About showing-off our faith

[S_A_M]

I wanna ask, lately I noticed there’s more Christian public figures or even common people is showing their faith on the medias, e.g. showing the ashes on the forehead like Mark Wahlberg usually do, or in my country which is one of the biggest moslem country, there’s more public figures who show The Cross accessories on medias while there’s many hardcore (and probably, radical) moslem in my country

is it possible that these things could sharpen the conflict between us and that “other” religion? because “they” seems like to very much fiery, fanatic about their religion, and if we became fiery about our religion and show about how we love our religion so much, could it increase the possibilities to sharpen the conflict between us and “them”? and if so, it is what “they” wanted, right?

maybe this is just me… i don’t know…

 

[Prodigal71]

I would think that it would cause more conflict which could result in violence. I would never deny your faith when asked, obviously but I’m of the belief that Jesus knows your heart

 

[S_A_M]

hmm… you got the point, too… so, in your opinion, what’s is the better solution?

 

[1ke]

e.g. showing the ashes on the forehead like Mark Wahlberg usually do

Everyone who receives ashes on Ash Wednesday “shows them” because they are literally ON your forehead. If that person is a public figure, then yes that might end up on a media site.

That’s totally fine. That’s the purpose of ashes on Ash Wednesday, public repentance.

in my country which is one of the biggest moslem country, there’s more public figures who show The Cross accessories on medias while there’s many hardcore (and probably, radical) moslem in my country

That is a matter of prudential judgment.

is it possible that these things could sharpen the conflict between us and that “other” religion?

It is also possible it may evangelize.

 

[gcshapero]

Whenever Ashe Wednesday takes place and I see the swarm of generic selfies with ashes, I usually roll my eyes, but maybe that’s me being a grouch.

For some, they are genuinely happy that it’s Lent because it’s an opportunity to reassess where they are and grow closer to God. For others, it may be virtue signaling.

I know only a handful, and for the rest, I may not be able to judge one from another.

This may be the same for everyone else.

The ideal would be to first think of yourself as less before everyone else. If I’m being honest, now and then if I post a picture of a beautiful chapel or something related, one of my initial thoughts is “Will others see me in a positive way” which is such a shallow thought to have, so half of the time, I avoid posting anything because I know how prideful I can be.

They may be showing off, but they may legitimately be using it as a means of testimony. It depends.