Didn't Jesus go out amongst the lepers, the prostitues, the whores, the gays, the sick, the elderly, the children, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, (I don't know how to spell them...sorry.) the democrats, the republicans, the african americans, the asians, the men, the women, the independents, the atheists, the dancers, the weavers, the builders, the wilderness, the sea...
Didn't Jesus go out to the whole world, without one doubt in His mind--and with only one mission--to speak the Truth?? And, to show God's love, and to show the world that--Yes!! You can be saved! You can live an eternity with God, and be with me in Heaven! Hoorah!
Yes, yes, yes! Amen and amen, no??
Well, I'd just like to reply to X's post. Because a few of their posts are weighing on my heart.
In my personal opinion, I don't believe we should create yet another sub-directory of Christian-only controversial topics. I always thought Christianity was about Christ--and Christ embraced everyone with the love of God--including Buddhists.
Including non-believers. How are we supposed to reach out to those who don't know anything about God--if we continue to push ourselves back and away from the hurting and wounded???
See?? I'm the type of person who goes into bars and starts to talk about God. I'm the type who goes out in the middle of the streets and chit chats with whores, and gang members, and drug users...
I don't back down from them, and I'm not afraid. I don't back away from an opportunity to win somebody over to the grace of God, and neither should you, and neither should we as a Christian community.
I get really confused about Christianity, because a lot of Christians dislike one another for being Baptist, or Anglican, or Orthodox, or Mennonite--*bleh*
Why would I want to associate myself with all of the negativity which, unfortunately, I've been introduced to so much with??
I'm trying....I'm REALLY trying to be a good person, and to believe in God, and to love Jesus with all my heart, and all my soul--and to give food to the poor, and to give money to the poor, and to tithe every once in a while, and not to be racist, or to be discriminatory--but...why do other Christians have to be so hateful??? Or so vengeful?
What's up with the Buddhist comments, anyway?? (Just wondering!) lol. I've actually incorporated some Buddhist practices into my Christianity. Meditation, yoga...chanting. It's soooo peaceful!
Umm...I was thinking about your question. If you went to a gay Buddhist website, and said you were Christian...my honest opinion is that they wouldn't care, as long as you abided by their rules on the website.
Not everybody has to believe in the same black-and-white God to be able to maintain a friendship, or have a mutual respect with one another.
So many of my friends are Wiccan, and Pagan, and Atheist, and Agnostic, and Christian, and Buddhist, and Catholic...I don't care what they are. They're nice people. I love, absolutely love having them in my life!! If they want to be a part of GCN--by all means!!
Bring them in with arms wide open, and let's not all hide in the bleachers because somebody is dressed differently than us!!!
I've been kicked out of churches for going with a t-shirt, and jeans. (I'm sorry, God, for not being able to afford Sunday Best--do you still love me?) I've been kicked out of churches for having a few Christian-tattoos. (I'm sorry God, for desecrating my body with a Bible verse, and a crucifix--do you still love me?) I've been kicked out of churches for talking back to them when they start preaching hatred towards other religions. (I'm sorry God, for showing love like Jesus would--do you still love me?)
I always pictured "my" Jesus, and "my" God surrounding the world...giving it a HUGE hug--why can't we do the same???
So, all in all, I just want to encourage others to be a better person, and to go out and show the wordly folk--what Christianity is all about.
If somebody says, "Who is Jesus?" (Eeeek!!! Run away, run away!! A non-believer!!) What are we going to do? Turn our backs on them? Make ourselves a community as to where we would feel safe within the confines of people who share our own beliefs? Or take them by the hand--and show them the way? Show them some Light...
May God bless each and every one of you.
This was just weighing on my heart, and I pray to God this doesn't cause any harm to anybody--because it's not my intention.
I want to spread peace, not venom...
*hugs* Sincerely, Darrel
(This post is a reply to a post of which a member asked that a sub-directory of the Controversial Topics forum be created for "only Christians." In the same post, this member stated, "What if I went to a gay Buddhist website, and said I was a Christian? They wouldn't be too happy about it.") It's not word for word what the member wrote; however, that is my reply to them...and just some of my thoughts on what Christianity, in my eyes, is about.
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That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Darrel, this is a very good post. I agree with you 100%. I don't like labels of any kind. I think the only label that's fitting for the people of the world is "Children of the Living God".
I really don't like the idea of a separate forum for "Christians Only" on GCN. (Not that I have a vote anyway!) But if they do that, then they'll have to have a "Liberals Only" and a "Conservatives Only" forum. Where does it end?
I think, especially in the gay community, everyone ought to be striving to bring people together, not cause more division!
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
Darrel, good buddy, I agree with you posting with high honors! You have really told the truth about what it means to be a Christian! The problem with so many churches is that they wind up becoming too much like "clubs", where you don't get in unless you know the "secret handshake"...which, in this case, would be doctrinal affiliation.
Doctrine is to be used ONLY as a means of teaching Christian principals, and NOT as a "litmus test" for who is allowed to come into a church and associate! Yes, we may disagree on some views about religion...but we will have the same arguments over what is supposed to go into a good vegetable and beef soup.
To those at GCN that support a "Christians only" forum...why the heck are you complaining about being thrown out of churches for being gay? I mean, aren't those people just creating their own "Christians only" environment?
OH!!! I SEE IT NOW!!! Bigotry is different when YOU do it!!!
I SEE IT NOW!!! 
Bigotry is different when YOU do it!!! 
