Just a thought.
1. The Taoist and Buddhist consider anybody who holds a joss stick or pray at any festivals or temple as one of their own
2. A person born into a Indian or Muslim household automatically follow the main religion of the household
3. Some more for the Muslim - once a Muslim forever a Muslim even if a person want to disown his religion also cannot
4. A person who stop practising any of his religion or breach any of its rules is gladly welcomed back anytime
5. Dress shabbily at any of these places and you are still warmly welcomed and nobody bat an eyelid
But....
For the Christian, who are supposed to be the most evangelical people among the the major religious groups, they
1. You are not considered a Christian until you are 1) born again and 2) baptized
2. You may be born into a Christian family but still need to be baptized before being considered a Christian
3. The minute you stop doing 'Christianly' things like going to Church, you are marked as an 'backslider'
4. Breach its rules and some Christian communities even ostracize you!
5. Dress shabbily in Churches and see the frown. Worse still if they start treating you like a charity case.
Is it any wonder that society in general see Christianity as a religion only for the high and mighty.
you sounded really cynical but you know what? I agree with you. I love God, but I just can't stand His people sometimes!
ReplyDeleteNot cynical but its seems so conflicting that Christianity which is supposed to be all encompassing and the most evangelical of all has the most entry barriers.
ReplyDeleteeh? i don't think i've met anybody who insists on 1) and 2) leh...but otherwise, yes i agree!! sometimes christians seem to be the most judgmental of the lot..
ReplyDeleteI am the one who di no.5 every week....hahaaa
ReplyDeleteStop trying to find perfect people on this earth or in church. Christians admit they are sinners, give their control over to God and that begins a lifelong journey with Christ, as He moulds/refines each and every of His beloved child. His love as shown on the sacrifice on the cross continues to motivate and inspire his followers to grow more Christ-like. Depending on the individual, the transformation process takes time. See 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 "16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view." & "17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! " . May you be renewed in your knowledge of Christ & His Works & what it means for YOU! God bless!
ReplyDelete