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Fighting for my beliefs in the best way... - 4/20/2008 8:50:34 PM
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Nuclear
Posts: 4
Joined: 4/20/2008
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I'm out of school and now in the workforce so this is more of a rhetorical question for myself....
My old High School is doing a National Day of Silence which is promoting awareness of descrimination of homosexual and other 'alternative' lifestyles. Now, I'm fully against violence against someone like this but I also see this as a rally promoting their lifestyle. I would love to protest it if I could. Now, in the workforce, this is impossible and there is nothing I can do. I work for a private employer and the moment they don't want me, I'm gone. Anything that rocks the boat would make me find the door.
IF i were in high school, i wonder what I could do. I heard about a kid who had a shirt showing http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/education/20040604-9999-1mi4powskul.html a passage from Romans and saying how it's wrong.
Now: Promoting homosexuality is a direct insult to my faith. A t-shirt stating it to be immoral and sinful would be an insult to them. Now, I doubt I'd have the courage to stick out and get into trouble and bang the war drum, but assuming I did....
I know I'd probably have to stand up for my beliefs, but just making the point of "It's ok to insult Christians by them stating their beliefs but not when the roles are reversed?"
When was the last time you say a public school have a day against discrimination against Christians...in the West we're lucky not to face it overly directly but not every country can say that...
I think we're in a day in age when it's ok to make fun of Christians, like the mock Fish symbol with darwin's name in it and feet, but not anyone else. Heaven help you if you have a bumper sticker mocking Muhammud or if you display anything against anyone else.
I heard that Obama, the political candidate, had someone sing the national anthem at some rally of his...and Obama took some slack because the singer once said he believes homosexuality is wrong. So we're not allowed to have beliefs that are not the same as theirs? It's ok to believe something we feel is wrong but not the other way around? And anyone we know takes slack from the gay community for it? Don't get me wrong, I'm not an Obama supporter but that was an unfair blow to the guy.
What would you all do? I'm just looking for feedback on how to protest things like this day of silence without crossing the line...I was also hoping to hear what you all think of the "political correctness" that plagues our world....
God Bless
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RE: Fighting for my beliefs in the best way... - 4/20/2008 9:39:03 PM
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Evangel70
Posts: 242
Joined: 10/28/2006
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Welcome to the boards Nuclear. 
Now that you are in the "real world" of the workforce, you have more opportunities to share your faith with others in a more meaningful and personal way. If you have a burden for homosexuals, perhaps the best approach would be getting to know one and sharing the gospel with them. Invite someone who's gay to your church and show then what it means to be a christian -- faults and all.
The bible does not rank one sin over another. Lying, cheating, engaging in sexual behavior before marriage, gossiping, and pride are all condemned along with homosexual behavior. In fact, the scriptures use the word "abomination" to describe the sin of pride and I don't know a single christian who doesn't struggle with pride or selfishness in word or deed from time to time.
It's always acceptable, and in fact, expected to have convictions. But keep in mind that not everyone thinks the same way as you do and just as Jesus met people where there were and led them to where they needed to be, our job is to follow Jesus' example. Imagine how you would feel is someone at your job was wearing a "Christians are all hypocrites" tee-shirt. You would rightly be offended even though you may agree that there are indeed SOME Christians who, by there behavior, appear hypocritical.
The best way to reach the lost is through our example. Show others how much Jesus means to you by letting them see how your life has changed. When you make mistakes (as we all do), be the first to apologize and make it right. When you see someone being treating unjustly, be the first to stand up for him, but do so in a manner that will bring honor to Christ.
Now that you are in the workforce, be among the first to arrive and the last to leave. Be honest with your timecard and don't call in sick if you just want a day off. As those around you, see the light of Christ shining through you, they will ask you what makes you different and you will have numerous opportunities to share the source of your faith.
Protests, boycotts, and the like have no effect on changing the lives of the un-churched and only make Christians look like bigots and hypocrites. Use your youth, enthusiam and the zeal for the Lord that's in your heart to BE Jesus to other rather than just tell them about him.
God bless you!
Danny
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RE: Fighting for my beliefs in the best way... - 4/20/2008 9:40:39 PM
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Marcus.
Posts: 1180
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Write your local newspaper. Defend your beliefs on message boards. Do not abandon the public debate over this. If Christians kept quiet in public then evil will prevail. I agree with Evangel on how you should live your witness out. Present your beliefs in as gentle a way as possible without conforming to fallen beliefs. You will receive anger and hatred from those who oppose Christ either way.
< Message edited by Marcus. -- 4/20/2008 9:57:53 PM >
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RE: Fighting for my beliefs in the best way... - 4/22/2008 3:08:23 PM
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rgsoundguy
Posts: 112
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Cherry Hill, NJ
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Your logic on this is the same logic that the ACLU uses to fight the posting of the 10 commandments on Court House Walls. Apparently people were offended by the mere presence of the 10 Commandments. I for one am not offended by homosexuality, but rather saddened that people are deceived into thinking this is merely an alternative lifestyle without eternal consequences. So even though this is only a rhetorical scenario, I would say wear your shirt, but keep an attitude of love, and pray that they would be overcome by the Holy Spirit and repent from their ways.
_____________________________
"Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither." Ben Franklin
"So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause." -Padme (Starwars Episode III)
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RE: Fighting for my beliefs in the best way... - 4/22/2008 4:10:23 PM
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davemiller7
Posts: 132
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: NC via NY
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Evangel70
Welcome to the boards Nuclear.
Now that you are in the "real world" of the workforce, you have more opportunities to share your faith with others in a more meaningful and personal way. If you have a burden for homosexuals, perhaps the best approach would be getting to know one and sharing the gospel with them. Invite someone who's gay to your church and show then what it means to be a christian -- faults and all.
The bible does not rank one sin over another. Lying, cheating, engaging in sexual behavior before marriage, gossiping, and pride are all condemned along with homosexual behavior. In fact, the scriptures use the word "abomination" to describe the sin of pride and I don't know a single christian who doesn't struggle with pride or selfishness in word or deed from time to time.
It's always acceptable, and in fact, expected to have convictions. But keep in mind that not everyone thinks the same way as you do and just as Jesus met people where there were and led them to where they needed to be, our job is to follow Jesus' example. Imagine how you would feel is someone at your job was wearing a "Christians are all hypocrites" tee-shirt. You would rightly be offended even though you may agree that there are indeed SOME Christians who, by there behavior, appear hypocritical.
The best way to reach the lost is through our example. Show others how much Jesus means to you by letting them see how your life has changed. When you make mistakes (as we all do), be the first to apologize and make it right. When you see someone being treating unjustly, be the first to stand up for him, but do so in a manner that will bring honor to Christ.
Now that you are in the workforce, be among the first to arrive and the last to leave. Be honest with your timecard and don't call in sick if you just want a day off. As those around you, see the light of Christ shining through you, they will ask you what makes you different and you will have numerous opportunities to share the source of your faith.
Protests, boycotts, and the like have no effect on changing the lives of the un-churched and only make Christians look like bigots and hypocrites. Use your youth, enthusiam and the zeal for the Lord that's in your heart to BE Jesus to other rather than just tell them about him.
God bless you!
Danny
You said it very well! All I can say is "AMEN!"
-Dave
_____________________________
The Prayer of Protection
The light of God surrounds me,
The love of God enfolds me,
The power of God protects me,
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
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