A Christian persective of God and Country (America)

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

My point is that those of us who are not Christians did not deserve this disrespect.

Do you feel this disrepect from the posting of the video and the motives therein, the video itself, or the conversation that ensued?

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

Do any of you really think From the Heart set out to offend each and every one of you?

I have already clearly stated that I didn't think that. However:

Do you really not understand why this is offensive to non-Christians?

Do you really not understand why some Christians -- Mennonites and Christian Quakers, for instance -- might find the martial imagery offensive?

Do you really not understand why jingoism is offensive in the first place? Why the idea that America is somehow God's chosen is offensive on several different levels?

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

If you saw the title had God, American Families and Country in it, then why did you even view it?

I was not aware that God, American Families and Country were the exclusive preserve of militaristic, triumphalistic, Christians. It is becoming increasingly apparent, however, that a great number of Christians believe precisely that. And it is precisely that assumption that's so offensive.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

I was not aware that God, American Families and Country were the exclusive preserve of militaristic, triumphalistic, Christians. It is becoming increasingly apparent, however, that a great number of Christians believe precisely that. And it is precisely that assumption that's so offensive.

I never said it was, did I? If there is some chance of it offending you, why watch it? I don't watch things that may havea chance of offending me, and I certainly don't get all ruffled up over something that someone meant no offense by.

And yes, I understand why people would get offended, but they don't have to. Offensiveness is a choice, not a forced feeling. If someone says my church is a cult, that I am a brain-washed sheep and that I'm a f****ng Wh**E, do I get offended? Perhaps, or perhaps, I take a deep breath and think to myself, they are misguided, they may not have realized what they were actually doing, and they probably didn't realize that they hurt my feelings when they said that. Like I said, offensisiveness is a choice.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Do you feel this disrepect from the posting of the video and the motives therein, the video itself, or the conversation that ensued?

A and C.
As I said, I think the video is grossly offensive. It would be presumptuous of me to imagine I know fromthe heart's motives, but I prefer to give her the benefit of the doubt, and to imagine that she wasn't aware just how offensive it was. The fact that so many Christians can't even understand why it's offensive is in itself frustrating and insulting, and the fact that so many Christians see it as good and natural to hold these bigoted attitudes reminds me of why I'm no longer a Christian.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

I never said it was, did I? If there is some chance of it offending you, why watch it?

Why, though, would anyone assume that a film with that title would be an offensive propaganda piece? Do you see what I'm asking?

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

Why, though, would anyone assume that a film with that title would be an offensive propaganda piece? Do you see what I'm asking?

I always assume the worst. I've seen videos titled "LDS Church (and then some good word)
just to find out it's a violently offensive video.

I guess IMO, and from my POV that's how I see things. I was a bit wary of watching the video, even before reading the thread.

[MidnightBlue]

I think I've said enough on this thread, so I'm going to bow out now. Anyone who doesn't understand what I'm saying by now is not likely to be convinced by anything else I say, and it's better if I just shut up.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

A and C.
As I said, I think the video is grossly offensive. It would be presumptuous of me to imagine I know fromthe heart's motives, but I prefer to give her the benefit of the doubt, and to imagine that she wasn't aware just how offensive it was. The fact that so many Christians can't even understand why it's offensive is in itself frustrating and insulting, and the fact that so many Christians see it as good and natural to hold these bigoted attitudes reminds me of why I'm no longer a Christian.

Wow....I am a completly open minded Christian...you know that. I dont see any offense in the video...I really don't, Bill.

I am terribly discouraged atm. It may be time for me to take a leave from RF.....it's been brewing for awhile anyway.

Adieu everyone!