Do you feel it is ethical or correct to label every person that isn't 100% just like you as anti-(your group)? I have seen this come up several times recently on this forum. Is it possible for someone to not be of your group (i.e. non-Christian if you are a Christian) but not be some sort of radical person bent on taking down your group?
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
"Us vs. Them"
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I'm sure there's anti-Beckies around here!! 
That said, I don't automatically assume that someone is one of them just because they disagree with me. There's people that have very heated disagreements with and yet I'm still fairly good friends with them - because we know where to leave the disagreement.
And the non-Christians that I know here by and large aren't interested in taking down my group, thankfully, nor am I interested in taking down theirs. I think we're too busy to even worry about that...
But no, I don't think it's ethical to automatically label someone as "anti" simply because they disagree with me.
That said, I don't automatically assume that someone is one of them just because they disagree with me. There's people that have very heated disagreements with and yet I'm still fairly good friends with them - because we know where to leave the disagreement.
And the non-Christians that I know here by and large aren't interested in taking down my group, thankfully, nor am I interested in taking down theirs. I think we're too busy to even worry about that...
But no, I don't think it's ethical to automatically label someone as "anti" simply because they disagree with me.
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FedererFan
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Not if they're not 100%, but there are fundamental requirements to say that you're a member of a group. What is fundamental is usually subjective so it's really hard to say. It depends on how you're defining the group. It's difficult to say in the abstract. Do you have a specific example you're thinking of?
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I was trying to keep it abstract, but since this forum here is Christian based, we'll run with that.
Some Christians seem to honestly feel EVERY non-Christian is seeking to destroy all of Christianity. After being essentially accused of this recently, it got me thinking about this issue.
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FedererFan
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Oh I see now. Lol. I think those people are paranoid
I get accused of that by people too. But I find it funny that this usually happens when someone brings up religion to me and wants to discuss it. I never bring up religion/invite debate in my real life. Those people aren't secure in their beliefs.
My step-mom is like that though. She basically thinks anyone who doesn't believe in the Christian God is essentially out to destroy society.
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Oh I see now. Lol. I think those people are paranoid
I get accused of that by people too. But I find it funny that this usually happens when someone brings up religion to me and wants to discuss it. I never bring up religion/invite debate in my real life. Those people aren't secure in their beliefs.
My step-mom is like that though. She basically thinks anyone who doesn't believe in the Christian God is essentially out to destroy society.
So, I can put you down in the "not ethical" category?
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Jade Margery
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It seems a more common practice than that to put people in other groups even when they claim--and clearly are--members of yours, in the following format:
(Insert group here) Christians don't believe/follow/agree with (insert idea here) so they aren't really Christians, they're atheists/agnostics/heretics/followers of Satan/liberals.
Real case examples:
(Insert group here) Christians don't believe/follow/agree with (insert idea here) so they aren't really Christians, they're atheists/agnostics/heretics/followers of Satan/liberals.
Real case examples:
Wheeeeeeee.
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allhart
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The only thing I can respond to this, so called debate is that each person is free to chose. Jesus stated if you come to people in peace and they are open to the Good news stay and visit,but if they are not dust your feet off and move on! People are Going to do what they are going to believe.
Here is a thought or scenario, As a person, do you tell them they are all right or good when they aren't. Just to keep from them getting confrontational, personal or to keep the peace per,say. Evil people do that! Loving on someone is telling them they have some personal issues, zippers down, food on your face or booger on their face. With humility of coarse! And as a child that has learned something new. What is the first thing they do? They tell everyone their good news and share....
Here is a thought or scenario, As a person, do you tell them they are all right or good when they aren't. Just to keep from them getting confrontational, personal or to keep the peace per,say. Evil people do that! Loving on someone is telling them they have some personal issues, zippers down, food on your face or booger on their face. With humility of coarse! And as a child that has learned something new. What is the first thing they do? They tell everyone their good news and share....
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PassionFruit
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The whole "us vs. them" concept is divisive. So no, I don't think it's ethical. I mean, Christianity isn't a monolithic religion, so it would be silly for a non-Christian to label all Christians as being anti-(our group). Just like it's just as silly to label all non-Christians as being anti-Christian.
I think it is because human beings oftentimes tend to think in terms of black and white.
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is it normal for people to draw barriers between them culturally? Is it normal to resist shifting mores and norms?
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Evil people?
Are you not evil, and thus, don't need Jesus' Salvation?
Seeing others as "sinners" by implying you aren't, is, itself, a sin.
As a Lutheran, I was taught that the HS alone can open the heart of the other. It's not about the Christian, but about those whom God reaches out for. Sometimes, for the evangelist, it is about themselves, about being right, about being a know-it-all of God. It's arrogant, it's rude, impatient, boastful as if you saved yourself and deserve to be in heaven.
That is NOT of God. That is against God, and if someone doesn't listen, they are doing the right thing.
Any Christian should come to another in humility. They should approach and listen, not just preach. They should demonstrate love, and draw people to Christ, not demand it.
I believe that we are all God's Children, and once you do, your attitude changes a lot. One Christian used to tell me, "God only loves his Children. He doesn't hear your prayers, Beanie." I asked, "But the bible says that we love him because he loved us first. The scripture isn't right? If I pray to ask God into my heart and forgive my sins, he won't hear me, because I'm not Christian yet?"
OF COURSE no one is going to listen to that bologna! It goes against scripture, does not serve God at all, but man, and shouldn't be listened to, but those with a big head and ego with say, "Well, fine! I'm going to shake the dust off of my sandals" and have no idea what they are talking about.
Is loving someone ONLY telling someone that their zipper is down?
Answer this:
When I was in college, there were nonchristians who said that gay people made them sick, and wished they could line them up and shoot them.
At the same time, there were some Christians who said that gay people were disgusting, abominations of God, and the Leviticus called for the death penalty, and we should follow the Mosaic Code.
Both were saying they wished they could execute me. Both often used vulgar names for "gay."
But you suggest that evil people and loving people do opposite things.
So, why could I not tell the difference?
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From a Christian perspective, everyone is God's child, so either you are willing to see the potential for all people to come to God, or you prefer an "Us vs. Them" because you actually want some people to go to hell, because it makes you feel good. Maybe that person deserves it. Maybe you don't think they are worth it or don't deserve to go to heaven. Maybe you have convinced yourself that you are right, and everyone else is wrong, because you have never been wrong before, have you?
It's like flying 1st class. Members Only. It makes you feel big.
But it isn't of God.
God leaves the 99 for the 1.
Those who simply shrug and think: better him than me, are serving the enemy, and don't even know it.
It's like flying 1st class. Members Only. It makes you feel big.
But it isn't of God.
God leaves the 99 for the 1.
Those who simply shrug and think: better him than me, are serving the enemy, and don't even know it.
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From the same book people like to quote when they quote about homosexuality:
Leviticus 19:18:
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
and 19:34:
The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
If you consider yourself the spiritual successors to the Israelites, and believe that the "moral laws" have not disappeared, as these both appear to be, follow them.
Leviticus 19:18:
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
and 19:34:
The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
If you consider yourself the spiritual successors to the Israelites, and believe that the "moral laws" have not disappeared, as these both appear to be, follow them.
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Loving someone means telling them their zipper is down and not laughing at them or belittling them for it.
When we as Christians laugh at those who aren't in our fold, or when we belittle them, we do nothing to spread God's word around. We, in fact, turn people away from it.
When we as Christians laugh at those who aren't in our fold, or when we belittle them, we do nothing to spread God's word around. We, in fact, turn people away from it.
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One must wonder how many people decided not to be a Christian because of that kind of behavior.
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