Spiritual revelations & ramblings

[Leigha]

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 6:1

Yea, I've always thought that ''showing off'' one's faith isn't quite the right way of going about things. How should this teaching be reconciled against the passage where Jesus tells his disciples to ''go out and make disciples of all nations?" I wonder if people get caught in trying to find the balance of evangelizing for the sake of God, and appearing righteous for the sake of themselves.

[Syne]

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 6:1

Yea, I've always thought that ''showing off'' one's faith isn't quite the right way of going about things. How should this teaching be reconciled against the passage where Jesus tells his disciples to ''go out and make disciples of all nations?" I wonder if people get caught in trying to find the balance of evangelizing for the sake of God, and appearing righteous for the sake of themselves.

It's like vegans. They're quick to tell you they're vegan, and why you should be too. But if their lifestyle had genuine benefits, they'd be better off letting those speak for themselves...and for people to ask what they've done to make such a marked difference in their lives. The example you live should be the testimony, not the words you say.

[Leigha]

Agree. That sounds like St. Francis of Assisi. (''Preach the Gospel often, use words if necessary.'')

[Leigha]

That member is upsetting people today on SF...but he/she keeps posting ''God loves you.''

If you don't believe that a god exists, what does such a platitude mean for you? i want to chime in, but I'll refrain.

[Seattle]

That member is upsetting people today on SF...but he/she keeps posting ''God loves you.''

If you don't believe that a god exists, what does such a platitude mean for you? i want to chime in, but I'll refrain.

When I was in grad school my next door neighbor in the apartment complex I lived in was very religious (and weird). He had no friends in the apartment complex. I saw that he needed to go to the grocery store once and offered him a ride.

When we got back, before we got out of the car he said something like I can't offer you money for the ride (who wants money for a ride to the store) but I can offer you this prayer and then I had to sit in the car for another 30 seconds while he rattled off some prayer about God blessing me for offering him a ride.

I didn't enjoy it and that was the last ride that I offered him.

[Leigha]

That member is upsetting people today on SF...but he/she keeps posting ''God loves you.''

If you don't believe that a god exists, what does such a platitude mean for you? i want to chime in, but I'll refrain.

When I was in grad school my next door neighbor in the apartment complex I lived in was very religious (and weird). He had no friends in the apartment complex. I saw that he needed to go to the grocery store once and offered him a ride.

When we got back, before we got out of the car he said something like I can't offer you money for the ride (who wants money for a ride to the store) but I can offer you this prayer and then I had to sit in the car for another 30 seconds while he rattled off some prayer about God blessing me for offering him a ride.

I didn't enjoy it and that was the last ride that I offered him.

Yea, I think that ''offering prayers'' can be taken a few ways. I've found when someone wants to offer me prayers, it's usually from a good place. But, there's no need to really tell me that you're praying for me, just do it. On your own. lol

It can come across as disingenuous...like you're telling someone you gave to a charity that day...and you want others to see your good deed. Pride shows itself in odd ways, and many believers might not think it's a prideful act, but it can be perceived that way.

Something that is equally odd, is when someone learns that I believe in God, and he/she treats me differently...as though suddenly I become ''less than,'' than five minutes ago...prior to learning that I'm a believer. lol I've noticed this on SF, as well. In different philosophy threads where members are sharing their beliefs, and I've shared mine, people who were once kind to me, started mocking me in other threads. How childish are you that you treat someone differently simply because she believes in God? Stranger things, I tell ya. Their mocking got almost creepy in this one thread, and I can't help but wonder how they are offline.

I could see if I were using the forum as my personal pulpit to evangelize, but that's not me at all. Not all believers think and act the same, and it's unfortunate that some non-believers characterize us as such. I didn't reply to them, just ignored. I'm glad that I didn't. I think I was more amazed than offended to be honest, that people would treat another person differently, based on their spiritual beliefs, and nothing more.

So whether one is a believer or not, many people get caught up in this arrogant way of viewing people who think and act differently than them. Believers do it. Non-believers do it. And it's really strange that many non-believers only think of Christianity, when they think of what believers...believe. As if it's the default position for all believers and spiritual types. Regarding those two guys from SF, most of their ''jokes'' were mocking Christians. (That said, not all Christians are alike, either.) I've never been one to broad-brush and generalize people based on their spiritual views, gender, political affiliations, or anything else.

Oh well *shrug*

[Secular Sanity]

It’s irritating because it’s virtue signaling. Why is faith a virtue?

[Leigha]

Not if you're just talking with others, online or offline...and someone asks your spiritual views and everyone discusses theirs. Everyone's views are different in a number of areas...politics, social justice, etc...is it virtue signaling simply because you don't hold the same views?

[Syne]

Why is leftism a virtue? Especially when it doesn't accomplish anything to actually help minorities and others they purport to help. Just compare Obama, who did nothing to help the black community (and arguably made their lives worse), and Trump, who has helped create record low minority unemployment.

Judge the tree by its fruits.


Seattle, you only "had to" sit through a prayer because you were too spineless to enforce your own personal boundaries, and tell people when they're going too far. Instead of standing up for yourself, you were just going to be passive-aggressive and not help the guy anymore. Hopefully you've learned better since grad school.


Leigha, when people suddenly start mocking you, they are being defensive. They're afraid of you judging them, or they have a nagging fear that you might be right. They're basically trying to preemptively shame you before you can shame them.

[Secular Sanity]

Not if you're just talking with others, online or offline...and someone asks your spiritual views and everyone discusses theirs. Everyone's views are different in a number of areas...politics, social justice, etc...is it virtue signaling simply because you don't hold the same views?

You were discussing evangelism, and thoughts and prayers, but faith in god is consider a virtue, why?