tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post6182482791157436901..comments2024-03-27T23:42:36.619-05:00Comments on Mock Ramblings: How NOT to talk to former ChristiansMichael Mockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-37001730429894693232011-02-17T09:01:30.497-06:002011-02-17T09:01:30.497-06:00"Forgiven?"
I'll have to reconsider..."Forgiven?"<br /><br />I'll have to reconsider using "you wouldn't do this to a current believer, so why would you do it to a former believer?" as an argument. Apparently there's a non-trivial number of people who actually think that's okay. ::grumbles::Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-34751380938499199872011-02-17T08:06:06.035-06:002011-02-17T08:06:06.035-06:00"I agree, the sentiment is commonly expressed..."I agree, the sentiment is commonly expressed among members of the same denomination. What I don't see is individual, say, Catholics going up to random Methodists on the street and trying to explain that they aren't true Christians."<br /><br />Though, I've found as a Catholic the evangelicals have a particular venom toward our faith. Even going so far as calling us devil worshippers (Because of the symbolism of our Church) Now, keep in mind, a lot of the symbols and celebrations of Christianity as a whole were borrowed from Pagan traditions and ceremonies (Yes, even the Evangelical forms...) It's the pot calling the kettle black. <br /><br />I was told once that I was "forgiven" for being Catholic by an Evangelical. Really. Forgiven?<br /><br />People change, beliefs waver, It seems spiteful to tell someone, "Well, now, I suppose you weren't really what you thought you were in the first place, now that you changed how you view things."<br /><br />The Evangelical movement is what kept me so against any form of religion for a very long time. I am happy to be where I am today in that regard, and quite honestly, no one could force me into changing my mind. ;) No matter how bad they say I am based on my church affiliations.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16716605205592469438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-33125151728399038222011-02-15T22:06:28.837-06:002011-02-15T22:06:28.837-06:00Yeah, you were at least one of the two occasions w...Yeah, you were at least one of the two occasions which happened elsewhere. <br /><br />I've never had it used on me, but I find it highly offensive even when I'm not the target. (And, since that generally leads me to step right in the middle of the ensuing, er, <i>discussion</i>, the folks making the accusation tend to assume that I also consider myself an ex-Christian and don't like being told otherwise. To be fair, that's somewhat true - but I also think that there's a far better case to be made that <i>I</i> was never really a Christian than there is for either you or Dr. Pulliam. But, to be fair to the other side too, it also remains a stupid and specious thing to argue about.)Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-14075622574963659942011-02-15T19:53:14.834-06:002011-02-15T19:53:14.834-06:00Nice summary, Michael. I have had this technique u...Nice summary, Michael. I have had this technique used on me numerous times. I find it to be quite offensive.<br /><br />BruceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-9842875680732907652011-02-15T13:03:19.894-06:002011-02-15T13:03:19.894-06:00I agree, the sentiment is commonly expressed among...I agree, the sentiment is commonly expressed among members of the same denomination. What I don't see is individual, say, Catholics going up to random Methodists on the street and trying to explain that they aren't true Christians.Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-18824041739050822852011-02-15T10:32:45.395-06:002011-02-15T10:32:45.395-06:00Most Christians would be understandably wary of go...<i>Most Christians would be understandably wary of going up to a Christian of another denomination and telling them that they aren't really Christian. Why would you think that former believers would react any differently from current believers?</i><br /><br />Especially under the auspices of talking amongst fellow believers, I have heard many Catholics speak of non-Catholic Christians as being not true Christians, as well as Evangelicals and other denominations looking down upon Catholics or Mormons or other sects.<br /><br />I think this is all just a denial technique to assure themselves that no one who truly knew God could ever turn from the chocolate-flavored love of the Baby Jesus.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.com