Really, the "bottom line" here is.........talking about religion, in general, can be extremely controversial. Stating ones Christian beliefs can be the same way. Believers and Non-Believers want their beliefs understood and sometimes can get "pushy" about doing it and not really even think they are being "pushy". People in a Christian website/forum are going to talk about the religion w/very little-to-no controversy. My SIL almost always includes a Bible verse in a Birthday or Christmas card she sends to us. We don't do that. My brother, at the end of his outgoing message, says "God Bless". We don't do that. Not very often does a person see this, but some people say a prayer before they eat at a restaurant. We say a "meal prayer" only at home. Christians aren't suppose to keep their faith a secret, but then again, Christians also have to understand that there can be a "backlash" from talking some or even a lot about it. I did say "can be". Just have to have some type of ESP on who you, as a Christian, are talking to.
Except that the only people you're reaching on a Christian forum are people who already consider themselves to be Christians. The Early Christians knew that but they did it anyhow.
Which part, @Cody Fousnaugh ? That pushing excessively turns people off rather than on? If so, I'm absolutely in agreement. If you meant a hail Mary would offend everyone, not I. Chrissy can start throwing them around and I wouldn't be offended a bit because it is part of her belief system. As far as I'd go would be to tell her I have no idea what it means or why they do it, but offense never... my question would be because I really *don't* understand it, not some attempt to convince her she needs to be Methodist.
Only Methodist in my family was my maternal Grandmother and she came from a very devout Methodist family and my grandfather was a very very devout catholic, they almost didn't marry but my grandmother converted to Catholic and here I am because of that.
@Ken Anderson, I believe that you won't convert anyone on a seniors forum only cause upset. Yes, religion should be a board but it shouldn't creep onto other posts. I can understand an occasional off topic religious remark but to preach in every post is wrong in my opinion and never good for a forum unless it's a religious forum. This is my opinion and hope you don't take it the wrong way.
Yes, the "pushing" part. IMO, the Gay-Lesbian-Transgender community is always trying to do that. No matter how Christians feel, they continue the "push". Religion isn't a bad thing to discuss, but people have to understand that not all religions agree on the same things. Did Babs Hunt get carried away with her Christians discussions, even thou they were on the Religion Forum? Some would say "yes", others "no" and others would say "perhaps". It's up to her to go or stay.
@Ken Anderson Thanks for all the encouraging Scriptures you have shared Ken. I'm not closing down my account or asking you to delete it, etc. Let's just say I'm taking a Sabbathical for a spell. I've actually been spending more time on this Forum lately then I have with God and even though I bring Him here on the Forum with me a lot...it's just not the same as the one to one time with Him. I want to spend some time with Him and let Him show me if He wants me to change anything about how I am sharing about Him and our relationship, etc. I will be checking to see if you ever start up the Bible Studies, because I will definitely want to come and be part of that. I'm just feeling I need some good one on one time with my Father and Savior...so I'm going to take that time for as long as I need too. If possible I would appreciate a head's up when you start the Bible Study. I don't want to miss any of that.
Thanks for everyones's posts. As I told Ken I'm not deleting my account, etc. I just am taking a Sabbathical for as long as I feel I need to. No one upset me or offended me in any way. And if and when I do come back I'm sure I will be the same on fire woman for God that He has made me to be. But if God wants to do a little "tweaking" with me while I'm spending some time with Him, that is fine with me too. Forums can become addictive especially when your having health problems and can't get out and about alot. So don't anyone think they've seen or heard the last of me because unless God calls me Home to Him....I will be back!
A person's religion is a part of who they are so it's always going to be there. I'd rather see prolonged discussions take place in the religion area of the forum though, so that people can participate in them or not, as they wish.
Yes, but it will always lead to arguments. The other day Babs told me Catholics aren't allowed to read the Bible and that was a false statement according to my beliefs. My beliefs are the right ones in my opinion just like you believe yours are. It is the Catholic Church and faith that is true and maybe you should all convert to my religion. 3.) The Catholic Church gave Christians the Bible- The first official list of books contained is what is the Bible was done at the Council of Hippo in 393 and then again in Carthage in 397 and 419. However, the Council of Trent in 1556 was the first time the Church infallibly defined these books as ‘inspired’ because it was questioned by Reformers. We have to admit, the apostles did not walk around with nice leather bound Bibles in their hand. There are many parts of the Bible that are oral tradition which was written down because when early believers attended the Synagogue or church, the scripture was read. They did not have their own copy with their name engraved on the front. Oral tradition was the norm of practice long before writing and reading was a part of life. The Jews followed the Old Testament before Jesus was born and Jesus is pictured in Scripture reading from the Old Testament in the Synagogue. There were multiple writings from this time but it was only after the list of books determined to be the ‘inspired Word of God’ by the Catholic Church first with the Council of Hippo in 393 that the world had what is called “The Bible”. The Bible remained the original 73 books determined by the Catholic Church until the Reformation, when Martin Luther threw out 7 books of the Old Testament that disagreed with his personal view of theology…the same Old Testament adhered to by the Jews. He threw these 6 books out in the 16th Century. Luther also attempted to throw out New Testament books James, Hebrews, Jude and Revelation. In referring to James, he said he wanted to ‘throw Jimmy into the fire’ and the book of James was ‘an epistle of straw’ with no usefulness. After Pope Damasus I approved the 27 New Testament Books however in 382 AD, Luther agreed with the Pope and accepted the New Testament books but denied the Old Testament books …which remained out of his Bible. Non-Catholics will accept the Biblical books which are contained in the Protestant Bible but do not acknowledge they are accepting and trusting the authority of the Catholic Church because the Catholic Church was the one who proclaimed the entire list, as a whole, as ‘inspired’. The letters within the Bible are not the only letters and materials written by the Apostles so, as a result, those contained within the Bible had to be declared ‘inspired’ and it was the Catholic Church which did that duty. I could go on and on about why all of you are mistaken and think you are going to heaven. Who wouldn't like the easy way. I only say religion is private because I'm sure most of you don't want hear about Catholics, for some reason which I really don't understand most of you are anti catholic. Babs made a comment the other day calling it a name which I can't remember now but it was a mix of catholic and Muslim. So, it's made obvious to keep my religion private. I can find many sources and quotes to offend the Protestants but I don't. I don't care what your religion is, or if you don't have one. By now you should have figured out what you believe is my opinion. There is nothing wrong with saying whatever you want about your religion in the proper board. I seldom look there But I do get tired of Catholics being put down....I don't put down other religions until I'm backed into a corner and have to defend. There's my rant on religion. Also, the name of this forum isn't "Religious SeniorsOnly.Club".
Beliefs are personally-held positions relating to an individual's origins, background, education, and general mental agility. I believe I'll have a cold beer! Frank
Hehe You two are cracking me up. But seriously, this is an excellent lesson being learned here about respect. Points can be made without "in yer face bopping" and that's important to remember. I'm sure that anyone having questions about Catholicism would ask @Chrissy Page ... or about the Anabaptist beliefs to ask @Ken . Methodist/Mainstream/Baptist/Wesleyan, etc. I'd like to say you can ask me, but I'd probably refer ya to @Bobby Cole because sometimes my tongue gets wrapped around my eye teeth and I can't see... probably would do more harm than good trying to answer religious questions on a deeper level than my personal beliefs.