Anti-Christian, or Anti-Baptist? What have you encountered?

[GreenEyedLady]

I am just wondering how you have felt when you were rejected in society as a christian or for being a baptist. I know there is alot of talk on this site about how people are ANTI this and that. That is not what I want to talk about.
I want to talk about real live situations where you felt someone hated you because of your beliefs or in someway rejected you because you are a christian.
Too tell you the truth, ever since my daughter died and God has filled me to the point that ANYONE who knows me, knows that the Lord is in me, my family and friends have treated me differantly. I have not preached to them so to speak, but because I live the life I am living for Christ, I am left out of situation, when I see my brother he tells me he is convicted. He even said that his friends were intimidated with me because i was so HOLY. Yes, that is the word he used. HOLY??? WOW, that was something I NEVER thought anyone would ever call me!
I hate that wall that people put up once they know you are a christian. Do you knwo what I am talking about? As far as my Anti-Christian thing, I was severly attacked by my aunt, who is my only living elder relative for being a christian and for living my life for the Lord.
Tell your story. I want to hear!
GEL

[QuagDabPeg]

I've never been really attacked for it, but I went to a really liberal Catholic high school, and I used to get into confrontations w/ the religion teachers a lot. When I objected to my teacher's idea of the ressurection being more of a "spiritual" thing rather than an actual rising, he apparently discussed the trouble I was making in class with the other teachers becasue the next morning I ran into the other religion teacher on the way into the locker room and she cornered me and said "So I understand you're having problems with the ressurection." Then when on to explain how actually the apostles -stole- Jesus body from the tomb and the "miracle" was how they were able to overcome their fear and the Romans! *rolls eyes*

[aReformedPatriot]

Ive had friends mock me for my faith, I even lost one. To be expected though. In terms of 'baptist' before I 'became' one, I had always heard that they were pig headed.

[FreeinChrist]

In terms of 'baptist' before I 'became' one, I had always heard that they were pig headed.
well, I have known a few that are....:D . You should meet some of my relatives. :doh: :P

[aReformedPatriot]

haha, how terrible :P

[rural_preacher]

I have been attacked and ridiculed for being a Christian, but never specifically for being a baptist. Usually when people of other denominations find out I'm a "baptist pastor" they ask questions of curiosity about how baptists are different from their denomination (this happens a lot with Lutherans...they are very prominent around these parts).

As far as being persecuted or shut out because of your faith in Christ, God's Word has much to say about it:

John 15:
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

II Timothy 3:
12Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

[SumTinWong]

Hey GEL great question.

I have not experienced hate but I did experience some changes in attitudes in some people. When I told my mom I was a Christian she was happier than anything because she had been praying for that. When I told her I was attending a Baptist church she told me to watch out because they were very legalistic. She is Pentecostal, so compared to the two she is right :)

I have had neighbors come to me and ask me to pray for their relatives, and yesterday I had a friend that I was helping tell me he did not have my moral convictions about pirated software, so I guess that was different.

[Steve_SandbachBaptist_UK]

I think more people are anti Christian than anti Baptist. I think the non-christian's attitude to our faith varies on the person; some are very open minded, others are not. Sometimes they have a particular reason to be 'anti-christian', other times I think they are just being a tad ignorant.

Steve

[jcright]

My story...pull up a monitor and mouse and be prepared to scroll:)


I have never had the feeling that I'm hated...either as a christian scientist or as a Christian. I have, however, had the feelling that people feel concerned for me. I've had the feeling that people pity me because of what I believe. I know some people are intimidated (although, people have always been intimidated by me whether I've shown my religious fervor or not). You've been called Holy...Carina's family calls me the Church Boy:)

So how have I felt? I do get defensive. I try and stay calm though. I attempt to persue conversations that will lead to resolution or understanding. The interesting thing though, is who has put me on the defense:). You might be surprised to find that it's been other Baptists who also contribute to the social rejection.

Baptist do have a negative stigma attached to them. I was very hesitant to go to a Baptist church for the first time...and that was only for a volleyball game, it wasn't for a service. Oddly enough, I was talking about this very thing with a co-worker just yesterday. I was telling her that our church dropped the name "Baptist" because it frightens people. Instead, they are now calling themselves Woodside Bible. What the people don't know is that we still adhere to the same doctrine that we have always adhered to. However, they don't know that and therefore are more willing to visit our church, more willing to stay at our church, more willing to grow in Christ.

It's sad that labels, be it Baptist or Christian, keeps people from socializing.

[P_G]

Yes absolutely I have as recently as this week

As you may know we just bought a building to house the Nehemiah Center. About 2 weeks ago we had a spiritual march which I reported here. It was a grand time attended by folks for 8 different Christian denomonations!
WE planted a 9 foot cross out front of that old bar. What a wonderful thing. WE began to tear out the bar with the Christian and Israelli flags waving. Found drug paraphanalia too! Some crack pipes and also of all things a wedding band in the bar.

Well guess what! The neighbors complained that we were having Church services there to the Zoning board! They wanted a Bar and Crack house there more than a church! We are shut down for now till we get all the zoning stuff down.

We are heart broken and as for me I am completely broke as I put my life savings into this thing! The level of hatred was unreal! Well we shall rise again mind you we need to raise THOUSANDS of dollars. We trust that G-d shall provide so we can get the stuff the township is demanding.

They shall hate you for my namesake!


PG

[mesue]

I have found that I am held to a higher standard by people of different denominations who also call themselves Christian. Isn't that silly? Shouldn't they be held to the same standard they hold me to?

[Sword-In-Hand]

I have a few friends who are athiest or agnostic and there attitude toward me is weird at best. They seem to feel sorry for me because my mind is "so closed" and not open to the other possibilities of creation and how one attains salvation. How sad they feel this way toward me when it is there soul that needs to be touched by the Lord. One in particular makes fun of God all the time when I mention all the things He's done for me. I take in stride when they make fun of me, but when they actually call out the Lord to make fun of Him, that tends to push a few of my buttons.

Alot of the persecution I deal with as a Baptist comes from other Baptists! Our church is on fire for the Lord. We went from a congregation of 33 to now over 400 in four years. 109 people were saved and baptized last year alone. For a rural community like we live in that is astounding and solely the work of Jesus. Our services aren't hindered by traditions. Sure we sing hmyns, have a piano and organ, but we also have electric guitars and drums. We lift our hands and worship God as if He is still living. Hey what a concept! Our other Baptist churches in the area tend to hold resentment against us and talk trash about our congregation, which all that is really doing is keeping people from coming and meeting the Lord. Sad isn't it?

It just bothers me that sometimes the strongest Anti-Christian or Anti-Baptist flack comes from people who actually call themselves Christians and Baptists.

[aReformedPatriot]

Yes absolutely I have as recently as this week

As you may know we just bought a building to house the Nehemiah Center. About 2 weeks ago we had a spiritual march which I reported here. It was a grand time attended by folks for 8 different Christian denomonations!
WE planted a 9 foot cross out front of that old bar. What a wonderful thing. WE began to tear out the bar with the Christian and Israelli flags waving. Found drug paraphanalia too! Some crack pipes and also of all things a wedding band in the bar.

Well guess what! The neighbors complained that we were having Church services there to the Zoning board! They wanted a Bar and Crack house there more than a church! We are shut down for now till we get all the zoning stuff down.

We are heart broken and as for me I am completely broke as I put my life savings into this thing! The level of hatred was unreal! Well we shall rise again mind you we need to raise THOUSANDS of dollars. We trust that G-d shall provide so we can get the stuff the township is demanding.

They shall hate you for my namesake!


PG
Well if the Lord wasnt our provider id be tempted to say that your screwed. But this will end up blessing you no doubt. :P

What kind of 'zone' do you need to put a church in?

[P_G]

Well if the Lord wasnt our provider id be tempted to say that your screwed. But this will end up blessing you no doubt. :P

What kind of 'zone' do you need to put a church in?


BABY WE NEED TO BE IN THE THRONE ZONE!!!!!!

Somebody say AMEN up in here!


We just have to get a change of use from
umm Crack House
to Church

You would think this was a no brainer right?


PG

[Sword-In-Hand]

BABY WE NEED TO BE IN THE THRONE ZONE!!!!!!

Somebody say AMEN up in here!




PG
:amen:

I will be praying for you and your center. I think God has something better in store for you.

[aReformedPatriot]

BABY WE NEED TO BE IN THE THRONE ZONE!!!!!!

Somebody say AMEN up in here!


We just have to get a change of use from
umm Crack House
to Church

You would think this was a no brainer right?


PG
:amen:

Lol, PG you crack me up.

You should write the mayor and his staff a letter that includes photos of what your doing, along with a description. Surely they would rather see a church then a nasty crack bar.

[rural_preacher]

AMEN!:clap:

[AJ]

I have experienced both anti-christian and anti-baptist treatment. Several people that I work with do not agree with the Biblical views on homosexuality, abortion and marriage... My moral views on these are not the same as theirs. I generally avoid the topics, since they are not proper for the workplace... Especially since I am a supervisor.

Other than that, I have really not had much experience though.

[Cright]

I have felt pity from one (suspect a few others) that is a more legalistic Baptist than I.

I have felt that my Catholic family feels 'sad' for me, that I'm not Catholic, but not because I'm Christian or Baptist in peticular.

I had been taught that Baptists believe that Catholics are going to HeIl by my Catholic family members ... however, I don't blame them for feeling this way to be honest. They got the idea because my cousin's grandma used to send my 3 aunts and uncle homemade jams and jellies every year for Christmas w/ letters saying they were going to hell and tracts that described what hell was and who would go there (the unsaved). But the sad thing is my family based all Baptist beliefs on the one cracked old woman that they knew to be Baptist. I'm trying to undo the years of ick that she loaded into my families head. eek.

Carina

[labellady]

I haven't encountered much anti-baptist in the area where I live. However, I have a friend that has commented to me that baptists beg for money. My church doesn't. Has any one else come across this?

[labellady]

Also, I forgot to put in my last post....I didn't catch who it was but the one who was changing the crack house to a church...zoning problem...You and your project are in my thoughts and prayers. God is in power here, there will be a way! :amen:

[Cright]

I haven't encountered much anti-baptist in the area where I live. However, I have a friend that has commented to me that baptists beg for money. My church doesn't. Has any one else come across this?
nope.. that's not one i've heard. and now having attended a few baptist churches i can say that I don't feel that way at all either.

Carina

[Diane_Windsor]

Growing up Southern Baptist, that sounds like a good book title!, anyhoo I really have not experienced much persecution at all-I grew up in the Bible Belt and went to a private University which has stayed very close to its Baptist roots. I've also read about the persecutions of the Church in Islamic countries, during the Early Church period under Rome, Taliban (Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer come to mind), etc. so I really don't perceive that I am persecuted by anyone in this country. I do not have to put up with the persecutions that our brothers and sisters in other parts (and time periods) of the world have to deal with.

[rural_preacher]

Just to help put things into a little perspective for us American Christians:

The United States of America only comprises about 5% of the world's population. That means that American Christians are a very small minority in the Body of Christ (worldwide).

Most of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world suffer some type of real persecution simply for naming the Name of Jesus Christ.

We here in America are an incredibly blessed few. This Thanksgiving remember Hebrews 13:3...
Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also.
http://www.persecution.com/





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[labellady]

Wow. I didn't realize that, we are 5% of the world population.

Yes, we are very blessed!

[PaladinGirl]

I've never experienced any persecution for being a Christian. :)

[GreenEyedLady]

Just to help put things into a little perspective for us American Christians:

The United States of America only comprises about 5% of the world's population. That means that American Christians are a very small minority in the Body of Christ (worldwide).

Most of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world suffer some type of real persecution simply for naming the Name of Jesus Christ.

We here in America are an incredibly blessed few. This Thanksgiving remember Hebrews 13:3...

http://www.persecution.com/





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:amen:
Amen brother, now I am going to go to the kitchen and eat me some humble pie. That is the truth that is for sure! There are TONS in other countries suffering REAL persucution.
GEL

[rural_preacher]

I thought this looked appropriate for this thread:

Sifted as Wheat
By Bob Coy (Pastor of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. (Mark 14:54 NKJV)

What a depiction of courage turned coward. Yet, you have to admire Peter’s determination and drive to follow Christ. From boldly cutting off an ear to stealthily sneaking into the enemy’s camp, Peter attempts to carry out his rash proclamation to stay till the bitter end. It could have been this reliance on self that set him up to be sideswiped by the devil. I wonder if Peter’s thoughts wandered as he warmed himself at that fire to the words of Jesus that had elicited his emotional pledge of faithfulness unto death:

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:31–33 NKJV)

Like many of us, Peter had underestimated the cunning and craftiness of the enemy. He made two fatal mistakes. First, he thought he could stand in the enemy’s camp without being affected by the enemy’s servants. Second, he thought that his separation from Christ would not impair his ability to be ready for the battle, as long as he could still see Jesus from a distance.

No matter how ready we feel in our own flesh for the day ahead of us, we must remember that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. We need to stay in step with Him, not following at a distance, and avoid the camp of the enemy with its temptations to warm myself. In this life, there is only black and white, right and wrong, good and evil. If we are going to make every decision count for Christ, we must be close enough to hear what He tells us to do.

[ZiSunka]

I want to talk about real live situations where you felt someone hated you because of your beliefs or in someway rejected you because you are a christian.
GEL
I have had a boss tell me that people don't like me because I am a Christian. He dinged me on my evaluation for years. I don't tell participate in a lot of stuff that would offend the Lord, like going out to get drunk, getting in on the lotto pool, playing mean jokes or telling dirty ones, and I don't rush to gossip or hurt others, so I kinda stand out with a "kick me" sign on my back. Sometimes it hurts, and I know it has hurt my career, but what's a Christian supposed to do? Be like the devil monday through friday, then relegate holiness to sunday mornings?