Making the SOTC in Public Before and After Praying?

[mlz]

We must never fear but trust in Jesus as witnesses, disciples of our Lord. In Luke 9:23-26 it talks about taking up one’s cross for Jesus. "And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” I do not share this in any condemnation but only as I reminder I myself need. Also I would share 1 Peter 4:12-19 but will only highlight a few of this passage “…If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you…let those who suffer according to God’s will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.” Know also that it is His perfect love for us that casts out fear. (1 John 4:18) Prayer for you today.

In His love,
mlz

 

[EveningSkye111]

Go for it! God loves to hear our prayers. I don’t give a fig what others might think or say. Don’t be ashamed, ever, to pray!

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

These fears are silly, but I have a mental block. The only way to stop it is by actually making the SOTC in public. My fears are that someone might get mad, and punch me, but I highly doubt that would happen.

I very much doubt it. If someone punched you they would be in serious trouble.

However, you might be ridiculed for it. I suspect this is what you fear.

 

[Melodeonist]

I very much doubt it. If someone punched you they would be in serious trouble.

However, you might be ridiculed for it. I suspect this is what you fear.

I don’t fear being made fun of. I wouldn’t even care. What I fear is someone cutting my fingers off (I’d rather be dead than finger-less), or killing me. I’ve heard about ISIS, and I don’t want to make Muslims angry at me.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I don’t fear being made fun of. I wouldn’t even care. What I fear is someone cutting my fingers off (I’d rather be dead than finger-less), or killing me. I’ve heard about ISIS, and I don’t want to make Muslims angry at me.

Oh l see. My apologies for the wrong assumption.

I currently live in a predominantly Muslim country and don’t feel at all afraid to cross myself in front of Muslims. (But l feel terribly self conscious about crossing myself in front of secular western people.)

 

[Della]

Oh l see. My apologies for the wrong assumption.

I currently live in a predominantly Muslim country and don’t feel at all afraid to cross myself in front of Muslims. (But l feel terribly self conscious about crossing myself in front of secular western people.)

Indeed, I read about an incident at a Catholic university in which the schools were going to take down the crucifixes off classroom walls so their Muslim students wouldn’t be offended. The Muslims were the first to protest that decision. They said if the crucifix were a Muslim symbol they’d die before letting anyone remove them. As I recall, the crucifixes stayed. We can’t go our whole lives worrying about such things.

The news media makes it seem as though every Muslim is out to kill Christians, especially those Christians who express their faith–that can be the case in some Muslim countries, with their fellow countrymen, but they expect Westerners to be Christians, so they generally leave Westerners alone. It’s the radical factions that are persecuting and murdering people While many Muslim countries have laws forbidding Muslim to convert to Christianity (which, God willing will change one day), Muslim students in America are not, by and large, looking for victims or reasons to create victims. So, don’t let that be a hindrance to practicing your faith in the public square–it’s 99% not going to happen to you, Melodeonist.

 

[Melodeonist]

Indeed, I read about an incident at a Catholic university in which the schools were going to take down the crucifixes off classroom walls so their Muslim students wouldn’t be offended. The Muslims were the first to protest that decision. They said if the crucifix were a Muslim symbol they’d die before letting anyone remove them. As I recall, the crucifixes stayed. We can’t go our whole lives worrying about such things.

The news media makes it seem as though every Muslim is out to kill Christians, especially those Christians who express their faith–that can be the case in some Muslim countries, with their fellow countrymen, but they expect Westerners to be Christians, so they generally leave Westerners alone. It’s the radical factions that are persecuting and murdering people While many Muslim countries have laws forbidding Muslim to convert to Christianity (which, God willing will change one day), Muslim students in America are not, by and large, looking for victims or reasons to create victims. So, don’t let that be a hindrance to practicing your faith in the public square–it’s 99% not going to happen to you, Melodeonist.

Thanks for the reply! I realize that most of the radical Islamist are from Europe or the Middle East. I guess I don’t really need to worry about it at all!

 

[pianistclare]

I don’t fear being made fun of. I wouldn’t even care. What I fear is someone cutting my fingers off (I’d rather be dead than finger-less), or killing me. I’ve heard about ISIS, and I don’t want to make Muslims angry at me.

Stop it. This is not going to happen.