Christianity Thread

[JaybobHoosier 11,843]

This is a thread for and about Christianity. For the believers and non-believers to come together and talk about God and Christianity. This is NOT a place for debate and bashing of this religion. You will not see us bashing your religion or lifestyle, so do not do it here. This is a place to share our Christian thoughts and beliefs.

 

Okay, with that out of the way, my background. I grew up in the church, and still in it 100%. I've went off the straight line a few times, but have found my way back completely. I'm a worship leader in a praise and worship band that's in a little bit of a transition. We were really making a name for ourselves, but had a member really tear it down. I am trying incredibly hard to bring it back. This is my passion and calling (along with soon to be Preaching), and will fight to keep this band alive. I believe it's on it's way back!

 

I also am a counselor, teacher, recreation leader, and drummer in the praise band every year at camp. It's a passion and calling in my life, even though I want to kick a few adults out for only caring about drama. Being there for those kids is all I care about.

 

The only thing that does hurt my faith sometimes is atheism. A little thought creeps in my head about how could God truly be real. It's gotten better, but will surface when my faith is getting stronger. Just have to keep working on getting rid of that.

 

How about you guys? Please keep this thread about religion and do not come in here with an agenda to bash or go against it.

[CR3AMnCR1MS0N 1,867]

This is a thread for and about Christianity. For the believers and non-believers to come together and talk about God and Christianity. This is NOT a place for debate and bashing of this religion. You will not see us bashing your religion or lifestyle, so do not do it here. This is a place to share our Christian thoughts and beliefs.

 

Okay, with that out of the way, my background. I grew up in the church, and still in it 100%. I've went off the straight line a few times, but have found my way back completely. I'm a worship leader in a praise and worship band that's in a little bit of a transition. We were really making a name for ourselves, but had a member really tear it down. I am trying incredibly hard to bring it back. This is my passion and calling (along with soon to be Preaching), and will fight to keep this band alive. I believe it's on it's way back!

 

I also am a counselor, teacher, recreation leader, and drummer in the praise band every year at camp. It's a passion and calling in my life, even though I want to kick a few adults out for only caring about drama. Being there for those kids is all I care about.

 

The only thing that does hurt my faith sometimes is atheism. A little thought creeps in my head about how could God truly be real. It's gotten better, but will surface when my faith is getting stronger. Just have to keep working on getting rid of that.

 

How about you guys? Please keep this thread about religion and do not come in here with an agenda to bash or go against it.

Nice man. I'm only 15, but I'm lucky to have been raised in a good home where God is first. I'm also on my churches worship team playing bass guitar. I totally get the "atheism/doubting" thing.  There are times where I wounder how it could all be true, until I realize all that God has given me and that it couldn't have happened without him.

[JaybobHoosier 11,843]

Thanks for sharing. What music do you listen too? I'm a wide variety, but my favorite is contemporary praise and worship. Love the meaning behind those songs and the spirit that comes with it when I listen and play it. Jesus Culture and Hillsong United are my favorite. I had a really good church camp this year, and it brought me back so strong with my faith. It was really needed!

[CR3AMnCR1MS0N 1,867]

Thanks for sharing. What music do you listen too? I'm a wide variety, but my favorite is contemporary praise and worship. Love the meaning behind those songs and the spirit that comes with it when I listen and play it. Jesus Culture and Hillsong United are my favorite. I had a really good church camp this year, and it brought me back so strong with my faith. It was really needed!

What do I listen to? Well I listen to more on the Christian hard rock side.  My favorite band is Thousand Foot Krutch and I also like Skillet, and Red.  As far as any mainstream music, I like alternative/indie stuff like the Killers, Muse, Awolnation, Imagine Dragons and the Black Keys.

[JaybobHoosier 11,843]

I gotcha. I'm not big on the harder stuff, but as long as it touches you and you like it, that's awesome! People need to be more understanding of others choices in music, worship, etc. All need to come together.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Nice thread Jaybob. Not a believer myself so I can't add much, but glad you've started a thread for everyone. Just monitor it closely!


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[JaybobHoosier 11,843]

Absolutely. I've done this before twice and it goes over real well. No uncivil debate or arguing will be allowed in this thread!

[Dalton26 16,892]

Not a believer either but I do like to see other peoples perspectives on it.


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[JSHoosier 20,177]

Both parents were a denomination of Christianity, and some pretty religious family members.  Not a particularly religious person myself, I have faith to some degree but also a lot of doubts.  I absolutely cannot view some things in the universe as being random because to me it looks like intelligent design (the human body, the universe itself, etc).

 

One thing I absolutely cannot stand is people picking and choosing when to use the bible as a weapon, while completely ignoring the context of the chapter or the way society was when those chapters were written.

[OliviaPope40 6,514]

I always went to church with my grandma on Sunday I always loved the Palm Sunday and the Easter service but I only go for the Christmas service. The pastor that we had before he left was criticized by members of the church for waiting to marry gays and they treated his family with disdain and disrespect and I always thought he was good.

[mamasa 15,269]

Grew up Methodist but left when I was 14 (church catered to the wealthier families and the other high school which I didn't attend). My wife, who grew up with little religion, started going to church with my parents and our 2 young daughters. She kept telling me how the church was different, that I should give it a try. I met the pastor, without knowing who he was, and really liked him. I started going back, and now sit in the same spot, with my mom, dad, wife & 2 kids, that I sat 35 years ago. My wife is youth education director, and leader of the youth group- which is growing faster than it ever has! Like most, I despise those who use faith to hurt or discriminate against others. I'm one that questions everything and my (different) pastor listens and gives guidance. I've got a great small group (one if the guys owns one of our local brew pubs, lol). Not a "bible thumper" by any means, but love to discuss and thank God for our blessings!


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[Hwy 1 2,053]

I always went to church with my grandma on Sunday I always loved the Palm Sunday and the Easter service but I only go for the Christmas service. The pastor that we had before he left was criticized by members of the church for waiting to marry gays and they treated his family with disdain and disrespect and I always thought he was good.

 

I'm not arguing one way or the other on this subject, just asking a question. Did you mean to type waiting or was it a typo and you meant wanting? Most of the church goers I know would have a fit if the preacher wanted to marry gays. I have no qualms about it but I'm a pretty liberal minded guy. Just curious...

[mamasa 15,269]

What do I listen to? Well I listen to more on the Christian hard rock side. My favorite band is Thousand Foot Krutch and I also like Skillet, and Red. As far as any mainstream music, I like alternative/indie stuff like the Killers, Muse, Awolnation, Imagine Dragons and the Black Keys.

Are you going to Rock & Worship Roadshow, or Winterjam? Hitting both this year (definitely prefer Roadshow). Have you checked out We As Human? By far my favorite album! Love Red, Skillet, Rend Collective, 9 lashes, Disciple. My wife takes our youth group to Ichthus, Alive, or some festival every year :)


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[OliviaPope40 6,514]

I'm not arguing one way or the other on this subject, just asking a question. Did you mean to type waiting or was it a typo and you meant wanting? Most of the church goers I know would have a fit if the preacher wanted to marry gays. I have no qualms about it but I'm a pretty liberal minded guy. Just curious...

Yes I meant to type wanting.

[JaybobHoosier 11,843]

Let's be careful with conversations on homosexuality.  That is a heated topic, and that's one that can get out of control.  I will say this:

 

I think it is completely wrong, and the Bible states so.  HOWEVER, we as Christians should love them like we would love anyone else.  I don't agree with their lifestyle, but I am no better than they are.  I truly believe that.  We all have our demons/faults.  I have family members who are gay or lesbian, and I love them with all my heart. 

 

That's my opinion on it, but we WILL keep it civil if there is more talk of it.  Also, for those that don't believe or just like to talk about Christianity, feel free to ask me any questions you would like.  I've had quite a few non-believers who hate talking religion with Christians say that they love talking to me about it.  They know that I truly feel my religion is no better than anyone else's, and all I ask is that you don't put me and my religion down because I won't do it to you.  That's just how I am.  You can't have a good conversation with a close mind.  My dad was a drug addict before I was born and when I was young.  He is now a preacher.  I've seen and dealt with a lot. 

 

I'm here to discuss and help in anyway possible. 

[Naturalhoosier 15,424]

Born and raised Christian (Lutheran specifically).  Attended every week until probably junior high/high school, when sleeping in became more important then getting up (typical kid essentially).  At IU I attended a smaller Lutheran church south of Bloomington on occasion (I remember it being a 15-20 minute drive).  I moved to Denver in 2000 and have been at the same church since.  My wife was raised Catholic (essentially a C&E Christian, a term that we use jokingly...Christmas and Easter).  We are raising our children in the Lutheran church.  I was the Treasurer for 2 yrs, taught Sunday School for 5-6 yrs, teach Vacation Bible School (2 yrs running).  I like to be active.

 

I am also human.  I have my vices.  I curse (more times than I'd like), I drink in excess (not as much now, but more times than I like).  My point is, I will never look down on someone because of their religious beliefs.  And I think the opposite is true.  I don't believe someone should look down upon myself and my family for our belief's either.

 

I love this thread.  I love civil conversations on touchy topics (religion, politics, etc).  The opportunity to teach and learn in the same environment is difficult in this day of age (especially on the internet).

 

Thanks for starting it up JB.

[Naturalhoosier 15,424]

As far as music is concerned, my favorite Christian artists are Kutless, Jars of Clay, and Casting Crowns.  I do have some Skillet albums too.

[Hwy 1 2,053]

Absolutely. I've done this before twice and it goes over real well. Not debate or arguing will be allowed in this thread!

 

 

Maybe it's gone over real well because you're the boss and no one wishes to tell you how they really feel about it. Sometimes the boss gets no dissension because they know the consequences won't be good. Me, I'll find another job if it's that important to me to speak my mind. Besides if you allow no debate or arguing then it's pretty easy to say it goes over really well. I'll only allow those who think just like me speak their minds!  What a great concept for a forum. Not sure why you start the thread if you allow no debate. Seems like you should take this to a blog instead. jmho

 

Sometimes going over real well is in the eye of the beholder. I have some ex-bosses who thought that as well. They had to find a new job when the place went under just like the rest of us.

 

Just sayin'. 

[JSHoosier 20,177]

Let's be careful with conversations on homosexuality.  That is a heated topic, and that's one that can get out of control.  I will say this:

 

I think it is completely wrong, and the Bible states so.  HOWEVER, we as Christians should love them like we would love anyone else.  I don't agree with their lifestyle, but I am no better than they are.  I truly believe that.  We all have our demons/faults.  I have family members who are *** or lesbian, and I love them with all my heart. 

 

That's my opinion on it, but we WILL keep it civil if there is more talk of it.  Also, for those that don't believe or just like to talk about Christianity, feel free to ask me any questions you would like.  I've had quite a few non-believers who hate talking religion with Christians say that they love talking to me about it.  They know that I truly feel my religion is no better than anyone else's, and all I ask is that you don't put me and my religion down because I won't do it to you.  That's just how I am.  You can't have a good conversation with a close mind.  My dad was a drug addict before I was born and when I was young.  He is now a preacher.  I've seen and dealt with a lot. 

 

I'm here to discuss and help in anyway possible. 

The bible was also written 400 years ago in a time when society was completely different.  Women were considered second class citizens for instance.

 

The bible also says you can sell you sister into slavery to pay off a debt (Exodus 21:7), and essentially that foreign slaves are property that can be willed to your descendants (Leviticus 25:44-46).

 

You're free to your beliefs, but the bible says a lot of things that are considered wrong today because the context it was written in.

[JaybobHoosier 11,843]

Maybe it's gone over real well because you're the boss and no one wishes to tell you how they really feel about it. Sometimes the boss gets no dissension because they know the consequences won't be good. Me, I'll find another job if it's that important to me to speak my mind. Besides if you allow no debate or arguing then it's pretty easy to say it goes over really well. I'll only allow those who think just like me speak their minds!  What a great concept for a forum. Not sure why you start the thread if you allow no debate. Seems like you should take this to a blog instead. jmho

 

Sometimes going over real well is in the eye of the beholder. I have some ex-bosses who thought that as well. They had to find a new job when the place went under just like the rest of us.

 

Just sayin'. 

 

I would hope you know me well enough that I would not suppress beliefs and opinions.  This thread is about Christianity and people's views.  People can start other threads about other religions/beliefs.  A lot of Christians don't believe the way I do, and that's fine.  I don't get where you thought I wouldn't allow people to not express their Christian beliefs, or ask questions about it?  When I said no debate, it was meant that uncivil debates won't happen, which is why I put it with arguing.  I remember we had an awesome debate/discussion when a HSN Mod had a lot of questions about Christianity, and it was one of thee best conversations.  I will re-word the debate thing in that post.  My apologies.