Assessing why a Black man in America would be a Christian

[BayAreaTodd827]

Have I been bamboozled into believing that the Christian faith is beneficial to me? Why have I chosen to be Christian in a "Christian nation" that historically has sought to deprive my race and gender of freedom and dignity?

I have lived some decades. I have seen people, in the name of Christianity, trample over others for their own self-serving purposes. I have witnessed men, by persuasive oratory, fool others into believing that such oratorical skill somehow makes them an authority and proprietor of truth and righteousness. I have seen this game's inevitable result - lies exposed.

I have observed the game played out time and again. Sometimes it is played by those who enter the Christian faith minded to play. At other times, it is played by those who entered the faith with a sincere passion for God, but at some point they became disillusioned by it all and decide to simply go along with the play-book because this is what the majority seem to be doing - feigning perfection.

With my education and exposure to all of this, isnt it about time that I give up the Christian mantle? After all, I am a pretty-well informed and educated person. I completed undergrad and graduate school, and I've traveled a bit. Again, I also know the games people play (whether I choose to indulge in them or not).

Am I not perpetuating the fraud by endorsing a belief system that is replete with hypocrites and deceivers?

The uncomplicated response to the last question posed is, NO! I stand by Christianity based on its own merit, not based on the actions of people who claim to be followers.

The not so easy related question might be, how, with my knowledge, understanding, and experience, am I going to convince others (particularly someone who has been jaded by what theyve seen by others), to become a Christian?

Another related question is why even bother to try?

In terms of the "why bother" question, it is because I am duty bound as a Christian to promote the Christian faith. This is part of being "faithful". Whether I succeed is outside my control. My love for God and His Son/my savior compels me to try.

It is my position that the Christian faith (based on the scriptural standard contained in what is commonly called the Bible) is the most beneficial for mankind. Bar none. It is beneficial in this life as well as for its promise of eternal life. This applies to me as an African-American and all mankind.

I invite dialogue on the topic. I am not seeking to judge anyone. I readily admit that in my dialogue my aim will be to seek to defend the faith I hold, AND, to encourage whomever might read this to become as I am - A Christian. Feel free to respond publicly or privately. I'll respond in kind.

I look forward to mutually respectful and non-judgmental dialogue.

A prelude to my thoughts...

The apostle Paul communicated a fundamental truth about the expectation and need for every able-bodied person to grow up and make decision in accordance with this growth. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 (King James Version) he says " When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man I put away childish things.

In short, while I may have grown up in and around the Christian faith (and of course was influenced by this upbringing) I am not a Christian today simply as a result of that influence. I have lived a life where I have seen and heard many things. The culmination of this has lead me to choosing Jesus Christ. A simple but fully excercised choice.

[DanieltheDragon]

[Replying to post 1 by BayAreaTodd827]

Considering most people follow and believe what their parents follow and believe with minor variations. The answer is simple, slavery is why. Slaves were forced to give up their religions and follow Christianity as part of the conditioning to get them to be more subservient. The first generation probably were just going through the motions but by the third and fourth generations all they knew was Christianity. So the old African religions were erased and replaced with a western semetic one.

[Elijah John]

Not sure why you think Christianity is oppressive or discriminatory towards blacks.

During the anti-slavery movement in the US, didn't the slaves sing about the Exodus as inspiration for their own Exodus?

And there is a well known portrait of abolishionist John Brown with a rifle in one hand, and a Bible in the other. Seems he found inspri

[dio9]

Have I been bamboozled into believing that the Christian faith is beneficial to me? Why have I chosen to be Christian in a "Christian nation" that historically has sought to deprive my race and gender of freedom and dignity?

I have lived some decades. I have seen people, in the name of Christianity, trample over others for their own self-serving purposes. I have witnessed men, by persuasive oratory, fool others into believing that such oratorical skill somehow makes them an authority and proprietor of truth and righteousness. I have seen this game's inevitable result - lies exposed.

I have observed the game played out time and again. Sometimes it is played by those who enter the Christian faith minded to play. At other times, it is played by those who entered the faith with a sincere passion for God, but at some point they became disillusioned by it all and decide to simply go along with the play-book because this is what the majority seem to be doing - feigning perfection.

With my education and exposure to all of this, isnt it about time that I give up the Christian mantle? After all, I am a pretty-well informed and educated person. I completed undergrad and graduate school, and I've traveled a bit. Again, I also know the games people play (whether I choose to indulge in them or not).

Am I not perpetuating the fraud by endorsing a belief system that is replete with hypocrites and deceivers?

The uncomplicated response to the last question posed is, NO! I stand by Christianity based on its own merit, not based on the actions of people who claim to be followers.

The not so easy related question might be, how, with my knowledge, understanding, and experience, am I going to convince others (particularly someone who has been jaded by what theyve seen by others), to become a Christian?

Another related question is why even bother to try?

In terms of the "why bother" question, it is because I am duty bound as a Christian to promote the Christian faith. This is part of being "faithful". Whether I succeed is outside my control. My love for God and His Son/my savior compels me to try.

It is my position that the Christian faith (based on the scriptural standard contained in what is commonly called the Bible) is the most beneficial for mankind. Bar none. It is beneficial in this life as well as for its promise of eternal life. This applies to me as an African-American and all mankind.

I invite dialogue on the topic. I am not seeking to judge anyone. I readily admit that in my dialogue my aim will be to seek to defend the faith I hold, AND, to encourage whomever might read this to become as I am - A Christian. Feel free to respond publicly or privately. I'll respond in kind.

I look forward to mutually respectful and non-judgmental dialogue.

A prelude to my thoughts...

The apostle Paul communicated a fundamental truth about the expectation and need for every able-bodied person to grow up and make decision in accordance with this growth. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 (King James Version) he says " When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man I put away childish things.

In short, while I may have grown up in and around the Christian faith (and of course was influenced by this upbringing) I am not a Christian today simply as a result of that influence. I have lived a life where I have seen and heard many things. The culmination of this has lead me to choosing Jesus Christ. A simple but fully excercised choice.

Hi I have read your op but I don't see why you are a Christian? Why are you a Christian?
I'm Christian because I was born into it. And even now after all still believe. I relate to all thought philosophy east and west as a Christian. My earliest training in Christianity was quite a rigorous immersion . From this foundation I understand other religious traditions, saying to myself yes this agrees, maybe only expressed differently. Why I am Christian is beyond my control , I simply am and have always been , even from before my birth in the womb , Christian.
Why are you Christian?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 2 by JehovahsWitness]

That's really nice to say, and indeed any apologetic can SAY it. But can you back it up with a Bible verse or two? Perhaps a specific one? This is the Doctrine section, so the Bible reigns supreme.

With Pleasure.

ACTS 10:34, 35
For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him..

GALATIANS 3: 27, 28
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female,+ for you are all one in union with Christ Jesus."

COLOSSIANS 3:10, 11
clothe yourselves with the new personality? which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave, or freeman; but Christ is all things and in all.

See above,

JW

[oldbadger]

Hi I have read your op but I don't see why you are a Christian? Why are you a Christian?
I'm Christian because I was born into it. And even now after all still believe. I relate to all thought philosophy east and west as a Christian. My earliest training in Christianity was quite a rigorous immersion . From this foundation I understand other religious traditions, saying to myself yes this agrees, maybe only expressed differently. Why I am Christian is beyond my control , I simply am and have always been , even from before my birth in the womb , Christian.
Why are you Christian?

Your post reads as if only borne and bread Christians can be real Christians?

As I understand it, a person can live their whiole life and become Christian in a moment, or lose Christianity in a moment.

Individual Investigation before Institutional Indoctrination!
(the source for the above is myself! )

[dio9]

Hi I have read your op but I don't see why you are a Christian? Why are you a Christian?
I'm Christian because I was born into it. And even now after all still believe. I relate to all thought philosophy east and west as a Christian. My earliest training in Christianity was quite a rigorous immersion . From this foundation I understand other religious traditions, saying to myself yes this agrees, maybe only expressed differently. Why I am Christian is beyond my control , I simply am and have always been , even from before my birth in the womb , Christian.
Why are you Christian?

Your post reads as if only borne and bread Christians can be real Christians?

As I understand it, a person can live their whiole life and become Christian in a moment, or lose Christianity in a moment.

Individual Investigation before Institutional Indoctrination!
(the source for the above is myself! )

no not at all this was not my intent. Only asking why the Op and you are Christian. Like I said , Christianity was a given to me. Not to say my Christianity is any better than anyone else. As Paul said , in Christ there is no rich or poor slave or free man or woman , we are all one in Christ . I just consider myself to be fortunate.
To be Sure I have moved beyond my childish faith , the faith of my birth , but it still remains the foundation of my life of faith . I am grateful to my parents for this. This can never change since it is, I remain grateful .
We have to be grounded in something. I am grounded in Christ. There is nothing I can do to change it . If you are a Christian too , I hope you are firmly grounded in your faith. peace out.

[BayAreaTodd827]

[Replying to post 7 by dio9]

Hello. Thanks for your question.

I'm a Christian because I believe the biblical narrative regarding Jesus. As I mentioned, originally I was following Christianity because my parents did (naturally). I believe mankind is indeed created in God's image...we are intelligent beings. I believe the Bible bears out our existence with extraordinary accuracy (including our tendency to be self-destructive).

In addition, I believe if we all followed the standard set by Jesus (again based on the biblical narrative) we would be, as a Human Race, so much better off in this world. But, again, I understand the nature of mankind.

[JehovahsWitness]

In addition, I believe if we all followed the standard set by Jesus (again based on the biblical narrative) we would be, as a Human Race, so much better off in this world. But, again, I understand the nature of mankind.

I agree. Sadly the majority of people will not choose to conform to God's standards; that is why Jesus under his Father's direction, will kill off the wicked and take contol of this our planet earth to ensure that the righteous can continue to live on this our planet earth in peace and security.

The Christian message is indeed, "good news"!

[BayAreaTodd827]

[Replying to post 4 by Willum]

Hello, Willum.

First, I profess to be a Christian. Please do not lose sight of my original post. An applicable scriptural passage is 2 Cor 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Second, I'm not sure what you are suggesting I "obviate" regarding Ham. Please explain.

[BayAreaTodd827]

[Replying to post 12 by JehovahsWitness]

Hello, JW. Thanks for your feedback.

I believe that God is not willing that anyone should perish (2 Pet 3:9). I want to encourage people to do what is necessary to avoid such a fate.

While I have spoken with many from your group, I do not subscribe to the Watchtower doctrine about earth's destiny. I believe this physical earth, at some point, will cease to exist.