Religious Advice from non-Christians

[Solace Girl]

It might seem strange that I'm asking about advice on an advice forum, but please bear with me. I have spoken with a friend yesterday (raised atheist but considers himself to be spiritual). He was surprised that I changed my religious perspective (reconciling with the Catholic church I was raised in as opposed to the Episcopalianism I was studying) after a tragic event. He doesn't think it is good to make big decisions like that based on tragedy alone. I thought about just discussing that on the board, but then I remembered that he isn't Christian. Should I dismiss what he said?

 

[Unix]

The most annoying part about non-believers and those who do believe but do way much less research and just hang out at the Church, is if they think You shouldn't discuss religion at all and if they personally don't like discussing religion! Those either keep their religion or lack of religion very private, or only share it with those who happen to go to the exact same Church at the exact same time as themselves. There's only one such person whom I tolerate, but that's because I think she has strong belief as she is very active in the Church and she plays instruments so beautifully, besides she's young so there's a chance that some time after she completes her hectic occupational therapist studies she'll have more time left to discuss with me (if she's still interested in my in any way by then). Of course her young age (still 20 I think), purity and "lack of having a crush on me" (I would like to say that with different words but I'm not a native English speaker and girls/women have rather infrequently had a crush on me so I also lack experience about that) keeps her from suggesting we should exchange phone numbers or email addresses (or Facebook addresses?) and we only met a few Months ago.
I tolerate those who at least listen and try to grasp, better, they can still guide me for example about expenses when it comes to religion such as books - (it feels good to get the occasional advice whether it's wise to spend on an expensive or unimportant book instead of only having myself to rely on each time). Even if they are not that interested and have little knowledge. Especially if they still show some very basic grasp of approximately what the Bible is all about (most people, even most "Christians" don't).

How far did You get studying Episcopalianism? Regarding direct advice, I wouldn't discard what I've learned so far about it even if I wouldn't like them. Remember also that there's the Anglican Church and ACNA, even if perhaps not present where You are. I know the Catholic Church is much bigger in the U.S. This I mean mostly knowledge-wise or if You find some benefit in what You've learned. I understand it can hurt, but depending on how much exactly You can accuse an Episcopal Church priest or bishop You should try to detach Your personal experiences from that denomination as a denomination and their authors. Remember I'm saying this in defense of ACNA, not the Episcopal Church. What I think is that nowadays we shouldn't narrow down our sources for Biblical scholarship to only one denomination (the one we belong to), even beyond just reference books. That's my take on it as a Christian always struggling to enter the next year of seminary and/or original language studies sometimes changing universities.

 

[football5680]

If he isn't a Christian then his opinion doesn't really matter. If nothing within Episcopalianism sold you on it being the truth then you are safe in your decision. I think you made the correct choice but of course this would be my view because I am also Catholic. I don't know the circumstances of your event but Saint Paul's conversion to Christianity was based on a tragic event where he was made blind but I doubt what happened to you was similar.

 

[LoricaLady]

The best advice comes from the Bible. It preceded all the "Churches" of the world. I'm sure this person is not familiar with its wisdom. If the direction you are going in is consistent with what is in the Bible, you will do well.

I pray you will love and study the Bible and become close to its Author.

 

[parsley]

He is your friend, and he knows you, cares about you. Respect him enough to carry out a normal human conversation with him. People don't usually ask for cut&dry reasons, but as a form of persuasion. Find out what he was hoping to persuade you about.

There is a difference between putting yourself under the standards of a non-believer, and allowing them to hold a mirror up and show you what they see. He has seen a change in you, and is concerned.

As humans, we all worry too much about what others think, and allow their criticisms to get to us. It's important that we don't allow opinions to sway us, but there's no harm in hearing what he has to say.

From what I know of Catholicism, they are very organized in supporting the oppressed and needy, so it makes sense that a solid traditional organization like that would feel comforting in a time of duress.

What he said about making choices under duress is a standard counseling statement -- recognizing that our minds really do undergo some change in a crisis, and that is sometimes temporary. Ask him if he has seen changes in you that he expected to return to normal after a reasonable grieving time.

You needed what you needed at the time. You are free to change your mind when you need something else. It is good for him to see the thought process of a believer, and how it is not the denomination which shapes us, but our own decisions and interactions with God.

 

[bluegreysky]

Dude I've felt stupid at work on more than one occassion... perhaps the worst one was in December when I unwittingly got tangled in with some fraud and got in trouble, I was freaking out and like hyperventillating and stuff because I thought I was getting fired for sure.
My coworker the loan officer who is atheist or agnostic sits down with me because she lives for coaching people even though that's technically the boss's job... she says "well, I can tell myself this and this and also this and keep my head in a bad situation, and I don't need a God. but you believe in God so why don't you pray to God for help"
LOL that awkward moment when the one who doesn't believe has it together and the Christian has had a complete meltdown...

 

[parsley]

she says "well, I can tell myself this and this and also this and keep my head in a bad situation, and I don't need a God. but you believe in God so why don't you pray to God for help"

Ha!

 

[Albion]

It might seem strange that I'm asking about advice on an advice forum, but please bear with me. I have spoken with a friend yesterday (raised atheist but considers himself to be spiritual). He was surprised that I changed my religious perspective (reconciling with the Catholic church I was raised in as opposed to the Episcopalianism I was studying) after a tragic event. He doesn't think it is good to make big decisions like that based on tragedy alone. I thought about just discussing that on the board, but then I remembered that he isn't Christian. Should I dismiss what he said?

No. He wasn't talking theology there, and his point was one that many of us would make also. When making a really big decision (such as about one's religion or church) it's a good idea not to be rushed and/or motivated by some sudden event in life, whether it be a good one or an unpleasant one.

 

[Quasicentennial]

Sin can create spiritual ignorance in that there is no afterlife. Christ's Second Coming future victory return is revealing his physical identity, his perfect suffering-proof mind and body, eternally young and healthy, eternally sinless in that sexual feelings are not necessary as Christ's abundance of peace and joy is permanently at the maximum level:.
We have faith not only in his spiritual invisible presence but also his future-coming evidence of his physical presence, as well as the supernatural triple transformation on human, planet Earth and universe when we receive our new genius-intelligent minds and measure-perfect bodies of Christ,
to become socially active and positive as new brothers and sisters of Christ, to start a new chapter, a new life as each day is a success without tragic or problematic circumstances, to treat each other/one another as if we are already rich and famous as eacb and everyone of us brothers and sisters of Christ have their own pest-free, construction-safe rent-free or mortgage-free home accommodation inside the kingdom of God on what I believe will be a continent-united new paradise Earth, as the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific rise and join together as the ocean seas disappear beneath them, making it possible to accommodate millions of saved believers of Christ.;'*';.

 

[1watchman]

To the original post, I know that sometimes non-Christians are wiser than Christians --real or just professors. So, one can listen to wisdom wherever it comes, but one needs to always compare it to the Word of God and not religious ideas of men.

 

[Hospes]

It might seem strange that I'm asking about advice on an advice forum, but please bear with me. I have spoken with a friend yesterday (raised atheist but considers himself to be spiritual). He was surprised that I changed my religious perspective (reconciling with the Catholic church I was raised in as opposed to the Episcopalianism I was studying) after a tragic event. He doesn't think it is good to make big decisions like that based on tragedy alone. I thought about just discussing that on the board, but then I remembered that he isn't Christian. Should I dismiss what he said?

I figure if God can use a donkey to give a message to the prophet Balaam, it seems possible for him to deliver a message through an un-believer.

But evaluate all things using scripture.

 

[PaladinValer]

It might seem strange that I'm asking about advice on an advice forum, but please bear with me. I have spoken with a friend yesterday (raised atheist but considers himself to be spiritual). He was surprised that I changed my religious perspective (reconciling with the Catholic church I was raised in as opposed to the Episcopalianism I was studying) after a tragic event. He doesn't think it is good to make big decisions like that based on tragedy alone. I thought about just discussing that on the board, but then I remembered that he isn't Christian. Should I dismiss what he said?

That's a Fallacy of Ad Hominem. You are dismissing your friends advice solely based on the fact he isn't Christian...when his advice had actually nothing to do with religion. That's exceptionally disrespectful and, if he ever knew you'd do that, he'd dismiss you as a friend, and with good reason.

And quite honestly, he's right. Sudden tragedy means basing opinions on emotions, not logic. That's irrational; that's not how truth work. Someone could suddenly feel that everything she knew about psychology is wrong, despite studying the subject, and go around passing around conspiracy theories.

Let me remind everyone here what Jesus taught as the Second Great Commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. If our fellow Christian is our fellow sibling in Christ, then our neighbor is the non-Christian. When we dismiss non-Christians just for that reason alone, we reject the core of Christian morality.

 

[Goodbook]

Well, God isnt the catholic church...I think your friend just wary of organized religion.

You need to be seeking who He is, and hes much bigger than any one denomination.

 

[MissRowy]

I agree with PV. You should accept your friends advice gratefully even if hes not Christian he is still trying to help you. Because you might need his help and he could turn around and say the same thing about you.