07-22-2006, 04:30 PM
Thats a lot of questions for me to answer! ;-)
I'll start with Srini, with first, my thanks for your open and pleasant response. Yes, Srini, I believe all of us have the right to our own beliefs and culture. I think all of us have sinned, though; Hindus , Muslims and Christians !!...see post 18... and my own belief, ridiculous though some of you think it, is that Christ died in my place for my sins, and so now I have a new relationship with God where he does not look at my sins, but looks at me as if my sin has been removed.
I would hate to NOT share what I see as a wonderful thing with others, so I do believe in talking about Jesus Christ, and the free gift of salvation he offers everyone; but I firmly believe that everyone has a right to respond to Christ as they like. Some of you are sceptical and a little scornful, and you have every right to your reaction. Some people may want to know more; I would ask what they wanted to know. Some people may be bored about religion, but want to discuss other things; thats fine, too; and I would be very happy to just be friends, though my beliefs would probably slip into my conversation now and again,as everyone's does, since it is part of my life-style, and I am always challenged to live like Christ (Fail most of the time, though!!). I don't mind being teased, and most of my friends accept my faith as part of me.
I would reject completely any attempt to bribe or force conversion as unethical and despicable, and yes, disgusting; and also basically ridiculous and impossible, as we are taking about how a person thinks, INSIDE, about Christ, and that, really cannot be forced with either money or food or life-threats.
Last question : In my community, we are given two names, one Indian name, and one name from the Bible. Annamma is my Bible name; it is, as ashyam correctly said, from the Hebrew "anna" which means gracious.
I'll start with Srini, with first, my thanks for your open and pleasant response. Yes, Srini, I believe all of us have the right to our own beliefs and culture. I think all of us have sinned, though; Hindus , Muslims and Christians !!...see post 18... and my own belief, ridiculous though some of you think it, is that Christ died in my place for my sins, and so now I have a new relationship with God where he does not look at my sins, but looks at me as if my sin has been removed.
I would hate to NOT share what I see as a wonderful thing with others, so I do believe in talking about Jesus Christ, and the free gift of salvation he offers everyone; but I firmly believe that everyone has a right to respond to Christ as they like. Some of you are sceptical and a little scornful, and you have every right to your reaction. Some people may want to know more; I would ask what they wanted to know. Some people may be bored about religion, but want to discuss other things; thats fine, too; and I would be very happy to just be friends, though my beliefs would probably slip into my conversation now and again,as everyone's does, since it is part of my life-style, and I am always challenged to live like Christ (Fail most of the time, though!!). I don't mind being teased, and most of my friends accept my faith as part of me.
I would reject completely any attempt to bribe or force conversion as unethical and despicable, and yes, disgusting; and also basically ridiculous and impossible, as we are taking about how a person thinks, INSIDE, about Christ, and that, really cannot be forced with either money or food or life-threats.
Last question : In my community, we are given two names, one Indian name, and one name from the Bible. Annamma is my Bible name; it is, as ashyam correctly said, from the Hebrew "anna" which means gracious.