A Question For All SBG Christians On The Forum.

[Rhymez]

Now, I was debating weather or not to post this or not, but I am going to, because I am interested to hear some feedback.

I myself am a Christian, but not a Christian to some peoples definition of the term. Now, I have been questioned by some people on how strong my beliefs are due to some of the Music I listen to, people I hang out with, and TV shows/Movies I watch.

My question is, do people think it is wrong for Christians to listen to Non-Christian Music, watch certain Movies, or hang out with Non-Christian people?? I have been told by some people that it is especially not a good thing for me as a Christian to hang out with Non-Christian people, altho even tho I am a Christian, I am not a forcer of my religion. I believe everyone has their own right to believe in whatever it is they want to believe in.

Now, I am not going to stop any of these things, I will still do what I do, listen to the type of Music I listen to, which even tho some of the Music I listen to may not be of the Christian Genre, I do listen to Christian Music as well, and I am not going to stop hanging out with my Non-Christian friends at all, I just want to hear peoples views on this, because I have been told by people that because of the Music I listen to, people I hang out with, Movies/TV Shows I watch, I should not classify myself as a Christian, which myself, I think is bull. I am not starting this thread to start any arguments, I just want to ask if any SBG Christians on here think this is bull or not, and what your views are. Even you Non-Christian people, who have Christian friends, give me some feedback.

[20, bald, and loving it]

I think that the music you listen to, friends you keep, or the movies you watch define your beliefs. Its ultimately up to you what you believe in.

[Rhymez]

I think that the music you listen to, friends you keep, or the movies you watch define your beliefs. Its ultimately up to you what you believe in.

I know that, I stated that in my question. My question was what do others think, do they think it is a bunch of B.S. Like I do?

[20, bald, and loving it]

Yes I do. I was trying to get that across without offending anyone.

[Rhymez]

Cool, thanks for your feedback. Like I just have had some F***ed up conversations with people. One in particular, I was having a convo with one of my friends about the new Notorious movie, asked the person if he was into Biggie Smalls and  wanted to see the movie, and he started asking me how I can listen to his music, because I am a Christian and he does not sing Christian music. And his music was about struggles in his life and how he overcame certain obsticles, and even tho he was not singing about god, he was a Christian. His mother raised him a Christian, even tho his mom later converted to Jahove's Witness. But to him, it still did not matter, and the conversation just confused the hell outa me lol. I am not trying to offend anyone by this, and I hope I don't lol. But my number one reasoning for this is the rule that Christian people should not hang out or talk to people who are not Christians. Like what would Christians do if a family member was not religious, would they stop associating with that person?? How should friends be different??

[20, bald, and loving it]

I see. I agree with you. I think sometimes people are really closed minded.

[Rhymez]

I see. I agree with you. I think sometimes people are really closed minded.

I am glad I posted this now. Now I kno there is somebody out there that views this the same way I do.

[marshd1000]

As a Christian, I will try to give you some feedback too!  I believe that Christians don't have to just hang out in the "Christian Ghetto".  What I mean by that is that we should only have Christian friends.  Nor does one have to only listen or watch only Christian music, radio, TV and movies.  I have non Christian friends.  I had dinner with one last night.  I also like some secular music.  I don't think that Christ died so we could be in a Christian bubble.

As Christians, we are supposed to be witnesses of Christ's love to the world.  So what does that mean?  It means we are to interact with non Christians to show that love.  I am more than happy to share my faith with my non Christian friends.  But even if they don't become Christian, I will still love them and hang out with them.  But I should say that for any Christian, if hanging out with particular non Christians is detrimental to their faith or it leads that Christian to make wrongs choices, then that is something to consider.  For some who came out of addictive behaviors, then it might be good be to avoid certain non Christian individuals.

When it comes to consuming media, I don't believe that Christians have to listen or watch only Christian stuff.  There is no hard fast rule.  But I would have to ask, is it is bringing you down in your faith or in your life in general?  So those are things I would ask myself if I was going to see or listen to something.  But I do think it is dangerous for someone to make a blanket statement saying someone is not a Christian.  Do they know your heart?

[Rhymez]

As a Christian, I will try to give you some feedback too!  I believe that Christians don't have to just hang out in the "Christian Ghetto".  What I mean by that is that we should only have Christian friends.  Nor does one have to only listen or watch only Christian music, radio, TV and movies.  I have non Christian friends.  I had dinner with one last night.  I also like some secular music.  I don't think that Christ died so we could be in a Christian bubble.

As Christians, we are supposed to be witnesses of Christ's love to the world.  So what does that mean?  It means we are to interact with non Christians to show that love.  I am more than happy to share my faith with my non Christian friends.  But even if they don't become Christian, I will still love them and hang out with them.  But I should say that for any Christian, if hanging out with particular non Christians is detrimental to their faith or it leads that Christian to make wrongs choices, then that is something to consider.  For some who came out of addictive behaviors, then it might be good be good to avoid certain non Christian individuals.

When it comes to consuming media, I don't believe that Christians have to listen or watch only Christian stuff.  There is no hard fast rule.  But I would have to ask, is it is bringing you down in your faith or in your life in general?  So those are things I would ask myself if I was going to see or listen to something.  But I do think it is dangerous for someone to make a blanket statement saying someone is not a Christian.  Do they know your heart?

Thanks for your feedback. I think you nailed my concern in your comment. I believe that in the same way. And the media I consume does not bring my faith down in any way. As I said some of the artists I listen to may not sing about God, but are Christian's themselves, Like Notorious B.I.G., DMX, Twista, and on the country side Johnny Cash! Altho Johnny did have some Christian Albums. But a lot of "Hardcore Christians" seem to view it as sin. There was even one incedent where I went to church and this type of convo happened. Let me explain the story.

I went to this pentacostal church as a kid, and stopped going for a while. And a few years later, my sister had this friend from school that happened to go to my church that I went to as a kid. I had not been there in a couple years, and a lot changed. As soon as I went in, I saw this big stainless steel garbage pail in the middle of the room, with the words "Evil Bucket" written across it. Then half way through the service everyone was asked to bring evil stuff from there life and put it in this bin. (I had not been there the previous week, so did not kno I was to bring anything lol) Afterward, people were throwing in non christian cd's such as Backstreet Boys, Notorious BIG, KISS, Led Zepplin, just random bands, kids were throwing in toys from there favorite cartoons such as the Powerpuff Girls, Small Soldiers, Power Rangers, ETC, and saying how this stuff was poisoning our world. I remember asking the pastor why this stuff was considered evil, and he said that none of the music artists spoke of god, these tv cartoons spoke nothing of god, etc, and then he proceded to ask me if I hang out with any non christian people. When I replied yes, he said it was a sin against god. I could not believe my ears! Some of the Music people were throwing in this bin did not sing about god yes, but were Christians, but according to the church it did not matter. I stopped going again as soon as I went back to church, and stopped going all together for almost 5 years. Then recently my friend brought me to a youthh group at his church which is a Nondenominational church, and it is great! They dont do all that nonsense that my former church started doing, and I made a lot of new friends!

[Kratos]

I'm gunna have to disagree. I was born and raised a Christian and will forever be one. I listen to death metal, and though I love it, it does not influence my beliefs nor turn my relationship with God into something negative. I also have a couple of friends who are either Atheist's or are still deciding on what religion to choose to follow. But hey, it's their beliefs and we all have our own.

[Rhymez]

I'm gunna have to disagree. I was born and raised a Christian and will forever be one. I listen to death metal, and though I love it, it does not influence my beliefs nor turn my relationship with God into something negative. I also have a couple of friends who are either Atheist's or are still deciding on what religion to choose to follow. But hey, it's their beliefs and we all have our own.

You are actually agreeing with what I am saying dude lol. That is what I am talking about!

[The Scottish Ambassador]

I think you already knew the answer to your question b4 you posted it. I agree with you completely.

[Mikekoz13]

I don't believe that the music you listen to or the TV shows you watch, or the clothes you wear define your Christianity at all.
The way you live your life and treat others defines who you are as a man of Faith. Some of the worst Christians I've known in my life were serious Church goers that "apparently" lived Christian life styles.

I did a lot of bad things in my life that I'm not proud of.....and I drink beer, curse like a sailor on some days, and love old classic Rock music. I'm tattooed and have a big shiny shaved head. This is hardly the picture of a good Christian to many, many people,,,, but I dare say that my Faith is
very strong and stronger than the Faith of many who would criticize my own.

In our Church when Communion is offered a very simple statement is made when presenting the meal to the congregation. I think this statement says it so simply and to the point:

              "This meal is offered to all that believe and ALL are welcome to join this meal."

Christ doesn't care what you look like.......He cares about what is in your heart and soul.

[The Scottish Ambassador]

I don't believe that the music you listen to or the TV shows you watch, or the clothes you wear define your Christianity at all.
The way you live your life and treat others defines who you are as a man of Faith. Some of the worst Christians I've known in my life were serious Church goers that "apparently" lived Christian life styles.

I did a lot of bad things in my life that I'm not proud of.....and I drink beer, curse like a sailor on some days, and love old classic Rock music. I'm tattooed and have a big shiny shaved head. This is hardly the picture of a good Christian to many, many people,,,, but I dare say that my Faith is
very strong and stronger than the Faith of many who would criticize my own.

In our Church when Communion is offered a very simple statement is made when presenting the meal to the congregation. I think this statement says it so simply and to the point:

              "This meal is offered to all that believe and ALL are welcome to join this meal."

Christ doesn't care what you look like.......He cares about what is in your heart and soul.

AMEN! Well said Michael.

[Rob]

well said.  these are my beliefs exactly.  The people that try to push Christianity (or any other religion) are usually less Christian than those who worship and pray quietly and just get on with living life as best they can.  I don't think that what we watch, play, wear etc tells anyone ANYTHING about what religious beliefs we have.