Post by Terrordar on Jul 16, 2008 6:43:23 GMT
You know. I moved to Abbotsford British Columbia... nearly four years ago now. I prefer Vancouver to be honest. I didn't really meet any friends out here to begin with. Now contrary to what you may or may not think. I didn't used to have a shred of respect for any Christians to speak of, at all, not even on a personal level. I assumed they were a bunch of slack jawed knuckle dragging primitives who just didn't want to "Get it".
I collect comics, and that was really my main social interaction with anyone in the whole town for nearly 17 months. I had no friends in the whole town, I was lonely, and working a job I despised. One day I met a gentlemen at the shop named Christopher. We talked briefly about Politics which was surprising, I must say. It turned out even he was one of my neighbors, only a block away. So, I started hanging out with him.
His name was Chris (Last name not given) and he was a very well versed, and educated man. As well as a Christian, very passionate in his beliefs. I was honored to come to call him friend. For nearly 3 years, through ups and downs I was friends with this man. He moved to the town next over, but it was fine. I helped him move, I always helped him with his computer and anything I could. Anything I figured, for a friend.
He really affected me profoundly, I didn't judge people entirely anymore off what they believed. I found that many other people around me, despite faith, were intelligent people, who I infact shared things in common with. I came to even respect the actual faith of Christianity (contrary to what many would have me see on these boards as 'attacks'.)
Any time, on Youtube, or even on other boards, someone outright attacked Christianity, I often would use my friend Chris as an example of a man of faith, of intelligence and integrity, who could really get beyond differences.
My heart now sinks to say that Christopher is no longer my friend. It is a wound in my chest which still pumps, but the reasons make me feel horrible.
Chris is no longer my friend, as he feels he cannot be with God, and associate himself with me at the same time. His belief, he told me simply, was undermined just by the fact that I didn't believe. He'd recently joined a bible study, and I encouraged him even in it. Only a few instances (like some sexist [Censored]) did I ever voice true opposition to certain things involved.
I met a few of the people in this study, and it concerned me slightly. A gentile named Kevin, among them who believed the worlds fuel was unlimited and that the world could support a limitless population, and who believed that communists actively controlled the education system, so we needed to be armed to fight back against the godless state O.o.
This obviously, concerned me. But I always thought my friend Chris was rational. Given his distance away, I didn't see him anymore often for a few weeks at a time, and we talked occasionally on the phone.
Yesterday, after I completed a small shift at work, I received a call from my friend, as I had mentioned before. He simply told me he felt that the way his life was at the moment, he needed only positive influences in his life, influences driving him towards God. He wished me well, and said he hoped I would have a nice life, and that is it.
It is complete.
I wasn't angry, strangely, the emotion I feel is so foreign from the anger I often feel so often. I find myself saddened, and most of all, disappointed.
The man I put on a banner to so many, speaking of tolerance. The man who literally helped me change my life around, becoming someone who really speaks through his actions, always trying to help his friends, the man I said was tolerant of others beliefs, and could be shown for what people of faith should be, has failed me. And he's betrayed my words.
My words of friendship, my words even to others, that not all people were so judging just off your beliefs. I may talk tough on these particular forums, but most of my friends in this town are Christians, but the one I could always hold up highest was my friend. And now all those times I put his character on my shoulders, seem empty.
For my friend has proven my old cynicisms in the most sad and hurtful ways. I remember just the other day he was telling me how he was reading the bible from front to back for the first time (normally he just reads chapters out of order), so I encouraged him, I said good. And now I am the one standing here, stunned by what was said. That I am not a desirable friend, because I am not of his faith. Despite all the times I'd helped him move. All the times I'd helped with his computer. All the times I'd driven out to give rides, or tried to cheer him up when he was feeling down, whether it was to my benefit or not. All the times I helped his wife and her family, they are all hollow now.
Obviously not all Christians would not be this way, I still believe that. But the bitter irony is, the man who helped me think of a whole group of people in a different light, has shunned me for the stereotypes I used to hold.
It is a sad day for me.
I collect comics, and that was really my main social interaction with anyone in the whole town for nearly 17 months. I had no friends in the whole town, I was lonely, and working a job I despised. One day I met a gentlemen at the shop named Christopher. We talked briefly about Politics which was surprising, I must say. It turned out even he was one of my neighbors, only a block away. So, I started hanging out with him.
His name was Chris (Last name not given) and he was a very well versed, and educated man. As well as a Christian, very passionate in his beliefs. I was honored to come to call him friend. For nearly 3 years, through ups and downs I was friends with this man. He moved to the town next over, but it was fine. I helped him move, I always helped him with his computer and anything I could. Anything I figured, for a friend.
He really affected me profoundly, I didn't judge people entirely anymore off what they believed. I found that many other people around me, despite faith, were intelligent people, who I infact shared things in common with. I came to even respect the actual faith of Christianity (contrary to what many would have me see on these boards as 'attacks'.)
Any time, on Youtube, or even on other boards, someone outright attacked Christianity, I often would use my friend Chris as an example of a man of faith, of intelligence and integrity, who could really get beyond differences.
My heart now sinks to say that Christopher is no longer my friend. It is a wound in my chest which still pumps, but the reasons make me feel horrible.
Chris is no longer my friend, as he feels he cannot be with God, and associate himself with me at the same time. His belief, he told me simply, was undermined just by the fact that I didn't believe. He'd recently joined a bible study, and I encouraged him even in it. Only a few instances (like some sexist [Censored]) did I ever voice true opposition to certain things involved.
I met a few of the people in this study, and it concerned me slightly. A gentile named Kevin, among them who believed the worlds fuel was unlimited and that the world could support a limitless population, and who believed that communists actively controlled the education system, so we needed to be armed to fight back against the godless state O.o.
This obviously, concerned me. But I always thought my friend Chris was rational. Given his distance away, I didn't see him anymore often for a few weeks at a time, and we talked occasionally on the phone.
Yesterday, after I completed a small shift at work, I received a call from my friend, as I had mentioned before. He simply told me he felt that the way his life was at the moment, he needed only positive influences in his life, influences driving him towards God. He wished me well, and said he hoped I would have a nice life, and that is it.
It is complete.
I wasn't angry, strangely, the emotion I feel is so foreign from the anger I often feel so often. I find myself saddened, and most of all, disappointed.
The man I put on a banner to so many, speaking of tolerance. The man who literally helped me change my life around, becoming someone who really speaks through his actions, always trying to help his friends, the man I said was tolerant of others beliefs, and could be shown for what people of faith should be, has failed me. And he's betrayed my words.
My words of friendship, my words even to others, that not all people were so judging just off your beliefs. I may talk tough on these particular forums, but most of my friends in this town are Christians, but the one I could always hold up highest was my friend. And now all those times I put his character on my shoulders, seem empty.
For my friend has proven my old cynicisms in the most sad and hurtful ways. I remember just the other day he was telling me how he was reading the bible from front to back for the first time (normally he just reads chapters out of order), so I encouraged him, I said good. And now I am the one standing here, stunned by what was said. That I am not a desirable friend, because I am not of his faith. Despite all the times I'd helped him move. All the times I'd helped with his computer. All the times I'd driven out to give rides, or tried to cheer him up when he was feeling down, whether it was to my benefit or not. All the times I helped his wife and her family, they are all hollow now.
Obviously not all Christians would not be this way, I still believe that. But the bitter irony is, the man who helped me think of a whole group of people in a different light, has shunned me for the stereotypes I used to hold.
It is a sad day for me.
