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Earlier, I was reading through a thread enquiring about the meaning of the word 'fap.' I would like to post my response the conversation which followed. I have also emailed this response to the senior pastor, but posted it here as well because it is meant for everyone.
Dear Landover Baptist Church Congregation:
My name is Maggie B. I am currently a second semester sophomore attending Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. I plan to major in Classical Studies, and possibly minor in Art or Music. Tomorrow, I will celebrate my 20th birthday. This will mark 20 years of walking with Christ, 20 years of growing in a relationship with Him, and 20 years of an active prayer life. I regularly attend church, even while living at school, and I study His word as often as possible. I consider myself a Christian.
One thing about being a Christian which I take pride in is setting a good example to those non-Christians around me. Christians today have such a negative image; they are considered hypocritical and judgmental. Everyday, I work to dispel that image by setting a compassionate, loving example to everyone with whom I come into contact. Yes, this also means those who believe differently than I do. Though I do not agree with them, I respect their viewpoints, and share my own in a non-argumentative manner. I never judge them or put them down. Rather, I let them know that, though they may not believe in him, God still loves them and shows this through me.
While reading over recent news articles on another site, I found a link to your forum. Specifically, this link led me to a thread debating over the definition of the term 'fap.' What I read there shocked and horrified me. Members of the forum, who attested to being Christians themselves, were harshly putting down and judging others, some of whom were fellow Christians. Members repeatedly called others 'demon' and 'sinner' and were told they were 'going to hell.' These people were treating the newcomers with the same judgmental attitude the newcomers were accused of using (which they weren't!). These newcomers were merely answering the question originally asked. Instead of being thanked for their helpfulness, they were hit with accusations of being obsessed with sex and masturbation.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, did Christ himself not treat non-Christians with love and kindness? He showed compassion to everyone, even the sinners. Yes, he did point out their sin and helped them find salvation, but he did so without calling them 'demon' or tell them they were 'going to hell.' Should we not strive to be Christ-like? Is that not the whole point of being a Christian? We are called to be an example to all, and to bring as many to Him as possible. We cannot do this through attacking others. We must show the 'sinners' of the world the same love which Christ shows us.
It is with this love that I must say that the behavior I saw in that discussion made me ashamed to be a Christian. I was ashamed that, when I say I am a Christian, I would be lumped in with that kind of un-Christ-like behavior. God calls us to show compassion, not to judge. That is left to Him alone.
John 8:7 says: So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Fellow Christians, let us remember what God has called us to do. I am keeping you all in my prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Maggie B.
Dear Landover Baptist Church Congregation:
My name is Maggie B. I am currently a second semester sophomore attending Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. I plan to major in Classical Studies, and possibly minor in Art or Music. Tomorrow, I will celebrate my 20th birthday. This will mark 20 years of walking with Christ, 20 years of growing in a relationship with Him, and 20 years of an active prayer life. I regularly attend church, even while living at school, and I study His word as often as possible. I consider myself a Christian.
One thing about being a Christian which I take pride in is setting a good example to those non-Christians around me. Christians today have such a negative image; they are considered hypocritical and judgmental. Everyday, I work to dispel that image by setting a compassionate, loving example to everyone with whom I come into contact. Yes, this also means those who believe differently than I do. Though I do not agree with them, I respect their viewpoints, and share my own in a non-argumentative manner. I never judge them or put them down. Rather, I let them know that, though they may not believe in him, God still loves them and shows this through me.
While reading over recent news articles on another site, I found a link to your forum. Specifically, this link led me to a thread debating over the definition of the term 'fap.' What I read there shocked and horrified me. Members of the forum, who attested to being Christians themselves, were harshly putting down and judging others, some of whom were fellow Christians. Members repeatedly called others 'demon' and 'sinner' and were told they were 'going to hell.' These people were treating the newcomers with the same judgmental attitude the newcomers were accused of using (which they weren't!). These newcomers were merely answering the question originally asked. Instead of being thanked for their helpfulness, they were hit with accusations of being obsessed with sex and masturbation.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, did Christ himself not treat non-Christians with love and kindness? He showed compassion to everyone, even the sinners. Yes, he did point out their sin and helped them find salvation, but he did so without calling them 'demon' or tell them they were 'going to hell.' Should we not strive to be Christ-like? Is that not the whole point of being a Christian? We are called to be an example to all, and to bring as many to Him as possible. We cannot do this through attacking others. We must show the 'sinners' of the world the same love which Christ shows us.
It is with this love that I must say that the behavior I saw in that discussion made me ashamed to be a Christian. I was ashamed that, when I say I am a Christian, I would be lumped in with that kind of un-Christ-like behavior. God calls us to show compassion, not to judge. That is left to Him alone.
John 8:7 says: So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Fellow Christians, let us remember what God has called us to do. I am keeping you all in my prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Maggie B.
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