Coping with the disadvantages of Christianity

[ConfuseddotCom]

From creationist sources and also at least 20 years old!

 

[seeingeyes]

Supportable actual quotes by Evolutionary Scientists in a rare moment of honesty.

Here is an entire site dedicated solely to providing context for those quotes:

Quote Mine Project: Examining 'Evolution Quotes' of Creationists

 

[stormdancer0]

It depends on your definition of "disadvantage."

For one thing, I am broke. Just kidding. But still, we barely make ends meet, so there is no question that God is not telling me to give to whomever asks. But when He DOES tell me, it is equally obvious.

I love nothing better than to give to others. This is a huge advantage for me, belonging to a loving, giving God who works through me.

Another thing. I am totally a young-earth creationist, and see very little unbiased evidence to show that I am wrong. Scientists are very good at wording opinions as facts, and tendencies as laws. If a toad adjusts to a new environment, therefore all beings everywhere must evolve, and that toad may someday evolve into a mammal.

In this life, believers are at a disadvantage only if they are carnal believers who resent having to help others and those who don't believe God's Word in faith.

 

[RDKirk]

It seems that in certain senses, Christianity puts us at a disadvantage during our short temporary time on Earth.

For instance, there's no doubt that evolution sounds much more scientifically "right" (even though it's inaccurate,) and so creationists and Christians are thus forced to defend creationism with a short hand of cards (in the public opinion) to begin with.

Y'know, I never run into the issue of creationism versus evolution when I'm telling someone "I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see."

How is it people run into that? Does it just pop up in conversation? I've never had that happen. I've never had an unbeliever suddenly launch into an unbidden debate about evolution with me.

And if he did, I'd talk about Jesus instead, because debating evolution is not what saves, the gospel is what saves.

If someone is going to think I'm an idiot, better that he think it after actually hearing the gospel.

Also, for unbelievers, it is easier to manage finances, because if someone comes up to them and asks for money, they can simply say no. But a Christian? Scripture says to "give to all who ask of you" (Luke 6:30), meaning that saying no is much less of an option.

Take him to church with you, where "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

 

[The Fire Rises]

I would ultimately tell them that, regardless of their life views on evolution, the earth's age, origin of the universe, etc, they will NEVER fully know God by simple reasoning alone. No matter how many books they read and how many second opinions they get, eventually there will be a leap of faith that they have to make.

For example, say there's a person you are interested in getting to know. You can ask questions about them from other people, Google their name and look them up their Facebook, you can simply observe them, watch how they interact with other people, etc. But eventually, you have to put any pre-suppositons, biases and misconceptions aside and simply go and meet them face to face, to see who they really are. Eventually this person will speak to you, and - if you are truly listening - will reveal things to you that you would have never known by simply observing them from afar. And once this person has revealed to you who they really are, you come to the crucial question: do I trust them?

So many people today approach Christianity with the mindset of "I will ONLY put my faith in what I can absolutely verify and empirically know as proven fact." But that's not faith, that's knowledge. This is actually hypocritical and ironic because there are SO many things in our lives that we DO take on sheer faith.

For example, why did you marry the person you married? Was it because you had carefully compiled all the data and evidence about him/her and thus reached the statistically-proven conclusion that he/she will be exactly the kind of spouse you want? I certainly hope not. For any healthy marriage, the basis of it will be faith and trust in one another. You didn't know absolutely everything about your spouse when you said "I do", but you knew enough to trust them. If your marriage is active and healthy, you will learn more about them each and every day.

I've always liked Psalm 34:8: "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

"Taste and see" does not mean, "Check out God's credentials" (although they ARE impressive). Instead it is a warm invitation: "Try this, I know you'll like it." When we take the first step of obedience in following God, we cannot help discovering that He is good and kind. When we begin the Christian life, our knowledge of God is partial and incomplete. As we trust Him daily, we experience how good He is.

So if people want solid evidence and rational reasons for choosing Christianity, well certainly they ARE there, and there are many. But while they can certainly aid and enrich our faith, they can never substitute faith itself, which ultimately comes down to trust.

 

[TravelerFarAwayFromHome]

It seems that in certain senses, Christianity puts us at a disadvantage during our short temporary time on Earth.

For instance, there's no doubt that evolution sounds much more scientifically "right" (even though it's inaccurate,) and so creationists and Christians are thus forced to defend creationism with a short hand of cards (in the public opinion) to begin with.


Also, for unbelievers, it is easier to manage finances, because if someone comes up to them and asks for money, they can simply say no. But a Christian? Scripture says to "give to all who ask of you" (Luke 6:30), meaning that saying no is much less of an option.


How do you guys cope with these disadvantages? I am, honestly, at my wit's end.

you know, as believers we are absolutely allowed to say no, and I don't think we have to give everything away

but you know, one of the things I realized since I became a Christian, is that love is what gives life meaning......

giving love out and helping those in need gives your life a sense of purpose you would never otherwise experience.....

but for me, the biggest disadvantage is I am gay, so I am not allowed to ever get married, and that is extremely tough for me.

but I believe God has the ability to turn setbacks we experience in life into something beautiful, if we trust Him.