A friend that I have that attends the same church as I posted about the large amount of negativity towards Christians and/or those with religious views that was showing up on her facebook feed.
She asked simply why? Why so negative about Christianity and religion in general..
Here is some of what I think..
Biblically its normal.. Christians are not going to be well liked.. We are different, we have a different mindset than the world.. As time, as we understand it, comes to a close, biblically we are reminded that we will be disliked for our views/lifestyle and our core beliefs. They are not the same as the majority.. Never have been.
But the real reason.... at least in my opinion.. and this is my blog so my opinion definitely comes into play here.. is that what people think that religious people should be and what they find out they are is very disappointing and causes frustration, confusion and anger..
Many people will tell you they know what Christianity is about. and they will tell you what a Christian should and shouldn't do.. I'm going to tell you right now.. They are wrong...Yes that is a blanket statement. Everyone that says the know what Christianity is about and what it looks like is wrong..
ok.. don't get too wound up. I've been a professing and confessing Christian for almost all of my life.. And I've been wrong about Christianity most of the time.. The problem is today when we talk about Christianity we talk about a manmade religious structure.. Hence all the rules..
When I grew up.. we didn't go to movies/dances or the like..it was wrong indeed it was a SIN.. but we could bowl... imagine my astonishment when I heard my parents, who would not let us go to the movies, talk about their favorite movie actors from when they were children.. They went to the movies and I couldn't? Guarantee I wasn't happy about that.. made me a little cynical, Then I heard from relatives that when they were growing up they couldn't go to the bowling alley.. yet I could? now I am confused..
in the thirties and forties a Christian family did not go to the bowling alley. they could however go to the movies.. Who decided this.. as far as I can tell the religious leaders did.. pastors/deacons, board members.. later movies became forbidden and the bowling alley became a place of relaxation and sport. What changed? realistically probably not a whole lot. But it wasn't allowed.. But some other Christian families could..
So if you think that a Christian should not be in (insert your place of entertainment) and you see someone who professes Christ to be there.. YOU have the potential to be upset/angry or think that they are a hypocrite.. Why? because that person failed YOUR litmus test.. not there own.. but yours.
Thus the negativity builds, and eventually spews out..
I don't blame those people for being upset/angry/confused.. It confused me for a long time.. Made me leave the Church for a period of time.. Still rears its head every so often... See I find that I have a personal expectation of what a Christian should be too. and I can get upset/confused at times too.
Here is what I remind myself when that ugly sense of they aren't a real Christian rears it's incredibly offensive head.
I AM NOT GOD!!!!!!!
Jesus came to bring Grace.. and Grace is unmerited/undeserved Favor. So if you profess Christ as your Savior and I profess Christ as my Savior.. I'm going to give you Grace.. and if you don't profess Christ as your Savior.. I'm giving you Grace too.
Christianity in its truest form is simply those who try to be like Christ.. a Christ follower..
What do you think?
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