Blog Catalog Discussion: Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?

Shiley on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

Shiley — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:09:26 -0500

When my grandmother, who was a christian, passed away I inherited her wedding and engagement rings. The engagement ring is a symbol of Christianity. It has a large cross in the middle representing the father and two smaller on the sides representing the the son and the holy ghost. If you turn the ring all three images are doves.

I am not a Christian but of all the jewlery that I own that is the jelery that I cherish the most because it belonged to someone I loved dearly.

Would I be offended by the poaster? No, I usually choose to ignore things like that. Where I live there are crosses all along the freeway http://activerain.com/blogsview/66512/Three-Crosses-Along-the-Highway This is throughout the state. It's just there.

ArsenicCookies on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

ArsenicCookies — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:46:05 -0500

"I would find it offensive if he was playing Christian music and handing my proselytizing literature while imploring me to pray for God's forgiveness in Jesus's name when I actually came to get my teeth cleaned."

I agree... That makes sense to me, that I can understand completely

ArsenicCookies on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

ArsenicCookies — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:42:20 -0500

very well put, that was pretty much what I was saying, only your comment spelled it out much more effectively than mine

SweetViolet on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

SweetViolet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:19:41 -0500

I was expressing MY view vis-a-vis EndlesslySheSaid's comment.

Or are you saying I am not permitted to express my view on this thread?

Stillthinking on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

Stillthinking — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:14:00 -0500

Oh please, if you participated more in the threads, you would realize that I am not one of the Christian baiters. I am so tolerant compared to what so many others on BC write in response to religious threads.

I just think religious threads need to have their own forum, not general discussion forums. I am just as adamant about political threads as well.

I think that creating controversial threads regarding theological arguments does anything but make people angry. It doesn't change anyone's minds.

1brncowco on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

1brncowco — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:03:33 -0500

Always dogging on the Christians. See, I find this to be offensive in it's very nature. I haven't been here long enough to make an assessment. But I can tell you one thing, stuff like what you just wrote, promotes nothing but hate. You said itself that it makes people angry. The root of all anger is fear. Fear leads to hate. Please.........

1brncowco on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

1brncowco — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:59:56 -0500

SweetViolet, Bloggernoob wasn't talking about you being offended. They weren't even claiming that you declared that.

THEY were expressing their own views.

Stillthinking on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

Stillthinking — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:00:29 -0500

I don't find it offensive that he hangs a piece of Christian art.

I would find it offensive if he was playing Christian music and handing my proselytizing literature while imploring me to pray for God's forgiveness in Jesus's name when I actually came to get my teeth cleaned.

And as for all the religious threads, I really think using BC as a forum for being a witness for Christ is hideously ineffective. It just makes people mad.

Jaybetee on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

Jaybetee — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:52:34 -0500

some people love jesus. some people lave allah. some people love buddha. you're going to be offended a lot in life if you are offended by other people's faith. i say live and let live. if a dentist does good work and my teeth are shiny and clean, i could care less if he has a picture of jesus on the wall. if you are someone who is offended by that, then just don't go back. seems pretty simple to me.

Jaybetee on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

Jaybetee — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:48:13 -0500

Not sure I understand why people get so offended by other people's religion. I can see getting annoyed if someone is pushing their beliefs on you or telling you that their beliefs are better or more correct than yours. I don't tolerate that. I do think, however, that a professional can choose to hang anything they want in their office. If you do not like it, you have the choice to not support their business. But why does his faith offend you?

SweetViolet on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

SweetViolet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:43:14 -0500

I didn't say I was offended. I said they are hypocrites which causes me to seriously question their ethics, and for that reason I will not patronize them.

I am OK with people of other faiths engaging in the same behaviour as long as they are not violating the teachings of their faith...and engaging in hypocrisy...in doing so.

Jaybetee on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

Jaybetee — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:41:31 -0500

i could never teach a spinning class; my music is too much for the masses. i took over one day bc the teacher was late and hooked my ipod up to the stereo system. there were many complaints files with the teacher when she showed up. ha, i don;t even think my stuff is that bad.

1brncowco on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

1brncowco — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:29:32 -0500

AMEN to that! lol.

rencal on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

rencal — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:07:38 -0500

The question was asked and Christians answered. How is that proselytizing? If you don't like the Christianized posts and what they have to say then don't read them and certainly don't comment on them.

Now as to the question. This dentist has learned his craft and has, I am assuming, a profitable practice (do you really know any poor dentists) He is not making money off of Jesus by hanging a piece of art that he finds attractive. He is just a Christian who is a dentist and likes art.

Would people be just as offended if he hung "The Last Supper" by Da Vinci. Of course not. He is a Christian who happens to have a piece of artwork in his office. If it offends you don't go. You can even send him a note telling him why if you so choose.

Halconite on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

Halconite — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:33:46 -0500

If you only had a cross around you and no other thing to employ as ladder or bridge to save your soul or for the purpose of reaching and be united with your beloved, what's wrong with that?

becthomasphotograp on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

becthomasphotograp — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:58:57 -0500

Did you consider it's what Christians say and how they say it that lets us know when were dealing with a conservative Christian fundamentalist. A person that follows the Buhdist Philosophy (not really a religion) really would not have presented things in the why many Christians do.

becthomasphotograp on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

becthomasphotograp — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:54:29 -0500

1brncowco lectured me with this "I noticed that someone wrote "I refuse to patronize a business that so openingly promotes their religion to others." I was wondering why does it make a difference? Why should it matter to you? Some people view their religion and the money or service they give to be a form of charity. So should a business be punished because they believe in good, love, acceptance, virtue, honesty, forgiveness, serenity, caring, hope, and that's just tip of the ice berg."

Why should I spend MY money at a business I do not support, whose beliefs I do not condone when they so blantantly want me to know where they stand? Promoting their religion to customers has nothing to do with love, acceptance, and yadda yadda. It is making a statement, it is letting everyone who walks in the door know their opinion on religion, it also bring into question their openmindedness and often makes me question their ethics. If I want religion then I would go visit a religious establishment, not a doctors office.

You will also note that I did not once in my statement single out Christianity, I said religion, and that means religion period not just your religion. Also Violet was spot on about some Christians not knowing their own religion in their zealousness to advertise to the world there opinion on religion.

bloggernoob on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

bloggernoob — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:21:45 -0500

the picture had a cross that served as a bridge across the fire flames of hell. it was offensive.

ArsenicCookies on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

ArsenicCookies — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:36:33 -0500

The guy had painting up, it didn't say "and the lord said cometh to this dentist or die" it's a picture. It would seem that the issues of profiting off of something and displaying something are being confused. MY point was I do not get offended when I see things that I don't believe in plastered in places that I do business, because I am not that petty.

when you find me where he said they guy is selling the prints, then I'll take issue. If it is inside the office, people didn't notice it from outside and say "oh cool he's a christian I am sooo going there. I don't know if you remember, we've had this exact same exchange several times, neither of us budge.

*note: do keep in mind that though raised christian over half of my life was spent with my mother who went from straight satanism for 6 years to gardenrian wiccan, so despite how close minded people assume I am due to a religious affiliation, I am actually open to other religions hence the reason I do not get offended nor try to convert others.

SweetViolet on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

SweetViolet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:59:14 -0500

Do the Shinto or Santeria faiths consider mixing commerce with expressions of faith to be sacrilege? Christ threw the moneylenders out of the temple and said that it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven, remember?

Do the Shinto or Santeria faiths proscribe public displays of faith and piety? Christ did...he found a man praying publicly and loudly and told him to go pray quietly in a closet. In fact, if I remember my scripture correctly, Christ said "Thou hypocrite!" to the man.

When people identify with a belief system and then pander to their pockets by doing things their belief system proscribes, I have a problem with that. It is hypocricy and indicates that their ethics are in line with their wallets, not their belief system.

So, of course Christians can be legitimately criticized for behaviours for which Shintos get a free pass. It is being true to your own belief system that is salient here, not everybody being evaluated as if they all believed the same thing!

SweetViolet on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

SweetViolet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:50:13 -0500

It has nothing to do with whether or not your opinion bears weight, it has to do with hypocrisy and ethics. People who claim to be Christian and behave in ways quite the opposite of the teachings of Christ are hypocrites. Like the man who was so publicly pious and used Christianity as his marketing tool (complete with a cross on his business card) who turned out to be a racist, a cheat, and a liar. HE thinks he is a good Christian, but what would Jesus think?

ArsenicCookies on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

ArsenicCookies — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:47:13 -0500

Is it appropriate to have something like this up in a place of business?
Depends on the clients. I go to a Japanese restaraunt that has some shinto shrines in the doorway. I don't really care because they do the job I asked them to do... make me sushi. I go to a record store that is owned by some santeria practicing people and they have all types of weird crap in there, but again they do their job and order my records so I don't care

I know that Christianity can be good for business, especially if you go to a big church. But, would jesus really like that?

An impossible question to answer

Do you guys wear your Christianity on your sleeve. Any other religion? Scientology?

I tend to keep my faith to myself unless I am called to defend it or I see a bunch of people bashing it while letting all of the other ones get away with the same crap they bash christians for. I am luke warm

SweetViolet on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

SweetViolet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:45:05 -0500

I think his ethics are every bit as important as his professional credentials.

Would you patronize him if he had Nazi or Satanic symbols in his office or White Supremacist literature or NAMBLA pamphlets in the waiting room? If the newspaper on the side table had a headline that he has just been convicted of defrauding insurance companies and his patients?

Or are all of these things OK as long as he has the right qualifications for drilling your teeth?

SweetViolet on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

SweetViolet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:32:55 -0500

I grew up Christian (Baptist) but no longer self-identify as a Christian. For me, Christianity is following the examples Christ set and heeding his words: in my experience, the vast majority of those who self-identify as Christians today do neither. They want the name and the reputation of being followers of Christ, but they have no interest in doing the work and self-sacrifice that is necessary.

Christ was the person who threw the moneylenders from the temple. He did that not because moneylending was bad, but because mixing commerce with the sacred was sacrilege. How is flogging Jesus as your corporate partner any different? He was pretty clear about using those things sacred for financial gain...condemnatory.

Today I see all manner of businesses that are not directly related to Christianity (like Christian bookstores) using Jesus as a marketing tool. They expect to gain trust from customers and they expect to pull Christian customers away from competitors who do not advertise their Christian affiliation. This is exactly opposite what Christ demonstrated in the temple...this is using the sacred to further one's business...it is sacrilege and I find it hypocritical and dishonest.

Furthermore, Christ was against people proclaiming their piety in public. He admonished those he found praying in public and told them to go pray quietly in a closet. So, making a public display of one's religious affiliation is unChristlike and not in keeping with the teachings of Jesus, either.

My husband is Hindu, so I know a bit about your doctor's faith. There is nothing in the Gita that admonishes Hindus to pray in private or not to mix their business with their beliefs. So, unlike the so-called Christian who uses his religion to boost his business in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ, the Hindu businessman or doctor is not being a hypocrite by displaying tokens of his faith. That said, the only evidence you will find outside our home that my husband is Hindu...aside from the fact that one look at him tells you he is Indian...is the red string on his right wrist (from the Luxsmi prayers) and the tiny little Ganesha statue under a glass dome on the dashboard of his sports car. Nothing on his business card, nothing in his office, nothing from his lips.

To my mind, people who advertise themselves as Christians in a business setting are anything but Christian because they are ignoring the teachings of Christ and trying to use Christianity as a way to improve their bottom line. This makes them hypocrites at best, dishonest at worst, and I choose not do to business with either.

SweetViolet on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

SweetViolet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:58:02 -0500

TT, I second your commendation.

Interestingly, one of the things I like most about modern Catholicism is its lack of proselytizing. I'm not down with the dogma, but I like that Catholic converts come to the Church, not the other way around. I also know very few Catholics who feel compelled to share, without invitation, their beliefs...again, very much appreciated. I do not have to share a belief to respect it and those who hold it, and I very much respect MmeX's way of living her faith.

kat822 on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

kat822 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:29:28 -0500

again I second that

1brncowco on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

1brncowco — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:19:15 -0500

Who must be a Christian? Me?

You know, after I sat here for a minute and thought about your statement based off guessing, I have to ask, why does that matter to you? Only Christians can think on these lines and not a Buddhist? This is exactly what I'm talking about. It's like my opinion bears no weight because it might be "Christian" based. What's up with that? You know it is just as easy for me to assume you must be a begot and/or a racist if I thought along your lines. So I guess its safe to say, You are. How does that make you feel? Better? Come on, give it break.

bloggernoob on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

bloggernoob — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:02:42 -0500

u must be christian

Sylvia on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

Sylvia — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:30:55 -0500

can I third that....well I did anyway.

I'd be more worried about his qualifications as a dentist than I would his faith.

Happy Easter :)

kat822 on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

kat822 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:14:58 -0500

second that

1brncowco on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

1brncowco — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:14:20 -0500

I noticed that someone wrote "I refuse to patronize a business that so openingly promotes their religion to others." I was wondering why does it make a difference? Why should it matter to you? Some people view their religion and the money or service they give to be a form of charity. So should a business be punished because they believe in good, love, acceptance, virtue, honesty, forgiveness, serenity, caring, hope, and that's just tip of the ice berg. What's up behind that idea. Another aspect to review is food markets. Kosher products are certified that they are safer and cleaner food products. Does that make a difference? If so, why? It's only out there because of religion.

Please excuse my line of questioning. I'm not here to rant, bash or act rude to anyone. I'm here for knowledge, business, and companionship. But, I'm beginning to see a trend arise against religion. But not all religions are included. Just Christianity. I agree that not all Christians are Christ-like, but to sit in judgment of them because they are Christian is serving what good or purpose? I mean, if a person has gone to school, or built a business from scratch and is generally a good person or a GREAT person in their professional field- what matters pertaining to what they hang on their office walls? Why is that so important to you that some persons would boycott or get irritated over. You don't pay their taxes. You haven't walked in their shoes. For all you know the are a wonderful professional, business person, shop owner or neighbor. The bridge goes both ways is all I'm saying. So there "Christian" religious. What gives? Why do you care anyways? Is your life so swallow and empty that you feel the need to be so...um, needy, picky, nasty, I don't know. My doctor is a Hindu. He has his crap hanging everywhere. But I wouldn't want anyone else to cut me open. I could careless what he has hanging in his office. I just don't understand why it should matter.

timethief on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

timethief — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:12:51 -0500

wrong spot :(

aningeniousname on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

aningeniousname — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:09:53 -0500

Here here! "Christians" get a bad name on here due to the people we all know are idiots. Madamex is one of the people who actually give Christians a good name.

timethief on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

timethief — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:11:17 -0500

@MadameX
This is long overdue. I wish to tell you that I recognize you as a true Christian, and that I do respect you for not sharing your faith with others unless or until it's appropriate to do so.

You demonstrate:
Quiet confidence ie. unshakable faith in your faith or belief system and no urgent desire or need to share it.
Discernment ie. knowing when, where and how to share what you believe with others and when, where and how not to.
Restraint ie. the ability to choose not to indulge oneself by entering a room full of strangers and posting topics that are likely to create ill will.

I salute you and sincerely hope that all those self identifying as Christians on this forum will follow your lead.

bloggernoob on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

bloggernoob — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:30:21 -0500

violet, sorry to hear of your bad experience. I know alot of people who use the christian network for self gain. i have a lot of friends who ended up becoming pastors. I also know a lot of business owners who display bible quotes and pictures of jesus on their walls to advertise that the business is owned by a "good wholesome christian"

to be honest, it's rather disgusting and silly at the same time.

We all love brand name products. Jesus is the biggest brand in the world. Second only to Google.

MadameX on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

MadameX — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:45:54 -0500

In all seriousness, I wear my religion around my neck. I virtually never go out in public without my crucifix necklace visible, and it was a very conscious decision, for two reasons.

The first is that for many years I worked in an industry where I had a high level of public contact. As a teacher, trainer, and event presenter I came in contact with hundreds of people every month, and I always heard versions of the same question/comment: How do you stay so positive/where do you get so much energy/you obviously care about every individual you work with, etc. etc. Obviously, it wasn't appropriate to share my personal faith with people in this context, but I did want them to know from where that energy, positivity and caring derived.

Second, it helps keep me at my best. I'm very aware of the damage done to Christianity by people who claim the name but don't walk the walk. So long as I'm wearing that crucifix, everything I do (for better or worse) is an "advertisement" for Christianity. That consciousness helps me keep it in the forefront of my mind that my actions have a broader impact than I might see in the moment and that every little interaction counts.

lettershome on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

lettershome — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:39:57 -0500

I believe it's because I stepped in it.

MadameX on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

MadameX — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:37:37 -0500

It's not a surprise to me at all, but I read it differently. I don't think it's primarily people feeling a sense of entitlement because they are Christians using Jesus as a marketing tool, but people lying that they are Christians because it is profitable to do so.

I actually wrote about this on my Catholic blog about a year: http://catholicinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/hijacking-jesus.html

timethief on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

timethief — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:35:35 -0500

lol ... :P

lettershome on 'Do you wear your Christianity on your sleeve?'

lettershome — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:33:49 -0500

I wear my Christianity on the bottom of my shoe. Apologies if someone's already said this. I couldn't be bothered to read though another religious thread on BC.