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This is a pretty long read, and if you'd like to leave your input without reading all the text, I've highlighted the main questions at the bottom ofthe post.
I've decided to make this post against my better judgment considering these are very sensitive subjects, and too many times these types of post have goneon tangents that were unnecessary.
However, I had a conversation with a friend of mine that really rubbed me the wrong way, and I need to vent, while also receiving opinions from others.
To begin, we are both young black men, who were raised with Christian ideals. He says that he holds everything in the Bible to be totally factual. I, on theother hand believe that the Bible has some good lessons that are relevant in today's world, but I also think that the Bible was mans attempt to understandthe unknown, and knowing what he know today, it is not logical to follow religion blindly while rejecting everything else that can possibly contradict theBible's context. This info may seem irrelevant, but I feel as if it's important to mention due to the context of the conversation.
Now that that is out of the way. We were having a discussion, and I said that I believe that God helps those who choose to help themselves, and that while attimes I'll pray for change, I'll also do everything possible to work and initiate that change through my own actions. He than got on his soapbox andtold me that I was wrong, I lacked faith and since everything happens according to God's plan, me working to improve myself, and the world proves that Ilack faith. And basically, if I really believed and had faith than I wouldn't worry about doing things on my own. Just pray, sit still and things willhappen. Let go, and let God. I think this mentality is foolish, and it leads to stagnation.
So we started talking about politics, and he said that he refuses to vote, because he feels as if everything is already predetermined. He believes that by himutilizing his right to vote is getting away of the Lord's will. And even if a politician got into office who was corrupt, it's necessary for him tohave that position in order for prophecy to be fulfilled.
Normally things don't bother me, and I always respect others opinions, but this really got to me because he was speaking as if I was wrong and I'veexperienced turbulence in my life because of my views.
This is one of my best friends, and whenever we aren't talking about religion everything is always cool. But lately, he's been on this mission thatGod's telling him that he needs to save me.
I'm frustrated, and normally I'd tell dude to get lost, but this is someone that I've grown up with.
So my question is, how do you all I suggest telling this dude to back off? I've tried telling my dude that we have adifferent belief system, and it's ok to agree to disagree, but dude will not leave me alone.
I have a feeling that we won't be friends too much longer if this keeps up, and I'd hate to lose a good friend forsomething so trivial.
And my last question is, do you all know any people who have this same belief system and mentality?
I've decided to make this post against my better judgment considering these are very sensitive subjects, and too many times these types of post have goneon tangents that were unnecessary.
However, I had a conversation with a friend of mine that really rubbed me the wrong way, and I need to vent, while also receiving opinions from others.
To begin, we are both young black men, who were raised with Christian ideals. He says that he holds everything in the Bible to be totally factual. I, on theother hand believe that the Bible has some good lessons that are relevant in today's world, but I also think that the Bible was mans attempt to understandthe unknown, and knowing what he know today, it is not logical to follow religion blindly while rejecting everything else that can possibly contradict theBible's context. This info may seem irrelevant, but I feel as if it's important to mention due to the context of the conversation.
Now that that is out of the way. We were having a discussion, and I said that I believe that God helps those who choose to help themselves, and that while attimes I'll pray for change, I'll also do everything possible to work and initiate that change through my own actions. He than got on his soapbox andtold me that I was wrong, I lacked faith and since everything happens according to God's plan, me working to improve myself, and the world proves that Ilack faith. And basically, if I really believed and had faith than I wouldn't worry about doing things on my own. Just pray, sit still and things willhappen. Let go, and let God. I think this mentality is foolish, and it leads to stagnation.
So we started talking about politics, and he said that he refuses to vote, because he feels as if everything is already predetermined. He believes that by himutilizing his right to vote is getting away of the Lord's will. And even if a politician got into office who was corrupt, it's necessary for him tohave that position in order for prophecy to be fulfilled.
Normally things don't bother me, and I always respect others opinions, but this really got to me because he was speaking as if I was wrong and I'veexperienced turbulence in my life because of my views.
This is one of my best friends, and whenever we aren't talking about religion everything is always cool. But lately, he's been on this mission thatGod's telling him that he needs to save me.
I'm frustrated, and normally I'd tell dude to get lost, but this is someone that I've grown up with.
So my question is, how do you all I suggest telling this dude to back off? I've tried telling my dude that we have adifferent belief system, and it's ok to agree to disagree, but dude will not leave me alone.
I have a feeling that we won't be friends too much longer if this keeps up, and I'd hate to lose a good friend forsomething so trivial.
And my last question is, do you all know any people who have this same belief system and mentality?