Stan Posted March 20, 2012 Posted March 20, 2012 Ever notice that some 'Christians' seem to get meaner and meaner as they age, and some of the secular folks go the other way? Why? Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
M. T. Cross Posted March 20, 2012 Posted March 20, 2012 Stan, I can only answer based on what I have seen. I know my Dad felt more and more as he got older that he had done it all wrong. That he had not done enough, had not shown enough faith to make his God happy, to earn his salvation. That he had not overcome enough. This was a man that dedicated his life to his God and to the SDA church. Non religious people don't have that fear. A lot of non Christian but still religious people have a lot to look forward to by thier beliefs (it varies with the belief obviously). But a great deal of them have the belief that as long as they did right the best they knew in this life, the next step will be a great one for them. Quote
Administrators Naomi Posted March 20, 2012 Administrators Posted March 20, 2012 Stan, In my experience it goes both ways. Some Christians do become meaner but some non Christians also become meaner. I think it is because of pain, loneliness, feeling un-needed and often un-loved. They take it out on everyone ... it makes them meaner. Both sometimes become so strict and judgemental that it is difficult to appreciate their company. You should see the fights that senior citizens have over a card game! Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
cricket Posted March 20, 2012 Posted March 20, 2012 One explanation, Stan, might be similar to that of the experiences had by the prodigal son and the son who "stayed". The son who stayed seemed to be angry that the son who returned was getting so much attention. Maybe that's the way it is with some life-long Christians. They live a long time trying to walk the walk and talk the talk, then when others turn to their way of thinking/behaving (and receive much rejoicing over) the Christians somehow feel slighted and are filled with resentment. Quote
Moderators Gerr Posted March 20, 2012 Moderators Posted March 20, 2012 Stan, In my experience it goes both ways. Some Christians do become meaner but some non Christians also become meaner. I think it is because of pain, loneliness, feeling un-needed and often un-loved. They take it out on everyone ... it makes them meaner. Both sometimes become so strict and judgemental that it is difficult to appreciate their company. You should see the fights that senior citizens have over a card game! Quote
Overaged Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 You should see the fights that senior citizens have over a card game! LOL Quote "People [rarely] see...the bright light which is in the clouds..." (Job 37:21)"I cannot know why suddenly the stormshould rage so fiercely round me in it's wrathBut this I know: God watches all my pathAnd I can trust""God helps us to draw strength from the storm" - OveragedFaith makes things possible; it does not make them easy, Steps To Christ
Moderators lazarus Posted March 22, 2012 Moderators Posted March 22, 2012 Talking to pastors it seems like churches are getting meaner and meaner too! Is this what it looks like to get ready for translation? Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted March 22, 2012 Administrators Posted March 22, 2012 Is so, welcome to the mean streets of heaven... Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
Administrators Naomi Posted March 22, 2012 Administrators Posted March 22, 2012 Is so, welcome to the mean streets of heaven... Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
Woody Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 IF you want to see mean - Just mention Gal.3:28. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Administrators Gail Posted March 22, 2012 Administrators Posted March 22, 2012 Sad to see anyone going that way... I just wonder what's going on inside Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Woody Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 Sad to see anyone going that way... I just wonder what's going on inside Good Point Gail. Before we condemn we should walk a mile in their shoes. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
LifeHiscost Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 Sad to see anyone going that way... I just wonder what's going on inside People are people. Those who recognize they have nothing to offer God except their sinful selves and are willing to submit themselves to Him without reservation, to the change needed for that to happen, become the most beautiful people to be around, according to His promises. Some take longer than others for that change to take place. Have patience. God isn't done working on me yet. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV God blesses! Quote Lift Jesus up!!
Administrators Naomi Posted March 22, 2012 Administrators Posted March 22, 2012 Sometimes there are medical reasons for their change in personality or attitude. Only today one of the dearest, sweetest, Christian ladies I have known simply lost it. She is 85 and for the past year or so has been becoming more and more confused. Today there was an incident which in no way involved her, but she became so upset, angry and belligerent that it took her daughter and a couple of close friends to come get her and calm her down a bit. It is sad to see that happen, but it does. Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
Woody Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 Good Point Naomi. I've seen stroke patients totally change in their personality. Family have indicated to me that the person has totally changed and are doing what just prior to the stoke - they would never do or say. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Stan Posted March 22, 2012 Author Posted March 22, 2012 I was thinking about a phrase I heard on Christian radio several years ago.. "You have got to be a self centered, holy-spirit ignoring, person for a lot of years to be a Christian that mean" Or something similar. Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Moderators Bravus Posted March 23, 2012 Moderators Posted March 23, 2012 Yeah, Alzheimers can change a personality, too. But that's not what Stan was talking about... I suspect the root cause for most meanness is valuing being right over being kind. I'd rather do the reverse, if it comes to a conflict between the two. And Christianity can, unfortunately, tell us that being right is the ultimate... it needn't, but it can. Of course, there are atheists who also value being right over being kind. I'm not an atheist, and will never be, and that's one of the reasons (though not the main one). Quote Truth is important
jasd Posted March 23, 2012 Posted March 23, 2012 QR frame: Not being contrarian or mean, as right and kind both have their own place, but - do truths generally lie with being right or being kind? Looking for truths in all the wrong places? Mean is sometimes - having insufficient monie$ and/or other asset$, yes?--like in our present economy. Mean people. --jhames joys ;-) Quote
Administrators Naomi Posted March 23, 2012 Administrators Posted March 23, 2012 I was thinking about a phrase I heard on Christian radio several years ago.. "You have got to be a self centered, holy-spirit ignoring, person for a lot of years to be a Christian that mean" Or something similar. Yes, I have heard something much the same (: Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
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