That's Two Christian Forums Now

[Justadude]

I left this forum a few weeks ago because of how disgusted I was at the hate being expressed here towards the LGBTQ community. I can understand how some Christians believe their lifestyles and choices are sinful, but I can't understand the clear hatred behind many of the posts. So I took a break, and now that I come back, what do I see?

Multiple Christians posting blatantly racist and/or white supremacist views, and what's even more shocking, it's all tolerated! No deletions of racist posts (including those using the N-word), no banning of members who post their white supremacist views outright....nothing. Apparently within the Christian community those sorts of things are tolerated.

A few years ago I left another Christian board for the same reason (it had also become a racist hate board) and now I am walking away from this one for the exact same reason. That's led me to wonder about the state of Christianity in the western world. Survey after survey has shown fairly rapid declines in the number of Christians in developed countries, and to be honest with you, given what I've seen from Christians, I say good riddance! The more people who leave (or never become a member of) a faith that tolerates the sort of hatred expressed here, the better for all humanity.

For those Christians here who aren't racist and don't agree with the racism from your fellow Christians, why are you so passive towards the hate from your fellow Christians? Do you not understand the impact this is having on the public image of your faith? Are you in denial of it, or is it that you just don't care?

Either way, from the outside it looks very much like the crazies and haters have taken the stage from you and are increasingly becoming the face of Christianity. And from what I can tell, many of you are fine with that.

So whenever you find yourself lumped in with all the Christians who are racists, bigots, and haters you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

 

[mjrhealth]

I left this forum a few weeks ago because of how disgusted I was at the hate being expressed here towards the LGBTQ community. I can understand how some Christians believe their lifestyles and choices are sinful, but I can't understand the clear hatred behind many of the posts. So I took a break, and now that I come back, what do I see?

Multiple Christians posting blatantly racist and/or white supremacist views, and what's even more shocking, it's all tolerated! No deletions of racist posts (including those using the N-word), no banning of members who post their white supremacist views outright....nothing. Apparently within the Christian community those sorts of things are tolerated.

A few years ago I left another Christian board for the same reason (it had also become a racist hate board) and now I am walking away from this one for the exact same reason. That's led me to wonder about the state of Christianity in the western world. Survey after survey has shown fairly rapid declines in the number of Christians in developed countries, and to be honest with you, given what I've seen from Christians, I say good riddance! The more people who leave (or never become a member of) a faith that tolerates the sort of hatred expressed here, the better for all humanity.

For those Christians here who aren't racist and don't agree with the racism from your fellow Christians, why are you so passive towards the hate from your fellow Christians? Do you not understand the impact this is having on the public image of your faith? Are you in denial of it, or is it that you just don't care?

Either way, from the outside it looks very much like the crazies and haters have taken the stage from you and are increasingly becoming the face of Christianity. And from what I can tell, many of you are fine with that.

So whenever you find yourself lumped in with all the Christians who are racists, bigots, and haters you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

Than stay away from them all, you wont find one where "christians" are not judgemental, the bible gives them ammunition to be just that, so little understanding.; It even tells them they shouldnt be.

 

[bukka]

I left this forum a few weeks ago because of how disgusted I was at the hate being expressed here towards the LGBTQ community. I can understand how some Christians believe their lifestyles and choices are sinful, but I can't understand the clear hatred behind many of the posts. So I took a break, and now that I come back, what do I see?

Multiple Christians posting blatantly racist and/or white supremacist views, and what's even more shocking, it's all tolerated! No deletions of racist posts (including those using the N-word), no banning of members who post their white supremacist views outright....nothing. Apparently within the Christian community those sorts of things are tolerated.

A few years ago I left another Christian board for the same reason (it had also become a racist hate board) and now I am walking away from this one for the exact same reason. That's led me to wonder about the state of Christianity in the western world. Survey after survey has shown fairly rapid declines in the number of Christians in developed countries, and to be honest with you, given what I've seen from Christians, I say good riddance! The more people who leave (or never become a member of) a faith that tolerates the sort of hatred expressed here, the better for all humanity.

For those Christians here who aren't racist and don't agree with the racism from your fellow Christians, why are you so passive towards the hate from your fellow Christians? Do you not understand the impact this is having on the public image of your faith? Are you in denial of it, or is it that you just don't care?

Either way, from the outside it looks very much like the crazies and haters have taken the stage from you and are increasingly becoming the face of Christianity. And from what I can tell, many of you are fine with that.

So whenever you find yourself lumped in with all the Christians who are racists, bigots, and haters you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

I would request you to stay, Justadude. I think Christianity Board and the people here need you.

Though we may not agree on some things. I value your insights and appreciate the thoughtful, penetrating view on the subjects of the day. I get nervous when I'm in a place where everyone may agree with me. I want the dissenting voice that may discover and challenge me on my views and my possible illusions. Your views and your dissenting voice is what I think that this place needs.

Racism and white supremacy is strong in this place. I'm very sorry about that. Many of those people, despite being caught up in their political hatred, I think, if firmly and lovingly challenged in the gospel, will back away from such beliefs. As a Christian, I'm calling on my fellow Christians to return to Christ. I apologize that we have failed in our witness to Christ.

I want to thank you for kindness, your generosity in how you argue your positions. I think that they are a model for us all.

 

[Candidus]

I left this forum a few weeks ago because of how disgusted I was at the hate being expressed here towards the LGBTQ community. I can understand how some Christians believe their lifestyles and choices are sinful, but I can't understand the clear hatred behind many of the posts. So I took a break, and now that I come back, what do I see?

Multiple Christians posting blatantly racist and/or white supremacist views, and what's even more shocking, it's all tolerated! No deletions of racist posts (including those using the N-word), no banning of members who post their white supremacist views outright....nothing. Apparently within the Christian community those sorts of things are tolerated.

A few years ago I left another Christian board for the same reason (it had also become a racist hate board) and now I am walking away from this one for the exact same reason. That's led me to wonder about the state of Christianity in the western world. Survey after survey has shown fairly rapid declines in the number of Christians in developed countries, and to be honest with you, given what I've seen from Christians, I say good riddance! The more people who leave (or never become a member of) a faith that tolerates the sort of hatred expressed here, the better for all humanity.

For those Christians here who aren't racist and don't agree with the racism from your fellow Christians, why are you so passive towards the hate from your fellow Christians? Do you not understand the impact this is having on the public image of your faith? Are you in denial of it, or is it that you just don't care?

Either way, from the outside it looks very much like the crazies and haters have taken the stage from you and are increasingly becoming the face of Christianity. And from what I can tell, many of you are fine with that.

So whenever you find yourself lumped in with all the Christians who are racists, bigots, and haters you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

I agree! Why have not all posts with the Racist "BLM" been taken down? Racists that promote BLM should be removed! Such HATE!

 

[bukka]

I agree! Why have not all posts with the Racist "BLM" been taken down? Racists that promote BLM should be removed! Such HATE!

Some posts have been removed, Candidus? I didn't know that. I guess I'll have to check up on it. I suppose a number of people deleted their posts. Yesterday was not the finest hour for some of the people on that thread.

The bad thing for you and your fellow supporters, Candidus, is that you didn't defend the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. What that means is that many people will rightfully think that you are enemies of the freedom of speech, religion, press, the right of assembly, and the right to keep and bear arms. That was a bad position to take.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

I left this forum a few weeks ago because of how disgusted I was at the hate being expressed here towards the LGBTQ community. I can understand how some Christians believe their lifestyles and choices are sinful, but I can't understand the clear hatred behind many of the posts. So I took a break, and now that I come back, what do I see?

Multiple Christians posting blatantly racist and/or white supremacist views, and what's even more shocking, it's all tolerated! No deletions of racist posts (including those using the N-word), no banning of members who post their white supremacist views outright....nothing. Apparently within the Christian community those sorts of things are tolerated.

A few years ago I left another Christian board for the same reason (it had also become a racist hate board) and now I am walking away from this one for the exact same reason. That's led me to wonder about the state of Christianity in the western world. Survey after survey has shown fairly rapid declines in the number of Christians in developed countries, and to be honest with you, given what I've seen from Christians, I say good riddance! The more people who leave (or never become a member of) a faith that tolerates the sort of hatred expressed here, the better for all humanity.

For those Christians here who aren't racist and don't agree with the racism from your fellow Christians, why are you so passive towards the hate from your fellow Christians? Do you not understand the impact this is having on the public image of your faith? Are you in denial of it, or is it that you just don't care?

Either way, from the outside it looks very much like the crazies and haters have taken the stage from you and are increasingly becoming the face of Christianity. And from what I can tell, many of you are fine with that.

So whenever you find yourself lumped in with all the Christians who are racists, bigots, and haters you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

I agree with you that hateful comments have no place on a Christian forum. Some of us have stood up to the racist comments. You may check it out and revise this post.

 

[brionne]

I left this forum a few weeks ago because of how disgusted I was at the hate being expressed here towards the LGBTQ community. I can understand how some Christians believe their lifestyles and choices are sinful, but I can't understand the clear hatred behind many of the posts. So I took a break, and now that I come back, what do I see?

Multiple Christians posting blatantly racist and/or white supremacist views, and what's even more shocking, it's all tolerated! No deletions of racist posts (including those using the N-word), no banning of members who post their white supremacist views outright....nothing. Apparently within the Christian community those sorts of things are tolerated.

A few years ago I left another Christian board for the same reason (it had also become a racist hate board) and now I am walking away from this one for the exact same reason. That's led me to wonder about the state of Christianity in the western world. Survey after survey has shown fairly rapid declines in the number of Christians in developed countries, and to be honest with you, given what I've seen from Christians, I say good riddance! The more people who leave (or never become a member of) a faith that tolerates the sort of hatred expressed here, the better for all humanity.

For those Christians here who aren't racist and don't agree with the racism from your fellow Christians, why are you so passive towards the hate from your fellow Christians? Do you not understand the impact this is having on the public image of your faith? Are you in denial of it, or is it that you just don't care?

Either way, from the outside it looks very much like the crazies and haters have taken the stage from you and are increasingly becoming the face of Christianity. And from what I can tell, many of you are fine with that.

So whenever you find yourself lumped in with all the Christians who are racists, bigots, and haters you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

Christianity is Not Christianity.

The divisions in the church, factions, different denominations, different teachings and beliefs and practices, people following people.
Christianity in the world is not the same as biblical christianity.

If the church you are in is divulging in hate speech and not focusing their time and attention on doing Gods Will, they are not practising Christianity.

 

[marks]

So whenever you find yourself lumped in with all the Christians who are racists, bigots, and haters you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

Judging a group - any group - by the actions of a few, well, that's just what's leading this country in such a dangerous direction.

No, the predudices held by some because they treat one person based on the actions of someone else, it's their own responsibility.

If your choice is to match someone else's bad behavior with your own, then that's on you.

What is so sadly lacking in this country right now is a sense of personal responsibility. A small but very vocal group wants an entire swath of the population to not take responsibility for their own choices.

 

[Justadude]

After thinking about what I described in the OP and how those things seem to be increasingly common in Christian online forums, and discussing it with some of my friends (both Christian and non-Christian), I've gotten to the point where IMO, this is what's behind it all.

First, just looking at the membership here it's very apparent that the majority (but not all) of Christians at CB and the other forum I left are older, white, and conservative. Whether or not people will acknowledge it, throughout history it's been older white conservative Christians who have oftentimes been the most hateful towards "others". As I noted in the "Homosexual Agenda" thread, it's been older white conservative Christians who have murdered, persecuted, and oppressed gays, blacks, Native Americans, Jews, etc. So seeing today's older white conservative Christians exhibiting racism, bigotry, and hatred towards blacks, LGBTQs, and Jews shouldn't come as a shock.

Second, I think we're starting to see the manifestation of some of the demographic and societal changes that we'd been hearing about for years. We'd been told that the younger generations are more ethnically diverse, more liberal, and less religious than the older generations, and how as those older generations died off, society would become more diverse, more liberal, less religious, and as a result the influence of white straight Christians would wane. How many of you can remember all the news stories about how someday soon "whites will no longer be a majority"? Surveys have shown that it's older white conservative Christians who are the most fearful of a non-white majority country. Well, it's becoming clear that those days are on the doorstep. I'm sure I'm not the only one who senses the changes. To older white conservative Christians, that means they increasingly find themselves living in a society that is far less tolerant of casual racist and bigoted remarks and attitudes...a society where they have less influence on the culture than they used to....a society that doesn't value the Christian Bible any more than any other "holy book". IOW, we are living in the midst of the transition towards a "post-Christian society" and "minority-white country" that we've been hearing about for years. That erosion of status and power is threatening to any group that used to be in charge, which brings me to the third factor....

What do people do when they feel scared and threatened? Some folks lash out at others and blame them for all their woes, and in doing so oftentimes attribute all sorts of nefarious agendas to them. LGBTQs don't just want to live freely like everyone else, they want to force everyone to praise them (or as two Christians here put it, force straight men to given in to rape); young people don't just want better social programs as in Scandinavian countries, they want Soviet-style communism; blacks don't just want equality, they want to dominate and oppress whites; Bill Gates isn't just donating huge sums of his own money to reduce diseases in third-world countries, he's part of a global plot to either kill 1/3 of humanity or microchip everyone. The point is, when some folks feel threatened as society rapidly changes around them (even though they've been told for decades that these things were coming), rather than acknowledge that it's part of the inevitable change human society has always experienced and that their time (and thus their influence) on the grand stage of life is nearing its end, they concoct broad conspiracy theories to explain it all. It's not just that society is changing as it always has...no, it's that those evil "globalists" (read, Jews) are plotting to destroy civilization! And that brings me to my final point...

When it comes right down to it, this is an internet message board. Internet message boards have always been havens for conspiracy theorists, racists, bigots, and haters. And since the advent of social media and given its popularity with young people, the message board format is slowly dying, with mostly the older folks remaining.

So all of those things playing off each other is why, IMO, Christian internet message boards seem to be....well, what they are. I honestly expect that within the next 10 years or so, they'll barely exist anymore. Even though I usually enjoy them, I'm not sure I'll be sad to see them go.

 

[Nancy]

I would request you to stay, Justadude. I think Christianity Board and the people here need you.

Though we may not agree on some things. I value your insights and appreciate the thoughtful, penetrating view on the subjects of the day. I get nervous when I'm in a place where everyone may agree with me. I want the dissenting voice that may discover and challenge me on my views and my possible illusions. Your views and your dissenting voice is what I think that this place needs.

Racism and white supremacy is strong in this place. I'm very sorry about that. Many of those people, despite being caught up in their political hatred, I think, if firmly and lovingly challenged in the gospel, will back away from such beliefs. As a Christian, I'm calling on my fellow Christians to return to Christ. I apologize that we have failed in our witness to Christ.

I want to thank you for kindness, your generosity in how you argue your positions. I think that they are a model for us all.

Agreed @bukka
Welcome here, BTW. I do like Justadude and you are correct, we do need him here. This board is a bit more "liberal" in so that they allow as much as possible. And, the mods are not able to catch all posts. I personally do not become engaged in much of the racist and the LQBT ones because, it will go no where and will cause contention...as I've learned.
There are some I have on ignore and have no qualms about it, I like peace. If we all kept our eyes on Christ, we would not be so concerned about how other Christians are acting. It's a hard lesson, lol.

 

[Justadude]

Judging a group - any group - by the actions of a few, well, that's just what's leading this country in such a dangerous direction.

I hope you extend that same courtesy to others, such as BLM.

 

[Rita]

I am definitely ‘ old ‘ ‘ white ‘ but not sure about the conservative - not sure what I am !!I did respond on this thread the other day, but deleted my post because I wasn’t in the best frame of mind when I was writing it.
I don’t tend to get involved with the threads on homosexuality , purely and simply because I honestly don’t know how to handle the issue as a Christian. I have to deal with the issue within my own family, and at work , and I love and care about my colleagues and family members.
As to the other issues, well I did get involved with some of the discussions, I chose to withdraw as it was getting to frustrating and started to drag me down.
I am not so sure that you can just clump everyone together , we all live in different circumstance, and some in different countries. For example I live in the gay capital of the UK. I have a father who is homophobic and racist but children who are totally accepting. However I do not live in a highly racialLy affected neighbourhood
- although there have been large protests within my town over the past week.
I think the age ranges on here are very mixed - some people are in the next generation up from me, but many are on the next two generations down from me .
I was challenged by what you relayed the other day , but decided that I cannot live up to the expectations of someone else - I am not perfect and sometimes non Christians expect that of Christians ,which is the wrong expectation to have.
Rita

 

[Justadude]

I am definitely ‘ old ‘ ‘ white ‘ but not sure about the conservative - not sure what I am !!I did respond on this thread the other day, but deleted my post because I wasn’t in the best frame of mind when I was writing it.

I understand, but I hope you also understand that by remaining silent while other Christians spew bigotry and hatred in the name of Christianity, you are at least somewhat complicit in the furtherance of stereotypes about Christians.

I don’t tend to get involved with the threads on homosexuality , purely and simply because I honestly don’t know how to handle the issue as a Christian. I have to deal with the issue within my own family, and at work , and I love and care about my colleagues and family members.

Why not treat it the same way you do any other behavior you believe to be sinful? If you think it's a sin to be gay, then don't be gay. But don't expect non-Christians to abide by your beliefs.

As to the other issues, well I did get involved with some of the discussions, I chose to withdraw as it was getting to frustrating and started to drag me down.

I definitely felt that too. It's why I took a break after what I'd read in the "Homosexual Agenda" thread.

I am not so sure that you can just clump everyone together , we all live in different circumstance, and some in different countries. For example I live in the gay capital of the UK. I have a father who is homophobic and racist but children who are totally accepting. However I do not live in a highly racialLy affected neighbourhood
- although there have been large protests within my town over the past week.

I have tried to be very careful in using qualifiers, such as "some Christians".

I think the age ranges on here are very mixed - some people are in the next generation up from me, but many are on the next two generations down from me .

One millennial said to me something like "Lots of things are going to change once the baby boomers are gone". I think a lot of positive changes have been held back by the boomer generation, and that's starting to give way.

I was challenged by what you relayed the other day , but decided that I cannot live up to the expectations of someone else - I am not perfect and sometimes non Christians expect that of Christians ,which is the wrong expectation to have.
Rita

The only expectation I've had is that people not be racist or bigoted. Sadly, I've been disappointed more often that I ever anticipated.

 

[Addy]

After thinking about what I described in the OP and how those things seem to be increasingly common in Christian online forums, and discussing it with some of my friends (both Christian and non-Christian), I've gotten to the point where IMO, this is what's behind it all.

First, just looking at the membership here it's very apparent that the majority (but not all) of Christians at CB and the other forum I left are older, white, and conservative. Whether or not people will acknowledge it, throughout history it's been older white conservative Christians who have oftentimes been the most hateful towards "others". As I noted in the "Homosexual Agenda" thread, it's been older white conservative Christians who have murdered, persecuted, and oppressed gays, blacks, Native Americans, Jews, etc. So seeing today's older white conservative Christians exhibiting racism, bigotry, and hatred towards blacks, LGBTQs, and Jews shouldn't come as a shock.

Second, I think we're starting to see the manifestation of some of the demographic and societal changes that we'd been hearing about for years. We'd been told that the younger generations are more ethnically diverse, more liberal, and less religious than the older generations, and how as those older generations died off, society would become more diverse, more liberal, less religious, and as a result the influence of white straight Christians would wane. How many of you can remember all the news stories about how someday soon "whites will no longer be a majority"? Surveys have shown that it's older white conservative Christians who are the most fearful of a non-white majority country. Well, it's becoming clear that those days are on the doorstep. I'm sure I'm not the only one who senses the changes. To older white conservative Christians, that means they increasingly find themselves living in a society that is far less tolerant of casual racist and bigoted remarks and attitudes...a society where they have less influence on the culture than they used to....a society that doesn't value the Christian Bible any more than any other "holy book". IOW, we are living in the midst of the transition towards a "post-Christian society" and "minority-white country" that we've been hearing about for years. That erosion of status and power is threatening to any group that used to be in charge, which brings me to the third factor....

What do people do when they feel scared and threatened? Some folks lash out at others and blame them for all their woes, and in doing so oftentimes attribute all sorts of nefarious agendas to them. LGBTQs don't just want to live freely like everyone else, they want to force everyone to praise them (or as two Christians here put it, force straight men to given in to rape); young people don't just want better social programs as in Scandinavian countries, they want Soviet-style communism; blacks don't just want equality, they want to dominate and oppress whites; Bill Gates isn't just donating huge sums of his own money to reduce diseases in third-world countries, he's part of a global plot to either kill 1/3 of humanity or microchip everyone. The point is, when some folks feel threatened as society rapidly changes around them (even though they've been told for decades that these things were coming), rather than acknowledge that it's part of the inevitable change human society has always experienced and that their time (and thus their influence) on the grand stage of life is nearing its end, they concoct broad conspiracy theories to explain it all. It's not just that society is changing as it always has...no, it's that those evil "globalists" (read, Jews) are plotting to destroy civilization! And that brings me to my final point...

When it comes right down to it, this is an internet message board. Internet message boards have always been havens for conspiracy theorists, racists, bigots, and haters. And since the advent of social media and given its popularity with young people, the message board format is slowly dying, with mostly the older folks remaining.

So all of those things playing off each other is why, IMO, Christian internet message boards seem to be....well, what they are. I honestly expect that within the next 10 years or so, they'll barely exist anymore. Even though I usually enjoy them, I'm not sure I'll be sad to see them go.

SO SORRY.... I pressed the wrong button and it posted without any comment from me. I was going to comment, however, I just arrived this morning. I am fresh off the press. HA! This has really touched my heart. To have someone who does not believe in Christ on these boards expressing concerns, complaints and even expressing absolute repulsion. I have just left a forum where we as believers were not able to see such communication play out. The non-believers had a special section and only certain chosen Christians were able to speak with them. This is very very good. This is Christianity 101... LIVE

 

[Addy]

To Dear Justadude,
I have never heard Christianity defined in the way you have defined it... Old White Conservative Christian. I am old... white ( brown when I sit in the sun after a brief time of being red ). I just joined this site this morning and one of the things I stated was that I dislike labels. I have read several of your postings, as well as some of the answers you have received.
I think the answer that stuck out for me was Rita's... She honestly stated that she does not know how to handle the LGTBQ issues. Forgive me for not knowing how to properly use the QUOTE function. but below are her words to you.

I don’t tend to get involved with the threads on homosexuality , purely and simply because I honestly don’t know how to handle the issue as a Christian. I have to deal with the issue within my own family, and at work , and I love and care about my colleagues and family members.

It doesn't get more real and raw than admitting that many if not most Christians do NOT know how to handle this issue that has EXPLODED into a huge battle. AT one time Christians quietly lived their lives, and kept their business to themselves. They went to church, they raised their family according to their beliefs and everything was simple. The world has changed so dramatically and so quickly that I know for myself, these issues of gender and sexual orientation have taken on a life of their own. What once used to be a private matter, is NOW a public one, and the church has not had a chance or opportunity to catch up. Thus the anger and lashing out about this topic.

The problem with the modern world, the very quickly evolving modern world is that it would state that the bible is an OUTDATED book, and that Christianity is in need of an overhaul, it is in need of "getting with the program". It is in need of being more INCLUSIVE to embrace and respect all lifestyles. That is indeed the problem with the modern world, where everything is instant and about SELF. Everything in this world is based on emotions, and ensuring that those emotions have the RIGHT to be met.

The bible is a living book... it is as EFFECTIVE and TRUE today, as it was when it was written, and therefore it is NOT something that needs to or even can be changed or altered. Christianity has played the game of bending the rules, even changing the rules. You can find a church that will cater to any orientation out there, on the grounds of being INCLUSIVE.

The problem with this is that it then washes down the truth, until which point it totally dissolves and perverts the truth, which is what you have today for much of Christianity. Watered down and perverted truths. You can find these churches on any television station. They usually have the name mega church as a title.

The real answer a Christian should be giving you about the topic of SEXUALITY is this.

God created Adam and Eve. They were created as man and woman to pro-create. This is the natural order of God. It is how the world was created to be, and it is what is pleasing to God. It is the reason you @Justadude are even here writing. Plants and animals were created in the same way. Male and female to pro-create. Marriage is an institution created for one man and one woman.
It is the world that has changed, NOT God and demanding that Christians need to get with the program is not something that a TRUE CHRISTIAN is able to do.

I do not tell anyone how to live their lives. I have a transgender landlord who actually transgendered a year after I moved here. I had to face a huge learning curve. I studied, I prayed, I talked with her, I prayed some more, and I kept working until I figured out how to respect her. I had to learn how to shift from him to her, and because I was honest, gentle, patient, kind, and respectful, I was able to develop a real and beautiful friendship with this person. They are like family to me, and I love them. I am a CHRISTIAN who does not believe that God made a mistake in creating this person a male, but I have learned that my opinion is not what matters. It is my ability to learn to LOVE others that matters. I don't have to spew forth my beliefs on others. I don't have to get into debates about my rights. As a Christian, I have given up my rights. This however, does not change the truth.

People condemn the Christians for standing against the alternative lifestyle choices, however, they do not seem to understand that it is us as Christians that have lost our rights. By law, here in Canada, I must be willing to address someone according to their preferred personal pronoun.
This means I can be fined if I refuse to comply with someone who desires to be addressed as something that I do not agree with.

I am not able to accept that there are more than two genders. Male and female. I am not able to accept the over 70 different pronouns that people can choose to use to identify themselves. I cannot do it, because it goes against everything I know and believe. I am able to accept HE, SHE. If someone transgenders, I am able to grant RESPECT and COMMON COURTESY to their transition. However, if one human being desires to be referred to as "they" or any other pronoun, I am sorry, but it won't happen. I am NOT angry, not one bit. I am not afraid of this issue, and I am not even afraid to AGREE with Rita's answer to you. I do not know how to deal with this issue, and still remain true to myself and my beliefs.

I do not know why God has certain rules in place. So many things are a mystery, and I am ok with NOT knowing, and I am absolutely ok with admitting when I don't know. The same rules apply to me also, which is another thing people don't seem to understand. I am a single woman, and according to the bible, I am told I must remain celibate. I don't have a problem with this. It is something I accept as part of being a Christian.

Christians are getting a real bad rap at this time, for simply believing that the bible does not change. I am sorry @Justadude that you are seeing so many different kinds of responses. I have taken an hour to write these words to you, and I have done so with absolute tenderness, and with no judgement. Are you willing to do the same for me?

I have spent much time working with the street people. The prostitutes, the drug addicts, the homeless. They are actually my preferred type of people because they KNOW that they are broken. There is no pretence when dealing with them. I find them so easy to love. In the world of Christianity, you will find all kinds of opinions, personalities, and short-comings. I just left a forum site yesterday because I could not take the arrogance and prideful attitudes of a select few. I have no idea if I will even be able to survive here, as I know I will run into the know-it-all.

I bless you Justadude. Consider this a love letter from a momma's heart to yours. I have a daughter who is 27, and she thinks I am one of those old dinosaurs who needs to change with the times. I am learning to work around this and simply LOVE her as she is, and she gives me the same

 

[Enoch111]

I left this forum a few weeks ago because of how disgusted I was at the hate being expressed here towards the LGBTQ community.

That's just nonsense. No one hates perverts, just their perversion.

 

[Renniks]

The only expectation I've had is that people not be racist or bigoted. Sadly, I've been disappointed more often that I ever anticipated.

Sure there's some actual racism, but some of what you have called racist is merely a different view point. I've noticed the younger kids often can't comprehend that race isn't real, or that people who want to be colorblind are not racist.
As for gays, there are real concerns, but that doesn't mean we should treat those people badly. There's a difference between calling something sin and hating the one doing it, just as there's a difference between racism and hating the actions of lawless " protesters".

 

[Dcopymope]

I left this forum a few weeks ago because of how disgusted I was at the hate being expressed here towards the LGBTQ community. I can understand how some Christians believe their lifestyles and choices are sinful, but I can't understand the clear hatred behind many of the posts. So I took a break, and now that I come back, what do I see?

Multiple Christians posting blatantly racist and/or white supremacist views, and what's even more shocking, it's all tolerated! No deletions of racist posts (including those using the N-word), no banning of members who post their white supremacist views outright....nothing. Apparently within the Christian community those sorts of things are tolerated.

A few years ago I left another Christian board for the same reason (it had also become a racist hate board) and now I am walking away from this one for the exact same reason. That's led me to wonder about the state of Christianity in the western world. Survey after survey has shown fairly rapid declines in the number of Christians in developed countries, and to be honest with you, given what I've seen from Christians, I say good riddance! The more people who leave (or never become a member of) a faith that tolerates the sort of hatred expressed here, the better for all humanity.

For those Christians here who aren't racist and don't agree with the racism from your fellow Christians, why are you so passive towards the hate from your fellow Christians? Do you not understand the impact this is having on the public image of your faith? Are you in denial of it, or is it that you just don't care?

Either way, from the outside it looks very much like the crazies and haters have taken the stage from you and are increasingly becoming the face of Christianity. And from what I can tell, many of you are fine with that.

So whenever you find yourself lumped in with all the Christians who are racists, bigots, and haters you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

I was once called a N*gg*r once by a member of this site. Yes, the Bible emboldens christian's to be racist, because they basically believe God is racist. This is why I don't congregate with white "Christians" beyond this site. I really have nothing in common with them beyond their belief in Jesus, which in itself comes in many shades as you can see here.

 

[Renniks]

I was once called a N*gg*r once by a member of this site. Yes, the Bible emboldens christian's to be racist, because they basically believe God is racist. This is why I don't congregate with white "Christians" beyond this site. I really have nothing in common with them beyond their belief in Jesus, which in itself comes in many shades as you can see here.

God isn't racist. In fact I'm not sure skin color is ever mentioned in the Bible.
The Bible is rarely concerned with appearances either of individuals or of populations. It divides men largely in terms of whom their forefathers were, or in other words, in terms of descent or lineage.

 

[Dcopymope]

God isn't racist. In fact I'm not sure skin color is ever mentioned in the Bible.
The Bible is rarely concerned with appearances either of individuals or of populations. It divides men largely in terms of whom their forefathers were, or in other words, in terms of descent or lineage.

According to whitey, your lineage is the primary determining factor of your skin color. They justify slavery and their racist ideology towards black people, or black people of African descent because Noah cursed Canaan, even though Canaan never once set foot in Africa. This gets conveniently ignored of course, as they believe this is why parts of Africa is in the state its in, which in reality is almost entirely due to the white mans exploitation of Africa, and now their pale skinned, slanted eyed cousins from China. This is why I wholeheartedly detest integration. Its done more harm than good, especially for black people. If every race stuck with their own, and minded their own business, the world might have been at a better place now.