Yesterday at Mass, we had a visiting priest (I'm not aware of where our pastor was), who asked a very interesting question during his homily. Some of you may have already heard it, but here it goes:
If being Christians were a crime, would there be enough evidence to find us guilty?
Obviously, this is mostly a question for today's Christians, so Arun, Dirk, and HoW, have fun.
Also, I wouldn't mind an outside observer's opinion. Alak and Korhend, feel welcome to comment.
An interesting Question
Started by
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, Sep 19 2004 11:05 AM
13 replies to this topic
#2
arunma
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Posted 19 September 2004 - 11:38 AM
Hmm, good point. Well, at one time being a Christian was a crime (Roman Empire days), so if they caught you getting baptized or meeting with Christians or talking about Jesus, you'd probably get fed to the lions.
However, I'm guessing that's not what you're talking about. Your priest must be asking if we possess the hallmarks of Christians?
Yesterday, my pastor was giving a sermon on spiritual gifts such as prophecy. I suppose one way to approach this issue is by looking at today's church. In the New Testament church, there were miraculous signs such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues. Do Christians today display these signs? Some do, and some don't.
Or you could look at it from the perspective of behavior. Do Christians display Christian conduct? Many do, and many don't. I would say, though, that if we are judged by conduct, more of us would be guilty of being Christian.
So perhaps we should judge by conduct instead of by miraculous signs, because signs seem to be a rare find these days.
However, I'm guessing that's not what you're talking about. Your priest must be asking if we possess the hallmarks of Christians?
Yesterday, my pastor was giving a sermon on spiritual gifts such as prophecy. I suppose one way to approach this issue is by looking at today's church. In the New Testament church, there were miraculous signs such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues. Do Christians today display these signs? Some do, and some don't.
Or you could look at it from the perspective of behavior. Do Christians display Christian conduct? Many do, and many don't. I would say, though, that if we are judged by conduct, more of us would be guilty of being Christian.
So perhaps we should judge by conduct instead of by miraculous signs, because signs seem to be a rare find these days.
#3
Alakhriveion
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Posted 19 September 2004 - 12:04 PM
Hmm, good question. The answer is yes. If there's a war on religions or ethnicities, there's rarely room for trial. For example, in Germany, many people who were so deeply assimilated they had no idea they even were Jews got killed along with everyone else.
#4
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Posted 19 September 2004 - 12:14 PM
Of course... that question is flawed in a big way, at least in my mind. Who decides what a "Christian" is. Under the premise, it would be non-Christians who would be determining who a Christian is (since being a Christian would be illegal). So it's hard to say, what the requirements for a non-Christian would be to call someone a Christian. Is the definition someone who simply calls him/herself a Christian, or would there be more.
Of course the question is meant to examine yourself, to help you realize your actions, and to realize if they are Christ-like or not. It gets to the real way to determine who is a Christian or not, those who are Christ-like or not.
I'm not sure if that made any sense... but it's what came to my head.
Of course the question is meant to examine yourself, to help you realize your actions, and to realize if they are Christ-like or not. It gets to the real way to determine who is a Christian or not, those who are Christ-like or not.
I'm not sure if that made any sense... but it's what came to my head.
#5
davogones
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Posted 19 September 2004 - 12:48 PM
If there really were a law against Christianity, the law ought to specify what a Christian is. Otherwise, it's up to each local government to define Christianity. And failing that, it's up to the enforcers of the law (the police) to decide who is a Christian.
At least, that's how it would work in America.
At least, that's how it would work in America.
#6
Jasi
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Posted 19 September 2004 - 12:55 PM
I think the question is, do we show our faith enough to other people.
My answer is, I really hope so.
My answer is, I really hope so.
#7
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Posted 19 September 2004 - 08:53 PM
yes..we are bery bery bad...XD
#8
Hero of Winds
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Posted 20 September 2004 - 02:40 PM
Interesting question, but it's a rather vague one. Depends on your interpretation of a Christian. Do you mean one who acknowledges God's existence and Jesus as the Son and the Messiah? Or do you mean somebody who's very zealous and evangelical? Define the term "Christian". And don't say "a follower of Christianity". 
#9
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Posted 20 September 2004 - 11:26 PM
I would be guilty because I openly admit my faith and won't deny it no matter what anyone says (stuborn to the core 
). I don't go to church but I do show my "fruits" so to speak in other ways.
This is an interesting question though, really makes you think if your christian enough to get punished
). I don't go to church but I do show my "fruits" so to speak in other ways. This is an interesting question though, really makes you think if your christian enough to get punished
#10
arunma
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Posted 20 September 2004 - 11:42 PM
Maybe a good test would be to see if Christians will openly declare our Christianity despite the promise of punishment. That's how the New Testament church distinguished itself, anyway.
#11
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Posted 21 September 2004 - 02:12 PM
I think there are plenty of signs to show who's a Christian... possesion of rosary beads or Bibles, being caught praying or in attendance of mass. I guess there would be enough evidence from one point of view.
Once the law is made, those who aren't in it with all their heart would probably leave the faith and those who continued to paractice would really be the true Christians. Which is not to say that we wouldn't welcome back those who left should their hearts change.
Once the law is made, those who aren't in it with all their heart would probably leave the faith and those who continued to paractice would really be the true Christians. Which is not to say that we wouldn't welcome back those who left should their hearts change.
#12
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Posted 21 September 2004 - 03:54 PM
I agree with Dirk.
Most true followers, those that actual feel what the Bible and priests say in their hearts, are fairly easy to spot. Even in a crowd they stand out pretty well.
And as a definition of Christianity, I am putting Christians, Catholics, or any other that has close beleifs to Christianity or Catholiscism.
Most true followers, those that actual feel what the Bible and priests say in their hearts, are fairly easy to spot. Even in a crowd they stand out pretty well.
And as a definition of Christianity, I am putting Christians, Catholics, or any other that has close beleifs to Christianity or Catholiscism.
#13
arunma
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Posted 21 September 2004 - 07:11 PM
Good point. That's why the New Testament church was comprised almost entirely of true Christians.Originally posted by Dirk Amoeba@Sep 21 2004, 02:12 PM
Once the law is made, those who aren't in it with all their heart would probably leave the faith and those who continued to paractice would really be the true Christians. Which is not to say that we wouldn't welcome back those who left should their hearts change.
#14
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Posted 21 September 2004 - 09:14 PM
Given how most priests are, I think it's safe to assume that the question is really asking, "Do we act enough like Christ?" I'd say, for most of us, no.
