Opinions

[Event Horizon]

I had a friend whos a baptist, over the last three weeks he went to a bible camp, but when he came back he changed completly.He started to say he didn need friends he had god and that if we would be his friend he would get us into heaven, and that his religion was the only true one. Now me being a christian thought this to be a joke and im thinkin baptists are a fundamentalist group rather than a religion.Give me your opinions

[stillcrazy]

that if we would be his friend he would get us into heaven

The question you need to ask him is where it states in the bible the HE can get anyone into anyplace. THis is of course the assumption that they use the bible as their text of teaching.

Each Religion, takes what they want and twist it around to suit their Idea of Christain beliefs.

If you take a look at any of the major "Christian" religions. They all have added their own ideals and flavors to the bible. THere are things said in the catholic church, the baptist church, the LDS church and a host of others that are no where to be found in the bible.

I should caution you though, your going to get all those folks who are anti-Christian here to say that christians are nothing but brain washing hypocrites. And to a degree they are right. Many Christians are that way. But so are many Jews and many Muslims. But because we don't have those two faiths represented here as much as we do Christians, they don't bash them.

Peace.

Edited September 24, 2005 by stillcrazy

[Something Like Laughter]

one strange church camp.

do you know what kind of baptist he is. there are several kinds.

[+Sherapy]

Isn't that the sales tactic of every religion "ours is the One true one" every friend i have ever had goes through that phase 1st then its the preaching phase , then they mellow out its the newness of it, so hang in there your friend will relax in time. Namaste sheri

[Oubli]

Wow, that would be a tough one. I would definitely not get into a "Bible-bashing" arguement with him, if you value your friendship. Even when he realizes later he was wrong, if you argue heatedly, pride may prevent him from coming to you. I think Sherri gave you good advice, wait it out. Let him know everyone needs friends, even those who have God.

My guess is that he feels he has gone through some sort of life change and in the process is missing the most important aspects of life. Give him some room and let him know you will be there for him when he needs it.

Hang in there!

Amy

[The Raven]

First of all, not trying to disrespect Christianity in any way, this Bible camp sounds like serious brain washing. Who knows what goes on in those places; I would rather join the Taliban than one of those unless it was honest, unbiased study of the Bible.

He started to say he didn need friends he had god and that if we would be his friend he would get us into heaven, and that his religion was the only true one

Then hes being selfless and selfish at the same time. If he doesn't need friends and only God, he may have a boring, meaningless life. If he believes it is the one and only True Religion, then he is being selfish by neglecting to see the possibility of truth in many other religions and focusing only on his, or himself.

I guess if it makes you personally happy, then religion has succeeded, even when many say otherwise.

Isn't that the sales tactic of every religion "ours is the One true one" every friend i have ever had goes through that phase 1st then its the preaching phase , then they mellow out its the newness of it, so hang in there your friend will relax in time.

I couldn't have thought it could be said better. Although, some remain in the Preaching phase, and some remain in the "One and Only True" phase. Look at the majority of television preachers; they're not in it to spread the Grace of God, they're in it for money. Benny Hinn is a prime example.

Edited September 25, 2005 by The Raven

[+Sherapy]

First of all, not trying to disrespect Christianity in any way, this Bible camp sounds like serious brain washing. Who knows what goes on in those places; I would rather join the Taliban than one of those unless it was honest, unbiased study of the Bible.

I couldn't have thought it could be said better. Although, some remain in the Preaching phase, and some remain in the "One and Only True" phase. Look at the majority of television preachers; they're not in it to spread the Grace of God, they're in it for money. Benny Hinn is a prime example.

Good ole Benny Hinn He is my favorite crook there was a very enlightening prime time on him, wHat I don't understand is how people can fall for that and not just a few but thousands?????NAMASTE SHERI

[Billy*Talent]

well my opion is that he tryed to pick up the soap. and got something else in return from bible camp...

[Beggars]

maybe jesus did something to him ,jk,i'm still going to hell

[Billy*Talent]

maybe jesus did something to him ,jk,i'm still going to hell

see ya there

[+Paranoid Android]

I'm wondering what Baptists are like in the U.S. Over here, they are fairly conservative. If this guy in the OP is only a new Christian, then it may be put down to simple enthusiasm as a person of a new Faith. They don't know the finer points of their new belief, which can only come with time.

If this person truly sticks with this belief though, then they (and the church which instilled his belief) obviously don't know what being a Christian is. Simple.

Regards, PA

Edited September 25, 2005 by Paranoid Android

[stillcrazy]

PA don't take their remarks as inflammatory, it is what one would expect from a 14 year old.

The point your making is valid. If the camp was used as a basis to convert a person to a sect of bastardized Christian beliefs, it would behove one to demonstrate the teachings of the Bible.

If it is a case of over exuberance, then the same thing applies. It's an education into what the Bible says, and not the the doctrine of a certain church.

This, in my humble opinion, is why the Christian faith is so demonized. It is not the Bible per se, but how man has used it for his own gain. In my mind, God created the Bible. (I Know others will question and denounce me for it and that's just dandy. It won't change my faith.) However, man created religion. I was raised in the Catholic church and left because I felt it strayed way too far from the teachings of the Bible into it's own set of rules and saints and such. Why do I need to pray to Mary or Peter or Paul to speak to God? The Bible never states this.

The Bible clearly states that no one other than God can bestow forgiveness, life or grace. There is no middleman. This is the true test of a church's beliefs.

Peace

[+Paranoid Android]

True, stillcrazy - I didn't think about how old he was. In any case, I've edited my post.

Regards, PA

[Something Like Laughter]

I'm wondering what Baptists are like in the U.S. Over here, they are fairly conservative. If this guy in the OP is only a new Christian, then it may be put down to simple enthusiasm as a person of a new Faith. They don't know the finer points of their new belief, which can only come with time.

If this person truly sticks with this belief though, then they (and the church which instilled his belief) obviously don't know what being a Christian is. Simple.

Regards, PA

id say most baptists in the states are conservative. i cant speak for all of them though. there are several "sub-denominaitions," southern, independents, and some more i cant remember.

[Nitetalon]

First of all, not trying to disrespect Christianity in any way, this Bible camp sounds like serious brain washing. Who knows what goes on in those places; I would rather join the Taliban than one of those unless it was honest, unbiased study of the Bible.

I couldn't have thought it could be said better. Although, some remain in the Preaching phase, and some remain in the "One and Only True" phase. Look at the majority of television preachers; they're not in it to spread the Grace of God, they're in it for money. Benny Hinn is a prime example.

Brainwashing Full On! I think your friend needs someone to sit down and have along talk with him. Anyone who claims they found Jesus in 3 weeks at some camp where you spend time hiking and swimming is having a little more than just "a problem".

[Grandpa Greenman]

Here is a history of the Baptist church in the States.

Click here

When I was a kid I was sent to Baptist Bible school. My mom wanted us to have something to do during the summer and out of her hair.

She wasn't a Christian, but the neighbors were Baptist and the bus would pick us up.

Brainwashing yup, there was lots of that. Repeating Bible verses over and over is brainwashing. It didn't hurt me, I got over it. I am a Neo-Pagan, now. Although sometimes I am haunted with lines of "Jesus loves me yes I know..." AHHHHH, Make it stop!

Event Horizon, your friend will eventually come out of his fog. Be patent with him. In the mean time don't let him suck you in to something you don't want to be part of.

For those who read the history site, my ancestors were founding members of the first Baptist Church in American under with Roger Williams. All things considered I think it is very strange.

[Heru]

Most baptist ive known were southern baptist and they werent to much different from non denominational christians. There not that different like Mormons.

Did he say he didnt want friends or didnt need friends?

And I doubt the camp taught him that. He probly has a case of pride.

Just cause someone religious thinks or does crazy things doesnt mean everyone was in on it. Could just be him whose crazy.

[Beastmode]

Im a Baptist, and ive never heard that kinda talk from a SBC Church, Southern Baptist Convention. But ive run into alot of so called baptist, some of them not al go by "Consevative or fundamental baptist. The church that i know of thats like the one you mentioned was kicked out of the SBC for crazy beliefs and hate speech towards Islam and Arabs. And keep in mind that alot of cults use the name game, just to get into the mainstream.

Darkwind, that link is way off, For example it calls Bill Clinton a prominate Baptist, thats like calling Micheal Jackson normal.

Edited September 26, 2005 by Beastmode

[mako]

this Bible camp sounds like serious brain washing. Who knows what goes on in those places; I would rather join the Taliban than one of those unless it was honest, unbiased study of the Bible.

All Christian indoctrination is a form of brainwashing, always has been. It does seem that the course of that camp might be a little extreme, or the individual is extremely receptive to brainwashing.

this Bible camp sounds like serious brain washing. Who knows what goes on in those places; I would rather join the Taliban than one of those unless it was honest, unbiased study of the Bible.

When I was a kid (back in the stone age), the Baptists were a very liberal organization, but a while back the conservative evangeliticals took control and now they might as well be Church of Christ or Mormon for all the dogma they have adopted. Sorry, Baptist is one of the last denominations that I would choose were I ever to lose my mind and convert!

[Beastmode]

What ok, if your not a baptist you cannot say what they are or are not! And Baptist SBC atleast are nothing like the Church of Christ or Mormon. And i dont like the sharp lil shots at Christianity or Baptist, this is broad generalization. For example i used to work with a pagan. She told me the her and her friends would take their kids and go and perform excercises in the nude in the woods. Now those people are sick, but that doesnt mean all pagans are like that. And calling bible or youth camps brainwashing, just b.c you had exp doesnt mean all are like that. I actually have worked at youth camps since i was 18, and none of them have been like that. The SBC has done alot of Good to, but of coarse you never hear about that.

[mako]

Now those people are sick

Why is that sick? Are Baptists sick because they teach their religion to their children? Is the human body repulsive? Underneath your clothing you are nude, you just have these hangups pressed on you by some men that died between 3000-1900 years ago. There is nothing wrong with practicing your religion with your children, even in the nude....the human body was created by the Creator (in a round about way) and is beautiful (even the fattest and oldest).

[Beastmode]

I didnt go into detail what they did, lets just say all the adults involved are in jail But my point was i did not judge all pagans,b/c of the acts of a few. In the same way i think all religions and cultures should not be judged by the acts of the minority.

[The Raven]

But my point was i did not judge all pagans,b/c of the acts of a few. In the same way i think all religions and cultures should not be judged by the acts of the minority.

He wasn't really generalizing. Maybe you should re-read this part, because I don't know of any evangelical that isn't:

....the Baptists were a very liberal organization, but a while back the conservative evangeliticals took control and now they might as well be Church of Christ or Mormon for all the dogma they have adopted....

I didnt go into detail what they did, lets just say all the adults involved are in jail

What is that supposed to mean? Going in the woods with others naked for ritual or religious purpose is one thing, even if you are 1 or 100. Going into the woods for child pornography and prostitution and calling it a religious ritual is another. Please do not think people going into the woods naked -- even children -- means this.

For example i used to work with a pagan.

Out of curiosity, what did she tell you about herself other than she was Pagan? Pagan is even broader than Christian, Muslim, and Jew combined.

[draconic chronicler]

I think the "conservative baptists" are the ones that wear coat and tie when they are handling their rattlesnakes and driving "demons" out of people.

[LarryOldtimer]

Good ole Benny Hinn He is my favorite crook there was a very enlightening prime time on him, wHat I don't understand is how people can fall for that and not just a few but thousands?????NAMASTE SHERI

Gene Scott (a deceased preacher, TV of couse, based in Los Angeles) would have given Hinn a good run for his money. I would watch occassionally just for the entertainment value. The guy had a great number of hats, which he changed into quite often, reminded me of the western serials I watched as a kid. He would "teach" from the Old Testament mostly, and just as it was getting interesting, show is ending, tune in next time for a continuation. Then backtrack, to where the majority of the next program was a rehash of the previous one. Scott's premise was that if you listened to him preach, you owed him a tithe, 10 % of your gross income, and darned if enought suckers (mostly poor) people bought into it to make him a very rich man, flying around in a Lear jet, and all. Just another money making Christian preacher, is all.