[classyT]

So, what is your pride based on? I think that is the main question.

Perfect way to get to the root of it Alty... it depends on what we base our pride on. Therefore, I would RATHER say, I am blessed, privileged and honored to be a Christian. ( and the same thing goes for how I feel about being an American!) :)

[dwashbur]

I'm not a Christian,

I'm hopelessly curious: what is it that makes you "not a Christian"?

[Alty]

Perfect way to get to the root of it Alty...it depends on what we base our pride on. Therefore, I would RATHER say, I am blessed, privileged and honored to be a Christian. ( and the same thing goes for how I feel about being an American!) :)

And I would say that I'm happy with my beliefs. I'm not blessed with them, nor am I privileged or honored to be a Deist. That's just my belief. Nor am I blessed, privileged or honored to be a German. I'm happy with my culture, but other people have just as much right to feel good about their heritage. After all, I didn't choose where I was born any more then you did.

I don't know if I'm saying this right. I don't mean that what you said was wrong, but it can be construed as "pride" or "boasting". It almost sounds like "I'm a Christian and an American, and I'm more blessed, more privileged and more honored then you because of it". I'm sure that's not what you meant, and you have a right to feel good about who and what you are, but so does everyone else. Again, this is not coming out the way I'm intending. I hope you can understand what I'm trying to say. :o

To address the original question;

Whenever we boast about a belief, it can get sticky. To say that you're proud to be Christian, even if it's not meant in a bad way, seems to insinuate that you have a reason to be proud.

To me pride is when you've accomplished something. To be proud is to state "I have done something you haven't. I have accomplished something great". Pride in religion, it doesn't mix. What do you have to be proud of? You haven't accomplished anything great, you just chose a belief.

I wish I could make my thoughts clearer. I just think that pride about something you haven't accomplished, something you chose, is a way to say to others "I'm better then you because of my choice".

[Alty]

I'm hopelessly curious: what is it that makes you "not a Christian"?

The fact that I'm not a Christian. :)

I don't believe in church. I don't believe in a God that intervenes. I don't believe that the bible is the "word of God".

The closest description for my beliefs is Deism.

[kp2171]

lots of ways to define "pride"... or any other word, for that matter...

is it a sin to love another person? What if that person is married? What if you are sleeping with them? Et cetera...

so... I think if one is christian, one must really base their actions on the teachings of Christ... so... is "pride" knowing your faith has guided you and others to doing the hard work of social justice that resounds through the gospels... or is "pride" a feeling good because you want good for others... or what?

getting a rush because you know you are doing the Right Thing... its normal, physiological, and I don't think it's a sin...

one of the greatest "christians" I know was Gandhi... who lived Christ's gospel to the t... effective, confrontive nonviolence to change the world... I don't care that my church doesn't see mr m.g. as a christian... he lived the live Christ called us to live...

so... if your church is really fulfilling the call for social justice and that makes your chest swell... k... welcome to being human. Mortal. It happens.

being content for long, however, rarely solves the problems of the world.

[Alty]

I do understand what you're saying KP, and I agree. Wait for the but. ;)

To me, pride is something you feel when you've accomplished something. I'm proud of my kids, because they're good people, and they've accomplished things. Jared has ADD, but he does his best every day, he strives to learn, to do his best, he's a good kid, with a good heart. I'm so proud of that. Sydney is a loving, caring, wonderful little girl. I like to think I had something to do with that, so she makes me proud.

To be proud of a choice, to me that's boasting.

If I said that I'm proud that I own a house, to me, that would be a slap in the face to all the people that don't. It's implying that I've somehow accomplished something they haven't.

Again, I don't think I'm making my thoughts very clear. For that I do apologize.

A final thought. I don't think pride is the right choice. Maybe, "I'm happy to be Christian, or, I'm content with my beliefs". The word pride just implies that you have something to be proud of. Unless you're God, what did you do that would make you proud of Christianity?

Go ahead, throw rocks. I'll duck. ;)

[kp2171]

Again... its how you define it... and not on paper... how you live "pride"...

After all... its just dumb human imperfect words to imperfectly explain a feeling that is hard to explain concisely.

So...

I'm proud when my son amazes me with some new talent... I'm proud when the little stincker doesn't p@ss his pants 'cause dirt is more interesting than hygiene...

Point is this... I don't have to stretch far to find actions among christians that are the complete opposite of anything to be proud about...

...

So...

If your child or your family or your church does something Really Good... it is human and natural to feel pride in that accomplishment... now... ride that too long and I think its short sighted at best.

Banner waving is not all about honoring those who did the dirty work... its sometimes to call attention to those in need... and my experience is just that... those who feel a calling to do the hard, hard work we are called to do... well, pride isn't necessarily a dirty word... it when it is wielded against others that it gets warped and twisted...

I am proud of my son. He is naughty and good. Fearless and respectful. The joy I have in knowing I have some part in molding him is real, honest, and without pretense... if that feeling I feel... knowing how I've molded this child... keeps me outside heaven's gate.

Well... then OK.

I can deal with that I guess.

[Alty]

I agree KP.

Like I said in my other posts, I know what I want to say, but I'm having a hard time making it clear in my posts. Bear with me?

I agree with you. That's all I really need to say. :)

If the reasons for pride are as you stated, then pride is not a bad choice of word. It is only a word. I do understand that. I was taught that pride is something you earn, not something that is a given. If that makes any sense. ;)

If your church, your kids, you, are doing things that make you proud, then pride isn't wrong.

I do have to do the but. But, if you're only proud because of your choice, even if you don't do anything to be proud of, then no, pride is not okay. You can only be proud if you've done something to be proud of.

I'll bow out now. Being on the religious forum gives me a headache. ;)

[kp2171]

I agree KP. I'll bow out now. Being on the religious forum gives me a headache. ;)

Agreed.

More mud slung here than at a moster jam truck show with bikini babes fighting for takedown points...

[Alty]

agreed.

more mud slung here than at a moster jam truck show with bikini babes fighting for takedown points...

Sad but true.

Everyone has an opinion, and everyone has the right to theirs, but in the religious forums it seems that you're burned at the stake should you disagree with anyone.

Chalk it up to boredom. Not much going on here lately, so I popped in, said nothing while using a lot of words, and now I'm popping out again.

So carry on everyone. Agree to disagree, which is the norm in this forum. ;)

[kp2171]

Lets bump it forward...

You are wrong because you believe in your particular denominations teachings.

No, you are wrong because you are wrong.

Well you are wrong because you rely on others to tell you what is right and wrong, and their opinions are wrong most of the time.

Well, you are wrong because My Holy Denominations trumps yours 'cause it sez so and I believe it.

...

*sigh*

...

Am I proud my son goes to choir practice and has good Sunday school attendance? I guess. But not really. It doesn't echo very far from my own personal validation...

k.

Tired and done.

Will unsubscribe when this becomes too ugly to watch... tick... tick... tick...

[jakester]

lets bump it forward...

you are wrong because you believe in your particular denominations teachings.

no, you are wrong because you are wrong.

well you are wrong because you rely on others to tell you what is right and wrong, and their opinions are wrong most of the time.

well, you are wrong because My Holy Denominations trumps yours 'cause it sez so and i believe it.

...

*sigh*

...

am i proud my son goes to choir practice and has good sunday school attendance? i guess. but not really. it doesnt echo very far from my own personal validation...

k.

tired and done.

will unsubscribe when this becomes too ugly to watch... tick... tick... tick...

?? What on earth did you just say? I couldn't really understand what your point was because it seems like you make one statement and then retract it.

[classyT]

????? What on earth did you just say? I couldn't really understand what your point was because it seems like you make one statement and then retract it.

Yes I didn't understand KP comments either.

[dwashbur]

The fact that I'm not a Christian. :)

I don't believe in church. I don't believe in a God that intervenes. I don't believe that the bible is the "word of God".

The closest description for my beliefs is Deism.

What are your thoughts on Jesus?

[Clough]

The original question was "Is it a sin to be proud of the fact that you are a Christian?" Also, it was posted in the Christianity forum topic area. So, to me those two facts would indicate that it was directed at and for Christians to answer.

However, then in the body of the original post is stated, "is it okay to be proud of your faith, or your church?"

That, to me, would indicate that the original question was also directed at those that might have some other kind of belief and/or faith.

Just the way that things were worded in the original question and post seems to have caused some confusion here.

If the way that I read things was a misinterpretation as to the original intent of this thread, then I do apologize.

Thanks!

[Alty]

What are your thoughts on Jesus?

Jesus is the name of a character in a book that was written by a lot of different men. It's an interesting read, a best seller. That's it.

[kp2171]

????? What on earth did you just say? I couldn't really understand what your point was because it seems like you make one statement and then retract it.

Sorry... that was me mimicking the talk that sometimes dominates the religious threads and drives me mad.

That "bump it forward" mismash of nonsense, in my opinion, happens over and over and over on too many threads with topics relevant for discussion...

Inside jokes are even less funny when the only person getting it is the person saying it.

[dwashbur]

Jesus is the name of a character in a book that was written by a lot of different men. It's an interesting read, a best seller. That's it.

Real or fictional?

[jpbuzzworthy]

Sin Of Pride - Preoccupation With Self
The sin of pride is a preoccupation with self. It is thus very fitting that the middle letter in the word is "i." Pride is all about "me, myself, and I." So even as the word "pride" is centered upon an "i," the sin itself is also centered upon "I." We read of Lucifer's fall, "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit."8 Satan's enmity against God began with "I". And so it is with us. If you are preoccupied with yourself, you are suffering from the sin of pride.

One way to determine whether you are preoccupied with yourself is to evaluate your motives. Take the pursuit knowledge for example. If you study hard because that's what the Lord wants you to do and you're being obedient to Him, that's good. That's obedience to God. Or if you study hard because you want to become a teacher so that you can edify others and help them to grow, that's good too. That's love for others. But if you study hard solely to amass knowledge for yourself, just so you can say that you know more than everyone else, that's bad! Your focus is upon yourself and your own glory. That's preoccupation with self. That's pride. And if this is the case for you, not only are you already suffering from pride, you're setting yourself up to be totally consumed by it! The Apostle Paul wasn't joking when he said, "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."9 And anyone who is ever been there will tell you, knowledge for the wrong reasons (i.e. personal glory) will lead to a proud heart and enmity against God.

[jenniepepsi]

When god said that pride was a sin, I believe there are 2 different kinds.

One of which he was talking about, being so full of pride, that its no longer about your religion, its about 'how good do I look to my friends and family or strangers'

Being proud that you have god and jesus in your heart is a good thing. But don't let it fill you with so much pride that you start believing you are better than others.