Main Entry: 1Chris·tian
Pronunciation: \ˈkris-chən, ˈkrish-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin christianus, adjective & noun, from Greek christianos, from Christos
Date: 1526
1 a: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ b (1): disciple 2 (2): a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating from the Disciples of Christ in 1906 (3): a member of the Christian denomination having part in the union of the United Church of Christ concluded in 1961
2: the hero in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

that is how Webster defines Christians. I agree...WWJD is the question to ask ourselves. Follow the teachings.

What do you say to those that want to bash you or judge you for your beliefs?

What do you say to other Christians that aren't setting a good example?

I have my answers but I would like to find out how everyone else feels.

in general chat...we experience bashing from non-believers. Have you experienced anything from other Christians that you feel is not in line with the teachings? I have from both

why does the world in general see Christians as a negative thing? Is it because of the bashing from non-believers? Is it the actions of some Christians or a corrupt church (past and present)?

what do you think?

I don't think they see us as peacemakers. The verse, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall see God." If you read the verse, "God is love." It helps to see God. The it can be read as blessed are the peacemakers for they shall see love when you look at it that way. I take it that they don't see the love. The devil comes as a roaring lion seeking to devour. Is it really the Christians who are being negative? Or is it the resistance of sinners in denial? Take for instance of Jesus when he was at the cross. One with him repented and Jesus said this day shall ye be with me in paradise but the fate of the other was different. The Bible says that all have sinned and have short of the glory of God. In the peace corps that had a message. "Do you see the glass half empty or half full. If you see it as half full we have a job for you." The harvest is ripe but the laborers are few.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS


"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

I had to correct myself.

By telling people the lifestyle they're living is not what Our Creator intended, puts them on the defensive. They then try to conjure up anything they can to discredit Christ and The Church. (Or any form of Judeo-Christianity.)

While they are busy bashing us, they are ignoring the Roman conquests, the wholesale slaughter of men, women and children in other coutries and NOT BY CHRISTIANS.

In the last two years almost three-quarters of a million people have died as a result of armed violence. Women and men and children, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. More than one thousand people, every single day. In Sri Lanka... In the Congo/Rwanda... Thailand... and the list goes on.

This doesn't count the mass graves that litter the former Soviet Union, Asia or the Middle East. (ALL Anti-Christian countries.)

http://www.jesuschristsavior.net/Beatitudes.html

I am really loving reading this page. It is clearing some things up for me.

Hi, brother.

Good morning...

great answers. how do you feel about the Christians that give us a bad name (so to speak) and corrupt churches?

let me give examples. The ones protesting against homosexuals. I know how I feel about what the Bible says but are do their actions answer WWJD? screaming at them that they (but using slurs) go to hell. wouldn't it make a better impact to talk to them as Jesus would? to counsel and advice without the hatred?

another one (from personal) my dad died while on a mission in the AF when I was 7 and my sis 9. my mom took us to different churches for comfort and counsel (my family has been Church of Christ for generations on my mom's side). My mom was told (once with us there) that my dad went to Hell because he was Lutheran. that scarred me for a long time. Then I realized....who is anyone to say that? I realize what the Bible teaches us, but who are we to condemn people to Hell like that?

International Standard Version (©2008)
Matthew 10:14
If no one welcomes you or listens to your words, as you leave that house or town, shake its dust off your feet.

do we sometimes forget this?

There are 21 verses in the New Testament that have "whosoever" in them that would agree with you, yellowrose.

I would say saddened when people who are representing Chrstianity do things that do not reflect what they should. However, they need praying for as we all do, for all fall short of the glory of God.
Every day we strive to be more like Christ.

It is unfortunate that you and your mother had that experience. It appears to be an example of 'religiosity' where a person tries to follow rules and regulations rather than understanding the teachings of Christ. I think we all have those to a greater or lesser degree. I look for the positive in those types of experiences because God can use all things for His glory. If things like these encourage us to seek His word and look for the truth there and also to pray for these people then we can experience growth. We do not know the emotional or spiritual health of the people that speak as in the example you have given. We can learn to let go and seek the help of the Holy spirit to enable us to do that and also to forgive.
They may sincerely, even though in error, believe that they are following the 'law' just like the pharisees that Jesus encountered.

We cannot change people, only the Holy Spirit can convict them of their error. When faced with these situations we can go to the Word, seek the Truth and pray for wisdom so that we can respond effectively and grow spiritually in the process.

I very much agree. we all need prayers