Thursday, 11 June 2009

  • Christians Making Issues Out of Non-issues?

      In Christianity, there are several issues that aren’t necessarily listed in Scripture as being right or wrong.  It is these issues that I feel must be decided by each individual whether or not they are right or wrong.  For example, I recently attended a Christian university where one of the rules of the university is that no social dancing was allowed. While many (myself included) scoff at the idea of social dancing as being “sinful,” I did some research to try and understand where the university’s board was coming from.

    When looking into what other Christians had to say about social dancing, I came across a writer who said something to the affect of it seems that dancing among other issues are things that Christians like to take and make issues out of non-issues. I would have to agree with him. I feel that today’s Church has allowed itself to be divided by the non-issues. Instead of focusing on the real issues and working to become united as a church, I think we have allowed things like drinking of alcoholic beverages come in the way. Of course, there will always be people who abhor the idea of Christians drinking (like my parents) and those who view the occasional drink as something that has little affect on spiritual matters (like myself).

    While the there are more Scripture references one can point at to make an argument against drinking, there are less for others like smoking, dancing and rock-and-roll. (Just kidding about the last one). I often wonder how much time Christians should spend thinking about these self-proclaiming controversies. Shouldn’t there be better things we could spend our time debating and researching? I think there are which is why I’ve made myself move past the non-issues.

    Ever feel like the Church wastes time with non-issues?

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Comments (59)

  • TheHiddenRose86@xanga

    All the time. Anybody remember that Revelife post about the doll that was (allegedly) making Pro-Islam remarks? Apparently, this little doll was going to corrupt the minds of young, Christian youths and turn them into Muslims. These people made a big shit deal out of a doll. At this point, nothing surprises me. 
  • BookMark61@xanga

    Ever feel like the Church wastes time with non-issues?
    Frequently.
  • Theophilus166@xanga

    We don't want teach people how to listen to the Holy Spirit on some issues, because we're scared they might not end up with the same conclusion as us.
  • LadyLibellule@xanga

    Yes.
  • RazorBladeParade@xanga

    Too often. It would be impressive if people just accepted religious diversity, prayed for people who don't believe in their faith, and actually worshiped and practiced what they preached.

  • MichaelCavaness@xanga

    Of course they do. Haven't you ever read all of the posts on this site? Nearly every post is someone's "revelation" of a non-issue.
  • WasaiWarrior@xanga

    Ever feel like the Church wastes time with non-issues?
    Usually.
  • noree_n@xanga

    like legalistic issues. those annoy me. 
  • pillowpixies@xanga

    Yeah, but then again I think EVERYONE of every religion and lack thereof does that.
  • sierrraa@xanga

    @Theophilus166@xanga - Exactly what I wanted to say.
  • CyanideNGunpowder@xanga

    All the damn time. Check for any "Is [General Activity or Hobby, such as Salsa Dancing] A Sin?" posts.
  • deepestrecesses

    This may have been mentioned before, but the reason why there are all these abundant "non-essential issues" is because there are many Christians who have confined the faith to a theoretical concept rather than seeking a way to serve Christ. 


    If your parents, and me, and my parents, and everyone else decided to get up and go out there to take the Gospel (not the law, but the gospel) into the world, we would not have time to argue about dancing because we really wouldn't be faced with it as much.  You might have a little hip-hop happen while painting a womens shelter home, but you'd be busy and wouldn't have to argue about it.

  • mr_randyc@xanga

    There will always be issues in living.  Just because a Christian has a certain stand on an issue doesn't make it nonsense or a non-issue.  I believe that everyone has a right to believe in what they want.  No one will make you live a certain way.  If the Christian wants to live with a strick rule of what they consider morality then let them.  I do understand how you feel about the issues getting in the way of spreding the gospel.
  • kleptos_get_it_free@xanga

    that's why i chose not to belong to a church. i can worship outside of church, and i can find fellowship in christ without being told by men what i can and cannot do.
    i prefer it that way. i can decide for myself instead of having someone try and decide for me. and i can live by the rules of god instead of the ridiculous rules men made up to control me.
  • Strong_Protector@xanga

    I don't really think non-issue is the right word because it obviously IS an issue.  Do I think the church takes things to the extreme?  Yes.  Like drinking for instance.  Do I think drinking is a non-issue? absolutely not!  Even dancing is a touchy subject... have you seen how people dance?  Anyway, I don't believe having a drink is wrong, nor do I think dancing is wrong.  But they are real issues.  We should be discussing these things trying to help each other figure out what it means to live a holy life.
  • Strong_Protector@xanga

    @kleptos_get_it_free@xanga - You cannot have fellowship with Christ unless you are in fellowship with His Body (aka, the church). 
  • methodElevated@xanga

    Yes, I do.

    Also, the person who made that image doesn't seem to have a very good grasp of photo manipulation, especially when it comes to perspective.
  • yesults_blog@xanga

    If you can prove something scripturally (like the drinking of alcohol not being a sin) then someone who disagrees with that does not have a scriptural basis to stand on. Drunkeness is warned against in the bible, but not alchol itself. Dancing is in the bible. Sexually suggestive dancing is obviously unchristian. Smoking is bad for our health and the health of those around us who inhale the secondhand fumes which are still toxic.


    'Rock and roll' is a broad term that covers a lot of music. Some of it is very unhealthy. Some of is not.


    I think most things are pretty self-explanatory if we read the scriptures for ourself. However people can also add personal opinion and experience (which can be very valid) over certain issues. However when that opinion is mixed with scriptural truth to contradict it - we are negating the word of God to back up our own opinions. That's where the problems start.

  • soshife@xanga

    you dont have to go to church to pray, i do it at home
  • robbob

    @kleptos_get_it_free@xanga - I didn't grow up in church and am increasingly disillusioned with it. Ecclesia is the Greek word that is translated "church." It does not refer to a building but a gathering of people. Community & equipping. That is why I still go to church, even with its many faults. I would encourage you to find a place where the Bible is preached, and people encourage you to ask questions, especially about why things are done the way they are.
  • flowerspushthrudirt@xanga

    @methodElevated@xanga - I think the photo is funny.  When I look at it long enough, I start feeling a little dizzy or lightheaded.
  • HLPU@xanga

    Yes, we are on earth for a short time.  Yet, eternity (eternal life/eternal damnation) is, well, forever.  So, we ought to focus upon the gospel message of salvation through Christ alone and sharing that with others who are unaware.
  • nyclegodesi24@xanga

    You have pretty eyes. ^ ^

  • mr_twenty_something

    @desertrose2890@xanga - Lol moment. I remember the news videos of the "evil" doll.


    @methodElevated@xanga - yeah, the photo is pretty terrible, but it was the one i thought fit best with the topic.


    @Strong_Protector@xanga - To clarify, I do think that these things can become issues. However, I feel that spending to much time debating these things can get in the way of more important things, like randy suggested spreading the gospel or even equipping others to know how to spread the gospel.


    @nyclegodesi24@xanga - I'm going to take this as directed toward me (I think o.O) Thanks...lol
  • Faerie_In_Combat_Boots@xanga

    I think it's human to make mountains out of ant holes...not just Christian.

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