Thread: Christians of convenience?

I have a question for all of you. I recently shared a story here, about a guy in our complex who with a young teen as translator, approached my daughter and started talking dirty to her.

The teen girl, who knows my daughter recently told her that this guy was mad at her (why I cannot understand) for us calling the police on him...

My daughter then found out from another girl she is friends with here, that this guy goes to their church. They go to a protestant Latino church, and this girl swears up and down this guy could not do such a thing that he is a Christian...she called my daughter a liar.

I have seen these same church members drinking, smoking (sometimes pot off of their balconies), and then this kind of behavior.

I do not want to generalize, but have to ask if I am not the only one seeing this phenomenom, supposed born again Christians, who are members of Latino congregations ("immigrants" likely illegal), yet have not changed their ways at all?

I am a fundamental Baptist, and know, we all have vices, it is called sin, but we are taught that you are held to a higher standard as a Christian, and God expects us to change and behave in a way that reflects what the Bible says. The very first thing I know is that ALL protestants I know of do not partake of alcohol, some do not listen to worldly music, many of the women do not wear pants, some will not go to movie theaters, and none I know of approach pre-teen girls and talk dirty to them.

Although one could say this guy is simply a pedophile and is not known to his fellow congregants, but his behavior slides right into place with all the others around here, who attend this particular congregation. So are we seeing a phenomenom of illegal aliens who claim to be born again believers, yet do not follow any of the tenents of that faith? What would this benefit them? I cannot say they are not believers, that is not for me, but for God to say, however, the behavior does not show it, so of course it makes me wonder.

Probably should say nothing because I haven't been to church in years and have no intention of ever going back. We have found more criminality in churches than in the general population and sorry, but most Christians manage to be the most offensive people. It is almost as if the fact that they are church going confers some protection on them, or that they are smug and complacent merely for the fact that they bother to attend. We find the practice of faith through an organized community seems to destroy the very practice of faith.

The sad fact is that prejudice overwhelms godliness. This is historical fact that is still true. Likewise many wealthy businessmen and politicians attend churches - but that does not make any change in the cut-throat business practices they exercise during the week. You are "other" due to race and due to attending a different church. Few take the concepts as seriously as you do and actually apply them to their behavior.

I went to a Mexican church for awhile. Like most churches I have been to - I did not appreciate the interpretation of the Bible in practice, although I must say that particular church was more community oriented than any I have been to in that they tried to keep people at the church any time they weren't at work more than any other church I have been to. I am not seeing the phenomenon you mention specifically in association with Latino church - I see hypocrites everywhere.

I think what you are experiencing is common. Sometimes people with serious vices affiliate themselves with churches. They may be compartmentalizing, or they may do it for the cover it provides: both to society and to soothe their self esteem. Back when I was a member of the Mormon church, we were warned about financial con artists who would take up church membership, even be very active and climb the ranks of the priesthood, for the purpose of gaining the trust of members so they could fleece them.

If your daughter's assailant was Latino, we need to be aware that in most of what we would call "third world" cultures, they shrug off affronts to women, and their legal systems often tolerate such acts. In Mexico, people may look the other way at "rapto," which is kidnapping a woman who spurned them and forcing her into a relationship. In India, "Eve teasing" (sexual teasing and harassment) of women in public is a major problem, especially in the crowded cities. Things that are illegal here are viewed elsewhere as being conditions a female just needs to put up with.

If this man is mad at your daughter, that also needs to be reported to the police so that it gets in the file. If he feels insulted, like he was prevented from doing something he felt like he had the right to do, he should be viewed as dangerous. Your daughter needs to be aware of that and take precautions.

The Wichita BTK killer was a leader in his Lutheran church. He even once took a dead victim to the church basement and photographed her body there. It's possible to fly under the radar as a member of a church for a long time. All the church sees is a nicely dressed member who puts something in the collection plate, and that makes them happy.

It's also not surprising that this guy had an accomplice who is now defending him. I knew of a Mormon wife and child abuser who was also very active and a true, if fanatical and deluded, believer. The country sheriff's office figured him out right away and even jailed him, but he had no shortage of members who blamed the family members and even me for complaining. The Bishop (equivalent to congratation's pastor) even bailed him out when they jailed him - I watched the money change hands.

quote(about a guy in our complex who with a young teen as translator, approached my daughter and started talking dirty to her.)quote

May have misunderstood your story but it sounds as if the "young Translator" did the talking just a possibility she may have translated incorrect for a reason.(?) Teens have their own little social society now and want to hurt other teens. Just a thought, anyway I would remove my daughter from the offenders quickly.

Oldguy, that's a good thought. Teens are a bundle of emotions, and often distort things even worse than us adults do. The police should be able to figure out who said what. It is still a matter of concern for an older man to approach a teen without the parents present, under any circumstances. Not that all such encounters are necessarily criminal, but they do bear watching and accounting for.

The office spoke with the teen girl (15) who translated, and also with the guy (he is 23/24). The girl stated her interpretation to my daughter, for this guy, was accurate. We have not gotten a report about the guys statement yet. The best the officer could do in this situation was to warn the guy that this is highly offensive and unacceptable behavior here, he hoped that would be enough, coming from the police, to scare this guy into avoiding my daughter.

The teen girl who interpreted, who said this guy told her he was now mad at her, the only thing that makes sense is that he felt since she was born and raised here, that she would know how things are here and tell him, but yet I am not sure if that is why he is mad at her, for us calling the police?....

The main issue I was trying to convey was it seems within this particular group, this congregation (many live in our complex since one of their members is our manager), seem to be living as they would if they were not "Christians" and somehow it feels they are using the church and their new religion as a cover for being here illegally? Wondered if it was something happening in other places, had anyone noticed.

Well, in recent years I've been made aware that Evangelical church outreaches of various types have been making inroads among traditionally Catholic populations in Latin America. These churches may or may not be affiliated with any sort of denominational government. They can consist of just one charismatic and persuasive speaker/pastor. It would not surprise me if there is some sort of social network involved, and perhaps some have seen fit to 'get on the bandwagon' for reasons that are not spiritual. To take an American example: in large parts of this country it sure doesn't hurt you to be Mormon, in your business and social life. Something like this may be happening, though on a smaller scale, with this new movement of Evangelical inroads among Latin Americans. Given the support of many different churches for "migrants" and the overall softheartedness of the clergy towards them, I'll bet there is something like that going on.

Going to church does not make anyone a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes anyone a car.

Going to church does not make anyone a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes anyone a car.

Sorry for posting twice. The first was taking forever to post. Thought my computer was stuck.