Never call me HARDCORE.
Sometimes, when people question me about my religion or ask me things pertaining to my faith in order to strike up a conversation (lousy ice-breaker, I must add), the conversation often leads to big bulging eyes and jaw-dropped, tongue tied expressions - followed by a remark that I often hate: "you're a hardcore Christian".
Now, being labelled 'hardcore' ranks high on my abhorrence list. It's like no. 1 on my 10 Commandments of Getting Along With Raymond : never ever call me hardcore. it irks me so much because of many reasons:
1) what? you don't know better words to use to describe me and other Christians? You watch too much porn already is it? Only know of the 1 word which comes to your mind inevitably?!
2) hardcore makes me seem like some looney, psychotic zealot. I'm just a staunch Christian, not a schizo nutcase. =D And by the way, atheists who are 'hardcore' are not dubbed 'hardcore' but rather, 'militant atheists' or 'angry atheists'. Sounds a lot less insulting right? Of course, being labelled a 'militant Christian' would be in itself an oxymoron, and the impression it creates is... well, undesirable.
3) 'hardcore' sounds stupid.
the stigma attached to being branded a 'hardcore' Christian is quite a burden to carry. when word spreads that you're a 'hardcore' Christian, it sometimes leads to raised eyebrows, awkward stares, even blatant avoidance. Quite a burden to carry, I must mention.
But at the end of the day, I'm proud to be a Christian. People say Christians are sheep; I say Christians stand out. My faith, beliefs and values defines my individuality and identity a lot. I mean, com'on, which guy nowadays doesn't believe in pre marital sex, getting drunk, getting into fist fights and would rather visit the elderly in his spare time? people might perceive me as an anomaly in the human species (what the heck.) but it's that risk that drives me on sometimes. You know, that living on the edge, putting myself in the Ridicule Spotlight and making myself highly vulnerable to mockery and gossip. it makes me feel different and unique! And I strangely derive some silly satisfaction from that. heh.
Having said that, Marilyn puts it really well. Why do some atheists quote from the bible to substantiate their arguments when they don't even believe in the bible anyway? Half the time, their arguments are flawed because their knowledge of the bible is so limited. Food for thought.
Life in camp is rocky, full of misunderstandings and backbiting, but I know God will see me through. It's never easy to be in the position of an IC, but what God appointed me to be He'll give the grace to let me accomplish it. I'm fine, guys!
Now, being labelled 'hardcore' ranks high on my abhorrence list. It's like no. 1 on my 10 Commandments of Getting Along With Raymond : never ever call me hardcore. it irks me so much because of many reasons:
1) what? you don't know better words to use to describe me and other Christians? You watch too much porn already is it? Only know of the 1 word which comes to your mind inevitably?!
2) hardcore makes me seem like some looney, psychotic zealot. I'm just a staunch Christian, not a schizo nutcase. =D And by the way, atheists who are 'hardcore' are not dubbed 'hardcore' but rather, 'militant atheists' or 'angry atheists'. Sounds a lot less insulting right? Of course, being labelled a 'militant Christian' would be in itself an oxymoron, and the impression it creates is... well, undesirable.
3) 'hardcore' sounds stupid.
the stigma attached to being branded a 'hardcore' Christian is quite a burden to carry. when word spreads that you're a 'hardcore' Christian, it sometimes leads to raised eyebrows, awkward stares, even blatant avoidance. Quite a burden to carry, I must mention.
But at the end of the day, I'm proud to be a Christian. People say Christians are sheep; I say Christians stand out. My faith, beliefs and values defines my individuality and identity a lot. I mean, com'on, which guy nowadays doesn't believe in pre marital sex, getting drunk, getting into fist fights and would rather visit the elderly in his spare time? people might perceive me as an anomaly in the human species (what the heck.) but it's that risk that drives me on sometimes. You know, that living on the edge, putting myself in the Ridicule Spotlight and making myself highly vulnerable to mockery and gossip. it makes me feel different and unique! And I strangely derive some silly satisfaction from that. heh.
Having said that, Marilyn puts it really well. Why do some atheists quote from the bible to substantiate their arguments when they don't even believe in the bible anyway? Half the time, their arguments are flawed because their knowledge of the bible is so limited. Food for thought.
Life in camp is rocky, full of misunderstandings and backbiting, but I know God will see me through. It's never easy to be in the position of an IC, but what God appointed me to be He'll give the grace to let me accomplish it. I'm fine, guys!
I'm so proud of you!
WOW! Let's be proud of our relationship with the God of the universe!You are a CHRISTIAN!HOT and ON FIRE, burning with the love of Christ!
**Ian is this other children church helper..who used to help me out when I was in Childrens' Church years back.
Posted by
Nieece` |
10:43 PM
It's called defeating the enemy on his own ground and knowing thy enemy.
And:
Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian
1 - You actually know a lot less than many atheists and agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history - but still call yourself a Christian.
In my experience, 'hardcore' atheists know more about the Bible, Christianity, and church history than 99% of Christians.
Posted by
Agagooga |
12:24 AM
i agree with gabriel.. after all there are alot of non-chrisians who know the bible better than christians.
gabriel: being christian is not just about knowing the bible. i'm surprised at how narrow minded some people can be when it comes to talking about such issues.
Posted by
lyn |
3:56 PM
I would say that knowing (and understanding) the bible is a necessary but not sufficient condition.
But the rub lies in understanding, since everyone has a different idea of what it means. Which would not be a problem if they didn't also try to impose it on everyone else.
Posted by
Agagooga |
4:53 PM
"I mean, com'on, which guy nowadays doesn't believe in pre marital sex, getting drunk, getting into fist fights and would rather visit the elderly in his spare time?"
So non-Christian (or Christian but not as 'hardcore') males are sex-crazed, drunken and violent?
It is not very prudent to claim a religious monopoly on what is essentially commonsensical behaviour.
As much as you don't want 'hardcore' Christians to be seen as nose-flaring, Bible-thumping, moral fascists, try to avoid falling into the stereotyping trap too.
Cheers.
Posted by
Dr. Fletcher |
7:10 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Posted by
R2D2 |
3:39 PM
IMHO, hardcore seems to be a word that is edging towards radical. Then shall all the moderates be considered softcore?
Interpretion is subjective. Like a friend who mentioned quite some time back: In the bible, God said Obey Me, not YOU MUST Obey Me.
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:08 AM
I've never heard someone described as a 'hardcore Christian' before. Where have I been? Is this the same as a fundamentalist Christian?
Posted by
venitha |
7:59 PM
i AM proud of being a Christian too because I believe in God no matter what, even when people around me object to it. Being a staunch Christian is a virtue and no one should use demeaning words to put a person of such calibre down.
I am proud of you being proud of yourself being a Christian.
I believe what's most important is not whether one knows the bible more than others, be it Christians or non Christians, but that whether you can find peace with yourself and seek in Him before anything else.
Posted by
sereneannabelle |
2:27 PM
Do you know that I consider myself a half Satanist?
Posted by
R2D2 |
3:02 AM
It's just Singlish Slang for dedicated lah.
Posted by
Agagooga |
6:48 PM
don't be angry la. They just don't have the vocabulary... dunno how to use the word Staunch.. so use more common word like hardcore. Educate them!
Posted by
The Bimbo |
2:31 PM
Stop destroying our Singlish culture with prim and proper English!
No to "staunch". Yes to "hardcore"!
(By the way, I don't practise what I write, because it is a perpetual habit of mine to write in the Queen's Engrish)
Posted by
Pkchukiss |
6:01 PM