being condemned for hobbies/interests

[Musician4Jesus]

Is it just me or do some Christians (and some people) tend to smudge you
or treat you as a freak or just look at you as childish and immature if you partake of certain hobbies?

It can come off to people who partake of these hobbies, like they're some horrible person who is committing some taboo sin because of how people look at them in regards to their interests. They feel as if they have to do so in secret and feel awkward if people see them doing so, because they're afraid of being judged in a negative light.

The ones I can think of are if you're a gamer (as in you like games in any shape or form, board games, massive multiplayer online rpgs, card games such as yugioh or magic the gathering, video games, computer games, etc.)

Yes I understand these can be addicting but too much of anything is a bad thing, so the same principal can be applied to many other things. If you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality, then what is the big deal and big fuss? Further if you're not hurting anybody and you're enjoying yourself and just doing so for fun, then why the big fuss about it?

More often than not you get an opportunity to see how non-Christians act and get a grasp of what they believe while partaking of these things. Also you get to see how they 'tick' without shoving the message of Christ down their throat, thus having a possibility of offending and/or intimidating them.

I mean in some shape or form wouldn't you be able to use this as a ministry by gathering people together who like to do this, and then share the love of Christ to them in the process? It would be a casual setting where people can be themselves, and that seems to be when people are the most receptive to hearing the message of the Gospel.

 

[seashale76]

nm

 

[Chris_G]

Is it just me or do some Christians (and some people) tend to smudge you
or treat you as a freak or just look at you as childish and immature if you partake of certain hobbies?

It can come off to people who partake of these hobbies, like they're some horrible person who is committing some taboo sin because of how people look at them in regards to their interests. They feel as if they have to do so in secret and feel awkward if people see them doing so, because they're afraid of being judged in a negative light.

The ones I can think of are if you're a gamer (as in you like games in any shape or form, board games, massive multiplayer online rpgs, card games such as yugioh or magic the gathering, video games, computer games, etc.)

Yes I understand these can be addicting but too much of anything is a bad thing, so the same principal can be applied to many other things. If you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality, then what is the big deal and big fuss? Further if you're not hurting anybody and you're enjoying yourself and just doing so for fun, then why the big fuss about it?

More often than not you get an opportunity to see how non-Christians act and get a grasp of what they believe while partaking of these things. Also you get to see how they 'tick' without shoving the message of Christ down their throat, thus having a possibility of offending and/or intimidating them.

I mean in some shape or form wouldn't you be able to use this as a ministry by gathering people together who like to do this, and then share the love of Christ to them in the process? It would be a casual setting where people can be themselves, and that seems to be when people are the most receptive to hearing the message of the Gospel.

Seriously, I use to be into Xbox 360 gaming, alot. But after I got saved, the Holy Spirit started convicting me of it. I had to stop playing. Although some of our hobbies are not sinful in nature, the Lord may still want to strip that from you. I'm not saying the Lord wants you to give that up, that's between you and Him. But if later you start asking yourself whether you should continue in that hobbie, then it's time to start letting it go. I'm not saying that anyone who plays video games is not saved, that's silly. What I am saying is that there are things in our lives, that may not be sinful, but will not benefit us in anyway spiritually. So the Lord may start to convict us of it. But honestly, if you are able to play video games without any conviction or second thoughts, then it's between you and God. The bible says that many things are permissible for us, but they are not beneficial or edifying, but also not sinful.

 

[MLynn]

We're all individuals and some Christians judge us for things that are neither evil or sin; some hobbies or interests are just that - it's what priority they have in our lives that can bring us joy or be an encumberance. We just have to be secure in our faith in the Lord and be ourselves.

I love Paul's letter to the Galatians (his first letter to a church) and studying it really freed me from in Christ. Jesus set us free! One of my favorite interests is classic films, especially discovered silent films that have been restored; it's like walking back into history!

 

[FallenPaladin]

I play computer games all the time and my Christian friends don't look down on me for it, that I know of. If your friends look down on you then maybe its time you find gamer Christian friends. Hey, you just found one! If you want just send me a friends request and see.

 

[Macx]

I can't imagine anybody discriminating against gamers in a church. Now I on the other hand am part of some other sub-cultures and have seen the offering plate skip the pew I am in based on how I look.

 

[FallenPaladin]

I can't imagine anybody discriminating against gamers in a church. Now I on the other hand am part of some other sub-cultures and have seen the offering plate skip the pew I am in based on how I look.

In a few AA meetings I've been to they've said, "If you have a buck or two go ahead and put it in the basket but please don't take any money out."

 

[A_maize]

Is it just me or do some Christians (and some people) tend to smudge you
or treat you as a freak or just look at you as childish and immature if you partake of certain hobbies?

It can come off to people who partake of these hobbies, like they're some horrible person who is committing some taboo sin because of how people look at them in regards to their interests. They feel as if they have to do so in secret and feel awkward if people see them doing so, because they're afraid of being judged in a negative light.

The ones I can think of are if you're a gamer (as in you like games in any shape or form, board games, massive multiplayer online rpgs, card games such as yugioh or magic the gathering, video games, computer games, etc.)

Yes I understand these can be addicting but too much of anything is a bad thing, so the same principal can be applied to many other things. If you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality, then what is the big deal and big fuss? Further if you're not hurting anybody and you're enjoying yourself and just doing so for fun, then why the big fuss about it?

More often than not you get an opportunity to see how non-Christians act and get a grasp of what they believe while partaking of these things. Also you get to see how they 'tick' without shoving the message of Christ down their throat, thus having a possibility of offending and/or intimidating them.

I mean in some shape or form wouldn't you be able to use this as a ministry by gathering people together who like to do this, and then share the love of Christ to them in the process? It would be a casual setting where people can be themselves, and that seems to be when people are the most receptive to hearing the message of the Gospel.

Unless you're addicted, or the hobby is either illegal or evil, being condemned for no other reason than the hobby itself doesn't seem to be right.

I loved games, fantasy, and sci-fi myself back in the day, but now when I look back, it was mostly a waste of time for me. I find actually meeting people and spending time with them is a much much more fruitful way of ministering.

I'm not saying you're wasting your time, or that your thoughts of ministering are bad, but hopefully the people who are condemning you are coming from that direction in a loving and encourage manner? Or am I wrong and the folks doing the condemning crossing the line?

 

[janny108]

how about moderation in gaming?

 

[Morphane]

Who cares what others think? If you love gaming, and you express your love and are condemned - pfft! Water off a duck's back. If they are going to burn you at the stake, then you might have something to worry about, but otherwise don't care. Keep your pearls to yourself, that way they won't be trampled.

 

[Peripatetic]

I don't think this is a Christian thing as much as it is a continuation of high school stereotyping. People who are into RPGs (or sci fi TV shows, or Comic Books, or Monty Python, or...) are often classified and profiled. If you get condemnation from a Christian, it's probably just a manifestation of that same bias against a group of interests that they don't "get". Condemning the magic in an RPG (or the violence in football or some part of any other interest) is just a reflection of that bias. Christians often condemn what is foreign to them much more than what is familiar. It might explain why some Christians condemn homosexuality more harshly than fornication or divorce/remarriage, which are also forbidden in the Bible.

That said, there are limits. My kids play RPGs, but I pay attention to make sure they aren't demonic or adult-themed.

 

[MLynn]

I can't imagine anybody discriminating against gamers in a church. Now I on the other hand am part of some other sub-cultures and have seen the offering plate skip the pew I am in based on how I look.

It's none of my business, but how do you look? The church I attend welcomes everyone regardless of their appearance. We just figure God has them with us for His reasons and their part of the family.

 

[MLynn]

how about moderation in gaming?

Moderation in everything is a good thing. Paul told Timothy to let his moderation be known to all men. We certainly have seen too much extremeism around us.

 

[Macx]

It's none of my business, but how do you look? The church I attend welcomes everyone regardless of their appearance. We just figure God has them with us for His reasons and their part of the family.

Full motorcycle leathers, shaved head, lots of scars, pretty ugly.

 

[Musician4Jesus]

It's not really about how I look. I mean it's true that Christians should do this. But half the time people judge other people in the church over stupid petty things, that don't really matter. They form cliches, so I person feels like they don't belong or if you don't follow mainstream Christianity or have 'different' beliefs or interests than typical, run-of-the-mill Christians you tend to get a smudged or given cold shoulder (or both).

It's just I don't feel bad about doing this. It's just I feel like if I say "hey I'm a gamer". People immediately think "well that stuff is for kids, you're immature". Or that's exactly how I'm afraid of being judged or what I'm anticipating people to do. It's okay if a kid or teenager does it, because they're young. However I've noticed that people look at you like a freak or as weird if you partake of this and you're a young adult/older.

Regarding "relationships with people are more important". Well as I stated above, you can witness to people who game, in their own element. I think they'll be more at ease and more receptive to it, because there's no pressure, they're getting to do something they enjoy but hearing about the most important relationship you'll have in your life.

 

[SportsJunkie25]

Delete.

 

[SoundCard]

Uuuuugh, I know exactly what you mean. My aunt stayed with us a few days last year and behind my back and to my mom said that I was in Wicca because I had Yugioh cards and played the game then. I still don't like talking to her after that.

 

[Bauman1535]

On this topic, I have a question; what about the occasional cigar?

I only ask because last year I used to have one every two weeks or so with friends and just chill. They weren't Christian friends, but we'd just walk along the lake and talk about class and stuff on Wednesday nights. Since then, I have felt the Lord telling me to stop, so I don't do it anymore. I'm just curious what other Christians think of this...

 

[MLynn]

Full motorcycle leathers, shaved head, lots of scars, pretty ugly.

I don't see anyting wrong with bikers for the Lord - we need more of them!

 

[MLynn]

On this topic, I have a question; what about the occasional cigar?

I only ask because last year I used to have one every two weeks or so with friends and just chill. They weren't Christian friends, but we'd just walk along the lake and talk about class and stuff on Wednesday nights. Since then, I have felt the Lord telling me to stop, so I don't do it anymore. I'm just curious what other Christians think of this...

I don't see an occasional cigar as harmful or maybe even sinful, but if the Lord has pricked your conscience for you to quit, that's what you should do.