Monday, 20 February 2012
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Getting So Frustrated By The Labels
All these preconceived ideas are screaming at me no matter where I turn. I see them in other blogs, I see them on Facebook, I hear the people at school -- and it's all because of a few people who came before me and really messed up. Now I'm guilty of their same sins by association.This is just another monster born of ignorance, just like racism, sexism, and many other prejudices. In my case, however, no one is demeaning me because of my sexual orientation or political view, but because of my faith.
I am a Christian.
And you know what folks? It's really, really tough. Just because of the pious and hypocritical generations which preceded me, I am constantly being misunderstood. All those horrid pictures you have in your head about how bad Christians are because of people who weren't living like Christians. The anger, hatred, closed mindedness that Christians are so well known for don't define me.
One of the ways I get attacked in the most is when people misunderstand how I view homosexuality. They don't get it because the previous generations who picketed and hated gay people have left their mark of bigotry in the world's eyes. Let me tell you, I have gay friends. I don't call them fags or run from them because they're so bad, I love them because Jesus loves them. But you know what? I disagree with their lifestyle choices. I don't endorse gay marriage, but I also don't endorse murder, lying, fornication, cheating, or bigotry.
One of the most basic principles of Christianity is that everyone's bad. That includes me, the most Godly people I know, and everyone else for that matter. We are born sinners. So for me to have some false sense of superiority over people who are gay is just wrong, and completely unChristian, no matter how you spin it. The second my beliefs are used to judge anyone's life except my own, the purpose is defeated.
Another important point is that no one sin is worse than the other. To look at a thief and say, "Well at least I'm only a liar", is completely unChristian. So, in turn, to say to a gay person, "At least I have different sin than you", is also blatantly against Christian theology.
To be Christian isn't to judge anyone and everyone, to be Christian is to recognize you're absolutely no better and that we all need the grace of Jesus. To be Christian is not to hate everyone who disagrees with your faith and ostracize them, it is, rather, to love people because Jesus does and welcome them and help them because Jesus says to.
So don't label people, because chances are, you really have no clue how that person works. You've just heard a story or had this one experience (or sadly, multiple experiences) with a certain group. It still doesn't mean that everyone is like that, or that you now know it all. Realize, you could really have no clue.
Do you feel like the actions of previous generations of Christians are defining the way people perceive you today? What are ways we can break the stereotypes?
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- From: michaela_noel@xanga
- Name: Michaela
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Comments (26)
If people are judging you because of the actions of others then they are the ones with the problem, not you. You've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.
A handful of bigots is a definite fold.That was all so wonderfully said!
As one that is not Christian {My spiritual beliefs are, strange, by organized religions standards,} I find that many people Do use Their religion as an excuse for bigotry, I do not see those people as True Christians, and won't let such behaviour define the religion. For One to embrace One's religion for what it truly Is, is something I have a great deal of respect for, So kudo's, and Thank You :)http://www.defendpunch.com/609-20-million-volt-stun-gun-with-flashlight-selfdefensive-stun-gun-p-40.html
http://www.defendpunch.com/609-20-million-volt-stun-gun-with-flashlight-selfdefensive-stun-gun-p-40.html
...during the beginning of the ska/rock-steady/reggae movement in Jamaica...early 60s...they would have these sound systems...people would dance...the DJs would spin records...and someone would toast over the music..as more and more sound systems stared to grow...DJs would rip the labels off of their own records so no one except them knew any information about the song played...the competition was so much that the DJs then began to have artists make recordings and only print one copy...bands would record songs and only one DJ would have it...the one with the most unique and better music would draw more people to his sound systems...people did not know the name of the music...yet they still followed it.
when i read "I'm guilty of their same sins by association."...it reminded me of who our actions should be associated with...and that should Christ...a good friend of mine once told me..."i really like that Jesus guy...i just hate those people that follow him"...there are things in our world that we cannot control (yep whatever just popped in your head)...but there are things in our lives that we can control...and that is how we love people...how we treat them...how people react to our personal relationship with God is out of our hands...my first car cost $500 and had a few extra buttons on the dashboard...just for show...they did nothing...one day i got a label and i wrote "TURBO" and put it on that button...does not mater how much i believed in that button...there was no turbo...the car was a piece of crap...it lasted 6 months...people will label you...but they are too late...you already have a label...and that's your walk with God.
be encouraged...
that turbo label did fall off...but those records are still playing -stephenDefinitely going to post a link to this post on my Facebook. I run into this problem a lot with one of my co-workers. I do want to say that to show the love of Christ does not mean you can not have an opinion or that you can not say something is right or wrong. You are correct in saying that the key is realizing that WE ALL need the grace of the Lord, and sin is sin. However, it is possible to do this AND love others. There is a time for everything, but everything must be done in love.
Well said
I am curious as to where you live if life is so difficult for you being Christian since at least most of the countries in the Western Hemisphere are predominantly Christian. I hear this phrase coming from some of my friends and I just want to shake them and say, "If life is so hard in a country where over half the population is Evangelical (especially since we live in the Midwest), imagine how it is for those who are not."
You may not be an open name-calling bigot, but your prejudice is showing through. You shouldn't love your friends only because Jesus loves them, but simply because they are your friends and you should value them. I always felt cheapened and less of a person when someone would tell me that because it is implied that being myself alone was not worthy of love.
I completely agree.
I agree completely. As a Christian, I also try to remember that everyone sins, that all sins are the same, and that judging people is wrong and utterly pointless, even if we don't agree with them or think that they are going against our faith. Thanks for writing this!
I've never understood why people of different religions felt the need to judge each other and bicker and whatnot.
I'm an atheist, but (almost) ALL of my closest friends believe in God, whether they're Christian or a part of Islam.
It's quite easy for us to get along and find common ground. SO WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE DO THE SAME?!
"I don't endorse gay marriage, but I also don't endorse murder, lying, fornication, cheating, or bigotry."
Thank you for likening the fact that I LOVE someone to be the same as murdering someone. I don't have a certain view of all Christians as I have many Christian friends or I wouldn't have read this but this single line gave me all the information on you that I cared to have.
To be totally honest me too. When people see my user name they automatically think "lesbian bible-bumper." no that isn't true. people are assholes. and you understand that just as much as i do. when somebody wants me to live MY life by THEIR rules...then they are the ones who need to kiss my ass. they need to worry about themselves and not what everyone else is doing and not what everyone else should be doing...God gave us our own minds for a reason and our individuality...because if we all read off of the same page this world would be boring as hell. :)
absolutely.
I've seen the arch demons of religious hypocrisy, bigotry, piety, fanaticism and heresy; most of them do bear this 'holier than thou' attitude while others have this 'you must abide by these rules to be considered Christian or a good Christian for that matter' which obviously are their own dictates of what they feel is Christian and the most infamous 'I swore a mission to God that I would save the souls of men from Satan and purge the earth of the wicked whom are the evil by my own understanding whims even though Jesus was elected to save souls and Michael to purge evil, I must act in their stead!' Yes there are Christians who feel that way but I pray they are the few...
The websites thus far that promote religious hypocrisy: www.jesus-is-savior.com and www.christwire.com their titles are clearly meant to deceive true believers! They fan the flames of hatred giving front to religious fanaticism and piety.
Oh, you're one of those people who doesn't like labels.
I'm a nihilist. The most genuine person I knew and respected was a christian. There are other things to talk about other than the existence of a deity.
This is wonderfully said!!!!
Eh..You're asking how you can take away from the stereotype? You can't. Sucks, but it's true. Obviously, Christians like you exist in the world, the ones who understand it's not okay to judge & gay bash others while hiding behind their religion. I guess..maybe you should start some sort of group for Christians of like minds, such as yourself. BE the change you wish to see. Try to take away the stereotype, though like I said in my opinion it's probably always going to be there unfortunately. A majority of us as humans are paying for the trouble & misconduct our ancestors did to others. Take the Native American culture for example..the USA is still to this DAY, atoning for the fact we uprooted & slaughtered mass tribes of the Native American Indians. So it's not surprising to see Christians or any other human with a bad past linked to them [Think Nazi & regular German people today] feeling the need or the cross [so to speak] being bared on their shoulders to fix something or suffer the wrath of others. it shouldn't be that way, we shouldn't have to pay for the injustices done by our forefathers, but for some reason this how the world works. However, it's great to see that despite the fact there's a LOT of Christians who do an injustice to their faith by preaching & gay bashing, & doing all sorts of other horrific things - that you are standing up & saying just because X amount of people do - does NOT mean you agree or do that as well.
Well said. I have some good friends who are Christians, and I really like them. So even though I have different beliefs, I do not like to see all Christians lumped into one group and called all sorts of unsavory things. If I expect others to respect my right to believe what I believe, then it's only fair that I do the same for them.
But I also think you should just not worry about the stereotype. I know that sounds incredibly cliche, but it's true. Just be who you are, without worrying about what stereotype it plays or doesn't play into. I know it can be frustrating to be judged before anyone even gives you a chance, but if you aren't always trying to fight it, then eventually people will pick up the fact that you are what you are and that doesn't necessarily mean what they thought it did.
I have had a discussion about this with a friend of mine. We have an acquaintance who has issues socializing normally with people and would often embarrass us (and everyone who bears the name of Christian) when talking with other about Jesus. It got to the point where I wouldn't want to hang out with him in public. It IS sad that everyone who carries the name of 'Christian' can contribute to a person's idea of the entire Christian population. However I think the best way to counter this is to alter your OWN actions, hope that others catch on, and when its appropriate admonish others. AND its important to remember that, like you said, we are all sinners. We all have different sin struggles but if a person is truly a repentant Christian Jesus has forgiven them of their sins and we should do likewise.
Thing about labels and stereotypes. You are the one that give them meaning. If you don't want a label to have significance or meaning, don't give it attention. Laugh it off. Show that you don't care what they call you, because you know it's not true. Keep on going with your Christian beliefs and brush off any hate you get. No matter how nicely or aggressively you ask them to stop, some people will still attack you for anything they can think of, no matter what you believe. It's up to you to take away their power by not caring about what they call you.
I dislike labelling too, esp. those ironic, it's just bounding our freedom to explore on our own!
@armoredsuperhero@xanga - I'm pretty sure she was trying to say that the homosexual lifestyle is usually looked at as the worst thing in the world, when there are other sins that no one focuses on. People may get upset at a convicted murderer, but they seem to HATE their gay neighbors and they pick on them worse than anyone.
@walawalawinksi@xanga - I understand we can all read the same thing and take it in completely different ways. Like this post or the Bible. Especially people who don't attempt to understand the Bible and only take it at face value. However I am curious as to where the rest of your comment went? The part that says
"I think that's what she was trying to say. And we gotta be honest,wouldn't it be hypocritical and illogical for her to claim to be a Christian yet ignore what the Bible says on a certain issue? No sense there."I also believe the Bible says you can't wear mixed fibers and you can't curse including using the word dung. Hope she doesn't or else thats pretty hypocritical!