Why are some people scared of taking a stand?

[Kenyan Jamaa]

Originally Posted by Kenyan chic

(No, its not a sex thread)

But I was wondering why when people claim to be religious (e.g ameokoka), why do they hide it from some friends like it is some form of plague? If you call someone a friend, you should be able to be open about a stand such as that without fear, sio?

On the other hand, on this thread (even though it is not under "Religion"), I applaud all those Mashadites who are strong to their religious beliefs - whichever religion they may be - and I hope that you don't get swayed by the drama that we sometimes have in here.

-->Yes, lately I've been feeling religious like that

Taking a stand means taking responsibility for your actions and words.. We are wired to shirk those. And hey sis.. how are you? @ KC

[YB*]

Originally Posted by Jay-R

Two cannot walk together unless they agree..i keep wondering (not that am that holy..) once one declares themselves saved (umeokoka) u cease to be the person u were, albeit gradually,(bible would put it as ' new creation'),u start associating with ua kind..(to help u grow).why do ple insist on keeping friends who r simply stumbling blocks to them???
[/COLOR].

@Jay-R

I once had a pastor who gave us this very practical example

One day a practical christian preacher invited a part of his congregation for lunch, they had the same view that you have expressed here. So he had his cook prepare a beautiful meal with the most appetising aroma, beef stew it was.

So they all sat down, gave thanks, blessed the meal and got down to business, shortly the first guest to dig in found the salt to be tasteless, because he said the food has no salt, this was echoed by all the rest.

The preacher insisted that the food had salt, but they begged to differ, they told him that it did not one even had him taste from their plate, the pastor told them look, he dipped into the serving bowl and took out a satchet of salt and showed them here is the salt.

They were amazed and found him rather crude and un-informed, asking him how can the food get any flavour or taste when the salt is still in the satchet.

True, 'Saved' christians and practising christians in general need to congregate for spiritual nourishment, but the essence of your calling is to broadcast its goodness to those who dont know it or about it or those who are just plain stubborn.

If you all congregate together and avoid the people who are supposedly in need of change, how will they change how will they "see" the goodness and not just hear it as is the oft case?. Humans do not want to hear a testimony, they want to see it, infact should you get saved, your unsaved friends should be the ones you are with, so that they can see the change, because they have a before picture and an after picture.

If there is true genuine change and joy, they will see it and will thirst for it, maybe not all but you are bound to get a few. The issue is not about being with only those you are alike, the mantra is spread the "good news" by word and deed

You are the salt of the earth - So please flavour the food!!!

[Kenyan chic]

@JR, Very interesting sermon...

@KJ, vipi? I'm doing great! Thanks for asking.

@MUK, ati I'm "getting back to church"? LOL! I've always been in church. Just coz I rant a few "off" things in here doesn't mean that mimi ni mkafiri. On the other hand, kudos to you for your involvement!

@Sanaa, you need to stay up more! LOL - & the "church without salt", maybe indicates that you should try a different church? I must say that I'm very happy with my church, & after every sermon I usually feel very "renewed" & ready to face the week ahead.

@Barb, Kenyan Jew? I think we can have a very nice & interesting conversation sometime - And are you getting ready for Shavuot this coming Monday?

As for the other waumini, I also don't like people shoving their religion/beliefs down my throat - so in return/respect, I don't force it down anyone's throat either. At the end of the day, we're all human & need to respect each other's choices without judgement/prejudice

[carolecarole]

Originally Posted by Kenyan chic

@JR, Very interesting sermon...

@Barb, Kenyan Jew? I think we can have a very nice & interesting conversation sometime - And are you getting ready for Shavuot this coming Monday?
As for the other waumini, I also don't like people shoving their religion/beliefs down my throat - so in return/respect, I don't force it down anyone's throat either. At the end of the day, we're all human & need to respect each other's choices without judgement/prejudice

Hebu tell me,how does one know that they are jews?
Kama Ethiopians most of them claim they are Jew?
I wanna be one.LOL.

[Nxele]

@KC

Did you walk down the road to Damascus ?

Life can test one in ways very unimaginable . You will only know who you truly are after you have withstood/succumbed to the litmus tests .

Let me give you something to ponder anew....

Can you believe that at one point during the sunset of her life Mother Teresa had to go for counselling and seek continous mentorship because she believed that there was no God ?

RELIGION is good for it shapes and moulds a man , lest one becomes law unto thyself .

[YB*]

Originally Posted by Nxele

RELIGION is good for it shapes and moulds a man , lest one becomes law unto thyself .

Everything that happens to a man, shapes and moulds a man, even the lack of religion will mould one into being non religious.

We attribute so many things in our lives to religion, what can we attribute to pure humaness? Were it not for religion, would we steal? would we kill with impunity? would we view other humans as collateral damage in out pursuit for money?

All the above mentioned happens within religion, as per definition a high majority of people are in religions. Is there a culture that exists or existed outside religion? Is it a human need to believe in something grand?

Having said that, are we experiencing a new age of consciousness, where man at last has the guts to live outside religion (atheism), mental evolution perhaps, are we in a key transition period and we are not even aware?

[chemical]

something caught my eye...

so that they can see the change, because they have a before picture and an after picture.

Exactly! thats why if someone introduces himself as "i am brother so and so and I am saved"..all sorts of red warning lights go off in my skull...one should wait untill one is asked..after ones behaviour has been noticed...I have found the ones who scream "saved" the loudest are the ones who will make off with your wallet first chance they get.....

[Tactician]

Originally Posted by chemical

something caught my eye...



Exactly! thats why if someone introduces himself as "i am brother so and so and I am saved"..all sorts of red warning lights go off in my skull...one should wait untill one is asked..after ones behaviour has been noticed...I have found the ones who scream "saved" the loudest are the ones who will make off with your wallet first chance they get.....

For me religion is a no-no...

I have attended church many times and sorry to say but i a large % of the self christened "saved" people are just plain hypocrites with whom you cannot have a discussion.

I remember discussing with one guy last year about salvation, end times, new heaven and new earth....when i presented my views, he launched a rabid attack on me calling me all manners of monikers eg misguided, down the wrong path etc.

Yet wheni asked the biblical basis of his assertions or faith (blind faith to me) he could not produce any. When i showed him what the Bible that he carries around says, he was in denial saying am denying what is common knowlegde.

My experience with saved christians is that they take what the preacher says to be gospel truth...very few churches encourage a holistic bible study program to enable them realise what the bible says!

The classic example is when preachers and saved guys keep saying that they shall go to heaven!!

The bible clearly says that there shall be a new heaven and a new earth - and the people judged to be clean shall reside on the new earth....thats why jesus says in the lords prayer that "may thy kingdom come" he never said, "may we travel to the father's kingdom"

I can mention many examples of these...

christian religion to me is the greatest threat to following god....the traditiosn, pagan rites, pagan beliefs, practices that are rolled into xniaty and not suported by the same bible are simply too many!

i therefore avoid saved guys like the plague....they too judgemental based on wrong premises

[Fraglante]

@Tactician, please don’t spank my booty. Let me ask what your take is on these two verses:

1) Darkness cannot mix with light. Meaning those who are saved should mingle ONLY with their own and steer clear of those who are not saved lest they get derailed/tainted/dirtied.

2) You are to be the salt and the light unto the earth. Meaning those who are saved should not just mingle with their kind but should take it upon themselves to spread the word. Ofcourse that can only be done through disregarding the 'darkness and light' verse.

Your take?

[al-zalzalah]

Originally Posted by Kenyan chic

But I was wondering why when people claim to be religious (e.g ameokoka), why do they hide it from some friends like it is some form of plague? If you call someone a friend, you should be able to be open about a stand such as that without fear, sio?

i agree. if they are true friends one should be able to take a stand. so it raises questions about the type of friendship, and also about how insecure the person is. some people are scared that if they just relax and show themselves as they are they won't be so likable.

but i find it's not just 'religious' people who do this. even the opposite applies. ie people who hang out with the 'saved' crowd, but their heart is not really there. they go to the kanisa, attend the bible study, socialize with the people, but they don't really agree with what's being said, and feel empty because of it. peer pressure is what is keeping them there.

whatever the case may be, it's better if somebody is just honest with himself or herself, and finds his or her own level of comfort.