This lady told me that talking about GOD was "inappropriate"

[JacquelineDeane55]

And her words actually emboldened me. I replied and said, "No, talking about GOD is not inappropriate, you are just a non-believer and that is why you are saying that."

In my family, we talk about Jesus, GOD, the Holy Bible, all the time, every day. We read the Bible every day. We are not ashamed about Jesus.

I hope I didn't come across as sounding mean or anything, I just remember that her e-mail to me really angered and emboldened me. She actually told me I was stupid. That angered me as well. It's not nice to call people names like that. She kind of hurt my feelings as well. I guess when you are not saved, the sin nature runs rampant and you can say all kinds of mean and hurtful things.

So you guys pray for her (that she will learn to be more nice), that she will turn her life around and come to the LORD.

I told her that I would never apologize to anyone about my faith and that she doesn't scare me in the least bit. I kind of stood up to her. That's the first time I have ever stood up to anyone about my faith. I wonder if she is shocked that I held my ground and that I didn't scream and run away. I wonder if GOD gave me the courage to do that.

 

[Victory-N-Christ]

Well good for you that you didn't back down.Nowadays it seems okay to boldly talk about any other perverted,sinful thing but as soon as you mention Jesus sometimes all you hear is crickets.I'll put this woman on my prayer list...

 

[Beautyinsteadofashes]

I tell you what, I sing Christian music out loud everywhere I go. People laugh at me, look at me strange, but I don't care. I am unashamed. (Oh, people really react at the gas station I suppose because they're in a hurry and may already be irritated).
Don't let this person's insults get to you. You did the right thing by standing up for yourself and your faith.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

As long as you don't let your anger spill over into harsh living... ie spiteful words, angry comments you'll be fine.

"Bless those who curse you"

 

[frienden thalord]

I tell you what, I sing Christian music out loud everywhere I go. People laugh at me, look at me strange, but I don't care. I am unashamed. (Oh, people really react at the gas station I suppose because they're in a hurry and may already be irritated).
Don't let this person's insults get to you. You did the right thing by standing up for yourself and your faith.

Sing sister sing.................and praise the Lord.
The world will think we odd, crazy , I mean look at HOW it treated JESUS
and we are not above our master. IF the world hated him, it will us too.
JUST REJIOCE when you are persecuted for righteousness........leap for joy
for your reward is great in heaven.
Woe unto you when men shall speak well of you, for this did they to the false prophets.
The world and the lukewarm will hate the ones who truly are of Christ.
In truth I have found myself hated as much if not more by christains in mouth.
JUST REJIOCE peoples. I mean sing like your head , heart , soul is on fire FOR THE LORD
and always forgive those who hate you. But never conform to their ways.

 

[HereIStand]

Sometimes that attitude is a defense for people who've had a bad experience with Christians, or think they've had one. God Bless.

 

[brinny]

Sometimes that attitude is a defense for people who've had a bad experience with Christians, or think they've had one. God Bless.

I agree.

 

[brinny]

And her words actually emboldened me. I replied and said, "No, talking about GOD is not inappropriate, you are just a non-believer and that is why you are saying that."

I hope I didn't come across as sounding mean or anything, I just remember that her e-mail to me really angered and emboldened me. She actually told me I was stupid. That angered me as well. It's not nice to call people names like that. She kind of hurt my feelings as well. I guess when you are not saved, the sin nature runs rampant and you can say all kinds of mean and hurtful things.

So you guys pray for her (that she will learn to be more nice), that she will turn her life around and come to the LORD.

I told her that I would never apologize to anyone about my faith and that she doesn't scare me in the least bit. I kind of stood up to her. That's the first time I have ever stood up to anyone about my faith. I wonder if she is shocked that I held my ground and that I didn't scream and run away. I wonder if GOD gave me the courage to do that.

That's what unbelievers do, often. Pray that your words will be empowered and guided by God's Holy Spirit, and that through God's guidance be gracious and timely and speaking to that person's hurt or need. And be respectful. Always. Otherwise we become less than honoring to God and when there is an angry response, we cannot say that we've been "persecuted", because what we have done is imposed an argument and offensiveness on someone who doesn't believe in God. It doesn't honor God and invites not only mockery of you, but of the God you profess.

Pray that God guides your every thought, word, and deed and that He grants you wisdom, discernment, and clarity.

Praying for you.

 

[Strathos]

What was the context of this?

Although in any context the insult was not necessary.

 

[Raphael Jauregui]

Someone saying that it's inappropriate is not persecution. Persecution is what is happening in other countries to Christians and Yazidis.

 

[LoricaLady]

Jacqueline Per my understanding this Forum is actually for people who are suffering truly horrific things for their faith. Perhaps if you will read some of the posts for them here, and see what they are suffering, you will not feel so
persecuted but blessed instead that you have not been through what they have been through.

All persecution is bad and I'm sorry if you have suffered it. Our Savior did tell us to expect it, though. However, again, the kind of suffering that this forum addresses, I believe, is for those who are losing their families, their crops, their homes, their jobs, their reputations, their freedom due to imprisonment and so on. I just personally hope and pray those are the ones focused on here, which is a special place for them.

 

[HereIStand]

Per my understanding this Forum is actually for people who are suffering truly horrific things for their faith. Perhaps if you will read some of the posts for them here, and see what they are suffering, you will not feel persecuted but blessed instead that you have not been through what they have been through.

In the States, people do not suffer imprisonment for being Christian. But they are laughed at and derided. That ridicule is a form of persecution.

 

[GeorgeJ]

That ridicule is a form of persecution.

Nope.
Ridicule:
the subjection of someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior

Persecution:
punishment or harassment usually of a severe nature on the basis of race, religion, or political opinion in one's country of origin

In the U.S., you have freedom of religion....you also have the freedom to be completely annoying about your religion if you want to; however, don't claim persecution if folks react negatively to your annoying behavior. You have every right to be annoying, but don't get the mistaken impression that you're doing God's will by doing so...or that you're being "persecuted" if folks don't like it and tell you such.

IMO, singing any kind of music out loud everywhere you go would annoy the majority of people.

 

[HereIStand]

Nope.
Ridicule:
the subjection of someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior

Persecution:
punishment or harassment usually of a severe nature on the basis of race, religion, or political opinion in one's country of origin

In the U.S., you have freedom of religion....you also have the freedom to be completely annoying about your religion if you want to; however, don't claim persecution if folks react negatively to your annoying behavior. You have every right to be annoying, but don't get the mistaken impression that you're doing God's will by doing so...or that you're being "persecuted" if folks don't like it and tell you such.

IMO, singing any kind of music out loud everywhere you go would annoy the majority of people.

Facing ridicule isn't persecution in the strict sense of the word, but it fits in with the rapprochement described in I Peter 4:14.

 

[GeorgeJ]

Facing ridicule isn't persecution in the strict sense of the word, but it fits in with the rapprochement described in I Peter 4:14.

Too many Americans have the opinion that "insult" and "persecution" are synonymous.

They aren't.

Some Christians even go to extreme lengths with their behavior to ensure they are "insulted for the name of Christ" so they can get a warm fuzzy about being "blessed".

 

[LoricaLady]

In the States, people do not suffer imprisonment for being Christian. But they are laughed at and derided. That ridicule is a form of persecution.

I did not try to define what the word "persecution" means. Personally I have experienced far worse treatment online that is described in the OP. For example, when witnessing I have often been called various nasty names. A word using the sixth letter of the alphabet has been used to describe me more times than I can count. Offline, I have had far worse treatment for my faith, but it has been like a picnic in the park compared to what some have suffered, as mentioned in the posts here for those who are suffering almost unbelievable things. As for myself, as I said earlier, who cares?

If people are serving the Lord, they can EXPECT maltreatment from some others. If you come against the devil's kingdom he doesn't just sit there. He attacks. We can cover ourselves with prayer and praise and spiritual armour. We can even pray for others instead of worrying too much about ourselves, pray for those who are TRULY suffering, not just having their feelings hurt.

 

[LoricaLady]

Someone saying that it's inappropriate is not persecution. Persecution is what is happening in other countries to Christians and Yazidis.

Yes, and however one chooses to define the word "persecution" I do believe the purpose of this forum is to get the prayer, and attention (ahem!), on those who are suffering as you say.

 

[HereIStand]

Too many Americans have the opinion that "insult" and "persecution" are synonymous.

They aren't.

Some Christians even go to extreme lengths with their behavior to ensure they are "insulted for the name of Christ" so they can get a warm fuzzy about being "blessed".

They don't have to be synonymous. Try finding a positive story in the mainstream press about evangelicals. That's a form of intimidation. It doesn't have to be overt, although there is overt pressure too.

 

[HereIStand]

I did not try to define what the word "persecution" means. Personally I have experienced far worse treatment online that is described in the OP. For example, when witnessing I have often been called various nasty names. A word using the sixth letter of the alphabet has been used to describe me more times than I can count. Offline, I have had far worse treatment for my faith, but it has been like a picnic in the park compared to what some have suffered, as mentioned in the posts here for those who are suffering almost unbelievable things. As for myself, as I said earlier, who cares?

If people are serving the Lord, they can EXPECT maltreatment from some others. If you come against the devil's kingdom he doesn't just sit there. He attacks. We can cover ourselves with prayer and praise and spiritual armour. We can even pray for others instead of worrying too much about ourselves, pray for those who are TRULY suffering, not just having their feelings hurt.

Our prayers should be for all Christians. Those in prison and those maligned for their faith.

 

[Albion]

Someone saying that it's inappropriate is not persecution. Persecution is what is happening in other countries to Christians and Yazidis.

However, we do now live in a society that thinks everyone else's rights are negated if a bystander feels uncomfortable because of them.