Getting offended

[Pouye]

Everywhere I turn, there is talk about someone getting offended. In fact, it seems that offending people is just about the worst thing that can be done today aside from murder. Adultery is surely more acceptable than offending someone these days, especially if that person who is offended happens to be from a certain highly questionable classification called "the minority".

Do you know what offends me most? This: People constantly getting offended. Nothing offends me more than someone who is so "offendable" that they have to make every little thing that people do or say a big deal. They remind of a tattley little sister who is always saying, "Mom, he stuck his tongue out at me and is looking at me cross-eyed!"

So what? Get thou over it! If people would just quit hanging on to their right to be offended, this world would be a much better place. I get tired of people walking around with a chip on their shoulder and their nose in the air thinking they are something.
"How dare you talk to me this way!" they say, as if they are more special or more privileged than the person who spoke to them.

The media is offense crazy. People are walking around all hoity-toity thinking that everyone else should bow to their little whims and wishes. How dare someone offend them in the slightest! Grown spoiled brats, they sue each other over statements and smear each other to prove their superiority.

I hate it when someone expresses to me something that offends him or her, especially if it is something that I know will just end up offending that person again. I once had a German tell me that it offended him that I used "S.S." as an abbreviation for "Sunday School", because it reminded him of an elite quasi-military unit of the Nazi party that served as Hitler's personal guard and as a special security force in Germany. Give me a break! I told him to get over it, since he wasn't in Germany, and S.S. in many English dictionaries is an abbreviation for Sunday school. The option was to say, "Oh, I'm sorry... I'll never use SS again around you or any German" and let him keep on getting offended whenever someone else used the abbreviation around him, or tell him to get over it and realize that nobody is trying to offend him.

There are people who walk around looking for ways to be offended. They can't wait to jump on someone for offending them, and they are so full of themselves that they expect people to cater to their every little pet peeve. I don't buy it. I just tell them flat out that they need to grow up and get over feeling offended all the time. That usually ticks them off so badly that they turn several shades of indescribably beautiful colors and almost blow a head gasket... especially if they are rich. I love to watch that rainbow of colors roll across their faces... it is universal, you know!

Do I respect people? Sure. However, I don't believe others have the right to be proud and petty, especially at the expense of the "low lifes" around them. I've told millionaires that they are selfish right to their face – and I'll tell you, you can sure see that others do not mention such things to them very often, especially when they start burping up stomach acid. I don't believe I have the right to go around offending people, either... but I'm not going to bend over backwards to try to suck up to people who cannot help BUT to be offended.

I think way too many people get offended way too easily. If you say nothing, they are offended. You tell them they are thin, they think you are calling them skinny (and are offended, of course). You mention they are "healthy looking" and they think you mean they are fat. You look at them and they get offended because they think you are staring. You don't look at them and they think you are ignoring them on purpose.

The Bible says this:

"A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense."
Proverbs 10:11.

Is anyone else tired of people getting offended all of the time, or is this post just too offensive to deal with? Does anyone else get offended by people getting offended all of the time?

Rock

[Psalm25Gomer]

Is anyone else tired of people getting offended all of the time, or is this post just too offensive to deal with? Does anyone else get offended by people getting offended all of the time?

Rock


YES!!!!! This needed to be said.

(btw...Good to see you, Rock! ) :)

[wbthornton]

Amen, brother

[ibanez_player]

YES!!!!! This needed to be said.

(btw...Good to see you, Rock! ) :)
i agree

[R. Smith]

Well, I just got through helping out with a Worship festival this passed weekend. I help sell Soda Pop, chocolate bars (candy bars), gum, burgers & hot dogs, and so on. We quicky ran out of chocolate bars & coffee; and wen we told people that...it was like we comitted the ultimate sin. People just couldn't believe it... And that was interesting to deal with.

When the festival was over, I offered to help out...clean up. I don't have a car at this time. A guy I know, from a different Church said he would pick my up...9:30 Monday morning. I got my stuff ready, and was ready 9:30. He showed up early, didn't knock on the door. To be honest with you, I was real upset about this.

As I was walking home, I really thought about it. People will let you down, but God won't. The funny thing about people is, they are everywhere. And you're not gonna get along with all of them...

-R-

[Mr.Elwood]

You have no idea what this post said.... you really don't..

Nice Job Rock!! :)

Here's a freebie....

"If you can not laugh at yourself... you are useless to those around you"...

[Yippy]

I am offended by this offensive display of someone who is offended by those who are offended...haha...just kidding... :p

I live in LA, which is highly offensive in and of itself...

My biggest peeve is the lack of manners in today's society...now THAT offends me. I want to make a bumper sticker that says, "Please be polite and teach your children manners..." :)

[Gandalf]

Surprise of all surprises, I agree with Rock. It's shocking, I know.

[SirMax]

that has got to be one of the best things I've read in a long time (besides my Bible)....I work in the court system and deal with people all day and night long that have been offended by the world...oh give me a break!!! And do I tell them to get over themselves...yes I do

thanks for that..I enjoyed reading it!

[Ape4Epis]

I gotta agree. I work in retail, and, 'nuff said. Thin skins are everywhere, and there seems to be little of that fruit of the Spirit, Patience, anymore. Everyone wants instant karma, now! Like the old saying goes..."To err is human, to forgive is Divine". I know that without his Spirit, I could not forgive! Rest in His peace, Y'all. CedarMan. ;)

[Howlin' Wolf]

i think its very unusual that everyone seems to be agreeing with Rock, yet people on these boards get offended so easily. look at how many posts and usernames that i have had deleted and it all stems from people not having thick skin and offending easily

[Debbie]

i think its very unusual that everyone seems to be agreeing with Rock, yet people on these boards get offended so easily. look at how many posts and usernames that i have had deleted and it all stems from people not having thick skin and offending easily

It is those folks that appear to deliberately offend others that are the worst. Is this your attempt with this post?

In your case Jason, it is not always a matter that you have offended anyone, it is a matter that alot of what you post is not appropriate period and sometimes posted with less respect than you could have posted with.

Rock is right on the mark. He is not saying we should or would never be offended, he is addressing those that get offended so easily and often about nothing or little. There is also a difference in offending someone personally and offending the rules set forth. Not following the rules is an offense. There is a difference.

[Ehud Elijah]

How many so called "christians" in America today would be offended if they were told by Jesus, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." or told their family "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?...Here are my mother and my brothers.", speaking of their church family and giving this supernatural bond primacy over a natural, familial bond?

Many would be offended, just like in Jesus' time...

John 6:66 "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him."

The same would happen today, but these things are rarely preached.

[firedupnat]

Rock u hit it on the head there well said. every one is human and gets offended but its the ones who don't get over it and get a life and keep going on about it is the ones who anoy me.

rock u ever thought about preaching about it i think u would be a great person to listern to preach this.

thank you rock and others i certianly made me think

[Psalm25Gomer]

Surprise of all surprises, I agree with Rock. It's shocking, I know.


You're right. I'm shocked. :eek: woot.







;)

[jaci74]

There's a book by John Bevere called the Bait of Satan that deals with this very topic :)

[wbthornton]

There's a book by John Bevere called the Bait of Satan that deals with this very topic :)
I've heard from several people that that is a good book. Thanks for the reminder, Jaci. :)

[jaci74]

I've heard from several people that that is a good book. Thanks for the reminder, Jaci. :)

I must admit I haven't read it, but I've heard good things too. I've heard of one church actually ran a whole workshop on it. Would have been great to attend it.

[Jesus Freak!]

You're right. I'm shocked. :eek: woot.







;)

Me too... :eek:

But it's true. ;)

[koko]

Rock u hit it on the head there well said. every one is human and gets offended but its the ones who don't get over it and get a life and keep going on about it is the ones who anoy me.

rock u ever thought about preaching about it i think u would be a great person to listern to preach this.

thank you rock and others i certianly made me think

Wouldn't people get offended by that then? :P

[fablov]

I agree with what you say...

I do, however, want to emphasize that we are to speak in love to others. The truth and the truth tactfully are two different things and can make a world of difference in the reception of the message.

But, once again I do agree that people are often too thin skinned. It is a real shame in a country with freedom of religion that I have to be careful of "making people uncomfortable" when I pray at work in the cafeteria. Or if someone comes to church trying to find God... and people are offended by the lack of knowledge or crude speech. ~:-)

[Pouye]

I agree with what you say...

I do, however, want to emphasize that we are to speak in love to others. The truth and the truth tactfully are two different things and can make a world of difference in the reception of the message.

But, once again I do agree that people are often too thin skinned. It is a real shame in a country with freedom of religion that I have to be careful of "making people uncomfortable" when I pray at work in the cafeteria. Or if someone comes to church trying to find God... and people are offended by the lack of knowledge or crude speech. ~:-)

I agree that we should try our best not to offend anyone:

"Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved." 1 Cor. 10:31-

However, how do we treat people who get offended too easily? Here is what Jesus did:

"Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see me, the Son of Man, return to heaven again? It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you don't believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is what I meant when I said that people can't come to me unless the Father brings them to me.”
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him."
John 6:61-

I think it is fine to offend some people, and that sometimes it is their problem, not mine.

Rock

[wbthornton]

I was thinking this morning that we need to be offended about some things. Anger towards injustice or immorality is not necessarily a bad thing. Jesus, to me, was offeneded by the money changers in the temple.

[Jesus Freak!]

I was thinking this morning that we need to be offended about some things. Anger towards injustice or immorality is not necessarily a bad thing. Jesus, to me, was offeneded by the money changers in the temple.

Good point.

To be offended by stuff that's wrong.

But then there are those who are "offended" by the very mention of Jesus...

[Pouye]

I was thinking this morning that we need to be offended about some things. Anger towards injustice or immorality is not necessarily a bad thing. Jesus, to me, was offeneded by the money changers in the temple.

This is the flip side, and I agree with you completely.

Rock

[middletree]

Going back to the original post, I was reminded of all the school team names that have had to be changed in recent years. Most of them had some sort of Native American connotation. You can't call your team the Braves anymore.

I could see that if the name was derogatory, but bravery is a positive thing.

Somewhat related is that a new school being built was going to be called George Washington elementary, but some local preacher who wants to be known as a champion of civil rights threw a fit because Washington owned slaves.

As if changing the name of that school to be named after someone else is actually going help people of color in any way.

Sigh.

[Psalm25Gomer]

There's a book by John Bevere called the Bait of Satan that deals with this very topic :)


I have that book. And yes, you are right. :)

[ICarlson99]

Going back to the original post, I was reminded of all the school team names that have had to be changed in recent years. Most of them had some sort of Native American connotation. You can't call your team the Braves anymore.

I could see that if the name was derogatory, but bravery is a positive thing.

Somewhat related is that a new school being built was going to be called George Washington elementary, but some local preacher who wants to be known as a champion of civil rights threw a fit because Washington owned slaves.

As if changing the name of that school to be named after someone else is actually going help people of color in any way.

Sigh.

I loved what happened at Florida St where the Seminole leaders actually were offended that people were trying to REMOVE the nickname. They viewed it with pride and respect.

There is a large contingent of this society that make their living from people being offended. The one example I can't help but think of is Dick Durbin's pathetic apology for comparing Gitmo to Hitler, Stalin, etc. Look at his apology, it wasn't for what he said , it was if anyone was offended by what he said, because to people with his worldview - offending someone is the ultimate offense.

[bridges]

Surprise of all surprises, I agree with Rock. It's shocking, I know.

Shocking news: we have found something that all three of us terribly scholarly fellows agree on! By the way, sorry I laid out on you guys yesterday; it's been a busy week. My grandfather passed away (91, praise God!) Thursday morning and I spoke at his funeral Saturday (in Natchitoches, Louisiana). Last night, I went to the recording studio with a friend to lay in the bass licks on a song he just wrote praising God for the sunrise and the coming rapture. Then, I went back to the church and finished mixing down and burning my latest song to cd (I have my own little studio). Add a full time job to that, and a liberal dose of preaching and teaching the word of God every week, and you have an extremely abundant life; so abundant, in fact, that the last two weeks I've been sleeping about as much as I did in college.

Don't get bored on me; there will be a few words on the "Baptism" thread within a few minutes.

Hey, in case I haven't said so lately, I honestly do love you folks, and I expect (all jokes aside) that there are quite a few things we can find to agree on.

Now, off to my favorite thread to find out how bad you guys grilled me since Monday! Have a good one!

[Yippy]

Now, off to my favorite thread to find out how bad you guys grilled me since Monday! Have a good one!
Oh my gosh, someone in Hot Topics with a sense of humor... ;) hotdiggity...

[firedupnat]

do agree we have to try not to offend people and kk this message could be a mean preach but sometimes us christians do need a good talking to and the truth sometimes can not be made nice on most accasions i like to be cherrful but like my pastors say you can have pastor feel good or pastor truth but the truth u may not like some people will ghet offened but christianty is not all rosie.

the church i go to is dieing (bad to say i know but we are part of a lively church) but are church is slowly dieing it's getting duller and most of them are old people (God bless them) but most people hater change they hatre the truth and well they hate young people. most of them are trying to get rid of are good preachers and things. but things will change when we change are pastors. But you have to think and prayer on what you say i know its like stepping on egg shells but sometimes you do have to say thias stuff to christians.

i'm sorry if i sound really mean but we have to start preparing the youth and the older people but the youth are the next generation. we as christians don't have much time to get offended we need to stand up with are chuin high we get nknocked down to pick are selves up or the devil will have a field day if we r all like delicate flowers. i'm sorry to be blunt maybe a bit harsh here sorry if i offened you but i just believ that some things that are harsh need preaching and saying.

sorry

[firedupnat]

i'm sorry i shouldn't of said most of that i apolgies guys its just i have had anough at my church of people telling the leadship how to run it or saying oh we can't have the worship to loud etc. grrrr so are church is going through a rough patch its just getting on nattys nerves sorry.

i'm the only youth at are church all the rest has literliay been driven away

we are not aloud to change the way are church faces because we may offend people the fact is it would make it better if we turned around but no we couldn't posdsible di that we could offend them.

[middletree]

Good grief. NCAA is now taking the first steps to banning team names which refer to Native Americans.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2125735

[thirday]

But then there are those who are "offended" by the very mention of Jesus...

All peolpe have or will be offended by Jesus. Here is a song by Michael Card that pretty much says it all.
"Scandalon"
The seers and the prophets had foretold it long ago
That the long awaited one would make men stumble
But they were looking for a king to conquer and to kill
Who'd have ever thought He'd be so weak and humble

Chorus
He will be the truth that will offend them one and all
A stone that makes men stumble
And a rock that makes them fall
Many will be broken so that He can make them whole
And many will be crushed and lose their own soul

Along the path of life there lies a stubborn Scandalon
And all who come this way must be offended
To some He is a barrier, To others He's the way
For all should know the scandal of believing


It seems today the Scandalon offends no one at all
The image we present can be stepped over
Could it be that we are like the others long ago
Will we ever learn that all who come must stumble

Also a devotional; Luke 12:50-53 "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 "They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." (NAS)


A scandalon is a stumbling stone - something that causes people who encounter it to trip over it like a large, uneven crack in a sidewalk. This can be a mental stumbling block, or a physical stone stuck fast in the ground. The gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news for mankind, is a stumbling block to men. The thing that should set men and women free offends them because they, in their pride, can not participate in their salvation.
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

[Gandalf]

Good grief. NCAA is now taking the first steps to banning team names which refer to Native Americans.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2125735
I split the mascot responses off to this thread (http://thirdday.com/boards/showthread.php?t=77918).

[bridges]

i'm sorry i shouldn't of said most of that i apolgies guys its just i have had anough at my church of people telling the leadship how to run it or saying oh we can't have the worship to loud etc. grrrr so are church is going through a rough patch its just getting on nattys nerves sorry.

i'm the only youth at are church all the rest has literliay been driven away

we are not aloud to change the way are church faces because we may offend people the fact is it would make it better if we turned around but no we couldn't posdsible di that we could offend them.

Dear child of God, my first favorite person on these boards, I so wish my family and I could come play music at your church. We look so traditional. We start out so Southern Gospel sometimes. Then we crank it up and blow back the blue hair! Little Sister, pray really hard for your remaining youth, and encourage them to invite as many friends as they can, as convincingly as they can. You do the same! If you can't revive the atmosphere by numbers of youth, you might have to (Egad!) ask permission to go to some other young friend's church.

[Howlin' Wolf]

Dear child of God, my first favorite person on these boards, I so wish my family and I could come play music at your church. We look so traditional. We start out so Southern Gospel sometimes. Then we crank it up and blow back the blue hair! Little Sister, pray really hard for your remaining youth, and encourage them to invite as many friends as they can, as convincingly as they can. You do the same! If you can't revive the atmosphere by numbers of youth, you might have to (Egad!) ask permission to go to some other young friend's church.

what is wrong with an old church? why is church's spiritual growth measured by the number of youth or how many people are up dancing?

ive went to an OPC church one sunday. it had 15 people in the service. the preacher is 80. i thought that it was a dead church. then i went to the wednesday night bible study, which had 10 people there and some of the mot sound doctrine i have ever heard.

i'm tired of people mistaking reverant old people as "dead" christians

[Psalm25Gomer]

what is wrong with an old church? why is church's spiritual growth measured by the number of youth or how many people are up dancing?

ive went to an OPC church one sunday. it had 15 people in the service. the preacher is 80. i thought that it was a dead church. then i went to the wednesday night bible study, which had 10 people there and some of the mot sound doctrine i have ever heard.

i'm tired of people mistaking reverant old people as "dead" christians


I agree with this. And I hear it all the time.


That's awful judgemental to say that just because someone is old and doesn't get up dancing is a "dead" Christian.

My late grandmother was 88....she wasn't "young and vibrant"....and didn't get up dancing...but she prayed....Lord did she pray....and here I am, saved.

Judge a person by their fruit. :)


However; a church lead by the Spirit is going to be "alive"...just because you haven't been allowed to do something you want to do in the church doesn't mean it won't ever happen...things happen in God's timing...and He is preparing people to receive those whom He is sending...and the changes will come. Don't be discouraged...or angry....just simply be ready to be obedient to what God wants you to do (firedupnat).
I wasn't allowed to do some things I felt lead to do in my church...but that did finally happen...in God's timing.

Don't be upset...or discouraged...just smile and say, "God...I'm ready when you are."

Do respect those who are elder...those who have walked with Jesus for a long time (Yes, there are those who haven't and they are dead set in their religious ways *rolls eyes*) You will know...because you will feel the love of God. These things...you will understand more when you become older.

But the thing to remember as I said before....if God has called for something to happen...it will happen...in His timing. And that includes His Will for your life....all the things set to happen...will...in God's timing. So be patient. ;)

[TeleGirl72]

I agree. people are to easily offended these days. If a book offends you don't read it. If a tv show offends you don't watch it. If a magazine article offends you don't read it. If your friends offend you get new friends. Some of these things people can fix ,but they don't. They should. Life would be so much easier for everyone. I'm tired of worrying about if what I am going to say will offend someone. I think there is a fine line between what is actually offensive and what people try to make offensive!! My two cents!
-Sam

[Howlin' Wolf]

I agree with this. And I hear it all the time.


That's awful judgemental to say that just because someone is old and doesn't get up dancing is a "dead" Christian.

My late grandmother was 88....she wasn't "young and vibrant"....and didn't get up dancing...but she prayed....Lord did she pray....and here I am, saved.

Judge a person by their fruit. :)


However; a church lead by the Spirit is going to be "alive"...just because you haven't been allowed to do something you want to do in the church doesn't mean it won't ever happen...things happen in God's timing...and He is preparing people to receive those whom He is sending...and the changes will come. Don't be discouraged...or angry....just simply be ready to be obedient to what God wants you to do (firedupnat).
I wasn't allowed to do some things I felt lead to do in my church...but that did finally happen...in God's timing.

Don't be upset...or discouraged...just smile and say, "God...I'm ready when you are."

Do respect those who are elder...those who have walked with Jesus for a long time (Yes, there are those who haven't and they are dead set in their religious ways *rolls eyes*) You will know...because you will feel the love of God. These things...you will understand more when you become older.

But the thing to remember as I said before....if God has called for something to happen...it will happen...in His timing. And that includes His Will for your life....all the things set to happen...will...in God's timing. So be patient. ;)

a church can be on fire and alive and filled with the spirit, yet have no current praise music, no youth, no tongues.

it really urks me that charasmatics have conned the church into believing that the spirit isnt present because the people are somber

i was discipled in a charasmatic background, yet when the first note is played, my hands do not immediately go into the air. i dont dance the aisles. i do nothing to bring ateention to myself. i solemnly sit and pray.....just like every old believer i know

[Psalm25Gomer]

i was discipled in a charasmatic background, yet when the first note is played, my hands do not immediately go into the air. i dont dance the aisles. i do nothing to bring ateention to myself. i solemnly sit and pray.....just like every old believer i know

I don't always either. I do as I feel the Lord leads....or to honor Him. I do most of that in my prayer closet.

In Church...I don't. And it's because I just...am not moved to. But that doesn't mean that I'm a "dead Christian".


And yes, a Church can be alive without the loud music and dancing (Charasmatic)....... I don't get to go to church but once in a blue moon...because I work all the time....I have to.

However; I dedicate time to the Lord daily....there's no loud music in my "prayer closet"....or dancing even...(sometimes)...but the Presence of God is there...and I know that He is.

:)

[MusicianaryMary]

There is a proper time and place for both! I also come from a charismatic background, but I also see great value in liturgy. It is important that the older value the younger, the excitement that they have for God, and the form in which they worship. The same can be said for the youth - honor your elders and learn from them.

[Psalm25Gomer]

There is a proper time and place for both! I also come from a charismatic background, but I also see great value in liturgy. It is important that the older value the younger, the excitement that they have for God, and the form in which they worship. The same can be said for the youth - honor your elders and learn from them.



Now why couldn't I get straight to the point like you did, Mary? ;)


(you're totally right). :)

[prayercloth sis]

On offense I agree with Debbie on the first page of this threead.

Firedupnat I'm praying for you and your church. I have two teenagers myself and they prefer a church that is more lively. I do too. But I love and respect my elders. You can learn alot from them. Just pray and let God lead you in what you should do in this situation.

Mary ...words fitly spoken!!!!

God Bless!!!!