Do you feel threatened

InChrist · Feb 26, 2019

Amanaki said:
When someone ask a direct question about the religion you follow/believe in, do you feel threatened by the questions, if it make you have to think about why you believe what you do?

No, I don't feel threatened.

Amanaki said:
Is it good to have questions asked toward you that make you have to think about why and how you practice your religious beliefs?

Yes, questions are great.

Faithofchristian · Feb 26, 2019

Amanaki said:
When someone ask a direct question about the religion you follow/believe in, do you feel threatened by the questions, if it make you have to think about why you believe what you do?

Is it good to have questions asked toward you that make you have to think about why and how you practice your religious beliefs?

Nope not at all, Seeing I do not belong to any church or Religious organizations.

It doesn't bother me at all,
But does it bother you, since your asking the question of others.

SalixIncendium · Feb 26, 2019

Amanaki said:
When someone ask a direct question about the religion you follow/believe in, do you feel threatened by the questions, if it make you have to think about why you believe what you do?

Not at all.

Amanaki said:
Is it good to have questions asked toward you that make you have to think about why and how you practice your religious beliefs?

For me, yes. Others may have a different answer.

I suppose it would be dependent on how secure one is in themselves and their views.

Riders · Feb 26, 2019

I feel threatened because I know when a Christian asks me if I am a born again Christian and ask me if I have accepted Jesus as Lord and savior what they really mean is do you have a church. Frankly I think many of them want to get me into their church so they can get attention for getting people into church.

Katzpur · Feb 26, 2019

Thanks for that lengthy answer, @MJFlores. That doesn't really resolve the problem, though. Even if all Christians were using the same translation, they would continue to understand certain verses differently from each other. I could give you examples, but I think all you'd do was tell me what the "correct" interpretation is. I could ask a Catholic and get a different interpretation; I could ask a Baptist and get another interpretation or a Jehovah's Witness and get yet another one. Mine may be different from all of theirs. It's simply not enough to "go to the Bible for the TRUTH."

MJFlores · Feb 26, 2019

Katzpur said:
Thanks for that lengthy answer, @MJFlores. That doesn't really resolve the problem, though. Even if all Christians were using the same translation, they would continue to understand certain verses differently from each other. I could give you examples, but I think all you'd do was tell me what the "correct" interpretation is. I could ask a Catholic and get a different interpretation; I could ask a Baptist and get another interpretation or a Jehovah's Witness and get yet another one. Mine may be different from all of theirs. It's simply not enough to "go to the Bible for the TRUTH."

For me God's words do not need any interpretation even if the Bible is in different translations.

English is a second language for me while Tagalog is my native tongue.
Side by side, they are the same.
What is written is the same.

However, it would be funny and misleading if the interpretation goes over board:

dianaiad · Feb 26, 2019

Amanaki said:
When someone ask a direct question about the religion you follow/believe in, do you feel threatened by the questions, if it make you have to think about why you believe what you do?

Is it good to have questions asked toward you that make you have to think about why and how you practice your religious beliefs?

Nope.

As long as they ask me about my beliefs, rather than ask why I believe in some strawman construction of their own devising.

.....and then, when I point out that we don't believe whatever it is they are accusing us of, tell me that I do TOO believe that (whatever 'that' is) because some Sunday School teacher said so seventy years ago. So there.

That gets old.

On the other hand, someone who actually is interested and believes me when I tell them what my beliefs actually ARE? Oh, that's lovely.

And rare, at my age and place in life. Was a whole lot easier to find such lovely conversations forty eight years ago when I was a missionary and out actively looking for them, but hey; to everything there is a season, I guess.

Katzpur · Feb 26, 2019

MJFlores said:
For me God's words do not need any interpretation even if the Bible is in different translations.

I'm sorry, but I don't buy that. There are thousands of different Christian denominations, all of whom base their theology on what they understand the Bible to be saying. Almost everyone who is well-versed in their own religion can point to specific verses that would appear to substantiate their beliefs. Unfortunately, they are not always aware of verses that might appear to substantiate an entirely different perspective. If you can't admit that, there's no point in our discussing the matter any further.

Katzpur · Feb 26, 2019

dianaiad said:
As long as they ask me about my beliefs, rather than ask why I believe in some strawman construction of their own devising.

Unfortunately, most of the time, it's the latter.

dianaiad · Feb 26, 2019

Katzpur said:
Thanks for that lengthy answer, @MJFlores. That doesn't really resolve the problem, though. Even if all Christians were using the same translation, they would continue to understand certain verses differently from each other. I could give you examples, but I think all you'd do was tell me what the "correct" interpretation is. I could ask a Catholic and get a different interpretation; I could ask a Baptist and get another interpretation or a Jehovah's Witness and get yet another one. Mine may be different from all of theirs. It's simply not enough to "go to the Bible for the TRUTH."

(grin) Reminds me of the example most loved and used by folks attempting to explain 'circular reasoning.'

I know there is a God.....because
The Bible says so, and I know the bible is true ....because
God wrote it.

I have debated with so many evangelical Christians over the last few years, and inevitably the claim is that one need not pray...or expect God to answer prayers about scripture; just go read the Bible and get the 'truth' from it. As long as the 'truth' one gets agrees with the particular evangelist, it's all gold.

But none of 'em have been able to explain to me why their interpretation is the gold standard, whereas that of the Baptist/Lutheran/Presbyterian/Catholic next door isn't. Don't even bother to bring up Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses or (gasp) Mormons. Unitarians are preferable.

So, yeah, honest questions about our beliefs? Wonderful. Love 'em. If we can't answer 'em, then it's time to go looking for that answer. I just wish someone would actually ask honest questions. What a refreshing change that would be!

dianaiad · Feb 26, 2019

Katzpur said:
Unfortunately, most of the time, it's the latter.

Unfortunately, you are quite right.

MJFlores · Feb 27, 2019

Katzpur said:
I'm sorry, but I don't buy that. There are thousands of different Christian denominations, all of whom base their theology on what they understand the Bible to be saying. Almost everyone who is well-versed in their own religion can point to specific verses that would appear to substantiate their beliefs. Unfortunately, they are not always aware of verses that might appear to substantiate an entirely different perspective. If you can't admit that, there's no point in our discussing the matter any further.

Yep, thousands and thousands of denominations. So if the Bible is not your basis of faith, then what do you base it then?

The gold plates of Joseph Smith? Oh my, Lordy - you don't want me to go there. That is a topic exclusively for LDS.

Indeed, that people who are "fanatic" with their own religion will twist the truth and cherry pick verses from the Bible to justify themselves. But on the verses they did not touch, you will see their faults and errors. I've seen them, heard them and almost fooled by them.

But I know what GW said:

Regardless of how people bend and twist the words of God, the truth remains the truth - not their version of the truth.

Proverbs 30:6 New International Version (NIV)
Do not add to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Spirit of Light · Feb 27, 2019

Faithofchristian said:
Nope not at all, Seeing I do not belong to any church or Religious organizations.

It doesn't bother me at all,
But does it bother you, since your asking the question of others.

No it does not bother me

lewisnotmiller · Feb 27, 2019

Vinayaka said:
Depends on context. Is the question legitimately trying to understand, or is a question looking for a way to declare their faith better than mine?

I'm not threatened by either, but certainly the former will get a better response. The second will be lucky to get a response at all. It's not some peeing contest.

Good answer. It's actually pretty much the same with me and my non-belief, to be honest. I'm okay with apathy or honest and open questions.
But peeing contests are boring, apart from in very specific circumstances.

Kenny · Feb 27, 2019

Amanaki said:
I noticed that from time to time yes

I think your answer was better than mine. I should have said "generally"... some are actually interested.

Faithofchristian · Feb 27, 2019

Amanaki said:
No it does not bother me

My guess would be
It does
Seeing how your asking others, So why would you ask other people if in some way it didn't happen to you.

Tranquil Servant · Feb 27, 2019

Amanaki said:
When someone ask a direct question about the religion you follow/believe in, do you feel threatened by the questions, if it make you have to think about why you believe what you do?

Is it good to have questions asked toward you that make you have to think about why and how you practice your religious beliefs?

I personally don't feel threatened by questions about my religion as long as they're genuine questions from someone who is actually interested in the answers. What I don't like is when I'm asked rhetorical questions aimed to provoke arguments and never-ending debates which usually end up in indirect insults and belittling. A lot of ppl just like to show off what they know and love to sound intelligent.

stvdv · Feb 27, 2019

Amanaki said:
True. asking questions for learning or for understanding why the teaching say one thing and followers do something other, is valied in my book.
But asking questions to say more or less, your beliefs are lesser or even wrong, that is not a good way to ask questions in my view.
Hope i have not come across as the last version i described

No, not to me. I like your respectful way of phrasing it.

Jane.Doe · Feb 27, 2019

Amanaki said:
When someone ask a direct question about the religion you follow/believe in, do you feel threatened by the questions, if it make you have to think about why you believe what you do?

Is it good to have questions asked toward you that make you have to think about why and how you practice your religious beliefs?

I LOVE questions (assuming they are real questions that a person is actually interested in the answer). Ask anything, and I will happily answer.

Katzpur · Feb 27, 2019

MJFlores said:
Yep, thousands and thousands of denominations. So if the Bible is not your basis of faith, then what do you base it then?

I base it on a number of things. I'm still waiting for an actual answer to my question. I'm not going to hold my breath, though.

Do you feel threatened

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