Outraged At Society

[AnglicanPeace]

One of many examples, atheists. I know not all atheists are like this. I know an atheist who is very open minded and supportive of my Christianity. But so many seem to be like this:

1. Dogmatic
To open his mind to possibilities, I once asked an atheist online friend how he knows I exist and am not a projection from within his own brain. He said, "because you're right there." Wow, real deep. To make matters worse, we have never even met, so that's even more reason that he doesn't know I'm alive, not a catfish (an 80 year old man for instance), etc. But really, I was thinking of Kant and how he said we don't see reality accurately. So I continued. I told him that roads look like they're getting narrower when they're still straight, the moon looks like it's in a lake when it's above, the Earth seems flat when it's round, and the sun looks like it's going around the Earth when it's vice versa as we all know, not to mention optical illusions in art like the old lady vs. the witch, the squirrel vs. the duck, animation, etc. So we don't see reality accurately. So for all we know, Jesus is sitting right here. His answer, "umm, no." I was infuriated.

2. Overly Optimistic
A School of Life video was right when it pointed out how the New Atheism seems to put faith in the powers of medicine, democracy, and capitalism to save the world. There's even pseudo-atheist hedonism where people want to get "sozzled" and think if all else fails, they'll actually "enjoy the decline" and play video games in their rooms for life while everyone else is walking miles for water when, if society does collapse, we'll be lucky if there's still electricity. It's so unrealistic it's very frustrating.

Another more minor example would be militant vegans because they use cell phones which are made in sweatshops by kids in hellish conditions for a few dollars a week but are so "moral" because they won't eat a "poor, defenseless animal" (read: an animal that would rip them to shreds without thinking twice).

My question: do I avoid people? Do I just accept that pain and frustration is part and parcel of the game? I Googled it and read that Jesus was flexible and did both.

Any advice or thoughts appreciated.

 

[steppinrazor]

I think you love them for who they are, dont try to change them or force anything on them. Remember, the father calls on us, we dont call upon the Father. The entire world is one big ball of confusion, the best you can do is love people and be an example of Christ's love in the world

 

[Hazelelponi]

My advice?

Be exactly who you are, and live out what you believe unapologetically.

There are people who will accept you just as you are, for who you are, and there are those who won't.

Be kind to all, and show others the respect you desire them to show you, but those who don't accept you for you aren't worth being freinds with, and those who accept you are your real freinds.

There will come times in your life some of those freinds may stab you in the back, and when they do just move on.. but never compromise who you are, and never apologize for it.

"Society" is inherently flawed, but there are good and decent people in the world.. you will find them, and they will find you when your genuine..

God bless you.

 

[crossnote]

But really, I was thinking of Kant and how he said we don't see reality accurately.

For someone to dogmatically say that would mean they have an absolute standard of 'accurate reality'.
My advice would be to trust the One who holds absolute accurate reality next door and invites us to join Him.

 

[Billy UK]

I find it difficult to understand how to fit in when others around you are saying and doing things which are deceptive and wrong and sinful. Trying to be spiritually minded and following a straight and narrow road while engaging at times with others who are carnal minded makes it difficult to speak the truth in love.

Matthew 23:23-24 (KJV)
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

A big problem is when the sin of others produces sin in us through us becoming unmerciful in judgement which was the Pharisees problem.

many times I feel irritated and angry and without compassion around people through feeling the pressure of other peoples sin and my own. Usually at this point God shows me that I need his Mercy just us much as them.

Matthew 5:7 (KJV)

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

 

[Rescued One]

I grew up with non-Christians (my family). My living siblings are non-Christians. I love them and pray for them.

 

[SkyWriting]

1. Dogmatic
To open his mind to possibilities, I once asked an atheist online friend how he knows I exist and am not a projection from within his own brain. He said, "because you're right there."

I often use that method too. Jesus used that method with Thomas who doubted.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

Avoid atheists and especially debates with them. It very rarely changes anyone and just makes both parties dig deeper trenches.
Focus on your relationship with JC more, would be my advice.

 

[A_Thinker]

Remember that our objective is to love others, not to prove how right we are.

No matter how right you may be, ... it is love that draws others.

 

[paul1149]

do I avoid people? Do I just accept that pain and frustration is part and parcel of the game? I Googled it and read that Jesus was flexible and did both.

Some people need to be avoided, yes. But you have a strong and orderly mind and a great gift for apologetics and evangelism. Focus on the Lord and how good He is, and how privileged we are to be in Him. Then the frustrations of others won't affect you so much, and you'll end up more effective for the kingdom. Time spent in prayer, praise, and meditation on the Word will change you in this regard, and also give you wisdom for evangelistic success (Php 4).

 

[Sketcher]

1. Dogmatic
To open his mind to possibilities, I once asked an atheist online friend how he knows I exist and am not a projection from within his own brain. He said, "because you're right there." Wow, real deep. To make matters worse, we have never even met, so that's even more reason that he doesn't know I'm alive, not a catfish (an 80 year old man for instance), etc. But really, I was thinking of Kant and how he said we don't see reality accurately. So I continued. I told him that roads look like they're getting narrower when they're still straight, the moon looks like it's in a lake when it's above, the Earth seems flat when it's round, and the sun looks like it's going around the Earth when it's vice versa as we all know, not to mention optical illusions in art like the old lady vs. the witch, the squirrel vs. the duck, animation, etc. So we don't see reality accurately. So for all we know, Jesus is sitting right here. His answer, "umm, no." I was infuriated.

What were you trying to accomplish with this conversation, exactly?

2. Overly Optimistic
A School of Life video was right when it pointed out how the New Atheism seems to put faith in the powers of medicine, democracy, and capitalism to save the world.

1) If they've got faith, then they can be cornered into admitting it.
2) Some of them will find out that those institutions aren't enough. That's something you can pray for them for.

There's even pseudo-atheist hedonism where people want to get "sozzled" and think if all else fails, they'll actually "enjoy the decline" and play video games in their rooms for life while everyone else is walking miles for water when, if society does collapse, we'll be lucky if there's still electricity. It's so unrealistic it's very frustrating.

Their fault. If that happens, perhaps they will need to beg for necessities from organized groups of Christians.

Another more minor example would be militant vegans because they use cell phones which are made in sweatshops by kids in hellish conditions for a few dollars a week but are so "moral" because they won't eat a "poor, defenseless animal" (read: an animal that would rip them to shreds without thinking twice).

Militant vegans are some of the easiest people on the planet to troll. If you're eating meat or using animal products, they are losing. No reason to let them stress you out. You stress them out without needing to try. Keep doing so. You don't even need to go out of your way to do that or make an issue of it. Just enjoy what you want to enjoy. They can either be stressed out at your choice, or loosen up and become a little less militant in order to enjoy your company.

My question: do I avoid people? Do I just accept that pain and frustration is part and parcel of the game? I Googled it and read that Jesus was flexible and did both.

Any advice or thoughts appreciated.

All of these people that you mention are minorities in American society. Don't let minorities in American society stress you out. They are not reflective of the entire society. Meat-eaters surround vegans. Spiritual and religious people surround atheists.

 

[A Realist]

One of many examples, atheists. I know not all atheists are like this. I know an atheist who is very open minded and supportive of my Christianity. But so many seem to be like this:

It works both ways.

Your opening statement could be changed to this, and be just as true:

"One of many examples, Christians. I know not all Christians are like this. I know a Christian who is very open minded and supportive of my atheism. But so many seem to be like this:

1. Dogmatic
...........
2. Overly Optimistic
............."