Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

[Dailybread]

I was listening to the radio and they had a topic regarding home school students. The discussion was centered around them entering public schools blind folded. Their socialization skills are nill because at home they don't have interaction with others their own ages aside from siblings if there are any.

This led me in another direction. I was invited out with a friend of mine on Saturday and I was surprised to find how out of place I felt. I am not use to hanging 'out' with non christians. I mean there was no cursing, drinking or anything of the sort. The conversations were not spritual and centered more around individuals and what they had done or were going to do. I'm just wondering if anyone else has a problem when it comes to socializing with non-christians and how you handle it.

[kthydvs]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

i can relate to what you are saying about feeling "out of place" when in the company of non-Christians. no matter how clean the conversation, the fact that spiritual matters are never discussed makes for a dull conversation. also, if people do not have God in their lives, they have no boundries to guide and protect them. by associating with them, it is very easy for the spirit of the world to rub of on a those who are trying to live their lives in harmoney with the Word of God. Christians need to be careful because the Scriptures tells us "Keep you senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone" (1Peter 5:8).

[mountaingal]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Originally posted by kumba1:
[qb] also, if people do not have God in their lives, they have no boundries to guide and protect them. [/qb]

this is a stereotype. it is quite possible to have (moral) boundaries without God.

[kthydvs]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

possibly yes, people who do not have God in their lives may have boundries, but i suspect the ones' given to us by God would be higher than those determined by man.

[Dailybread]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Originally posted by kumba1:
[qb] i can relate to what you are saying about feeling "out of place" when in the company of non-Christians. no matter how clean the conversation, the fact that spiritual matters are never discussed makes for a dull conversation. [/qb]

I think that's why I felt so out of place. No mention of what God was doing or would do the entire time. I'm not use to that. I'm used to greeting my friends with a praise the Lord and a tesitmony and then whatever! I'm not sure if it's good not to know how to relate to the non-christians though.

[jedi]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

(((Dailybread))) you guys seem to be painting yourselves into a corner. Good greif betweeen the dating threads, the denominational threads and now this socialization thread. Hello! are you missing something here? Did Jesus Christ socialize with his 12 disciples and the Jews only? How did He come to meet the woman at the well for one thing? How did He heal so many and for what reason did the Pharisees and Sadduccees dispise Him? was it not because He ate at the table of the publicans and socialized with outcasts of society? Folks are you forgetting your GREAT COMMISSION? Ask yourself this, how many opportunities to reach someone for Christ have you passed up by developing this exclusivist attitude?

Off to the side a bit - I have been watching these threads and they are screaming exclusion to anyone other than Christians. Where is the outreach here? Or am I mistaken, perhaps this is a meeting place for Christians who only want to talk to other Christians, well as far as I know anywhere and everywhere is a place to reach someone else for Christ. Ok so there are detractors, so what!

[Diplomat]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Originally posted by mountaingal:

Originally posted by kumba1:
also, if people do not have God in their lives, they have no boundries to guide and protect them.

this is a stereotype. it is quite possible to have (moral) boundaries without God.

Agreed...

[Diplomat]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Originally posted by Dailybread:
I was invited out with a friend of mine on Saturday and I was surprised to find how out of place I felt. I am not use to hanging 'out' with non christians. I mean there was no cursing, drinking or anything of the sort. The conversations were not spritual and centered more around individuals and what they had done or were going to do. I'm just wondering if anyone else has a problem when it comes to socializing with non-christians and how you handle it.

Not a problem for me as long as the environment in one in/with which I am comfortable. Some non-christians are a lot of fun to be with.

[kthydvs]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be'li-al? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? (2Cor 6:14,15) Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves, says Jehovah (2Cor 6:17a).

Jesus mixed with unbelievers, that was his purpose in coming to earth, to preach about his Father, Jehovah and the Kingdom. Now, if one is going to spend their lesiure hours preaching, that's fine. The Word of God should come up into your mouth when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up (Deut 6:7), but not everyone will appreciate the message you are giving them. For everything there is an appointed time (Ecc:3:1a)

[Dailybread]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Originally posted by Jedi:
[qb] (((Dailybread))) you guys seem to be painting yourselves into a corner. Good greif betweeen the dating threads, the denominational threads and now this socialization thread. Hello! are you missing something here? Did Jesus Christ socialize with his 12 disciples and the Jews only? How did He come to meet the woman at the well for one thing? How did He heal so many and for what reason did the Pharisees and Sadduccees dispise Him? was it not because He ate at the table of the publicans and socialized with outcasts of society? Folks are you forgetting your GREAT COMMISSION? Ask yourself this, how many opportunities to reach someone for Christ have you passed up by developing this exclusivist attitude?

Off to the side a bit - I have been watching these threads and they are screaming exclusion to anyone other than Christians. Where is the outreach here? Or am I mistaken, perhaps this is a meeting place for Christians who only want to talk to other Christians, well as far as I know anywhere and everywhere is a place to reach someone else for Christ. Ok so there are detractors, so what! [/qb]

Jedi, Please note that I did not say that this was the right thing to do. If you will please read what I wrote originally and my reply. My schedule does not permit me enough to time 'socialize' and when I do it's normally with others from my Church.

In saying that I did not think I would feel out of place as I've never been down that road before. I also stated before I do not think it's a good thing.

It happened to me once and it affected me greatly to the point of where I heard something similar on the radio and personalized it to me. I also posted it here to get your thoughts.

I guess my problem is that I don't get out enough, which was the same problem that the children has. It wasn't a choice per say but the opportunity never lent itself. Then again you have to understand my schedule to understand.

Thanks for your response.

[Dailybread]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Originally posted by kumba1:
[qb] "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be'li-al? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever?" (2Cor 6:14,15).
[/qb]

Kumba, I belive this is refering to marriage. Yoked means to be tied together so I don't think it's referring to being around. I could be wrong but that's my thought on it.

Originally posted by kumba1:
[qb]
Jesus mixed with unbelievers, that was his purpose in coming to earth, to preach about his Father, Jehovah and the Kingdom. Now, if one is going to spend their lesiure hours preaching, that's fine. The Word of God should come up into your mouth "when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up" (Deut 6:7), but not everyone will appreciate the message you are giving them. "For everything there is an appointed time"(Ecc:3:1a) [/qb]

We should endeavor to be like Christ in that we should spread the gospel. I am sure there was an opportunity where I could've and should've shared the Word of God without pushing it on them. I felt so out of place that I didn't say much of anything. When I'm at work they are very much aware of the fact that I'm a christian and at times when they have issues they will come to me 'undercover' and ask for a prayer. We should endeavour to preach the gospel in the highways and in the byways and that may include going out to dinner with a non believer at times etc.etc.

[musa]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

peace,
i am a muslim but i can fully relate to this issue.
to me is more a matter of being around people of faith or not.
when the conversation revolves around the Creator it is always a chance to grow. sometimes confronting with people of different faith is the occasion to better understand our belief.
if we are sound in our faith why should we fear reasoning?
once again i see much difference between christian denominations. some are open to discussion and do it in a spirit of respect and love, some seems to be scared of something: they don't want to have any doubt so they just want to be around people who confirm their understanding.
to me the problem is with being around people who don't care about the Lord Most High.
still if there's a chance for a good word i'll go for it. it's only when Allah is being disrespected or ridiculized, that -in accordance to the teaching of the qur'an- i have to leave that company if i can't make them go back to reason.
one love,

[kthydvs]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Yes 2Cor is taken and applied to marriage. However, on reading the whole of chapter 6, marriage is not mentioned. The chapter is instructing us on how we should be behaving with regards our ministry. To act as ambassadors, not to give cause for stumbling, to reccomend ourselves as God's ministers enduring much.

It is not easy boldly speaking out about the Kingdom hope "For know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying "Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep, all things continuing exactly as from creation's beginning" (2Peter 3:3,4). However, just remember "be of good courage and say "Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?".

[rebelgirl]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Originally posted by kumba1:
[qb] possibly yes, people who do not have God in their lives may have boundries, but i suspect the ones' given to us by God would be higher than those determined by man. [/qb]

Uh..... not quite.

[Dailybread]

Re: Socialization - Outside the Christian realm

Originally posted by musa:
[qb] peace,
i am a muslim but i can fully relate to this issue.
to me is more a matter of being around people of faith or not.
when the conversation revolves around the Creator it is always a chance to grow. sometimes confronting with people of different faith is the occasion to better understand our belief.
if we are sound in our faith why should we fear reasoning?
once again i see much difference between christian denominations. some are open to discussion and do it in a spirit of respect and love, some seems to be scared of something: they don't want to have any doubt so they just want to be around people who confirm their understanding.
to me the problem is with being around people who don't care about the Lord Most High.
still if there's a chance for a good word i'll go for it. it's only when Allah is being disrespected or ridiculized, that -in accordance to the teaching of the qur'an- i have to leave that company if i can't make them go back to reason.
one love, [/qb]

I'm glad to see that it's not just a Chirstian / Non Christian issue but instead that it varies throughout different religions. Thanks for responding.