Not welcome if you aren't a christian?? You're kidding me right?

Thank you for this message and God bless you dearly. I totally agree with you. I actually left the church I grew up in because of a similar issue. This was like the straw that broke the camels back but all in all this was it. One Sunday morning, I went to church and the congregation was singing during our time of communion and a homeless woman came in the back of the church found the first seat and sat down. It was winter and she was a bit drunk; however, I took it as maybe this was the only way she'd have enough courage to come into the church. Anyway, she started singing loudly over everyone else. The whole congregation (except for very few of us) turned around in their pews and began to whisper. The elderly people were the main ones who were talking about "what's she doing in here...somebody needs to do something about her" I couldn't believe it. The paster then said "stop the music...stop singing...everybody stop where you are." He then went on to explain that this was Gods house and we will not treat anyone with disrespect. He then ordered the deacons to go over and serve the woman her communion. That woman had never been in the church as far as I could remember so maybe she just wanted to serve God and/or receive communion. Nevertheless, I was digused at how badly the people of the church had treated this woman as though they were perfect so I decided to find another church home. Sorry for the long example but I truly feel where you're coming from and wish you the best.

It is sad, because Jesus Christ taught that people should be kind and compassionate. The Bible tells us that we should not sit in judgement of others. God will do the only judging necessary. Yet Christians often sit in judgment. Right here on mylot there are discussions, daily, where Christians tell people which candidate is the only choice for a "decent" Christian. That a vote for the other candidate would make them a bad Christian, etc. They also often condemn fellow human beings for homosexuality, and various other differences. I see this judgment as a much bigger sin, than the ones they condemn. To be Christ like has a whole new meaning for these self-righteous people. Sad indeed.

It feels good to see someone on mylot spreading the word of God like this. Even though I'm not a religious person I like to discuss about it and have an interest in different kind of religions. I admire the love and strenght for people and each other that religions most of the time have. That's why situations like the one with the pagan man you described really hurt me too. Everyone should be appreciated and loved, especially in a church where we are all Gods children. If even church is discriminating, where would this world come to?

I've heard it said the the problem with Christianity is that too many Christians are giving it a bad name! This is a perfect example. How will we influence others to Christianity if we won't have anything to do with them? We are all sinners, and if anyone tells you they don't sin they are lying or only fooling themselves. There are certain aspects of human behavior I don't agree with, but I would never presume to judge them; that's God's job to deal with them as He will.

This is very sad. Because this is our job as Christians. How can we spread the love of Jesus if we don't let the down trodden in. Jesus loves us all but it is our job to let every one know about his love. This was the job of the Jews but they too failed to do it and I think that is way they failed to recognize Jesus when he came. After all we are all sinners not just the pagan or the bag lady. No wonder we have such a bad rap.

good day.. I'm a christian or at least that's how I was brought up..If we continue to segregate others then we're not doing God's work. Bow can other people know God if we shut them out? Remember apostle Paul who once was Saul? No matter how a different a faith a person has, God would always wanted a relationship with them.

Hi bubbles, I totally agree with you! God welcomes all to His House. Jesus said that everyone is welcome at His Father's table...even the most wreched. No church should unwelcome anyone who comes. Jesus welcomed all to come to Him and as Christians, we should do the same. No, we are not perfect by any means. That is why Jesus came to die for our sins so that we can come to know the Father and live forever with Him Also, there are some discussions on here that will not welcome Christians. That does not surprise me at all! God bless you and thank you for sharing this with us!

Wow, if that pagan was there that time he probably was curious about God but then having people turn him away like that from God's house. Would have made this person think I don't want to be a christian if this is how they treat people that aren't. You're right we are supposed to be in God's image and we are supposed to reflect God and do what he would have done. He wouldn't have turned that person away instead he would have lead him to him. I can relate someway to this Pagan no I'm not one I'm a born again Christian but my grandfather who is a minister brings up my past even though my past has nothing to do with getting my son back into my home. But my grandparents think it does. I don't go to church because I feel like there are alot of hypocrites that go, only because of how my grandfather treats me and stuff like that. So I worship God in my home in my own way. So I'm being judged by my grandparents and they aren't the ones that are supposed to be judging anyone. They have an awful hard time forgiving me for stuff that happened in my past and I don't feel that is right. My grandparents are supposed to be living for God and do what he would do but in my opinion they are not. I don't like it when people cast the first stone at me especially when I have made big progress to re-gain custody of my son but again they seem to not even care. So that's how I can relate to that pagan being turned away because I'm being turned away by my grandfather who is supposed to be a Baptist preacher and my grandmother who is a Baptist preacher's wife.

You are right. God loves everyone. When Jesus was still on earth it is those kind of people you have mentioned whom he interacted and helped during His time. That's the reason why He came here so as to save them and make them know Him. But then we are sometimes discriminating other people. We tend to choose the people to serve and to make friends with which alienates the people who really needs our love.

That is very sad, but happens! What's even sadder, Christians can be some of the rudest people and less tolerant than non Christians. That's the one's that give us Christians a bad name, but not us, God. It says in the Bible that Jesus hung out with the sinners, he didn't do as they did, he just loved them and showed them compassion. Just pray for this guy and ask God to open his eyes and soften his heart. You know when the Rapture takes place there will be so many people that call their self Christians, Left Behind. There is a difference in Knowing God and Believing. Great Post! May God Bless You in all You do!

A very good viewpoint you have there. Unfortunately many people don't share your views. I know in my area Pagans such as myself are not welcome in the local Churchs. One local Church has had several members tell me I'd be welcome - IF I convert back to Christianity. Its a shame more don't share your views.

I just want to say how very much I agree with your point of view. I'm Christian and as such compound to follow the example of my Lord Jesus. In his time he was criticized for joining the "outsiders" of Jewish society, and he answered that they who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick, do(Matthew 9:12). Please let's have more of your kind and less of the intolerant ones, and more people will be ready to listen to us.

Hello Bubbles, I am so angry, sorry for that I for one is a pagan and we do believe in God and Goddess. I go to a spirirual church where most of them are christain, thy all accept me and they are wonderful people. Well I'm sorry those people who calls theselves christains are nothing but a hypocrites, no matter what religion you are they should be welcome to whorship.I'm very angry. Tamarafireheart.

well first of all, i would shake your hand on this. i am not a church going person, been to many different churchs. and sadly depend what one i went too they looked at me different, guess they never saw a guy with ear rings. but have meant some really super nice people at different churchs. i don't why people do this, i know some who claim to be reborn or saved. but they are the first to judg others. tell them how they will go to hell. when they want to judge me, i tell them it don't matter what they say or think, one person judge me that is God.

It is nice to hear from a true Christian. I an't believe these people who all themselves Christias, and proess to love everyone. Some of them are such hypocrites, it's heart-breaking!

Sadly, it happens. I've seen people who call themselves Christian do unchristian things so I'm not really surprised.

This is the type of behavior that gives churches a bad name and yes even Christians a bad name. I have two similar stories that looking back I find pretty humorous, at the time one really hurt my feelings though. Thirty plus years ago I was dating a man who wanted me to get to know his family better, we were planning to marry. I was at the time still a practicing Catholic and his family were members of a Evangelical Christian church, what we call in the South Holy Rollers and Bible Thumpers. So this church was holding a tent revival and my future in-laws invited me to attend that Sunday. They even helped me to pick out clothing to wear assuming that I would not dress appropriately for the big final day. So there we all were, ladies in their Sunday go to meeting clothing, matching shoes and hats. Men in their shark skin suits. The preacher was breathing fire and brimstone that day. Women and men were getting the holy ghost, speaking in tongues, dancing in the aisles. The choir was awesome in both voice and beat keeping the whole tent on their feet and clapping. It was different from anything I had ever seen before, having never been to this type of service and mind you it went on and on for a good four hours. Souls were saved that day. After the service several women came up to our "family group" to ask how I enjoyed the service. I am sure that I appeared a bit tongue tied but all I could say was that it was interesting. Then they asked if I was Christian, of course I responded that I was. They asked me what church I attended and I told them at which they replied that I was not only not Christian but not saved and likely going to Hades. I was appalled and amazed. Needless to say I never returned and I was extremely turned off by these types of churches from that point on. I will tell the other story some other time. It is equally funny but closer to home.

Bubbles, some Christians even turn away their own! If your beliefs aren't just like theirs,or perhaps you don't do things exactly like they want, then you aren't welcome in their church. My daughter and her children had a bad experience in a church when her third child was a baby. She went to this church one Sunday, looking for a church to attend. This particular Sunday, they had a visiting preacher. My daughter always liked to keep her children in church and not in a nursery or children's church. The preacher was preaching and they were sitting up front. Her daughter, who was probably about 4 at the time, always liked to be close to whomever was preaching. When they visited my church, she'd work her way to the altar or piano stool and sit and listen. She never made a sound. Our pastor never said anything.Well,she did this at that church, and this visiting preacher said out loud, "I like for the kids to go to the nursery." And my daughter heard the woman behind her tell her daughter to 'go get that little girl'. My daughter knew then they weren't welcome, so she picked up her kids and stsrted walking out. One woman followed her and told her she was coming to get her kids and take them to the nursery.My daughter told her,'no thanks,I'll take them home.' And she never went back. My children always sat with me in church. How else do they learn to sit still in church? I know I was brought up sitting under the sermons, not stuck in another room. And, I like to see children out in the audience. Some may be disruptive, but most parents will take them out and talk to them and then bring them back in.

It makes me sad to read that you still call yourself a Christian because such hypocritical actions don't stop there. If Christians are hypocrites and 'sinful' like all other humans, ie no different to others, then what is meant by 'a new life with Jesus' or 'born again' if they are no different to how they were before? test God, and you'll find him wanting (wanting money more often then not).