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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 7:30:40 PM
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Prairiehiker
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Maybe their constant talking is so loud that they are ignoring everyone else around them. Maybe their actions does not reflect the love of Jesus. Maybe they're too preachy. You know, just because someone talks an awful lot about their beliefs doesn't mean they lived out their faith the way Jesus wants them to. Maybe they don't do any listening and all they do is talk and talk and talk.
People who we want to reach can benefit from us by listening more and talking less.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 7:45:27 PM
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Miril
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Little_1
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
quote:
ORIGINAL: iamjc-s
On the other hand, there is such a thing called a spirit of religion that is from Satan
Just curious...where exactly in the Bible would I find a Scripture to back that up?  ......
Possibly the term: "spirit of religion" is just the terminology used by some to describe the following text:
2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Hope this helps.
2 Timothy 3
Godlessness in the Last Days
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
wow.
_____________________________
Proverbs 15
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
God Bless.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 7:59:57 PM
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mvic
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Deliveredarling,
Good points - well made.
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MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 10:11:10 PM
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HisFish
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quote:
their whole life, from waking to sleeping, was centred on God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, praising etc ...
Now, I don't blame their enthusiasm ... but is it possible that some people take their religion a bit too far? To the point where it does "addle" their mind. After all, life is for living. To be enjoyed. Not spent 24/7 "obsessed" with God.
Dosent it seem odd that this is actually a complaint, if that's what it is. If this is being addled, let me be that. Also, why is it that our faith is the only topic that is considered "in your face". Sports, cars, what we plan to do on the weekend never seem to get tagged with that. It is an honest question though Mvic, please dont think im knocking you for it.
< Message edited by HisFish -- 6/6/2008 10:44:53 PM >
_____________________________
The theology of the present aims at the deification of man, but the truth of all time
magnifies God . C. H. Spurgeon
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/7/2008 8:10:54 AM
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SonInMe1
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I will add to my previous post by saying I do believe there is a place in the kingdom for what I charactorize as the "street preacher" christian who always wears Jesus on their sleeves and constantly bombard people with Jesus.
I just don't think the majority of christians should be this.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/7/2008 9:53:01 AM
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mvic
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At the risk of repeating myself:
May I point out that it is not me who said "Too much religion addles the brain". It is a comment made by colleagues about 2 or 3 other colleagues who constantly discuss their religion. See my Opening Post.
I'll admit that as a Christian I too found them a little off-putting. But that's me ...
I tend to agree with SoninMe1: the majority of Christians should not be constant "street preachers" as this would tend to have those who perhaps are wavering regarding their religion distant themselves off rather than be attracted to Christianity.
Ask yourself: if you were wondering about Christianity who would you approach for advice? Someone who "lives" his Christianity day in day out and sets a good example or someone who just makes a lot of noise about it?
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MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/7/2008 10:19:43 AM
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HisFish
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quote:
Ask yourself: if you were wondering about Christianity who would you approach for advice? Someone who "lives" his Christianity day in day out and sets a good example or someone who just makes a lot of noise about it?
I cant know someone is a christian unless they make a little noise about it, and just making noise dosent mean they are either, the two have to go together. I know one man who i was sure was a christian just by the way he conducted himself, but he assured me i was quite wrong. Im sure there are christians that get loud about what they believe, but i also know that when someone complains about a christian sharing his or her faith, that complaint usually has hyperbole attached to it. I left a tract in the break room at work once, and i was accused of "shoving" my religion down their throats, so, if someone hears a christian talking about their faith and they dont like it, they're going to embelish it a bit by saying that christian was making "a lot of noise".
< Message edited by HisFish -- 6/7/2008 10:37:18 AM >
_____________________________
The theology of the present aims at the deification of man, but the truth of all time
magnifies God . C. H. Spurgeon
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/7/2008 1:55:37 PM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
I will add to my previous post by saying I do believe there is a place in the kingdom for what I charactorize as the "street preacher" christian who always wears Jesus on their sleeves and constantly bombard people with Jesus.
I am so glad you think so, I think that they were called Apostles.
Please give me Scripture to support the "Secret" Believer who does not talk about their faith.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/7/2008 2:22:08 PM
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HisFish
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quote:
Please give me Scripture to support the "Secret" Believer who does not talk about their faith.
There isnt any. secret=ashamed=false faith.
_____________________________
The theology of the present aims at the deification of man, but the truth of all time
magnifies God . C. H. Spurgeon
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/7/2008 9:56:28 PM
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SonInMe1
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quote:
Please give me Scripture to support the "Secret" Believer who does not talk about their faith.
I did not say people should not talk about their faith. I tried, maybe unsuccessfully, to describe how people should talk about their faith. That to invest into someone is a key component to a witness. It opens the door to an...effective...witnes because that is really the question, I think, to this thread.
How are we to witness? I didn't have to speak about Jesus in every other sentence for the people at work to know I was a christian. It comes up...naturally and if you don't deny Christ before men, your actions, which are significantly different from those around you, will beg for these things to come up.
God provides the witness and I think some christians...think they know more than God. Are too impatiant. Most importantly they can be...rude....and prideful in their witness and that just turns people off.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 4:46:51 AM
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mvic
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Right again SoninMe1.
Remember when you get mis-understood and mis-quoted that Jesus too suffered the same problem.
You're right that, when the time is ripe and the audience is receptive, Christians should talk about their Faith. As you say: You don't need to speak incessantly about Jesus for people to realise you're a Christian. Actions matter more than words. That was the precise point I was making in my Opening Post. The 2 or 3 people I described seemed to rely more on talk.
I like your line: "some Christians think they know more than God". Have you Copyrighted it or can anyone use it?
< Message edited by mvic -- 6/8/2008 8:33:18 AM >
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MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 10:23:42 AM
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HisFish
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quote:
You're right that, when the time is ripe and the audience is receptive, Christians should talk about their Faith. As you say: You don't need to speak incessantly about Jesus for people to realise you're a Christian.
those who are not christians are "dead in trespasses and sins". and they are at enmity with God. So, when will they be receptive?. I'll bet you've never complained about someone talking about cars, the movies, music, or whatever else may consume their time, incessantly. To talk about trite meaningless things that profit you nothing is fine, but to talk about Him who is our very life, we should tone that down, right?. When i get with other christians thats all that we desire to speak about, Christ, His word, and everything else pertaining to Him. Im sure the Lord is quite pleased those 2-3 brothers only want to speak of Him. By the way, you seem to think that their motive in doing so is that others will know they are christians, it cant possibly be because they just love Him?
_____________________________
The theology of the present aims at the deification of man, but the truth of all time
magnifies God . C. H. Spurgeon
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 12:07:42 PM
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Lufia
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There is also cultural involve in this. Here in the province of quebec we almost never talk about God or Jesus. It's more like a taboo. It's personnal. If someone, here, oftenly talk loudly about God, that person will be put in some kind of category: a jesus's freak. We sometimes say remarks about God or say some verse but very rarely conversations about God. It's hard to explain but it is not good manner here to try to convince others to believe in what you believe. The funny thing is that most of the people in province of quebec are christian. They keep it personnal, in their heart. Or talk about it in very small groups, 2-3 persons.
If in a job people were doing those kind of behavior ( always talk about Jesus, trying to convince people) they would be advertise to stop it.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 12:20:28 PM
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Miril
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisFish
quote:
You're right that, when the time is ripe and the audience is receptive, Christians should talk about their Faith. As you say: You don't need to speak incessantly about Jesus for people to realise you're a Christian.
those who are not christians are "dead in trespasses and sins". and they are at enmity with God. So, when will they be receptive?. I'll bet you've never complained about someone talking about cars, the movies, music, or whatever else may consume their time, incessantly. To talk about trite meaningless things that profit you nothing is fine, but to talk about Him who is our very life, we should tone that down, right?. When i get with other christians thats all that we desire to speak about, Christ, His word, and everything else pertaining to Him. Im sure the Lord is quite pleased those 2-3 brothers only want to speak of Him. By the way, you seem to think that their motive in doing so is that others will know they are christians, it cant possibly be because they just love Him?
I agree.
A lot of people think they should be the ones talking when in fact they are not as big in the eyes of God as they think they are, and should be the ones listening & obeying.
What about gossip? Same goes, I have seen people spend hours just gossiping and talking badly of other people, for no reason. -- And have also seen these people claim to be the holiest of Christians. What an insult to God himself.
Psalm 78:59-61 (New King James Version)
59 When God heard this, He was furious,
And greatly abhorred Israel,
60 So that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh,
The tent He had placed among men,
61 And delivered His strength into captivity,
And His glory into the enemy’s hand.
_____________________________
Proverbs 15
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
God Bless.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 1:49:02 PM
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mvic
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Hi HisFish,
I can think of one Christian who was "dead in trespasses and sins" and not receptive to God; yet he changed: Paul (or Saul) on his way to Damascus. Look what happened to him?
The point I'm trying to make here (very badly I think, hence my being misunderstood) is that incessant chattering about Christianity, especially when the audience around you is not receptive, does more harm than good. It leaves one open to ridicule, and worse still, it leaves God open to ridicule; which is a sin against Him even though it was not intended in the first place, and the opposite effect was in the mind of the "chatterers". I gave the example of Mr X phoning and these people claiming that God made him do it. What reaction do you think this invited from non- beliefers? Ridicule - of them and of God.
I know they mean well. I know you mean well. As a Christian I should support you whole-heartedly and if we were to meet - yes we would be talking about Jesus all the time and what He did for us. It's good to talk about Him, when the time is right and the audience is right and receptive.
But as Lufia put it: it is a cultural thing. Here in the UK constantly talking about God at work could lead to a reprimand or even a loss of your job.
And not just ridicule.
You should see the number of "Sunday Christians" I know: Go to church on Sunday and park God away for the rest of the week. The culture and tradition here has led to this. Some wouldn't even admit to being Christian. But that's another subject for another thread in this Forum I suppose.
_____________________________
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Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 3:13:43 PM
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HisFish
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Mvic, i can appreciate your point, i've travelled quit a bit of this world and i know that social mores all over the globe differ from mine. We also agree on other things more than we do concerning this subject im sure.
quote:
You should see the number of "sun-day Christian's" I know: Go to church on sun-day and park God away for the rest of the week. The culture and tradition here has led to this. Some wouldn't even admit to being Christian
Actually this is pretty universal. But i contend that those who are Christian's on sun-day only are in fact not christian at all.
quote:
It's good to talk about Him, when the time is right and the audience is right and receptive.
I disagree with this. Christ preached to the receptive and unreceptive alike, without regards to the time being right. Had He waited for the right time with the right crowd He never would have been crucified.
quote:
Here in the UK constantly talking about God at work could lead to a reprimand or even a loss of your job.
And not just ridicule.
Im not saying that isnt a consideration, But Christ did admonish us to count the cost in following Him. He said we would be ridiculed, slandered, hated and all around persecuted for His names sake.
quote:
I can think of one Christian who was "dead in trespasses and sins" and not receptive to God; yet he changed: Paul (or Saul) on his way to Damascus. Look what happened to him?
This actually underscores my point exactly. The absence of receptivity is not a reason to hide God's word or who we are because of Him. Christians talking with each other is a witness to those overhearing them, i know of no scripture that tells us to hide it away, quite the opposite actually.
quote:
The point I'm trying to make here (very badly I think, hence my being misunderstood)
Your not making your point badly, i just disagree with it. Please dont misunderstand, im not saying you are any more or less of a christian than i am, we just view this differently.
_____________________________
The theology of the present aims at the deification of man, but the truth of all time
magnifies God . C. H. Spurgeon
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 4:24:11 PM
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rcjames
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Too much religion? if religion is defined as faith and love towards God, then I think Christ covered it very well here;
(Luk 10:27) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Sounds to this ole country boy that there cannot be too much love towards God, or expression of that love.
THsnks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 5:45:12 PM
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mvic
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HisFish,
It seems we agree on more than we disagree: and this is good. I really admire your Faith and respect you that you can witness your Faith freely. Many others, perhaps me included, cannot do that. I tend to keep my Christianity to myself. Others know I'm a Christian but we leave it at that. Of course, when I'm approached for a view or opinion (from a Christian perspective) I give it freely. Perhaps it's the culture and behaviors around here that made me this way. If so, I ask Him for forgiveness.
I agree wholeheartedly with your view that "Sunday only" Christians are not Christians at all. Maybe they too, like me, have been influenced by the way we do things around here.
You should see how Christianity is mocked and ridiculed by the media in a more and more secular country. This attitude in time seeps through society and influences general behaviors.
RCJames is right: there can't be too much love towards God, and/or indeed, expression of that love. Sadly, very sadly, this is sometimes frowned upon by others. Which results in the attitudes and behaviors mentioned above.
As an example: a worker in the UK was reprimanded for wearing a Crucifix on a chain round her neck whilst at work. I don't know whether this story was mentioned in the newspapers in the USA.
_____________________________
http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 7:30:34 PM
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Lufia
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I'm like mvic: i keep my faith for myself. Some people at my work know that i'm christian. I had some argument with an unbeliever at work. I will talk about what i believe if someone ask but i will not try to impose my beliefs. Sometimes i will say how amaze i am with the Universe and do some description of it, hoping to start a discussion about God but other than that, i keep it quiet. But if the door is a little bit open for talking about God, i'll jump. Also, i am not good at convincing people to believe in God. I think that it is not a talent that God gave me.
Here in province of Quebec, when someone in public talks about God, it is subject to mockery. It really hurts me when someone talk badly about God. At me, i dont mind but to offense the One who saved me, who i love and who created the Universe ... and me. No i can't stand it.
I really envy you Hisfish being able to talk openly about God but i think that in the states it is different. Do people of the press laugt at peoples who openly talk their faith? I've seen numerous articles about u.s. politicians talking about God and no articles laughing at them for what they believe. If you look at Sarkozy a few months ago he just talked a little bit about religion and what a big story did it make!
So it is not easy as it may sounds to profess your faith.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 7:46:24 PM
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HisFish
Posts: 537
Joined: 8/3/2005
From: Rocky mountain way
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Mvic and Lufia, we do live in interesting and increasingly uncertain times. I do see that you both live in more faith constricted countries, and America is heading that way fast. May the Lord bless you both greatly.
_____________________________
The theology of the present aims at the deification of man, but the truth of all time
magnifies God . C. H. Spurgeon
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 8:24:49 PM
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Miril
Posts: 117
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quote:
(Luk 10:27) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Our Pastor touched on this today using the example of the sun and planets as a metaphor.
He said to many people consider themselves the sun and God like the planets revolving around them.
God needs to be like the sun and we, like the planets revolving around it HIM.
_____________________________
Proverbs 15
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
God Bless.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/8/2008 9:26:16 PM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3604
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
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quote:
So, when will they be receptive?.
The same way we became receptive. God's leading.
quote:
I'll bet you've never complained about someone talking about cars, the movies, music, or whatever else may consume their time, incessantly.
I am not sure I would publically complain about these situations or the ones wearing Jesus on theior sleeves. I think though we can discuss what is a proper witness and for the most part, I don't think an in your face witness is effective....for the most part.
quote:
By the way, you seem to think that their motive in doing so is that others will know they are christians, it cant possibly be because they just love Him?
Love is not rude or self seeking. I would consider this particular incident mentioned in the op as pride and very rude.
quote:
a jesus's freak
Mostly I don't have a problem with people being Jesus freaks. We all should be adament in our faith. It should be obvious we are christian but thatis not always with our mouth and in truth, the mouth is often deceptive. Its better, for most of us, to live our witness.
quote:
but very rarely conversations about God.
Its hard to have a conversation with someone about God when....they have no idea who God is. Ask an unsaved person who God is and 99.9% of the thime they don't know. Most discussions about God between a christian and an unsaved person result in debate. I don't think debate is an overly effective witness and usually leaves people with anger toward each other.
Let me tell ya...if these "christians" truly were all about their faith and the reason why they talk about Jesus is about Him...and not themselves...they would face severe persecution. Even the fairly passive witness I have at work is under persecution. I sincerely doubt, these "christians" who are so "open" with their faith would do so if they were really listened to because if people really didn't tune them out, they would face real problems.
People do not like being convicted all the time. This is against scripture. People in your face with Jesus all the time are in effect judging the world. That is not our job.
I wonder if these "christians" would be so open with their faith if the freedoms we enjoy in this country were not exisitant. I somehow doubt it since mostly this comes from a pride within themselves...
and I understand this well. There are teachings out there by some "pastors" who really care more about fannies in the pews than saving people. They teach to go out and always be bold in Christ to the point of being...odd for God.
Now I can agree with being odd for God because essentially we will allbe considered odd if we follow Christ, by the world. However there is a differenc ebetween being odd for God and being rude.
Some may be called to be a modern day OT prophet. Some may be called to be in your face about God but remember...what happened to all those prophets? If faced with the same circumstances wouldthese modern day "prophets" really do it?
I doubt it.
All those prophets had a message from God..as well. I don't see too muc | | | |
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