The Christian Lifestyle.

[baby_mouse]

What IS the Christian lifestyle? There are a number of Christians on this board, and some of them (certainly not all) don't like my "lifestyle".

So, my dear DU Christians, what is YOUR lifestyle? What's it like?

[SpiralHawk]

1. "You have to take a Wide Stance on defining this." - Larry Craig (R - 'Christian')

[YDogg]

2. it's not a lifestyle.

[KG]

3. ask Ned!

[knitter4democracy]

4. I don't like the term "lifestyle." It reminds me of that show:

"Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." Being Christian isn't a lifestyle, being LBGT or hetero isn't a lifestyle, drinking certain kinds of wines and preferring certain kinds of cars is. That's entirely different.

Christians are to love their neighbors as themselves, pray all the time, not be judgemental and instead pray for mercy for ourselves and our enemies, and to take care of the "least of these." Obviously, we don't live up to all of that all the time and many don't even seem to realize that we're supposed to live like that.

The point of being Christian is to become as Christ-like as we can. He never said word one about his LBGT brothers and sisters in faith. Not one. That tells me all I need to know--that I'm to love everyone and not care what their "lifestyle" is.

:hug:

[Toots]

5. While I admire your intentions I have to disagree with your idea that Christianity

isn't a choice. It is not something one is born with such as being black or gay. It is clearly something that is taught, no make that indoctrinated into believing. While I agree with almost everything Jesus had to say that was not religion oriented I still see religion as a choice...

[timtom]

7. Help a brother out...

I read that post 4 times and I didn't see where they said anything about Christianity not being a choice.

It most certainly is a choice.

[knitter4democracy]

17. I'm not saying it's not a choice, just that's not a lifestyle, really.

I think of lifestyle as pertaining to consumerist choices, not faith choices. If someone becomes Amish or a monk, well, then that would be a Christian lifestyle choice.

According to the early Church Fathers and Mothers, we are to choose every minute of every day to be Christian, so yes, it's a choice. It's a choice to love our neighbor, to pray unceasingly, to try to be as Christlike as possible. I'm not comfortable with calling it a lifestyle, though. That implies that I can only dress in accepted "Christian" clothing, live in the right "Christian" neighborhood, and read and think only the right "Christian" stuff. I have lived like that, don't get me wrong (grew up Nazarene and went to a Nazarene college), but a lot of it is pretty damn phony and a lot like those Pharisees that Jesus railed about with their whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones.

[Blackhatjack]

6. A common misconception about Christians is ...

That Christians view themselves as perfect and without sin.

In fact, Christians understand how imperfect they really are, and how much they are in need of forgiveness.

Not everything attributed to Christians is accurate.

And right wing fundamentalist 'leaders' who pretend to speak on behalf of 'all christians' continue to perpetuate the myths they use for political purposes.

[walldude]

8. That "misconception" is spread by the likes of Ann Coulter

who claimed Jews should be converted to Christianity so they could become "more perfect". It may be a misconception but many in the Christian community believe it.

[Blackhatjack]

9. Actually you just proved my point.

And not everyone who claims to be a Christian really is a Christian.

[Occulus]

11. Everyone who claims christ as their lord and savior is a christian by definition

regardless of their behavior.

[Blackhatjack]

12. Anyone can read a phrase, or repeat a phrase, but that means nothing...

You have to have a change of heart--meaning you are sincere.

Even Jesus pointed out (Matthew 7:21 (NKJV)):

"Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven ..."

[LanternWaste]

14. Hoever, sincerely claiming a thing

Hoever, sincerely claiming a thing is much different from merely stating it aloud...

[Duer 157099]

22. Seems that you disagree with Jesus

As quoted above by another poster, Matthew 7:20-23 seems to directly contradict what you've posted.

7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

[karlrschneider]

10. Sin on Saturday, forgiven on Sunday. Repeat as required.

:eyes:

[knitter4democracy]

18. Most churches are seriously against that.

It's considered against our theology. We are to grow more Christlike, not stay stuck in the same rut of sin. Of course, putting that into practice is pretty damn difficult.

[karlrschneider]

20. Yeah, the churches are against it...the problem is the members fucking each other's brains out

on Saturday.

[knitter4democracy]

23. Well, that's a given.

;)

[baby_mouse]

13. Not much about lifestyles here, really.

No information.

[Initech]

15. I'm neither gay nor Christian, but consider this:

Which group spends countless hours and dollars lobbying to get every American converted to their way of life, and spends lots of time on the media slamming everyone that doesn't agree with them?

Hint: It ain't the GLBT crowd...

[Blackhatjack]

16. Keep in mind that 'a group pretending to represent all' is no group at all...

.... and it would be a mistake to 'group' all Christians in with RW Fundamentalists Leaders espousing wedge issues for political purposes.

Broad brushes do not apply here.

[Labors of Hercules]

28. A group that represents all.

In this respect, a broad brush has to apply. Are you talking about a specific brand of Christianity that excludes fundamentalism? Does that mean that anyone who espouses fundamentalist beliefs is not a Christian?

I believe completely in Jesus Christ. Am I a Christian? According to every church I have ever attended (save the Society of Friends), the answer is NO. The broad brush painted me out of Christianity a long time ago for one simple reason: I do not believe in salvation.

Take out salvation and what are we left with? Jesus. A teacher who led by example, taught people how to live, achieved communion with God, and showed others how to do the same using language they could understand.

But without believing in original sin. without believing that Christ was the son of God, Divine, the key to heaven. Without believing he was resurrected into heaven to save us from sin, (which then becomes a word more important to practicing Christianity than Christ himself), I cannot in good faith call myself a Christian.

Christianity as it exists today, in all it's myriad denominations, is defined more by belief in being saved from SIN than by belief in Jesus Christ...
And THAT is a broad brush that definitely applies here.

[spinbaby]

19. Well, if the in-laws' lifestyle is any indication...

It's sort of like being the Ned Flanders family except everyone dresses in clothes from Little House on the Prairie. Also, they tend to call decision making "praying."

[Fire Walk With Me]

21. An honest attempt to apply the Golden Rule?

I'm not Christian per se, but support all positive action.

[Skittles]

24. it includes trying to convert me to their lifestyle

I don't see gay people doing this but I do have church folk show up at my doorstep :puke:

[Arugula Latte]

25. Me too! The frickin' NERVE!

I don't believe in supernatural superstitions, and I don't need people telling me I'm wrong for not buying into the silliness.

[Skittles]

27. I don't care if people feel the need to worship invisible friends

I just detest it when they try to convert me or put their crap into law

[XemaSab]

26. Love thy neighbor as thyself.

:)