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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMflS_pRnVo[/youtube]
YES, YES, YES!! This is the exact cause I want to fight for!!! I’d love to work with these guys.
For those who’d like to join me, grab a copy of unChristian, accept these sad truths for what they are (truths), put on your badge and get to work.
“In our national surveys with young people, we found the three most common perceptions of present-day Christianity are antihomsexual (an image held by 91 percent of young outsiders), judgmental (87 percent), and hypocritical (85 percent). These ‘big three’ are followed by the following negative perceptions, embraced by a majority of young adults: old-fashioned, too involved in politics, out of touch with reality, insensitive to others, boring, not accepting of other faiths, and confusing. When they think of the Christian faith, these are the images that come to mind. This is what a new generation really thinks about Christianity. (unChristian 27)
Check out the unChristian website.
Check out the unChristian book.
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I really thought Gabee was going to say “friendly Christians” at the very end. It would fit with “be in the middle, be thoughtful Christians”.
I don’t understand. What are you trying to fight? Your opinions line up with the negative perceptions.
Are you hoping that people are unaware that you are anti-homosexual and reject sound science or are you hoping that non-Christians start liking these positions?
Well… Ben certainly doesn’t beat around the bush, does he?:d
To be fair, Gabe Lyons didn’t say anything about changing these positions, he simply wants to change the Perceptions among especially young, non-Christians
@Ben…
You know exactly what I’m fighting for. You’re smart. You’ve read my blogs. You’ve commented. If you’ve forgotten already, maybe you’re not as smart as I’ve made you out to be
I realize that all you’re trying to do is lure me into one of your famous debates. You’re very tactful in doing so. You’ve made it extremely obvious that Christianity is not for you. I’m fine with that. You’ve never seen me try to convert you. I’ve, however, never felt like you’ve given me the same respect. Truthfully, that’s just unfair. I would never go to your website and belittle you, tell you that you’re wrong, and/or try to make you look like an idiot. Who has that kind of time on their hands??
Let me ask you a question. Why do you come to this site?
From day one you’ve done nothing but very openly and outwardly disagree with a good percentage of every post and comment (atheists included) written. All in the mean time there have been countless believers and non-believers that have challenged each other in a positive way, learned from each other, and even become friends (one of the purposes of this site).
You bring a lot of good to this site. You challenge the crap out of me - I enjoy that! I guess I just don’t understand why you insist on coming back to a Christian website trying to make the same stubborn arguments and trying to lure me into a trap where your science will leave me speechless. I enjoy learning from you. There are many Atheists who enjoy learning from me. If you’re not one of them - fine. But dude, seriously, show a little more respect.
Skeptigator said:
No, and neither do I. It’s all about the motives and approach.
Exactly. Thank you, Skep.
I’m not that smart. I really don’t know what you’re fighting for anymore.
@Ben…
I want to change the perception people have of Christianity/Christians. I want to encourage Christians to give people a REASON not to view Christianity as a bunch of rules/boycotts/”unChristian religious stereotypes.”
Lofty dream, I know. But I’m passionate about it…so I’m going for it.
I think where Ben may be challenging you, and if he isn’t I am, is that when you say you want to change people’s perceptions of Christianity as being anti-homosexual while in reality BEING anti-homosexual, isn’t that being a bit dishonest.
If you feel that Christianity is getting an unfair reputation then, man, go gangbusters to dispel those unfair and incorrect perceptions. But if Christianity is in fact anti-homosexual and you are trying to change peoples’ perceptions (which are based on reality) then you are in fact being a bit dishonest, or at least engaging in some kind of smoke and mirrors.
I think I just said the same thing twice but you get the idea. As for why I am here, I do like your perspective on things. You remind me very much of where I was at probably 8-10 years ago.
As for trapping you any of our famous debates. What debates?:-\”
I think the difference is-
although Christians may disagree with a lifestyle, it is not their place to judge. When I see my friend (homosexual) I do not see that first in him, I see a person that Jesus loves as much as me. It’s not a Christians place to judge or get all out there about what they know or think..Jesus did not do that when talking to people, he generally asked what he could do for them. Only God will change a heart, our place is to love unconditionally just like he loves us unconditionally.
Darla, isn’t that the same as saying “I love you but you’re going to hell because you’re gay.”? Granted, you aren’t judging but as a Christian you know the end result.
Your God’s love isn’t unconditional. You have to stick to the teachings of the Bible and not break any of a whole lot of, frankly, arbitrary rules.
“Your God’s love isn’t unconditional. You have to stick to the teachings of the Bible and not break any of a whole lot of, frankly, arbitrary rules”
oooh, hov, I don’t think that argument is going to work. You forget that the only way into heaven is to accept Christ and only then through God’s Grace not anything that you can actually do (if you want to buy your way in those people are called Jehovah’s Witnesses).
@Skeptigator (comment 8)…
For me, it’s not a matter of trying to convince the world that Christianity is against Homosexuality, but rather that not be the first thing that comes to mind whenever the word “Christianity” is brought up.
I would love it if when people heard the word Christian they would think of the things we are FOR rather than the things we are against.
worthy tho that idea might be, even when i see the beautiful flowers growing, i’m afraid i’m unable to ignore the horsesh*t they’re growing in. sorry if that’s an unnecessarily harsh analogy guys…
Hover it is not the same as “you are going to hell” honestly, that has nothing to do with it..HOw does anyone know what goes between God and any human before they die..Only God knows someones heart, being gay does not condemn a man to hell, sin condemns a man to hell, acutally an unrepentant heart. What I was saying is that Jesus loves all of us..everyone, not just straight people or republicans, or whatever categoy you want to lump people in..Jesus loves every one! That is how I look at people, not by what they are into, but as people, that are truly loved.
Ash- your analogy is funny! being a city girl living in the farming agricultural area..I am cracking up…why do you think there is soooo much crap…not only on the fields near my house, but why do people in general want to feed someone crap. I like straight up converstation, and alot of humor:)>-
That’s is exactly why I’m growing to dislike the word “atheist”.
Darla, so I’m loved but because I don’t believe (and therefore cannot repent) I’m going to hell? That doesn’t sound very loving.
You could always start using naturalist and / or humanist. It’s tough to disagree with the IHEU’s minimum statement on humanism:
Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.
Or freethinker or bright. In varying contexts, I’ved used all of them except ‘bright.’
Hov- I didn’t write the standards that I live by, I only know my own testimony and how much better my life is since I started following God’s standards, but I am still not perfect by any standards. I am not a fire insurance sales man, my view and my call is to love, unconditionally, even when it hurts. My walk with God and my belief system is not driven by fear. Although I would love to see all in heaven I know that is not possible through what I believe….but my agenda is not “repent or go to hell”…I know that is somes view, not mine. There is so much more to being a Christ follower, and hell is in the equation, but there is abundant living, freedom, and no condemnation…much more offered to the believer than fire insurance. Peace
Ben, I agree that “humanist” does stand for something but very often people don’t know what it means. I suppose that the more people use it then the more it will become aware of it.
Darla, I know that you’re not preaching and you’re just relaying your personal experience but you must be aware of the disparity of believing in an entity who loves unconditionally AND sends the souls of unbelievers to hell.
HE doesn’t send people to hell, they have a choice, so maybe the send thier self.
:)) I can’t argue with who sends who to hell when I don’t believe in it or even in an afterlife at all. However, if I’m wrong you have my permission to say you told me so after we’re both dead. If you’re wrong I won’t do the same.
I won’t say I told you so…