Being Misguided

[LiquidSnake]

Now, what I meant by the title was that christains today are very Misguided. (Not God, Or the bible). More like the ideals we hold. Such as in today's world people think of a demon as being "cool". As it being higher than an Angel. When they think of a christain, they think of a panzy, goody-two shoes stuck up person.

Now, In saying that here are my two cents.


Today, we have video games, such as "Devil May Cry"(the game is highly acclaimed for its action.) you play as a half-Demon half -man. You kill real demons and thats sort of what the game is about. Now in my last paragraph i said Demons (in non believers eyes) win over Angels. The main problem is, is that most christains have accepted the "Angel" apperance as the way they really look. Now know one knows for sure but do you honestly think that a butt naked 4'5 cupid with a bow and arrow is guarding the gates of heaven? I sure don't that is why christainty as a whole is being viewed the same way. I have spoken with many athesist, not all, (mostly teens, and younger people 18-21) have all sayed, "that christianity is a load of *bleep* and that they don't feel like giving up there lives just to lgo to church in a suit and listen to horrible christian music." Im not one of the suit and tie lets sit in a circle and sing "Im coming back to the heart of worship"types but whenever people are aware that im a follower of christ they view me as weak and pathetic, misguided, and blind.

i just think that some changes should be made to rectify this. such as abandoning the old christain art,(paintings etc.), and music. Whenever i see something about god or jesus on TV. It always has a lot of smoke and a choir going"ahhhhhh". Come on, if i go up to heaven and i see nothing but smoke and white, thats not peace thats scary. So what im trying to say is that are old way of doing things is no good in todays world. We need to abandon the old sitting on a cloud with a harp with no shirt kind of image. and maybe get a little bit "tougher"(of course not so much that gods and jesus love are shunned away.) You get what im saying. If you don't just post and ill try to make myself more clearer.

 

[Princess_333]

Now, what I meant by the title was that christains today are very Misguided. (Not God, Or the bible). More like the ideals we hold. Such as in today's world people think of a demon as being "cool". As it being higher than an Angel. When they think of a christain, they think of a panzy, goody-two shoes stuck up person..

Hi,
Not sure who thinks that demons are cool.
You gave the example of the video game, but you said that in it the half man half demon kills demons
it's not like he's killing angels....(Why would people that think demons are cool like a game where demons get killed?)
p.s. the goody-two shoes is only Flanders!

Now know one knows for sure but do you honestly think that a butt naked 4'5 cupid with a bow and arrow is guarding the gates of heaven?

Cupid isnt an angel.
I for one dont think of cupid when I think of angels.
I think most people would feel the same way

I have spoken with many athesist, not all, (mostly teens, and younger people 18-21) have all sayed, "that christianity is a load of *bleep*

Maybe the atheists say that because they feel that you're trying to push your beliefs onto them
Maybe they see the contradictions in the bible and the corruption in the church and they dont want to be believers of that faith.
Maybe they find logic in what they believe and feel that anything else is a load of *bleep*

abandoning the old christain art,(paintings etc.), and music.

Why?
It's a form of expression.
Some people find it inspiring..

So what im trying to say is that are old way of doing things is no good in todays world. We need to abandon the old sitting on a cloud with a harp with no shirt kind of image. and maybe get a little bit "tougher"(of course not so much that gods and jesus love are shunned away.)

so any suggestions for this "tougher" immage?
I'm really not sure how you would like christianity to be portrayed in the media of this modern world

 

[Carri20]

Such as in today's world people think of a demon as being "cool". As it being higher than an Angel. When they think of a christain, they think of a panzy, goody-two shoes stuck up person.

You're absolutely right. In today's society demons are the new "good guys" and the real good guys are just boring.

i just think that some changes should be made to rectify this. such as abandoning the old christain art,(paintings etc.), and music. Whenever i see something about god or jesus on TV. It always has a lot of smoke and a choir going"ahhhhhh". Come on, if i go up to heaven and i see nothing but smoke and white, thats not peace thats scary. So what im trying to say is that are old way of doing things is no good in todays world.

Amen.

There's a church in my town and the congregation consists mostly of older people, I'll guess ages 60-100. These older people will defend their old hymns to the death. Literally. They're dying, and the congregation is shrinking. The pastor recently decided to let the youth group take over about half of the praise and worship service, to bring a new sound to the church and perhaps draw younger people in. I would hardly call this "cutting edge music"--they simply play guitar and keep a beat to Amazing Grace. Still this offends the elders, and in their anger they have pitted themselves agianst the youth in what can only be described as a petty verbal battle. When a kid who had spent some time in jail gave his life to the Lord and joined the church's praise and worship group so he could play the drums, he was met with anger and disgust. I witnessed one of the elders approach him in the middle of a practice session and tell him he didn't belong there because his drumming was evil. There is no convincing these people that a new sound is not inherently displeasing to God, nor that their displays of animosity toward anything young and fresh is what's keeping people out of the shrinking church. Anyway...I guess the point I'm trying to make is that it's ridiculous to support the "old church" mentality. Unless of course you WANT the church to come off looking less entertaining than a 2-person game of no-prize Bingo.

The church I've been attending, on the other hand, plays only contemporary Christian praise and worship music and has been blessed with an outflowing of the Holy Spirit unlike any my eyes have ever seen. The congregation consists of all ages and is growing at a good pace. In all the years I've been there I haven't heard of a single confrontation among members, and certainly no complaints as to the holiness of the music selection.

Wihtout a doubt, music makes a huge difference. A pastor with a knack for humor and a good sense of time helps too lol.

 

[Lokisdottir]

To be honest, I think demons are kind of cool. I don't believe in them, so I'm allowed.

Dragons are cooler though.

 

[ishepherdu]

thank you for being so courageous in the faith and truth of God's gospel in our Lord Jesus Christ. I am glad you have spoken about the failure of confessing Christians to really understand the cross of Christ in this world. I marvel at how deluded and carnal most christians are today. Becoming a Christian is so misunderstood today(and the Father "determines" it) To be a son of God we will
know that the world "hates" us, as it continues to Hate Christ! Our Lord even said, Many people are not worthy to be His disciples for they love their lives not unto "death", If any man loveth his father, mother, brother, children or His own life cannot be my disciple. The cross of Christ offends people, I have suffered the "loss of all things"(I hope this is the reality of carrying your cross) that I
might win Christ. Brethren, Church is sad and pitiful place when a Pastor or reverend have to "prepare" a sermon for the Church. My friend, Please find this book Cricketeer and Pioneer,CT. Studd as written by Norman P Grubb. I am of the firm and unwavering truth that many of the pastors today should sit down and keep their mouths shut and learn to "listen" and learn from their brethren in the Lord. For Church is when everyone gathers together at the Lord's supper and worships in one accord in prayer and supplication, and permit the Lord to Speak to us through His people. If one has a pslam or a
message, or question or whatever, Let it be down unto the edifying of the Church, which we are members of one another. Today, Pastors like to have the pre-emminece or "official word" of the Lord. People in church today behave so passively and guilable that I say, I agree as it is written, Know ye not that Christ dwelleth in you, UNLESS you all be reprobates!

I encourage Christians to "examine" themselves in the Faith and live as Sons of living God in this darkened world . Be Christ minded people, no more self
conscious selves, rather Christ-consciousness. And then you will receive Praise and blessings from God in whom you are "known"

Continue, Shouting Liquidwhatever!

Good work!

 

[JustJack!]

The main problem is, is that most christains have accepted the "Angel" apperance as the way they really look. Now know one knows for sure but do you honestly think that a butt naked 4'5 cupid with a bow and arrow is guarding the gates of heaven? I sure don't that is why christainty as a whole is being viewed the same way.

1. I've always had a "Prophecy" type view of angels. Christorpher Walken in black nail polish and a trench coat.

2. I don't know anyone who believes in angels that thing angels look like that, and I know ppl who believe in angels.

3. That's not your biggest problem, and it has nothing to do with why we view you like we do. And I for one, don't view you as wussies. I go more with prudes.

I have spoken with many athesist, not all, (mostly teens, and younger people 18-21) have all sayed, "that christianity is a load of *bleep* and that they don't feel like giving up there lives just to lgo to church in a suit and listen to horrible christian music." Im not one of the suit and tie lets sit in a circle and sing "Im coming back to the heart of worship"types but whenever people are aware that im a follower of christ they view me as weak and pathetic, misguided, and blind.

You've spoken to children.

i just think that some changes should be made to rectify this. such as abandoning the old christain art,(paintings etc.), and music. Whenever i see something about god or jesus on TV. It always has a lot of smoke and a choir going"ahhhhhh". Come on, if i go up to heaven and i see nothing but smoke and white, thats not peace thats scary. So what im trying to say is that are old way of doing things is no good in todays world. We need to abandon the old sitting on a cloud with a harp with no shirt kind of image. and maybe get a little bit "tougher"(of course not so much that gods and jesus love are shunned away.) You get what im saying. If you don't just post and ill try to make myself more clearer.

Church is boring. If it stopped being boring, it wouldn't be church, it'ld be a ***** bar because that's the only way to make church fun. You could give Jesus Neo shades and a mohawk, but it would still be boring.

 

[Angel4Truth]

Isaiah 5: 20. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Romans 12:21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

3 John 1:11. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

 

[wandering_paladin]

I think that your interpretation of Angels is quite interesting, and accurate. Most interpretations of them are creatures that are cute and nice cuddly. However, these are the agents of God, these are beings that provide insight and inspiration to humans, and are also part of how God expresses his will. And no, I highly doubt something cute and nice is gaurding heaven. I also believe that you are calling Christians to represent themselves in a more realisitc manner, which is also an issue i've had with religion in the past is that churches and congregations just don't seem genuine in what they do.

 

[John812]

So what im trying to say is that are old way of doing things is no good in todays world. We need to abandon the old sitting on a cloud with a harp with no shirt kind of image. and maybe get a little bit "tougher"(of course not so much that gods and jesus love are shunned away.)

In terms of the art and imagery with cute little naked angels, that is just imagery and not reality, and I would hope most people realize that. If instead we start thinking of angels as arnold schwarzennegar types with halo's, wielding swords of holy flame and a bazooka of righteousness, that is still going to be just made up imagery. I don't think people will convert to Christianity because they want to be St. Arnold smiting the demon hordes.

As for Christian music, the old music appeals to the older folks more so than the younger, but some younger people also like it. There is also modern Christian music available, which I personally prefer and many younger Christians do too, but I'm sure some older folks enjoy it as well.


God Bless!

 

[FullyAmbivalent]

I think that your interpretation of Angels is quite interesting, and accurate. Most interpretations of them are creatures that are cute and nice cuddly. However, these are the agents of God, these are beings that provide insight and inspiration to humans, and are also part of how God expresses his will. And no, I highly doubt something cute and nice is gaurding heaven. I also believe that you are calling Christians to represent themselves in a more realisitc manner, which is also an issue i've had with religion in the past is that churches and congregations just don't seem genuine in what they do.

Prior to the corruption of the Roman Western and Eastern Catholic churchs and even in some current secs of Jewish faith, Angels were not seen as creatures, but rather as forces. A good example would be Satan. Many consider Satan to be the force of the ego. The creator of desire and of illusion. The one who keeps us from knowning who we are, and keeps our enlightnment hidden. In the jewish faith, the force of Satan is also not evil. It is an acting agent of God set upon us to test us so that only when we over come the evil of worldly desire and see the true light then shall we enter enlightnment.

In reality, Angels and Demons are not strictly christian themes. Many mythologies use Angels and Demons. Although, sometimes under difference names and such.

 

[ChrisLockhart]

I think this thread in itself makes it fairly clear that one of the roots of this misguidance is the general acceptance of the humanised renditions of Spiritual Forces and Beings.