A question

[Songspinner]

What do you say when someone comments that Christianity is to contolling?

I'm at work and I can hear people talking about it, and I'm really not to sure how to answer. i know what I feel, I just don't know how to put it into words! :confused:

[Father Rick]

Ask if they're married...

In a relationship you make adjustments to please your partner.

Christianity is about a relationship with Christ.

[Cjwinnit]

Check your shoulders. If you have no puppet-strings, you're OK.

[Wigglesworth]

34 Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. . . . 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.John 8:34-36 (NLT).

[pmcleanj]

What do you say when someone comments that Christianity is too contolling?

I'm at work and I can hear people talking about it, and I'm really not to sure how to answer. i know what I feel, I just don't know how to put it into words! :confused:
You know, to be honest, I would have to agree that some communities of Christians are too controlling for my taste. I'd point out that that isn't part of the essential nature of Christianity -- that Christianity in fact embraces a considerable range of expression and adiaphoric belief.

Then I'd ask what it is that they find controlling. You might find that it's literal inerrancy -- which we as Anglicans reject; or liturgical worship -- which we as Anglicans have chosen freely in full knowledge that other worship forms exist. You'll probably find that most of their exposure to Christianity comes from a childhood church experience, or from being accosted by Campus Crusade for Christ while on their way to the Students Union Building for a beer.

Listen and ask questions, more than you answer them. Not spouting too many ready answers is a good way to avoid looking over-controlled. It's a good way to learn more about people, too, which is the first step to trust, and thence to evangelism. :angel:

[ahab]

IMO its bound to be seen like this
I think in societies like freedom of choice, the bottom line is one can choose to follow Jesus or not. Thats not controlling. However having believed and accepted Jesus as Lord, one is presented with repentance and the call to follow HIm and obey all He commanded as a disciple. The first disciples gave up everything to follow Jesus, but Jesus was still patient and forgiving as they learnt from Him. I have to say that if we are going to grow we will be challenged by what Jesus requires of us and so the gospel preached by the church is going to be seen as controlling in a way, even for believers.

[PaladinValer]

Some, especially those who want all of X to see things in Y's point of view, make Christianity controlling. However, I do not believe that to be orthodox Christianity at all.

Jesus doesn't want us to be compelled/forced into follow Him (in which case, any "freedom in the Christ" passage in the Scriptures would be mute) or blindly follow Him (why we Anglicans hold strongly to Reason). The only way He wants it is for us to freely follow Him with our own will and reason why.

Thus IMO, orthodox Christians doesn't compel, control, and isn't unreasonable. It is why I believe Anglicanism is an orthodox Christian worship and practice; thanks to in major part by our implication of Holy Reason.

[CSMR]

Christianity isn't controlling because people still do whatever they want, Christian or not. It is altering, not controlling.