Things that hinder a clear Christian testimony...

[Ernie]

Here is a thread to discuss things that hinder a clear Christian testimony...

Please be kind to each other.

[RZehr]

Meanness, and perceived meanness.

[steve-in-kville]

Here is a thread to discuss things that hinder a clear Christian testimony...

Please be kind to each other.

Using borderline (alternative?) foul language is a starter for me (heck for hell, for example).

Another is trying to get something for free that should be paid for. I had a co-worker who went to restaurants, ordered a meal, ate most of it and then, loud enough that everyone could hear would cry "I think I'm gonna be sick!" Manager would give him the meal for free just to get him to leave.

[Ken]

Exclusivity.

I taught for a decade at a big public HS in Central Texas that was a few blocks away from one of the largest Baptist megachurches in the region. The type with a gym, movie theater, and a whole large staff of youth pastors. It was a largely White church in an increasingly Black and Hispanic community. Every Wednesday the many kids from that church would wear their matching and color-coded WFB (Woodway First Baptist) T-shirts and because most were affluent high-achieving White kids who were heavily involved in student government and such, they were basically a clique that ran the school and decided everything from who the student council and student body president was going to be, to who were going to be on the homecoming court. With the obsessive over-involvement of many affluent “helicopter parents”. Kids from other backgrounds, ethnicities, faiths, and neighborhoods basically found it all alienating and off-putting. And would always be out-voted on anything.

There wasn’t much of a Christian testimony happening. It was more of a “join the cool kids club if you want to go anywhere in this school”.

[Josh]

Meanness, and perceived meanness.

In some cultures, the opposite - some cultures only respect people who seem "tough".

I had someone once tell me I was far too nice on the job and needed to act "tougher" and stop trying to affirm other people's points of views, and just tell them I'm wrong. (I know, nobody who knows me from MN could ever imagine that happening.) Far from being a good "Christian testimony", the person just thought I was being a pushover.

Another person told me I was too truthful / honest and that I needed to "BS" more.

[Wade]

People in the world say I am a pushover as well.

[joshuabgood]

Meanness, and perceived meanness.

If there is one thing that is off putting for me it is when folks just aren't nice/kind.

[steve-in-kville]

Meanness, and perceived meanness.

If there is one thing that is off putting for me it is when folks just aren't nice/kind.

There's actually a book out there entitled "How not to be a miserable cow." Never read it.... yet

[QuietlyListening]

Lack of compassion

[Josh]

Meanness, and perceived meanness.

If there is one thing that is off putting for me it is when folks just aren't nice/kind.

This is a value plain people or plain background have, but is not at all a universal cultural value.

It is interesting what plain people think is a good testimony. The world has very different values.