Anna1111 wrote:
I think it might be best to have a rule to discuss what is GOOD about our OWN beliefs and not what is BAD about (what we perceive as) the beliefs of others.
This last issue began, IMHO, when a few of us said something GOOD about our own Faith, and we (or at least I) felt that others were not only criticizing our Faith, but inaccurately so.
Keeping our discussion to ME instead of YOU might help.
I'm not sure if I saw the discussion you've made mention to, but I do think it's a good idea to try to remember to look for the good things and not the bad.
However, I do believe that if someone would like to know if something is true or not true about a different denomination, that it does not hurt to ask in a nice way, such as "is it true that your denomination or church believes (blank)" or "as I've been studying various cultures, religions, teachings etc. I've read several accounts that state your denomination believes this (blank) is this true or accurate? What are reliable sources to read to find out and why. "
The reason I think that it is helpful to ask about the different things people believe is because there are many people from all denominations who really don't know what their own churches believe doctrinally, and why they believe as they do, when someone has to give an answer as to "why" they believe as they do then they are reaffirming that for themselves or they have to ask themselves exactly "why" it is they are saying they agree with something when they don't fully comprehend exactly what it is they are saying they are in agreement with.
It is also biblical to always be ready to give an answer to other as to what you believe. It's not enough to say that you believe something because your parents, pastor, friends, relatives, neighbors etc believe something, you personally need to know what you believe and for why you believe what you do.
Atheist have been known to come to Christ when they've had to give reasons for why they do not believe Christ, or when they have taken the time to search out for themselves why they believe as they do. (They believe there is no God, but when they have searched the matter out for themselves many times they have changed their minds)
Also another thing is when someone is involved in a cult, if presented with the truths of scripture that individual will at some point see the errors of that cult, and turn from it. But if the person who is trapped by false doctrines or a cult is never questioned as to what they believe and for why they believe as they do, then they build their beliefs and faith on traditions, and the ideals of men, which will fail, when if presented with scripture they can then freely choose whether to accept the scriptures or reject them. It is because of lack of knowledge that people are oppressed, or held captive in traditions of no lasting eternal value.
God wants us to seek after wisdom, understanding and knowledge, he doesn't want us to be ignorant, he also wants us to be able to clearly state what we believe and why.
When we can give a clear presentation of the gospel we are more able to win others for Christ so they can spend eternity in Heaven or they can openly and freely choose to go to Hell, but when they make that choice our hands are clean, because we have presented to them to the best of our ability the way to Heaven.
If we can't tell someone what we believe and why, when it comes to the gospel of Christ, we may be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to come into the lives of a person who may really want to know if there is any merit to what those who are Christian say.
I mean think about it, when we tell someone we believe something because so and so believes something, we've not made a case for our belief, we've stated we have faith in that person, but we've not stated why and we've laid no foundation for why anyone should change what they believe to be true to what we say we know to be true.
The gospel needs to be presented to others as clearly as we know how, and we need also to know why we believe, because when we can't really give a good reason calmly, what we say we believe may appear to have less value than the pagan that calmly states they believe all ways lead to Heaven, or states any of their other beliefs.
Remember that whenever we are offended, it may not be intentional, and "a soft answer turns away wrath",
I don't really believe anyone on this board purposely wants to offend anyone, but sometimes we can become offended when someone says something in a way that makes us question ourselves, and we can't give a reasonable answer to ourself, so instead of looking for why someone says something we may sometimes go on the defensive when there was no offense ever intended.
I hope that all makes sense.
And we are supposed to focus as much as possible on things that are good, focusing on the bad things in life just make for discontent and stress, and its not healthy. Just my personal opinion of the matter.