I am a new Christian and have an uncle who is a strong Buddhist. He constantly sends our family "philosophical" quotes he believes we need to see. Attached is the most recent. I was very offended by the "invisible God" portion of his quote and would like to get some feedback regarding what is the best way to respond to this in a kind way and also how to express my distaste in him sending offensive things to me. He is quite manipulative and will have a lot to say back, and being new to the world of Christianity I am unsure of how to appropriately deal with this situation. Please advise!
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How to respond to offensive anti-God material?
- Thread starter mischathepuppy
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GoldenBoy89
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Is God visible?
And I don't mean the things He does, I mean He, Himself actually visible.
And I don't mean the things He does, I mean He, Himself actually visible.
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Butterfly99
Getting ready for spring break. Cya!
If you're really all that offended it's weird that you saved the quote. Then joined here just to share it. If you're being for real about being offended then the best way to handle it is to let it go. Don't keep the stuff that offends you, lol. Delete & move on.
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a) The guy in the picture needs a lesson in personal grooming.
b) Avoid dealing with this for now. Why stir the pot. Become confident in your faith and then address this. We Christians often refer to new believers as "babies". Babies and children have more needs than responsibilities. Grow in grace for a bit. Leave it alone for now.
b) Avoid dealing with this for now. Why stir the pot. Become confident in your faith and then address this. We Christians often refer to new believers as "babies". Babies and children have more needs than responsibilities. Grow in grace for a bit. Leave it alone for now.
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anonymous person
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Eudaimonist
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I'm perhaps fortunate that I don't get spam like that from Christian relatives. I would probably get at least a tiny bit annoyed as well.
In the case of the meme you show in the OP, I recommend just telling him that that is only the perspective of the meme, and that you view God as the Creator of the Universe, and therefore as Transcendent to the Universe, so the meme just doesn't hit any bullseye. You have a right to be honest with him.
And for your part, just see it as a faulty meme.
eudaimonia,
Mark
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Eudaimonist
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Yeah, ironically, that might encourage him to stop sending memes. It can work as "reverse psychology" if played right.
eudaimonia,
Mark
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GrowingSmaller
Muslm Humanist
I would advise stay a while at these forums, and you ll get used to dealing with alternative opinions.
But if that isnt your character style, try just asking him to stop. Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest.
If that fails, block his email?
Or, and this is not meant to be abusive,maybe learn to meditate. That can help deal with "conceptual thought induces stress".
Or, sent your uncle over here. We just love that stuff.
But if that isnt your character style, try just asking him to stop. Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest.
If that fails, block his email?
Or, and this is not meant to be abusive,maybe learn to meditate. That can help deal with "conceptual thought induces stress".
Or, sent your uncle over here. We just love that stuff.
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anonymous person
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It is not a tactic, or a play, or a game to get someone to stop doing something.
A Christian is to love as Christ loves for the sake of the one loved. The uncle may become even more determined to castigate and mock and ridicule. He may never stop, but the Christian is to continue to love all the more.
With man this is impossible. With God, it is possible because God loves unconditionally and is Love.
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Eudaimonist
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Too bad, because it could have been brilliant.
That sounds masochistic and potentially very counter-productive. Why irritate someone so much that they will hate Christianity all the more?
Granted, the uncle might be impressed with Christian love, but I'd think that one should stop when the warning signs make it clear that harm is being done. This is not a duty that should be performed mindlessly and robotically without regard for consequences.
I'm pretty certain that "man" is perfectly capable of loving unconditionally if he or she wants, for better or for worse.
eudaimonia,
Mark
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anonymous person
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Because love is what the Uncle needs. It is what we all need.
The precepts of Christ do sound masochistic and very counter-intuitive. That is why most do not live by them. But for them that do, His teachings are vindicated by the effects produced in one's life. It was the love people had for me and the love I saw in them that drew me to Jesus. Not clever games or tactics or arguments.
I agree. Love always has regard for the object of its affection. If I love my uncle, I am going to let him know this and I am also going to respect him and seek to find that good balance of allowing him the freedom to either reciprocate that love or not. Love does not coerce or force itself on its object, but stands patiently by and perseveres.
I see no reason to think this Mark. A cursory look into the history of mankind replete with wars, geopolitical jockeying for power and prestige and honor, the use of religion as a means of controlling one's fellow man and the use of technology to create mass killing devices and in light of the recent events that have transpired in the world, it would seem the exact opposite is true. Man on his own, will always tend towards selfishness at the expense of his fellow man. No amount of learning or enlightenment can change the heart of man. Knowledge and education, without the fear of God, tends to make man a more clever devil, it has been said.
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Archaeopteryx
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I thought it was an "objective, honest, and open" comparison of the various "worldviews on offer"?
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