How would you respond?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NCSue
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Hi NCSue,

I would like to share my 5 cents worth. I guess it has a lot to do with the need for political correctness these days, because the original understanding of the civil rights movements has become lost in an anarchic crusade against any form of difference - discrimination is not a bad word actually, but it has come to be a dirty word.

Saying that this message of Love and God makes everyone Christian is opening a Pandora’s Box. Generally speaking, all major religions today preach this same news of love. Islam preaches Love and one God. Hinduism preaches about doing charity and believes in a Trinitarian god (Bhrama, Shiva, Vishnu). Buddhism preaches about Love for all, but it doesn’t believe in God. In fact, I think the idea of Love is one of the moral laws of human, the C.S Lewis talks about in Mere Christianity - a message written in the deepest recesses of our hearts, that transcends any social construct, religious belief etc.

Personally, it seems almost arrogant to say such a thing. Wouldn’t christian feel offended if someone says that we belong to his religion because we believe in love? It would show that he does not understand enough about both our religion and his but proudly want to claim it as his own. Its like saying my religion is so good, that I can adopt you.

The reason there is so much difference in religious beliefs has to do with other key beliefs of love that make up the faith. In our case, The Creed. And a deviation excessively from that creed, such as in the Trinity of God, or in the belief in Christ, and the covenant love of Father, Son and the Holy Spirit means that he is not Christian (there are also others but it would probably be sufficient to stop at the first point of the Trinity).

Zach Isaiah
 
A Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ. A Christian believes that Jesus was Christ, that he was born of a virgin, that he was crucified, died and was buried, that he rose from the dead on the third day and that he reigns in heaven with God the Father and will come again to judge all of us. If a person can’t say they believe all that they are not Christian. This is not to say they are evil. But they can’t claim the Christian name.
 
I agree with you both.

The thing that disturbed me is that the person who made this statement purports to be “Christian”. I can understand someone who is Muslim or Jewish or Hindu being confused about what is unique and indisputable about Christianity. But for a Christian to do so… that worries me.

By the way, I’m not suggesting that people of different religious backgrounds should be excluded from the service, but I do find it disturbing to think that non-Christian prayers may be read from the ambo.
 
I would ask what makes up the deposit of faith for these people? Bible? Bible + Tradition (full christian deposit), or is it something else completely… Like say, the Quoran. Yeah, it’s that last one based on what I’ve read.

Do they accept the Apostles creed even? Nicean? Do they even beleive Jesus is God? Not all monotheasists are Christians. Jews aren’t Christians, they worship the same God we do, but they’re not Christians the rejected the savior.
 
I just read your blog and the thought occured to me, I wonder how those of the Baha’i religion would react to being called “Christians”. I’m pretty sure they’d balk at that.

I agree with you that in the effort to get along the lines are being blurred. I think we need to remember that we’re alike more than we’re different, but we can’t gloss over important distinctions. Neither side appreciates it. It always seems to be people from “our” side who are too eager to include everybody else. You don’t see people who are Baha’i (as as example) saying “we’re just like you”. Come to think of it, I bet the woman who said “they’re Christians too” wouldn’t dream of saying “we’re Baha’i too”.
 
NCSue said:
I agree with you both.

The thing that disturbed me is that the person who made this statement purports to be “Christian”. I can understand someone who is Muslim or Jewish or Hindu being confused about what is unique and indisputable about Christianity. But for a Christian to do so… that worries me.
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She probably thinks that the word “Christian” means “good person”. Explain to her that Christianity is a distinct philosophical system and set of assumptions, which is not shared by the Baha’i.

Let her know that the Baha’i will not be offended to learn that they are not Christians, since they don’t actually aspire to be Christians, anyway.
By the way, I’m not suggesting that people of different religious backgrounds should be excluded from the service, but I do find it disturbing to think that non-Christian prayers may be read from the ambo.
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Wait - sorry. “Service”? And it’s taking place in a Catholic Church?

You have approval from your Bishop for this, and he has a copy of the guest list and the Order of Service - right?
 
Please don’t take my posting here as an intrusion but I wanted to say as a Baha’i that it’s certainly the families wishes and the wishes of the deceased person if they are known to plan their own service…

If the person was say very involved in interfaith work it would likely be appropriate for there to be prayers from various religions represented… but we Baha’is respect Christians right to certainly have their own services and rites.
  • Art 😉
 
arthra said:
Please don’t take my posting here as an intrusion but I wanted to say as a Baha’i that it’s certainly the families wishes and the wishes of the deceased person if they are known to plan their own service.
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Surely they would use their own building, rather than a Catholic Church, for this, would they not?
If the person was say very involved in interfaith work it would likely be appropriate for there to be prayers from various religions represented… but we Baha’is respect Christians right to certainly have their own services and rites.
  • Art 😉
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That stands to reason. 🙂
 
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