xjwsforChrist

GLADIATOR SAID


Do Christians need opposition to keep their faith alive?

I ask this because on a forum the amount of long meaningful posts by Christians is often in direct proportion to the number of post from atheists attacking their faith. On this new forum there are very few attacks and thus very few defences. Maybe the life blood of faith is created as a by-product of defending belief. Without constant stimulus it becomes more difficult to focus on something tangible. Belief becomes a cloudy, obscure sense of feeling that can at times become difficult to define. Over on JWnet the music has died since the most vocal Christians stopped posting and the atheist fraternity had nothing to attack!

Real challenges confirm that the faith is based on reality. Indifference can lead to doubt. When a believer is confronted, the natural reaction is defence. The same applies to atheists being challenged. They respond in a defensive manner and engrossed in defending their stance, they become entrenched in their position. A coin that cannot exist without two sides?

OUTLAW SAID

here`s a big difference between the 2 web sites..
Simons is for JW`s regardless of current status,or beliefs..

This site was created for xJW`s for Christ..
Or anyone for Christ,for that matter..
Although people like you and I are here also..
That gives this place a very different atmosphere..

It won`t attract a lot of atheists..
It also means I`m going to moderate in a way,that Christians feel comfortable to post here..
Even though I don`t share their beliefs..

It`s possible for people to discuss their beliefs without pointless arguing..
Shelby and I have been doing it for years..

...............................OUTLAW

CLEARLIGHT SAID

Interesting thought, Gladiator. But, I don't necessarily think Christians need opposition to keep their faith alive.

The opposition merely motivates them to defend their faith, to speak aloud about it, and to bear witness to it when faced with opposition. By displaying it openly, others may see it as an affront to their personal position and come back with argument and debate.

But, one who is strong in their faith does not need the arguments to maintain that faith. It is a personal connection based on a personal relationship with Christ that sustains and strengthens their faith. It causes one to do the soul work required to keep that relationship healthy...sort of like a real friendship. If you don't invest in the friendship, make a personal effort to be a friend, reach out and touch (so to speak) the other, the friendship will die on the vine.

GLADIATOR SAID

OUTLAW… I appreciate this is a site where Christians can discuss their views and not be attacked for them. I ask this about Christians because this is a Christian site. The same would apply to any beliefs. Ardent atheists will fight to the death to maintain that they are right.

ClearLight


Perhaps asking if Christians need opposition to keep their faith alive, is too extreme. What I am asking is whether opposition 'helps' to keep faith alive?
...........

Whatever beliefs we hold, they can become dormant. If someone challenges or criticises them there is firstly an internal emotional response because something we value has been threatened. If we make no response there can be a perception that our belief could be diminished, both to our self and those who may be reading the words that threaten.

The usual outward response is to counter claim and try to regain the high ground. Most people who feel they have successfully refuted criticism of their beliefs, come away feeling strengthened. If they lose the exchange they can feel weakened. Did they put up a good defence and persuade observers that their beliefs are valid? The difference between an atheist and a Christian is that an atheist has nothing to loose because non-belief is not belief, it is a negative. Christians do have something they value that has to be guarded and kept safe.

For Christians, and other groups that take their beliefs from the Bible, there are many passages that encourage them to be prepared to defend their faith. It is these passages that the Watchtower Society's has used to demand that its followers give a witness and proclaim their beliefs whether people want to listen or not. Part of the plan is that fighting the fine fight unites and strengthens the membership. Maybe in time Christians on this board will miss the opportunity that opposition may afford to maintain strong faith?

AGUEST SAID



Greetings dear, dear Glad... and peace to you! I can only respond to this as to myself and to that I say no, to the contrary, opposition can wear one's faith down (that is the purpose, actually) if one allows it to. I would much prefer NOT to have to DEFEND my faith as to SHARE it, even if with the "choir" (still a beautiful song, IMHO - LOL!). If you notice, some of us expend as much time "sharing", even "explaining," as we do "defending." Some even more, the first two.

I get the sense, though (and I could be wrong) that perhaps your question originates from the lack of participation/comments you might see from, say, myself or dear Tec (or others) here lately? If so, please know that:

Dear tec is on vacation and doesn't have access to the Internet on a regular basis.

Dear WS is in transition, having just relocated and moved her family into a new home due to her hubby's new job assignment and so her Internet is sketchy right now.

Dear 'Mom is kind of in the same situation as dear WS (i.e., preparing her family for a major relocation due to hubby's job change)

Others are dealing with various health issues over the past week or so, and still others, including me, are dealing with pressing personal issues just now, as well as perhaps company. All of these latter issues apply to me and my household (causing me to be away from the Board a few days - which hasn't been easy, let me tell you! LOL! I do fear I've missed something, but I've have also allowed myself to relax and know that if it's something I should see... and/or respond to... I will! ).

Add to this that... it's the end of summer! Only so much lovely sunshine left and so some folks are getting up and out while they can! Here, it's overcast and grey all morning (which I HATE!) but then, just around noon... waaaawwwwwww! (Shelby pictures sunbeams coming though clouds, and the usual "heavenly" harp music playing - LOL!). At which time my oldest girl puppy "informs" me ("Ummm, the sun it OUT now, so we can take that walk, Marmi!")... as she just has now, as I'm typing this - LOL! She knows we're not going to the park until the sun is out (no wet grass to deal with!).

AND... some of us occasionally (or even regularly) "talk"... via email, text, phone... or even in person... and so regularly share that way!

THIS place was so that if we wish to, get a hankering, or are led to do so by my Lord's spirit... we CAN share, discuss, explain, inquire, etc., about our faith as well as other topics. And that we CAN provide a defense, if that is necessary, to anyone who requires it of us... but without having to participate in [stoopid] "word battles."

Now, of course, again, I could be wrong and so that wasn't what you meant at all... LOLOLOL!

If not, then there's the whole "manna"... and "food at the proper time" thing: the Israelites were to be satisfied... and so chew on... the portion they were given for 6 days... but not panic when no manna was provided on the 7th day, as what they had was sufficient - JAH was not going to leave them; they just had to TRUST that although no manna was provided on one day... it WOULD be provided the others days. At the PROPER time. Nohmsayin'?

So those of us with things to share sometimes have to be patient and wait for more "food". We know it's coming, though, so we don't lose faith in the meantime.

SOOoooo... how's THAT for a response? LOLOLOL!

I hope it helps!

Peace to you!
_________________
Paz a todos!

Su sirviente, compañera de estudios, y un esclava de Cristo,

SA

GLADIATOR SAID

Thanks for your response Aguest. You are right on all counts. The forum did seem to have gone quiet. Being as this is a new board, people tend to wait and see what happens.

I intended this thread to be mildly challenging or provocative, in order to encourage discussion and give folks an opportunity to express their feelings. Some people are happier making a reply rather than opening up a discussion. I know that whenever I support a friend, I feel closer to that friend and pleased to have the opportunity to show where I stand and strengthen the friendship.The question asks whether this applies to those who have a friend in Jesus.

Arguing and insulting is not good for anyone but the opportunity to discuss is good for people whatever they believe and helps to keep a balanced perspective. And we have Outlaw with his gun at the ready to keep order.

AGUEST SAID




And THANK you for that, dear Glad (the greatest of love and peace to you!). It's truly comforting to know that our mods are as concerned about the board's activity as we are, so please... DO so "encourage", as we truly do appreciate it!



Yes, and dear TS (peace to both you and my dear, dear Outlaw!) to hold things down technically while our dear tec (peace, luv!) is off galavantin'! LOLOLOL!

Ahh... xjws4Christ moderators! You folks ROCK!! THANK YOU!!

Peace!

YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,

SA

OUTLAW SAID

Good Morning Shelby!..

Thank you thats very kind.


............................. ...OUTLAW

NOBLELODGE SAID

Interesting question Glad.

I really don't like defending my faith, it wears me out and makes me feel quite low, (although not for long). I don't mind sharing though because my faith is mine, something I had long before the WBTS got their hands on it and very nearly destroyed 'it' and me.

I got bruised a few times over on JWN to the point I stopped visiting the site. I found them so destructive, not just for my peace but for theirs too.
I do pop in from time to time but very rarely post anything. I much prefer this site, so much calmer, a pleasure actually.

Peace

GLADIATOR SAID

Thenoblelodge

Faith has its purpose. Faith is not the possession of all people but it has a personal value which cannot be measured against other people’s values. Something we value has to be protected and lost faith can be irreplaceable. Glad you feel comfortable on this site.

PSACRAMENTO SAID

Opposition keeps our faith vibrant and alive.
Apologetics is a lost art in some circles and that is too bad.
We can get a better understanding of our faith when we have to "defend" it.

JUSTMOM SAID


Hello

I appreciate everyones comments thank you.

As Aguest said I am not home right now. Will be involved in a huge change
next couple months.

Also as we all share and especially with me, there are days I have to just "WORK ON ME"
Wish I could say I've figured it ALL out 'lol' but I still need a lotta work and I thank you for being patient with me.

I hope I personally can be of encouragement to any of you as you have been a tremendous encouragement to me already.

with love to you all
justmom

ANTHONY SAID

"the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church"
_________________
Author of 'Happiness: How to Find It'

CRIMINY SAID



I was thinking about this for a couple of days. My first knee-jerk reaction to your question was to compare faith to a muscle; you exercise it, it gets bigger, stronger. I think opposition is one of the ways a Christian keeps faith alive. If he's smart, it will also help him refine his faith. Given that there has always been opposition to a greater or lesser extent to people of faith, we may not be able to know the answer.

I think the admonition to keep reading the scriptures day and night is essentially telling us to keep spiritual matters in the forefront of our minds constantly. Opposition accomplishes the same thing just in a different way.

Is opposition necessary? I dunno. But I don't think it can hurt. And no, I don't have a persecution complex.
_________________
I could'a been a bug.

LEANN SAID

Personally I feel the answer is no.. It is not necessary..

Keeping faith alive is living by it, having it act upon you and what you do. It is not necessary to be in confrontation with outside sources to feed its source.

I'm not saying it isn't good to be able to express why you believe and act the way you do to others, but I feel using faith is not tied to it, as faith is an action and is alive within ourselves, and is not dependant on other individuals.