I Have to Be One of You Then I can be Your Friend?
During lunch one day last week, my colleagues were talking about religion. This topic came about because of food. Beef is not eaten by those who pray to the Goddess of Mercy. Pork is not eaten by Muslims. Vegetarians don’t eat any meat.
Religion is quite a sensitive topic and I don’t wish to promote any prejudice. I just wish to understand why some parents are adamant about raising their Christian children as “Child of God” by baptising them at an early age.
While it’s the responsibilities of the parents to ensure that their children grow up well-mannered, polite, respectful and famous for some, I haven’t seen any who claim to be one to be not insulting.
I once met this young lady who was insistent that I listen to her talk on her religion, no prizes for guessing which religion. My attempts at walking away failed as I didn’t have practice on how to avoid talking to strangers who want your attention and persistent in getting it. I had to let her talk and boy, she talked. Finally, her speech done, she wanted me to read a passage from the small booklet in her hand and instructed me to hold it.
I was uncomfortable all this while and didn’t want to read it. After a few tries to get me to read that paragraph, she finally asked if I was feeling uncomfortable about reading it as in my family would object, etc. I told her, “Yes, very.”
That incident, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I don’t know which part of His teachings tell us that everyone must be one of them so that you are considered “saved”. I haven’t read the Bible so I’m guessing here. All I know is that we feel more comfortable talking to people whom we feel is almost similar to us as in thinking. A few incidents that apparently came from the same group as that young lady I met just gave me the impression that I have to be one of them so that I can be their friends.
Just like JG’s friends a few years back. I only went to the church because he asked me to. Just because I went 3 times doesn’t mean I have to convert or blessed by the holy water then I can be your friend (closer).
I’m not against the religion. I’m just confused by the baffling actions of some extremists(?) I do have relatives who are Christians and they certainly don’t behave that way.
Well… not all of them from that religion are like that. I have several friends who are from that religion and feeling disgraced when they heard stories people trying to hard-sell the religion.
@DK
Of course your friends feel disgraced. They feel that hard-selling just makes those who aren’t more adversed to it. It’s a pity because it’s not the religion that makes it bad but the people who do ways that repel instead. This group of hard-selling the religion have not stopped totally but I think there was a law, that was written after multiply complaints, to make it illegal for them to do it in public areas.
as much as they care for their friends, family and fellow men, they seem to have forgotten we are all given a choice or free will.
these extremists don’t understand gag reflex.
what’s the point of forcing something or anything (be it good) down other’s throat, have it be spit out for good?
@xinyun
From what I see, extremists exist everywhere. They are so overwhelmed with the emotion to care about their friends and families, they use hard on tactics when the soft approach don’t work. They will take all lengths to make their points known.
There’s no point in forcing anything down another’s throat. Unfortunately these acts start the stereotyping and discrimination.
One of the teachings from the bible is, we seek not to convert. I have been repeating this again and again, and looks like you have bumped into someone who is not even living according to the gospel.
Christians are to preach the Gospel to the world, as it is our commission to do so, as given by the LORD Jesus Christ.
The keyword here is “Preach the Gospel”, but if those who received it do not want to believe, it is their prerogative. As most have pointed out here, there is freedom of choice to believe or not to.
This is what Christians are taught:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
– Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
@Ed
Those I met are those who insist on becoming like them. A real pity because God loves us, don’t He?
@Sicarii
“Teaching them to observe all things” – Looks like they have turned the teaching into converting aggressively. And as for “baptizing them in the name of the Father”, This was where JG’s friends were trying to do to me despite my hesitance. Their aggressiveness turned me off.
Wishbone:
If you do not believe, you should not be getting baptized. Baptism is only for those who profess the faith. It is not necessary for salvation either.
To be saved, one needs to firstly acknowledge that they have sinned and need God’s forgiveness, and secondly profess with one’s lips and believe in the heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died to atone for our sins and on the third day was resurrected.
Nobody is saved through works, i.e. good deeds, and neither is one saved by any baptism, or by virtue of belonging to any church (building).
I can understand that you are turned off from those who are aggressive, but do not let them be a stumbling block to you finding out more about Jesus Christ for yourself.
Shalom.
Hi Wishbone,
I am a Christian and I am so sorry. Even God is ashamed of us. His exact words in the Bible, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I imagine He was shaking His head and sighing at us after saying that sentence to describe us.
To be honest, I have definitely seen the over-emotionalism on myself. When I first got together with my boyfriend, I was all gushy and googley-eyed about him. It was disgusting. Not all my girlfriends put up with me.
I should have learned my lesson but guess what? When I found my Jesus, I was also all gushy again, except worse! Looking back, I can understand why I felt that way but I feel sooo embarrassed.
It was only after much time growing in my faith that I became a bit more self-controlled. In fact I discovered God have a lot to say about our lack of self-control in the Bible. He kept reminding us,
“Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
and on and on.
Well, as you can see, I was far from being the Christian that God desired me to be and have done a lot of terrible things that offended others. I’m one of those who desperately need to be forgiven.
@Sicarii
I’m turned off by them that’s all. They are enthusiastic to the point of being mistaken for a cult.
@precious
Often, we are engrossed when we have new things and want to tell the rest of the world that it is good. I guess it’s human nature.
Hey WishBone, thanks for replying. I take it it means you’re okay with being friends with me even though I am different. haha
You mentioned, “enthusiastic to the point of being mistaken for a cult”.
I think one can end up being enthusiastic about something whether it is something that’s bad for you or good for you.
Also, I think people tend to mistakenly assume only cults will seek to convert although it is not so.
@precious
I thought it meant you are ok to be friends with me even when I don’t have that enthusiasm?
I couldn’t think of a better description. Yes, one will be enthusiastic about something, either good or bad.
Cults have a stronger hold because of their aggressiveness to convert / brainwash, I guess that’s why the impression is stronger on the mind.
very interesting post, WishBoNe.
Here’s my two cents: I was raised in a catholic education, but I took my distance from this religion as I grew up. I went to catholic schools, and then to public school when I was younger, and I’ve never met so many hypocrites than in the catholic schools. The thing is, I really appreciate when people are simply honest with me, even if what they tell me is hurtful. And maybe because of their religion, the Catholics aren’t able to do so.
@Modobs
Could be because of their religion and that’s why they aren’t able to be honest. It does remind me of why wars happen in certain countries due to religion. Adolf Hitler for example.