Am I a Christian?

Incredibly well-written.
Nice job of articulating your feelings on this issue without a tangient.

As a member of a non-trinitarian faith, I have also been called "not a Christian"--usually by evangelical protestants because I have rejected various ancient creeds as "unscriptural." My response was, "Oh, I didn't know that YOU were a Catholic." (As you know, that always rankles the hairs of the protestants who, in addition to "hating" your church, also hates Catholics.)

This has happened to me so often, in spite of my (what I think are) obvious adherences to the tenants of the Christian faith, including the two Numbero Uno's: Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me & to Love the Lord with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength.

This prompts me to consider why this sort of dialogue happens....

(I will separate into two comments because of space.)

I've thought about why this happens a lot. And I can only come to the same conclusion, and it is the cliche one: defensive posturing out of fear.

I found these individuals rarely know the tenants of their own faith. And as such, they become very afraid of others who do know theirs. It's as though these people are afraid that I might know something that they don't....so they discount me at every turn, and are definitely afraid to investigate what I am saying for fear that I might actually be correct. Then, it would rock their world, and they just can't chance that.

My second thought: your point about WHY the need to spend entire youth service time devoted to raping & pillaging another faith is very good. It tells me that they don't think there are other topics, better ones, to talk with their youth about in America today. This is the same old tired rhetoric that has been going on for centuries within the Christian movement--and boils down to simple playground dynamics: I'm better than you are...no IIIII'mmmmm better than YOU ARE. (tongue sticks out).

I applaud your efforts to attend these services and reach out to these boys. And I do think some day they will recognize what you did there, and it's "Christian" merits--when they tire of all that sad & tired propaganda and look for a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

ShiningCity,

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, its a sad state of affairs when these youth are presented missinformation as if it is the Gospel truth. Paul spoke of those ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. My number one theory for this rhetoric is the profit factor. Need to keep butts in seats to keep that paycheck coming. Its a business for many. Its a CAREER for many more.

I considered several years ago going back to get an advanced degree. I narrowed it down to two subjects of interest in my life: Nutrition and Religion. My doctor mentioned he was enrolled in an on-line program to get a PHD in religion. He gave me the web site and I checked it out. I guess when you are an MD all advance degrees appear to them to be PHD because the organization offered only a masters degree, which would be fine for me. To make a long story short, I reviewed the cariculum and the best I could make of it, it was an quasi MBA how to run a church. The majority of classes had to do with finances and accounting.

I know that is over simplistic at best. People have been believing lies for so long that the truth has become fables. I suppose a the best defense is an even stronger offense. Vilify everyone else and the last one standing must be the right one.

May God's truth set us all free from error.

I agree with your premise on the reasoning behind the issue at a Pastoral/church governance level.

But, how to explain all the people in the audience?

All the parents sincerely defending the teachings of the Pastorate when they haven't worked it through in their own minds. Herd mentality, maybe? I.E. Your long-time friend who surprised you with her feelings on the issue.

Disappointing, too, isn't it what people can believe about subjects for a long-time, and we never know about it--all things seeming to be placid on the surface....then we find out, one day, for whatever reason, the person really has very little respect for us, when everything hits the fan.

Anyway, I enjoyed the posting.

ShiningCity,

The biggest dissapointment is that she spewed the LIES jargon based on an missinformed bigoted author and missinformed bigoted church leaders rather than asking me if I really believe this stuff.

I can't take it too personally however, I'm sure thats just the way she is. We all have our crosses to bear I suppose. She continues to be my friend. I won't have any expectations that she will judge me soley according to my character but instead group me a one of those _______ church goers.