Shocking? If you have read any of my blogs you have probably come to the conclusion that I am not an atheist. Naturally, when I meet a fellow Christian, they never understand how or why the people surrounding me are different. How can I possibly believe in the same God, but hang out with sinners? Well, for the Christians who have conveniently forgotten their bible, let me remind you:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)."
For those who are not familiar with Christianity, this "belief" centers around "Christ" or "Jesus" being the saviour. Christianity teaches their followers to save others from hell and damnation through accepting Christ. While it is perfectly fine to have personal views of the world, it is NOT right to judge another individual. Despite my personal belief, I find many Christians to be pompous, arrogant and demeaning. They often put down the rest of the world because they choose to live a different lifestyle. And to put icing on the cake, Christians usually only associate with individuals similar to themselves, often treating others like an infectious disease.
DO NOT misunderstand what I am saying, I completely agree with fellowship, but I do not believe this suggests placing yourself at a higher level than someone who is not.....Christian. Many churches split into several denominations, simply because they can not agree on the same principles.
And we read the same bible??
If Christians can not agree amongst themselves between right and wrong....how do they expect others to follow? And if the church is encouraging Christians to "save souls," why is it a common practice to only seek relationships/friendships with individuals who are exactly like them? How do Christians expect to influence other people in this manner?
THIS PRACTICE IS CRUEL, WRONG, AND SHOULD NOT REPRESENT CHRISTIANITY. Unfortunately those who choose to embrace, different, become severely ostracized among many Christians? Does that sound very Christian?
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10)."
If Christianity suggest bringing others towards Christ, I have a few questions that some believers may want to think about:
1. How can you hold someone to the standards of your personal belief and they are not Christian?
2. If your purpose in this world is to be Christlike, why do you ostracize the ones who are not within your faith?
"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32)."
3. Why would you condemn someone first, and then expect them to become Christian? If you do not have any relationship with that person, what makes you so special? Why should they listen to you? They do not know you. PEOPLE WILL WATCH HOW YOU LIVE, NOT HEAR WHAT YOU SAY.
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16)."
4. Are you not supposed to treat everyone with respect.....because I have to tell you, from an outside perspective, I would never become a Christian if someone started judging my life without even knowing my name.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love ( 1 John 4:7-8)."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: DO NOT TREAT A PERSON POORLY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SHARE YOUR BELIEFS. If you are trying to gain respect, constantly degrading anyone will instantaneously turn them away. Many atheists were raised in a Christian household. They become atheist when people who represent the church, hurt them to the extent that it becomes impossible for them to believe that any God would exist, based on their personal experience.
BOTTOM LINE: NEVER STOP COMMUNICATING OR FORMING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE THE WORLD HAS CHOSEN TO OSTRACIZE , BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR, ATHEIST, GAY, SICK, MENTALLY ILL, HOPELESS, SUICIDAL, OVERWEIGHT, UNWANTED CHILDREN, NON CHRISTIAN, AGNOSTIC.....OR DIFFERENT FROM YOU.
Why?
BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD INSPIRE YOU THE MOST
***Dedicated to those who have been ostracized and condemned by Christians****
Please forward to the judgmental person with a big note that says...."Work out your own salvation (Philippians 2:12)." If they are a Christian, they should understand what this means.
NOTE: I AM FORWARDING THIS TO MYSELF BECAUSE I NOT PERFECT AND I AM GUILTY OF JUDGING, THIS TIME, CHRISTIANS.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)."
Written By: Te-Shandra Haskett, MBA
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