Christian Stereotyping

I forgot to ask, where can I get one of them there "Bible Guns"? It might look nice in my gun case next to Remington 700.

Dogshirt,

Everything I said to Shadows also applies to you. If you like it in your ditch I'm not going to climb in and drag you out against your will (at least not until Elspeth tells me where I can buy me a "Bible Gun", when I get me one all bets are off ).

My choice is NOT a ditch, but that which sustains me!

Hey MacE

Haven't you ever been to the 'secret' Christian meetings where they brainwash us, knock 100 IQ points out of our heads and teach us to annoy the crap out of people by sharing our meaningless drivel with them? That's where you get the Bible guns.

Interesting posts all! Dogshirt, you always do a great job of provoking thinking!

I really believe that some stereotyping is earned. As a missionary to Native Americans, I have had to live down the actions of others with which I had no connection. Because of their hypocrisy, it was assumed that I was just another hypocrite in the mix. I agree with all who have said living out your faith is important. I also agree that in order to see someone saved, you eventually must talk about it! But if your walk doesn't back up your talk, you are wasting time.

I am in Florida right now (good news) for a Missions Conference (without my family-Bad News ). On the flight, my faith naturally came up. When someone asks what I do for a living, there is no way to avoid the subject, for which I am glad! It gave me opportunity to witness and also fellowship with other believers.

Stereotyping is common on our Reservation. Our people tell me storied about how they are considered by some family as "lass Navajo" because they have taken up the "white man's religion." ( Jesus, of course, was not white, but that's another topic for anther time). Our folks have leaned that there is a difference from having a bold faith and an "obnoxious" attitude for faith. A Christian is no better than any pother person. We just have assurance of our eternal destiny based on the merits of another - Jesus Christ. I will freely admit to being a heathen. I am a heathen saved by His wonderful grace and I am so excited about it that I want to share it with others. I am not trying to step on others beliefs, but you talk about what excites you and means the most to you.

I've rambled enough.Everyone have a great day!

Good points Haynes

Great to know that you are out there, and you pointed something out that I think might be a point of contention between some here that need not be.

I don't think the point is to avoid sharing faith, or to be afraid to. But the stereo typing often comes when people open the conversation with "I'm a Christian" then when you say "great I am too" you can get a multitude of responses from "let me give you the third degree to see how good a Christian to are" to "instand proselytising" Just one place where the stereotypes come from.

I know a lot of people in the Mission field and I will have to say that to date I have not met one who fits that goal. Maybe I have just been blessed, or maybe the people that make that sacrifice are very serious about their faith at least 99% of the time.

I myself do missionary work but I have a hard time thinking of myself as a missionary as I work in home missions.

But the topic question was does anyone else feel stereo typed as a Christian and do we feel it is being propogated and why.

God Bless

Mikel

I guess what bugs me is people who claim to be open minded trying to shove me into a niche that doesn't begin to define me. Find out what I believe before defining me.

That and people who go to sunny Florida when it is spittin' snow again up here.

Now, now Elspeth. It sounds like he was DRAGGED kicking and screaming to Fl.

Was he now???



It is nice if people care enough to know what you are about instead of immediatley assuming you are close minded, think you are better than them and stupid on top of it because of your spirituallity.

I'm sure the snow doesn't help, it certainly makes my joints ache.

Peace

Mikel

Let's All Go To Florida!!!!

1) If you are coming don't forget to close the door. It gets cold down here when you "Yankees" leave the door open.

2) I know a lot of Floridians who are moving north because they don't like it here anymore. I guess to each his own.

3) Don't forget that if I pick up a "Bible Gun" at the next secret meeting none you may be safe.

Is it legal to take those across state lines?

I think you can get a permit if you can show that you only plan to use it in self defense, or if you carry large sums of money and are suceptable to fleecing.

To clear things up, I have been a stereotyped Christian a good many times in my life. It was a constant battle (Yes, past tense. I am one person who is looking for answers, unwilling to ignore the questions.). I was just pointing out some common excuses.

What does, to this day, bother me about a lot of devout Christians, is the tendancy to measure for themselves who is a Christian and who is not, by their own yardstick. Judgement is one thing we are supposed to stay away from. We all know that verse.

Now look, SOMEONE has to suffer for righteousness! Do you have any idea had bad the sunburn hurts that i have after the boat trip I was on today ?

And to think I was going to send photos to everyone!

God post, Raven. We are truly all missionaries wherever the Lord has us. Even those of us suffering in Florida right now ! I'll get back to frost northern Arizona next week!