So the theme of the last blog was really, 'Standing up for what you believe in.' It got some interesting comments... and I think that ultimately a lot of people will say, 'Yes you should stand up for what you believe in...' but I think there's more to it than that.
Let's say you were having a conversation with someone about whether or not walking in front of a MAC Truck would kill you. Imagine if the conversation went like this:
'I'm thinking of walking in fron of a MAC Truck today. It won't hurt.'
'That's crazy. If you walk in front of a truck; you will most certainly die!'
'Oh no. I've done some research. Apparentally if you walk in front of a truck, all it does is gives you a little tickle.'
... Now here's a question. Would you, at this point in the conversation say, 'Oh well, fair enough. That's your opinion. You do what you want?'
Of course you wouldn't! You'd stand up and argue blue in the face until you got your message across, or until the person walked in front of a truck (whatever came first).
Well it's the same with Christianity.
If you're a Christian, then you believe that Christian's go to heaven and non-Christians... well don't. That's not unfair, or unjust, or just some stupid opinion - it's the truth! That' s what the Bible says!
So here's another conversation.
'I don't think I'll follow God anymore. It's boring and stupid.'
'That's crazy. You know that the Bible says that those people who don't follow God will go to 'gulp' hell.'
'Yeah, but I've done some research and I've heard that hell is full of parties and hot guys/girls. So yeah.'
Would you, at this point in the conversation say, 'Oh well, fair enough. That's your opinion. You do what you want?'
Well, unfortunately, unlike the truck example, this is exactly what Christians do (most of the time!)
As Christians - should we view Christianity as 'an opinion' or as 'truth'.
And if we view it as 'truth' - shouldn't we be arguing/debating/discussing/sharing until we're 'blue in the face', so that we don't let our friends 'walk in front of a MAC Truck (miss out on heaven...)'.
What do you think - blog away.
(Next blog we might start on relationships - husband/wife etc)
I think we should have a 'nice' discussion over the topic but if they don’t agree with you, you should let them do what they want.
ReplyDeleteThis relating to Christianity-
Even though you really believe in God, he doesn’t want you to force him upon others. They will follow in due time or when ready
:)
Here's what Heidi emailed me...
ReplyDelete"Your asking a really hard question.. believe it or not. I think that we should view Christianity as 'truth'. But the hard thing about that is that it's still an opinion at the same time. To the person who doesn't believe, it would be 'an opinion' (whether to believe or not). But to the person who does believe, it would (should) be 'truth'. I think Christianity is basically trying to get everyone to believe that it is the 'truth' and not an 'opinion'."
HEIDI WALKDEN
Hello earthlings :P
ReplyDeleteWell I think we should try our very hardest to get the message across about God/Christianity etc (or just what we believe in), but not push anything on anyone. Everyone is, in fact, entitled to their own opinion; and if they think what we are saying is wrong, they can deal with whatever consequences that may bring to them later.
Soo yeah :D
Hell is bad kids, don't try it :)
-Beck.
I think its up to the individual person to decide if they want to 'follow god' or not.
ReplyDeleteI've got a couple of friends who I KNOW are trying to change/alter my views on religion and beliefs.. but all in all, its my choice if i want to be christian...buddist...altheist...satanic and such like.
hm...
yeah.
not really sure if ive answered the question correctly...but yes.
p.s. if the guy is stupid enough to jump in front of a mack truck, let him.
\m/
I'm not scared of hell.
I think christianity should be viewed as truth. However, when you are in a situation such as this mack truck scenario, i would express my opinion. i'm no good at these. anyway, apparently when you go to hell you have so much sex that you never want to have it again. haha.
ReplyDeleteTruth
ReplyDeleteSteph N
I think that if we know for a fact that we are right, then we should press our point until the other person is fully convinced. It would be very difficult though if the person, that you were debating against, was doing the exact same thing as you are. We should act like this with christianity aswell, i do think that we should express and try very hard to convince our friends to belive in Christ, but don't do it in a pushy way... mmm
ReplyDeleteCHRISSY ELMER :]
I view Christianity as a truth because of my personal relationship with God.
ReplyDeleteSTeph N
well i reakon it true. We should be tryin and tryin to stop people from getting hit by the MAC truck. However in the end its God who will decide. 100% God "no man is righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10)
ReplyDeleteif you think about it, if we were in differant circumstances we would be in the same boat as the people we try to save.
SPegehti Man
Interesting comments so far; talk to people about God but don't push it down their throats. Fair enough points...
ReplyDeleteIt's still interesting to hear people talk about opinions. Opinions are not truth. It's not my OPINION that God exists... it's what I know to be TRUE. Can you see the distinction?
As Hannah, says; 'it's my choice if i want to be a Christian, Buddhist, Atheiest, Satanic etc'.
This is very true. But it would be concerning to me if your religious view is your 'opinion'.
When you decide to commit to a religion, or a relationship with God, surely, it needs to be something that you say is true!
Mr Mansfield
I thought id like to give you a quote.
ReplyDeleteit might start up a few interesting conversations:
"god says to never kill anyone whereas he sent his own son to be killed"- Marilyn Manson.
Sure, I know its (spooky voice) Mmmmaaarrriiilllyyynnnn Maaannnsssooonnnn who is a well known anti christ...
but i think its a interesting thought to ponder.
Chrissy, do you think there are other ways to 'push Christianity' without actually ramming it down people's throats?
ReplyDeleteFor example; with the MACK TRUCK scenario - you might show the person who wants to walk in front of a MAC TRUCK a video of the dangers of doing it... or you might invite them to a group that talks about the dangers... or you might just pray for them...
Same thing with Christianity. You don't need to always be ramming it down people's throats; you can pray for them, invite them to youth/church etc etc.
However, there are some times when you do need to shout it from the roof tops!
What do you think?
Mr Mansfield
christianity is believing if it is logical then it would be easy to follow. we have to believe its the truth before anything can actually happen,
ReplyDeleteI think that you should build your truth (religion) with opinion. You may believe what things in the bible says, but you may have your own opinion about it.
ReplyDeletedont try to convert people but show them who we are, maybe they might just be able to see the difference- be there for them be unlike other people who are christians
ReplyDeleteyou cant scoff heavy info down someones throat when thyre not ready, it kinda happens in their own time
ReplyDeletebvut its still good to tell them the truth
I think there are 3 ways to read the bible:
ReplyDelete-you can read it and follow it as living in the word of god...
-you can read it as historical stories and think the stories through...
-you can read it for interesting literature and entertainment.
yoo kiddies
ReplyDeleteUmm, Marylin Manson ate Matt Thiessen's girlfriend. So yeah I don't know, I wouldn't listen to a WORD he says, he's freeeaaakyyy. But yeah, interesting conversation it could be.
I think if you believe something is true, you express it, but then person you are explaining it to will be forming their own OPINION on it, not a belief.They may eventually form that belief but all you can do is express what you know to be true, and see if anyone else jumps on the j-train :)
I think Josh the Spaghetti Man is rather intelligent with his comment :P
-Beck.
Some more good points. Gee you guys are so intelligent when you don't have to actually speak out loud :)
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Manson also said, 'In the end we're all Jerry Springer Show guests, really, we just haven't been on the show.'
Not sure if he's worthy of a quote... God sent Jesus to die, so that we can live (forever). They're two different 'kill's.
But anyway...
What's a J-Train?
Mr Mansfield
J-Train...ever heard the Toby Mac song? tis the Jesus Train...the brotherhood of Christ...all the peeps in heaven chu know? :P
ReplyDelete:D yeah
-Beck.
P.S: agreed, not sure if Marilyn Manson is worthy of a quote at all.
okay fine, forget marilyn manson.
ReplyDeleteim not trying to corrupt anyones minds/opinions...just stating a quote.
and... finishing commenting....
:)
ok, forget what i said before - it was weird nonsense.
ReplyDeleteI think that if you believe in something then you'll express it and then the person will then take that expression and form their own opinion about it.
Like if i really thought purple was waaaaay nicer than brown, i would say that, and the person i said that to would respond depending on their opionion - whether they agree or disagree.
And how did we get onto Marilyn Manson?
this will sound wierd and try hard and nerdy but anyway, ill say it anyway.
ReplyDeleteIn all the war movies, theres an inherent differance between dieing or killing with cowardice and die and killing for a cause.
Besides in the old testament, killing Gods enimies wasn't such a bad thing. everyone likes to thinks God a happy man upstairs but when he have an order it was followed. In Jericho (if anyone knows) the women the children the old the young plus all the soldiers were killed.
all but a forgiven hor and her family were saved.
spegehti man\
opps i meant all but a forgiven prositute and her family were killed, not saved
ReplyDeleteYou're right Hillary. But the fact that purple is way nicer than brown is an OPINION. If someone told you that only bogans wear purple then you might change your OPINION.
ReplyDeleteHowever is someone was to tell me about a new god called 'GORD' I wouldn't change my mind because I believe the Bible to be TRUTH.
What an intelligent conversation this is working out to be...
Mansfield
You're right Josh - that did sound weird :)
ReplyDeleteMansfield
you spelt my name wrong.
ReplyDeleteand i meant that.
I agree I'm not sure we should be quoting Marilyn Manson here.
ReplyDeleteI think that as Christians we are supposed to love everyone and if we just let someone jump infront a truck thats not showing much love towards that person. but if we TRIED to stop that person and the still did then we showed love by caring what happens to them but they still chose. and now thinking about it Gods exactly like that he cares but at the end of the day he gave us the choice to do what we like because of his everlasting love for us.
-Jo
HAHAH GORD!!! (sorry to ruin the intelligence)
ReplyDeleteI'll ask God his middle name when I see him ;)
you never know, could be GORD
GOD GORD LORD
haha.
ANYWAY
yes. bible, God, truth :)
righteous mate XD
:P
-Beck.overandout