Deeds not words

[floo]

deleted

[Alien]

Hmm. Is this "a not hiding my light under a bushel" or" not showing off to gain recognition" time?

[Owlswing]

There are some Christians who do a lot for others, but would probably do so even if they were non believers. However there are other Christians who think they have done their bit by running off at the mouth about their faith, but do nothing practical to help those in need! Deeds are much better than words, imo.

As a Christian what do you do to help others in need?

I know that I am not a Christian but even I, a Pagan, am getting more than a little fed up with you. You are a real "one-trick-pony", and topics that you start are monotonously repetitive - everyone on this forum knows that you are about as rabid an anti-Christian atheist as it is poossible to be.

To be honest I am amazed that any of the Christians on the forum are bothered to even read your topics. I certainly shall not be in the future; responses, yes, possibly - topics, NO!

[OH MY WORLD!]

floo,
So you know a lot of Christians that don't do anything for others floo? Really, I doubt that any Christian has confessed that to you.
And being that you bash God here and praise and plead to him in prayer poems elsewhere on the internet, I don't care to read about your charity work because you are not credible.

[BashfulAnthony]

Hmm. Is this "a not hiding my light under a bushel" or" not showing off to gain recognition" time?

Matthew 5.15

…14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Read the parable Jesus told of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector:



https://lifehopeandtruth.com/.../the-pharisee-and-the-tax-collector/‎

[BashfulAnthony]

There are some Christians who do a lot for others, but would probably do so even if they were non believers. However there are other Christians who think they have done their bit by running off at the mouth about their faith, but do nothing practical to help those in need! Deeds are much better than words, imo.

As a Christian what do you do to help others in need?

I know that I am not a Christian but even I, a Pagan, am getting more than a little fed up with you. You are a real "one-trick-pony", and topics that you start are monotonously repetitive - everyone on this forum knows that you are about as rabid an anti-Christian atheist as it is poossible to be.

To be honest I am amazed that any of the Christians on the forum are bothered to even read your topics. I certainly shall not be in the future; responses, yes, possibly - topics, NO!

Exactly.  I heartily agree.

[Owlswing]

There are some Christians who do a lot for others, but would probably do so even if they were non believers. However there are other Christians who think they have done their bit by running off at the mouth about their faith, but do nothing practical to help those in need! Deeds are much better than words, imo.

As a Christian what do you do to help others in need?

I know that I am not a Christian but even I, a Pagan, am getting more than a little fed up with you. You are a real "one-trick-pony", and topics that you start are monotonously repetitive - everyone on this forum knows that you are about as rabid an anti-Christian atheist as it is poossible to be.

To be honest I am amazed that any of the Christians on the forum are bothered to even read your topics. I certainly shall not be in the future; responses, yes, possibly - topics, NO!

Exactly.  I heartily agree.

I knew you would!

[Rhiannon]

It's other people's business what they do.

[SweetPea]

Thank you, CMG and Rhiannon for your support.

[Hope]

I will continue to challenge the nastier aspects of Christianity, like those who proselytise but do nothing useful! I have already said there are decent Christians around who do a lot of good. However, they tend not to be the fundies on the whole!

And just how many fundies are there on this board, Floo? 

[BashfulAnthony]

Hmm. Is this "a not hiding my light under a bushel" or" not showing off to gain recognition" time?

Matthew 5.15

…14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Read the parable Jesus told of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector:



https://lifehopeandtruth.com/.../the-pharisee-and-the-tax-collector/‎

Well unfortunately there are Christians who come across as more resembling the description of the Pharisee, it's just they do it by claiming to be "born again" and better than others ( including other Christians)

Sometimes they abuse people, and they can come from any denomination.

In fact I've met a few that have really looked down on the whole  idea of good deeds as being pointless.

Not all Christians are like that obviously, but there are enough to be disturbing.

Perhaps they are so intent on their faith they are unaware of the impression they are creating.

There is an unplea...

Of course;  but there are most certainly atheists like that, and others of every belief.  Always pick on Christians, eh?  I'm not an apologist for all Christians, though you seem to have taken it upon yourself to denigrate whenever you can.  You say, "Well unfortunately there are Christians who come across as more resembling the description of the Pharisee..."    Name some.  It's easy to make an assertion like that:  justify it.

[Owlswing]

Well unfortunately there are Christians who come across as more resembling the description of the Pharisee, it's just they do it by claiming to be "born again" and better than others ( including other Christians)

Sometimes they abuse people, and they can come from any denomination.

In fact I've met a few that have really looked down on the whole  idea of good deeds as being pointless.

Not all Christians are like that obviously, but there are enough to be disturbing.

Perhaps they are so intent on their faith they are unaware of the impression they are creating.

There is an unplea...

Of course;  but there are most certainly atheists like that, and others of every belief.  Always pick on Christians, eh?  I'm not an apologist for all Christians, though you seem to have taken it upon yourself to denigrate whenever you can.  You say, "Well unfortunately there are Christians who come across as more resembling the description of the Pharisee..."    Name some.  It's easy to make an assertion like that:  justify it.

And, of course, you will know every single Christian that Rose knows, won't you, so that you will be able to refute the charge against any one she names!

[Hope]

It seems that the only Scripture a Bible believer knows about good works is that we are not saved by them (Eph. 2:8,9)! Sadly, many have further adopted an attitude about good works that they are virtually insignificant. Therefore, this article should be very surprising as it reveals Biblical truths about this important subject. Christians are to let their light shine which means that they are to do good deeds before others, even the unsaved:


http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/goodworks.htm

This article shows it quite nicely.

I think that the issue with that article is that it is American and perhaps reflects a fairly small group of readers.  I would have to say that of the American Christians I know well, none could be said to fit the picture this provides.  As for the UK Christians I know, the verse the writer quotes would probably come fairly low in any list of references to 'good works'.  I suppose it deopends on whether one is an evangelical, a fundie, or a liberal.  The former and the latter would seem to have a good balance in their understanding of the place of good works.

[Owlswing]

The sort of person you are is far more important than having any sort of faith. If you are decent, honest and try to help others, that is much more to be prized than anything else, imo.

Wew might not agree on some things but this post - definitely.

Too many people, of many faiths, talk the talk but haven't bothered to learn the walk! All mouth and no action - my ex-mother-in-law for one.

[BashfulAnthony]

Well unfortunately there are Christians who come across as more resembling the description of the Pharisee, it's just they do it by claiming to be "born again" and better than others ( including other Christians)

Sometimes they abuse people, and they can come from any denomination.

In fact I've met a few that have really looked down on the whole  idea of good deeds as being pointless.

Not all Christians are like that obviously, but there are enough to be disturbing.

Perhaps they are so intent on their faith they are unaware of the impression they are creating.

There is an unplea...

Of course;  but there are most certainly atheists like that, and others of every belief.  Always pick on Christians, eh?  I'm not an apologist for all Christians, though you seem to have taken it upon yourself to denigrate whenever you can.  You say, "Well unfortunately there are Christians who come across as more resembling the description of the Pharisee..."    Name some.  It's easy to make an assertion like that:  justify it.

And, of course, you will know every single Christian that Rose knows, won't you, so that you will be able to refute the charge against any one she names!

Of course I won't, and that's the whole point, which you've missed - it is pointless to talk in such general and unjustifiable terms.

[Hope]

The sort of person you are is far more important than having any sort of faith. If you are decent, honest and try to help others, that is much more to be prized than anything else, imo.

I think that the two go hand in hand, Floo.  Remember that 'faith' is a very wide term, and needn't involve a belief in a deity.  After all, other words for 'faith' are 'trust' or 'belief'.  One can have 'trust' or 'belief' in humanity's ability to resolve its own problems.

[Hope]

Wew might not agree on some things but this post - definitely.

Too many people, of many faiths, talk the talk but haven't bothered to learn the walk! All mouth and no action - my ex-mother-in-law for one.

And, of course, this applies equally to those who claim not to have a faith, Matt.  As such, it makes your post, and Floo's original with which you are agreeing of very little overall value as they are both generalisations (something that Floo is only too good at)

[Owlswing]

The sort of person you are is far more important than having any sort of faith. If you are decent, honest and try to help others, that is much more to be prized than anything else, imo.

I think that the two go hand in hand, Floo.  Remember that 'faith' is a very wide term, and needn't involve a belief in a deity.  After all, other words for 'faith' are 'trust' or 'belief'.  One can have 'trust' or 'belief' in humanity's ability to resolve its own problems.

Then why bother with your god?

[Hope]

Then why bother with your god?

Why bother with 'my' god?  Because I believe that belief/faith/trust in the creator of all things enables me to be more in tune with the needs, concerns, fears (and happiness) of my fellow humans than not having that belief/.../... . 

[floo]

Then why bother with your god?

Why bother with 'my' god?  Because I believe that belief/faith/trust in the creator of all things enables me to be more in tune with the needs, concerns, fears (and happiness) of my fellow humans than not having that belief/.../... .

If it makes you happy wanting to believe that fine. It certainly didn't work for me.

[Aruntraveller]

Then why bother with your god?

Why bother with 'my' god?  Because I believe that belief/faith/trust in the creator of all things enables me to be more in tune with the needs, concerns, fears (and happiness) of my fellow humans than not having that belief/.../... .

Personally I've never really noticed that about you.

[Outrider]

Athiests seem to think for example if we were all a bit more educated we couldn't possibly fail to see it their way.

Some atheists - maybe even most. I think, more accurately, we think that if people were more widely educated in childhood they'd not adopt adherence to a particular religion - they might still be theists, but being exposed to a range of faiths and seeing the equally unsupported claims they all make would prevent the tribalist elements of particular creeds taking hold quite as strongly.

From my personal point of view, and I suspect others hold a similar viewpoint, faith doesn't bother me particularly, religion bothers me.

Religious people do the same in that they feel if the non religious look for God their lives will be richer.

In my (limited) experience, religious people feel that if the non-religious - and other religions - could only find the god they accept, those people's lives would be richer.

I prefer those people, religious or otherwise, who would just like people to be better and their lives to be richer regardless of how they do it.

O.

We are all different though.
[/quote]

[Rhiannon]

I've let my kids make up their own paths. Currently I have one pagan, one atheist and one footballist. The atheist is also strongly interested in yoga and meditation, which she does in school as well as at home.

The one thing all three are united in disliking is having Christian worship forced on them at school. Only happens at harvest and Christmas but they really get cross about it, in a way that surprises me.

[Rhiannon]

I've let my kids make up their own paths. Currently I have one pagan, one atheist and one footballist. The atheist is also strongly interested in yoga and meditation, which she does in school as well as at home.

The one thing all three are united in disliking is having Christian worship forced on them at school. Only happens at harvest and Christmas but they really get cross about it, in a way that surprises me.

Ask for them to be exempted from Christian worship, that should be possible, unless of course it is a church school.

It's only twice a year. I think it's good practice for the weddings and baptisms to come.

[Owlswing]

I think it's good practice for the weddings and baptisms to come.

Momma hopes!