I hate to say it, but I'm not entirely sure that this is a Christian problem in so much as it's a "some people's heads will explode if they stop complaining" problem
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I guess it all particularly bothers me because, the moment I tell someone that I'm a Christian, I'm instantly lumped in with the likes of people whose ideas and attitudes -- all wrapped in a "Christian" package -- I despise. I have a deeply-ingrained need to not be associated with those folks. So, that kept me away from Christianity for a looooooooooooong time. I did go back, obviously, but in some ways it is sometimes still under duress. At times, I don't even label myself, in my mind, as a "Christian." The word has too many negative connotations associated with it now. So now I tend to think of myself as a follower of Christ. I wouldn't presume to call myself a disciple. I'm more of an emulator. Or at least, that's my aspiration. I suppose that I need to get rid of the above attitude first... *sigh* But, like I said, it's deeply-ingrained
( ... )
And this reminds me of some wank that's been going on the last couple of days with a friend-of-a-friend, involving this guy who keeps going on about how Harry Potter, Narnia (NARNIA of all things) and LotR will lead to OMGWITCHCRAFT! Yeah, people never seem to get tired of that old chestnut. Funny thing is, this guy's a Furry. Dude. NO. Anyone into Furry has no place being all pious and super-Christian about anything. (What gets me most is he's never even read the books, so basically he's parroting what the super-Christian websites are saying, without knowing what he's talking about.)
If I didn't already know Jesus, people like that would drive me away from Him way faster than anything the eeeeeeevil secular world could dish out.
I don't know why it is, but some Christians -- I'd almost venture to say a majority of them -- are afraid of anything that isn't carrying a "Christian-approved" label. Like, they won't listen to rock music because it "isn't Christian." Or they'll only do business with Christian-owned businesses. Or they won't read books about, say, Buddhism. Or they won't go to see movies that aren't morally "good." It baffles me. I suppose they're afraid of backsliding or being tempted to do things that they shouldn't do
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I don't know why it is, but some Christians -- I'd almost venture to say a majority of them -- are afraid of anything that isn't carrying a "Christian-approved" label. Like, they won't listen to rock music because it "isn't Christian." Or they'll only do business with Christian-owned businesses. Or they won't read books about, say, Buddhism. Or they won't go to see movies that aren't morally "good." It baffles me. I suppose they're afraid of backsliding or being tempted to do things that they shouldn't do.
My gads! I must be a horrible Catholic then, 'cause ZOMG! I interact with non-Christian stuff on a daily basis, like OMG! XD... I watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and read books on Celtic Mythology, OMG! I'm sinning!
Actually, no. If they take the movie literally and can't tell the difference between reality and fantasy (neither of which is likely), they will believe that giant alien robots are created by zapping already-existing lifeless machines with energy from a little metal cube. Did you even watch the movie? Remember the Mountain Dew machine? I dunno 'bout you, but that wasn't how I was created, thank you very much....
Actually...that is how we were created. The whole God created the world in 7 days....God was a little metal cube. Hate to break it to you like that
God very well might be a little metal cube for all I know. But that would sort of put the lie to being made in His image. ;) Now, had it been a little metal bottom-heavy hourglass, I might believe it more, given that that's pretty much my shape...
You're channeling John Fischer again, love. That's pretty much the theme of about half his books. Hmmm...If I can figure out how, mind if I send this to him? Be interesting to see what he thinks about TF and the reactions thereto.
*reads linked review*
Sweet Mother Danu! A review of a Geek Movie with real and well thought out spiritual touchpoints? *gasp* I don't know if my heart can take it! Amen, sister! We need more Christian reviewers like that.
I know, I know. I'm such a fangirl. It's nice that there's SOMEONE out there who's an at least moderately-high profile Christian and who isn't a lying BS artist, you know? :) Hey, if you get this to him, that's fine by me. I've actually been thinking about writing to him, anyway. Just haven't thought of what to write to him, beyond the obvious fangirling. :)
And yeah, I've always rather liked the Hollywood Jesus site. Christians who appreciate pop culture instead of running in terror from it. It's so...refreshing! :)
Well written. That's all I have to say right now pretty much becuase my head is about to explode from rehearsal and a Masterclass.
I'm glad that you are a true Christian. I'm more comfortable reading your posts and monologues than having someone get in my face (however nicely) and tell me how to think. :-P Pretty much Agnostic here, but spiritual...haven't quite made up my mind, but I do *have* a relationship. It's just hard for me to define.
I once read something agnostics being the most spiritually truthful people, in that they neither confirm nor deny the existence of God. In some ways, I agree. You can't know for sure about God's existence unless you can experience Him in an immediately personal way. Which is what Christianity offers.
Unfortunately, the conundrum is that you can't have the full personal experience without first agreeing to believe without proof, and even then it sometimes take a while to have the experience. It's like, you take the plunge and nothing happens. Big anticlimax. At least, so it was for me, particularly because the believing-without-proof-first was the hardest part for skeptical me. Now I look back and go, "D'oh! I was such a moron..." But it was iffy there for a while...
Really, all you need do is keep an open mind and keep seeking. You'll find where you fit. Should you have any questions you'd like to ask of me, feel free. :)
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And this reminds me of some wank that's been going on the last couple of days with a friend-of-a-friend, involving this guy who keeps going on about how Harry Potter, Narnia (NARNIA of all things) and LotR will lead to OMGWITCHCRAFT! Yeah, people never seem to get tired of that old chestnut. Funny thing is, this guy's a Furry. Dude. NO. Anyone into Furry has no place being all pious and super-Christian about anything. (What gets me most is he's never even read the books, so basically he's parroting what the super-Christian websites are saying, without knowing what he's talking about.)
If I didn't already know Jesus, people like that would drive me away from Him way faster than anything the eeeeeeevil secular world could dish out.
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My gads! I must be a horrible Catholic then, 'cause ZOMG! I interact with non-Christian stuff on a daily basis, like OMG! XD... I watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and read books on Celtic Mythology, OMG! I'm sinning!
pfft...
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Then again, who wants Communion wafers? Bleaaaaaaaagh. :p
BTW: Blankie will go in the mail today. Lemme know when you get it, to ease my mind...
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Actually...that is how we were created. The whole God created the world in 7 days....God was a little metal cube. Hate to break it to you like that
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As for those reviewers....ug. That's why I don't let anyones religious belifes color my review of a movie.
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You're channeling John Fischer again, love. That's pretty much the theme of about half his books. Hmmm...If I can figure out how, mind if I send this to him? Be interesting to see what he thinks about TF and the reactions thereto.
*reads linked review*
Sweet Mother Danu! A review of a Geek Movie with real and well thought out spiritual touchpoints? *gasp* I don't know if my heart can take it! Amen, sister! We need more Christian reviewers like that.
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And yeah, I've always rather liked the Hollywood Jesus site. Christians who appreciate pop culture instead of running in terror from it. It's so...refreshing! :)
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I'm glad that you are a true Christian. I'm more comfortable reading your posts and monologues than having someone get in my face (however nicely) and tell me how to think. :-P Pretty much Agnostic here, but spiritual...haven't quite made up my mind, but I do *have* a relationship. It's just hard for me to define.
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Unfortunately, the conundrum is that you can't have the full personal experience without first agreeing to believe without proof, and even then it sometimes take a while to have the experience. It's like, you take the plunge and nothing happens. Big anticlimax. At least, so it was for me, particularly because the believing-without-proof-first was the hardest part for skeptical me. Now I look back and go, "D'oh! I was such a moron..." But it was iffy there for a while...
Really, all you need do is keep an open mind and keep seeking. You'll find where you fit. Should you have any questions you'd like to ask of me, feel free. :)
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