Christian Stuff

[Yekcidmij]

Comments?

Something else that gets on my nerves (yes, something else).  I get tired of Christian bumper stickers, T-shirts (well, at least some), WWJD bracelets and things, and the little metal fish that sticks on the back of cars. 

It seems to me that this is making Jesus into some kind of overused of material object that is thrown into the face of others.  It seems to me that this is somehow taking away from what Jesus really is and is all about.  Does that make sense?  It's great that people want to share Christ and whatnot, but I think the way to do it is by your actions, words, and lifestyle, and etc; not by saying "look at the back of my car, I am a Christian", or "read my shirt and you will see I am a Christian". 

Sorry if you have one of those little fish on your car, not trying to be mean or anything.   It seems that all of this is a kind of pop culture/Christian culture thing to do.  Does anyone agree or disagree with any of this?

 

[Dee Dee Warren]

Dear Jimmie:

It can be either.... I know that I wear Christian t-shirts to open the doors to conversation a lot of the times, and yes, I have no problem with even having the attitude, 'read my shirt I am a Christian' becuase I am not ashamed.... it can go both ways.

 

[FOMWatts<><]

I can see both of your points. I believe some people use the t-shurts and stickers as a front to say "Hey I'm alright I'm a Christian!". Yet I also believe some people are opening doors to witness.

FOMWatts<><

 

[waterwizard]

What gets me is that some people who are wearing these shirts and driving these cars are not backing it up with their actions.&nbsp; For example, I have seen people wearing Christian T shirts, but using the foulest of language; people with the fish on their car or the tag that says "Jesus", giving you the finger as you drive past.

Christian stuff is big business now, and a lot of people are buying it for the wrong reason.&nbsp; I have no problem wearing a Christian T shirt myself, and I'll make sure I can back it up with my actions.

And if you'll check it out, a lot of this "Christian stuff" has "Made in China" stamped on it somewhere.&nbsp; Ironic.

 

[TWells]

This bothers me too....Christian junk has become a big business. Im kind of a bibliophile so I go to a lot of Christian bookstores. Has anyone noticed all the trinkets being sold now, not to mention the fluff that passes for Christian writing now. Books sections about doctrine, history etc are always very small compared to the thousands of get rich, feel good, get more blessings type books that are be pumped out with a cheezo sunset cover and even cheesier title.

 

[imasheepofchrist]

does anyone in here actually know what the little fish means? during the early times of christianity Christians wouldnt dare wear any symbol of our faith or they would be persecuted and most likely killed. the first letters of the words "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior" in Greek spell out the greek word for fish which is Ichthus. They used the scetch of a fish to symbolize their faith to other christians The fish represent the Baptismal waters, the loaves of breead and the fish at the feeding of the 5000, and the calling of others to be "fishers of men. It was and is (by those who nk\\know what it is) a profession of faith in the divinity of Jesus.

I agree that pepole shouldnt do it just to be like ooo look at me im a christian but i also believe that a person shouldnt not do anything to get it across to others that they arent scared to put it out there that they are a christian. i alos agree with the fact that if you are a true Christian that others will be able to tell by that persons actions... Matthew 7:16 says "By their fruit you will recognize them." ill just stop by saying that you shouldnt be scared to shout it out that youre a Christian because "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and fasley say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (matthew 5:11) but dont go around fasley acting like a christian just because of what you wear or what you put on your car..
--Thomas

 

[Reformationist]

Yekcidmij,

You've got four threads going just for the purpose of talking about things that Christians and people in general&nbsp;do that bug you.&nbsp; What do you think that says to people who&nbsp;aren't Christains who browse in here?&nbsp; So people have a different way of expressing their faith.&nbsp; I think some people have very comical ways of "being spiritual."&nbsp; Does this mean that I can call their sincerity into question or rail about the way they worship our Father?&nbsp; Of course not.&nbsp; A little Christian charity is in order my brother...

God bless

 

[Yekcidmij]

Well, I dont disagree with anything anyone has said. Thanks for the responses. I see where you are coming from when you say you wear it to spark conversation; I had never really thought of it like that.

 

[Yekcidmij]

Sorry if I appear to be a jerk or something. The forum here does say "Christians only", thats why I didnt post it somewhere else.&nbsp; Anyways what if a non-Christian did come in here and read this?&nbsp; Whats so wrong with that?&nbsp; So I disagree with some things.&nbsp; We dont need to pretend like all Christians agree on 100% everything, do we?

&nbsp;

&nbsp;This post, and the 3 others was meant to tell something that has been bugging me. Like I said, If Im wrong I need to know it. Sorry If I have offended anyone, this is just something I feel.

 

[Yekcidmij]

Oh....BTW...you are right Reformationist, I should not "rail on the way others worship", but I dont see anything wrong with questioning sincerity. When I was a kid and got into trouble and got caught by one of my parents the natural thing to come out of my mouth was a monotone, "Im sorry" when I really wasnt and all I wanted to do was get out of trouble..... Now did my parents call into question my sincerity? You bet. Its the same type of thing here....I see people whith all the Christian do-dads and car decals and I see some **not all** people pray with such big words that I need to get a dictionary to help me translate.

Now, having said that, do I question their sincerity? Yep. Am I questioning if what they are doing is correct or incorrect? Yep. But Im just questioning not trying to condemn or "railing" on them.

 

[Reformationist]

Today at 02:59 PM Yekcidmij said this in Post #9

Sorry if I appear to be a jerk or something. The forum here does say "Christians only", thats why I didnt post it somewhere else. This post, and the 3 others was meant to tell something that has been bugging me. Like I said, If Im wrong I need to know it. Sorry If I have offended anyone, this is just something I feel.

You didn't offend me.&nbsp; But, you should be aware that the "Christians only" qualifer deals with posting, not browsing.&nbsp; Someone who is a non-Christian may read this and think that way already and it would just serve to reinforce their negativism.

I'm only telling you this to encourage you to consider venting in a more private manner as this does little to edify the body.

God bless

 

[Reformationist]

Today at 03:17 PM Yekcidmij said this in Post #10

Oh....BTW...you are right Reformationist, I should not "rail on the way others worship", but I dont see anything wrong with questioning sincerity. When I was a kid and got into trouble and got caught by one of my parents the natural thing to come out of my mouth was a monotone, "Im sorry" when I really wasnt and all I wanted to do was get out of trouble..... Now did my parents call into question my sincerity? You bet. Its the same type of thing here....I see people whith all the Christian do-dads and car decals and I see some **not all** people pray with such big words that I need to get a dictionary to help me translate.

Now, having said that, do I question their sincerity? Yep. Am I questioning if what they are doing is correct or incorrect? Yep. But Im just questioning not trying to condemn or "railing" on them.

Big difference bro.&nbsp; God placed your parents in a position of authority over you.&nbsp; He never gave us the task of determining someone's sincerity.&nbsp; Not to mention, it would be pointless because it would be so easy to look at things the wrong way or read to deeply into something.

Just my thoughts man.

God bless

 

[Yekcidmij]

Maybe so. Or maybe it turns their negativism into something more positive. Maybe they begin to identify with a Christian. Maybe not, just a thought.

 

[Yekcidmij]

I really do appreciate your thoughts Reformationist. Weather you believe it or not, you are helping to clear my head on some things that have been pinned up in there. Thats why I posted all of this mess.

 

[waterwizard]

Perhaps a lot of non-Christians are voicing the same concerns about sincerety.&nbsp; Hopefully, this will help them.

 

[Yekcidmij]

I do see what you are saying about calling into question someones sincerity. And Im starting to agree with you.

 

[Reformationist]

Today at 03:31 PM Yekcidmij said this in Post #14

I really do appreciate your thoughts Reformationist. Weather you believe it or not, you are helping to clear my head on some things that have been pinned up in there. Thats why I posted all of this mess.

I understand my brother.&nbsp; Believe me, I'm no different.&nbsp; It takes about two seconds of TBN for me to start laughing my behind off because of what I consider a bunch of fake worship.&nbsp; Whether that's true or not it's not the right attitude for me to have.&nbsp; I need to ask God to give me a desire to pray for those people rather than ridicule them.

God bless,

Don

 

[seebs]

I'm gonna stick up for Yekcidmij a bit here - a non-Christian reading this might think "hey, not all Christians are alike", and, if he's previously been offended by the bumper-stickers and t-shirts, maybe it'll open his mind towards Christianity a bit.

 

[waterwizard]

Remember, it's personal.&nbsp; Between you and God.&nbsp; Someone else's sincerity or lack thereof should not affect your walk with Him one bit.&nbsp;&nbsp;Be sincere in your&nbsp;worship, witness, actions, etc., and let God deal with the insincere ones.&nbsp; Don't look to man, look to God.&nbsp;

 

[Reformationist]

Today at 03:38 PM seebs said this in Post #18

I'm gonna stick up for Yekcidmij a bit here

Just for the record to anyone who reads my comments, I don't mean to sound like I'm being harsh on Yekcidmij.&nbsp; I think the things he is saying are very easy to relate to.&nbsp; Maybe I should have just encouraged him to ask himself why it bothers him and analyze whether or not that is a godly reason.

God bless