Christians. I have a situational question.

[VK Fox]

Linii

VK Fox

I don't assume they're not religious unless they give me a reason to think so. I'd be curious, but I'd wait until you made an issue of it first.

I wouldn't choose that they be nonreligious. I wouldn't even choose that they be a part of the "churches" out there, but this isn't a what is and what isn't Christian thread.

I have a lot of coworkers who aren't religious. In fact, I'm one of maybe two or three in the office who claim to be a Christian outside of private discussions where other coworkers can't hear us. I still hang out with them. I show them how my life is in hopes that it'll attract them to what makes me happy, holds my family together, and fulfills us.That's usually as far as it goes, until someone asks a question. Then the gloves are off.

I'd love them, though I wouldn't ask them to teach Sunday School.

The last one is fairly unchristian, though to our shame common in churches.

What sort of questions would "remove the gloves" so to speak?

Any, really.I don't tend to sugar coat answers about my religion to make them less offensive or more watered down. If you want to know what I think, then I'll give it to you, be it whether I think we should have instrumental music or if I really believe that without Jesus, someone will go to Hell.

[The Inglorious Mrs Derby]

Of course I'd accept them as they are. Being "religious" isn't important. Its the relationship with Jesus that matters. Religion is man seeking God, Christianity is God seeking man. We don't have to try so hard to appease God, only to accept his Grace. I figure if I live my life as Christlike as possible and witness when the opportunity arises, those who are not Christians will get the idea planted in their head. I'm not a fan of going around forcing the word of God down other people's throats. Jesus didn't do that. He told them the truth and allowed them to choose to accept it or to turn their backs. As many turned their backs on Jesus modern day Christians can expect many to turn their backs on them when they share the Gospel.

[Linii]

rmcdra

Linii

Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace?

Yeah kinda but I'm prepared to offer a toast instead if someone didn't feel comfortable saying grace.

Quote:

Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?

No. I say those quite frequently.

Quote:

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?

Not applicable. I have no problem with the GLBTI community.

I take it you've never looked at the Christian Left or Progressive Christianity.

I realize that not all Christians are hard line bigots. It's just that in this situation that is the sort of person Im dealing with. I had thought about requesting answers from only judgmental Christians but I didn't want to offend anyone. Plus it's always nice to hear from people who are religious but still accept the beliefs of others.

[Mynolis]

Are you ok with them being non religious?
Yeah! Why not? I do mingle around with people of other religions too.

Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?
It's alright. I don't support homosexuality, but I would not hate homosexuals. No one's perfect.

If you didn't accept them would you try to turn other people against them?
Errr. No.

EDIT: Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace?
Slighytly awkward. But not offended. After all they are not Christians. I don't like shoving Christianity down others' throats. But I do discuss Christian stuff with my friends.
Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?
A little. But I won't take things seriously.

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?
Depends. If that person bears a certain grudge against Christians, it's best not to offend them. And I will keep my opinions to myself.

[JariKyoko]

Linii

So let's imagine that you live in a small rural community. It's the sort of place where all the neighbors know each other and rely on one another a good bit. Everyone is religious aside from this new couple who moved in down the street. They fit in really well with everyone and participate in social events... Aside from the religious ones. They haven't said that they do not believe in god though.

Do you assume they are non religious?

Are you ok with them being non religious?

Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?

If you didn't accept them would you try to turn other people against them?

EDIT: Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace?

Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?

Most religious people would assume that the people in question are religious but it all depends I guess.
I'm okay with non religious people and religious people (former Christian now atheist)
I have all Christian friends and they are okay with me be transsexual although a couple of them are homophobic out of like 15 that I know of. The ones I know are extremely tolerant people but the ones to watch out for are very conservative Christians or any strongly religious person.
The Christians I have known would never turn anyone against someone and I have yet to meet a decent religious person that would either unless they were from Islam (literally from there) or Westboro babtist church.
I don't think that they would be offended if you didn't participate in prayer but it would be kind of awkward but more so for the person not praying. (in my experience)
I know so many people who use God and Hell in "vain" and I have yet to really hear anything against it really.
I myself am transexual and the religious people I have been around have been okay with me being around. Even when I'm around their baby they are okay with it and they never say anything about it.

[Linii]

The Inglorious Mrs Derby

Of course I'd accept them as they are. Being "religious" isn't important. Its the relationship with Jesus that matters. Religion is man seeking God, Christianity is God seeking man. We don't have to try so hard to appease God, only to accept his Grace. I figure if I live my life as Christlike as possible and witness when the opportunity arises, those who are not Christians will get the idea planted in their head. I'm not a fan of going around forcing the word of God down other people's throats. Jesus didn't do that. He told them the truth and allowed them to choose to accept it or to turn their backs. As many turned their backs on Jesus modern day Christians can expect many to turn their backs on them when they share the Gospel.

So would you think badly of someone who had opposing views? Would you avoid them or turn others away from them?

What about allowing their gay or transgendered friend to come over?

[coca-candy]

Linii

So let's imagine that you live in a small rural community. It's the sort of place where all the neighbors know each other and rely on one another a good bit. Everyone is religious aside from this new couple who moved in down the street. They fit in really well with everyone and participate in social events... Aside from the religious ones. They haven't said that they do not believe in god though.

Do you assume they are non religious?

Are you ok with them being non religious?

Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?

If you didn't accept them would you try to turn other people against them?

EDIT: Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace?

Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?

1. No
2.What do you mean by okay? Like I don't give a rip.. or I care but I respect their decisions...?
3.Accept them? Of course! smile God tells us to love one another just as he has loved us. He also tells us not to Judge because it is wrong. So I would openly accept them. (does this means i have never judged?... uhh im not perfect you know)
4....this Q does not apply
5/6. Just saying, but i dont think that i would be the awkward one... I mean if they are the only people not participating wouldnt they feel more awkward? I have no problem. I'm not embarrassed that they are not saying grace. (btw, this thing is seriously unrealistic... i mean like how can they fit really well if they are the only couple in a small rural community that doesn't participate in religious acts... just sayin) And i would not be offended if they said 'what the hell' ect. i would feel more shocked b/c according to the hypothetical senerio they are supposed to fit along really well and everyone else is religious and does not swear... so it would be more of a 'wow, wasnt expecting that'
7.Sure come and visit. I dont have kids... so really i have no idea how to answer that portion.. And opinions to myself? Well they have brought out their views openly so i will bring out mine. I will set it nicely and politely that i don't support gay marriage or homosexuals. Otherwise if they dont bring out their views then i wont bring out mine.
Honestly my best friend is lesbian, and we both grew up as christians. we have no problem today as we both know each others views.. and personally, im not willing to give up a friendship because of that.

[Linii]

coca-candy

Linii

So let's imagine that you live in a small rural community. It's the sort of place where all the neighbors know each other and rely on one another a good bit. Everyone is religious aside from this new couple who moved in down the street. They fit in really well with everyone and participate in social events... Aside from the religious ones. They haven't said that they do not believe in god though.

Do you assume they are non religious?

Are you ok with them being non religious?

Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?

If you didn't accept them would you try to turn other people against them?

EDIT: Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace?

Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?

1. No
2.What do you mean by okay? Like I don't give a rip.. or I care but I respect their decisions...?
3.Accept them? Of course! smile God tells us to love one another just as he has loved us. He also tells us not to Judge because it is wrong. So I would openly accept them. (does this means i have never judged?... uhh im not perfect you know)
4....this Q does not apply
5/6. Just saying, but i dont think that i would be the awkward one... I mean if they are the only people not participating wouldnt they feel more awkward? I have no problem. I'm not embarrassed that they are not saying grace. (btw, this thing is seriously unrealistic... i mean like how can they fit really well if they are the only couple in a small rural community that doesn't participate in religious acts... just sayin) And i would not be offended if they said 'what the hell' ect. i would feel more shocked b/c according to the hypothetical senerio they are supposed to fit along really well and everyone else is religious and does not swear... so it would be more of a 'wow, wasnt expecting that'
7.Sure come and visit. I dont have kids... so really i have no idea how to answer that portion.. And opinions to myself? Well they have brought out their views openly so i will bring out mine. I will set it nicely and politely that i don't support gay marriage or homosexuals. Otherwise if they dont bring out their views then i wont bring out mine.
Honestly my best friend is lesbian, and we both grew up as christians. we have no problem today as we both know each others views.. and personally, im not willing to give up a friendship because of that.

Thanks for your response. I just wanted to say that we (the couple) fit in really well with everyone despite the religious differences. I mean, not everything the people here do is religious. We have a lot of fun doing all the other things in life.

[Murkier]

Do you assume they are non religious?
I wouldn't make any assumptions. If the subject came up I would ask about their beliefs, but I would have to know them well.

Are you ok with them being non religious?
I don't think believers should expect that everyone holds their same beliefs. Depending on what they believe I would disagree with their ideas and morals, but i would not judge them for it.

Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?
I don't need to accept their opinions at all, especially if they go against everything I stand for. However, I can accept them as human beings and love them as Jesus loved people.

If you didn't accept them would you try to turn other people against them?
NO, turning people against them would not be biblical at all. We are called to love nonbelievers. One thing that hypocritical religious people hated about Jesus is that he would spend all his time with nonbelievers and sinners.

EDIT: Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace?
Non-beleivers should not be held at the same moral standards as believers. Prayer before dinner would be totally optional and they would NOT be judged for it.

Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?
Again, nonbelievers shouldn't be expected to follow the moral laws that believers are held to.

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?

I live with a gay man, so I would not judge or criticize. If they asked, I would give my personal opinion on the subject. However, I think homosexuality is a subject that is focused on way to much in today's society. I would most likely veer off the subject of homosexuality and talk about Jesus, how he lived his life, and what he did for the world. smile

[coca-candy]

Linii

coca-candy

Linii

So let's imagine that you live in a small rural community. It's the sort of place where all the neighbors know each other and rely on one another a good bit. Everyone is religious aside from this new couple who moved in down the street. They fit in really well with everyone and participate in social events... Aside from the religious ones. They haven't said that they do not believe in god though.

Do you assume they are non religious?

Are you ok with them being non religious?

Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?

If you didn't accept them would you try to turn other people against them?

EDIT: Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace?

Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?

1. No
2.What do you mean by okay? Like I don't give a rip.. or I care but I respect their decisions...?
3.Accept them? Of course! smile God tells us to love one another just as he has loved us. He also tells us not to Judge because it is wrong. So I would openly accept them. (does this means i have never judged?... uhh im not perfect you know)
4....this Q does not apply
5/6. Just saying, but i dont think that i would be the awkward one... I mean if they are the only people not participating wouldnt they feel more awkward? I have no problem. I'm not embarrassed that they are not saying grace. (btw, this thing is seriously unrealistic... i mean like how can they fit really well if they are the only couple in a small rural community that doesn't participate in religious acts... just sayin) And i would not be offended if they said 'what the hell' ect. i would feel more shocked b/c according to the hypothetical senerio they are supposed to fit along really well and everyone else is religious and does not swear... so it would be more of a 'wow, wasnt expecting that'
7.Sure come and visit. I dont have kids... so really i have no idea how to answer that portion.. And opinions to myself? Well they have brought out their views openly so i will bring out mine. I will set it nicely and politely that i don't support gay marriage or homosexuals. Otherwise if they dont bring out their views then i wont bring out mine.
Honestly my best friend is lesbian, and we both grew up as christians. we have no problem today as we both know each others views.. and personally, im not willing to give up a friendship because of that.

Thanks for your response. I just wanted to say that we (the couple) fit in really well with everyone despite the religious differences. I mean, not everything the people here do is religious. We have a lot of fun doing all the other things in life.

Thats nice to hear smile

[A Benevolent Dreamer]

So let's imagine that you live in a small rural community. It's the sort of place where all the neighbors know each other and rely on one another a good bit. Everyone is religious aside from this new couple who moved in down the street. They fit in really well with everyone and participate in social events... Aside from the religious ones. They haven't said that they do not believe in god though.

Do you assume they are non religious?
It would not matter to me anyway because it doesn't affect me.

Are you ok with them being non religious?
Again, it would be illogical for me to care. I disagree, but they have a right to believe what they want.

Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?
Shunning people because of differing opinions is narrow.

If you didn't accept them would you try to turn other people against them?
Why in the world would I do this? There would be no purpose.

EDIT: Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace?
For not doing something they don't believe in? Why?
Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?
Again, why would it matter? No.

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?
It'd be pointless to bring up my opinions. I'd be ok having them over, but I reserve the right to bring my kids up in an environment that I believe would be best for their well being.

At such a young age, they may not be capable of understanding certain aspects of an individuals choices and become confused. And I don't mean that as sexual confusion.

[--Real Pinkamena Pie--]

I'd feel more awkward if someone started saying grace at my table.

If you're close enough to me to be eating MY food in MY house, you know That s**t don't fly.


how about thanking the mexican immigrants working 12 hours a day at minimum wage for your food, Instead of a self-centered a*****e who had nothing to do with it?



oh, and, i wouldn't care. I'd be that couple, except for the atheism. (I'm satanist...). and i wouldn't be living in a hick town like that. That's just asking for a burning at the stake. and they're just asking to get their s**t majorly ******** up if they bring that kind of s**t up with me.

[nah LEEN]

Do you assume they are non religious?
probably
Are you ok with them being non religious?
doesn't really matter to me. some of my best friends are atheists.
Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?
well, if they hated gays, we'd have a problem, because the jesus i know wants us to love everyone, and that includes gays. i don't mind if they think sex changes are weird as long as they still like the transgendered people even if they are transgendered. only my one catholic friend has the same view on abortion as i do. i have no feelings towards circumcision.

[Avgvsto]

Linii

Do you assume they are non religious?

Nope

Linii

Are you ok with them being non religious?

Doesn't really concern me

Linii

Would you still accept them if you knew they had greatly differing opinions about subjects such as abortion, circumcision, gays and transgendered people?

Don't really care about those except abortion.

Linii

If you didn't accept them would you try to turn other people against them?

Depends on if they were deserving of being shunned. None of the situations thus far have inspired that much though.

Linii

Would you feel awkward or offended if they didn't participate in saying grace.

Not really

Linii

Would you be offended if they said "oh my god!" or " what the hell!" ?

Purely situational

Linii

If they had a gay or transgendered friend come visit (and you didn't agree with that lifestyle) would you keep your opinions to yourself? Would you be ok with them bringing their friend over to your house? Even with your kids around?

I wouldn't care unless they knew of my beliefs and still decided to have said culture breach my property, mainly a matter of being rude rather than clashing of ideology.