith isn't good enough. I'm also depressed about all the moral value-pushing on me and all of it not matching what I was taught in my own church. I feel beaten down by the zealousness of some. I've been thinking about talking to my minister and finding a way of coming to terms with all my questions and bitterness. Has anyone else ever been conflicted with the fear of not being a "good-enough Christian"?
superiority complexes and personal shows do disgust me. So I guess I could understand how fundamentalists/hardcore Christians could chase away some of the moderate traditional types. You are correct in measuring the type of people who are around you and whether you want them influencing you. If church service was really for God and not a community thing, then there would be no need for preachers, benches, or bills.
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