SteveR Loc: Michigan

One ministry that a number of the photographers on UHH do, whether Christian or not, is to take photos of mothers with their deceased infants in the hospital. This is a very sad time for the family, but an opportunity to memorialize the beauty of a lost child. If interested, you might inquire in a separate threat about how to get involved in this type of photography.

gener202002

Good luck to you. As far as getting Christian pictures in public, get them now, because the climate in this country is steadily becoming very anti Christian. Am I a Christian? Well, certainly not a fundamentalist, but I certainly want to see Christianity flourish in this country. It is the best thing for the country, and the best thing to keep us safe. But many people will not agree with that. Anyway, good luck getting the pictures.

gener202002

I don't think anybody really knows the real outcome from this tax bill. The demos say one thing, the republican say another. There are those who willingly and purposely lie about these things to the American public. As far as 'trickle down', people say it doesn't work. Well, the math says it does, so if it doesn't there is something else involved. But we will see.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Cathedrals are found in cities not towns. You can get small cities and large towns the difference is the cathedral. I also doubt you will find a European cathedral that has ever become a mosque. Some disused churches have become mosques or apartments or carpet warehouses. As have school houses, communities change over time anyway. Tends to be people who have no interest in attending a church who bellyache the loudest when a disused church becomes a mosque.

Where I am there are mostly catholic churches and the catholic organisation I work for hires out halls on Sundays for evangelical christians and has done so for several years, eventually they may found a new church in the town. I'm not a religious person myself but I have no problem with people trying to be good people. I just don't need a God to tell right from wrong.

namaste.

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It's time for this thread to go to chit chat or the attic. We now have religion, politics and other contentious issues beginning to raise their heads. Possibly re-post this in the Christian Photography section and start over. Example images in photo gallery or the Christian section.

Even for people that were raised in Christian oriented cultures there is much diversity and divisiveness. The understanding of Christianity that I was raised with is very different from the evangelical Christian right philosophies that are espoused by some in the US. To me they are antithetical to what I understand as the core values of Christianity. I'm all in favor of freedom of religion, but also even more in favor of freedom from religion. I want to enjoy the Christmas season in my own way without having other people's interpretations of religion or politics overtly in my face.

The OP's question is not a bad question, but it does raise sensitivities for many people. What does the statement 'a serious Christian' mean? Southern Baptist? Serbian Orthodox? Church of England? The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS? Catholic? Lutheran? Unitarian? Latter Day Saints?

These are all interesting topics, but diverge from photography very rapidly into other philosophical areas. They may or may not generate the kind of response desired by the OP.

As an Orthodox Agnostic, sometimes an Evangelical Atheist, I feel it would be bad if we take this Christmas Season, or Chanukah, or other seasonal celebrations into the 'Slough of Despond'.

Can we we please support people in their beliefs, but have the main discussions in the appropriate places.

This should be a time when we can just celebrate and not get mired in politics or religious differences.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Come to think of it I do have a hole in my belly😊

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I would challenge to you see what is NOT Christian in theme for you. If you are a Christian, everything in your life should reflect your faith. So really, for you, there should not be anything that doesn't/can't reflect a Christian theme. Look around and see how your actions are influenced by the Holy Spirit (ideally, they ALL should be - oh to be perfect !) . Then look for those same actions or ideas expressed through others around you. Think about how people watching you would know you are a Christian. Certainly, signs and demonstrations can identify people as wanting to be seen as Christian but is that all we are called to do ? Often Christians are known for what they oppose rather than what they are for...

Remember, Christianity is not what we do, its who we are. Demonstrating in front of an abortion clinic doesn't necessarily show you are a Christian, helping an unwed mother be able to keep her baby, supporting them for the long haul and linking them with God does. Try shooting the impact of the Spirit in people's lives - volunteers at Habitat, people serving the forgotten, people acting on their convictions not just protesting what they disagree with. Spread the Gospel everywhere - and if necessary, use words....

-- k --

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

Here are a couple of ways I use my images as a statement of my Christian belief:

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Well said, Sir. You got to it before I did, especially the nuances of what constitutes a city or a cathedral in the UK, Ireland, and other parts of Europe in comparison to a town or a church.

Season's Greetings. Slàinte mhath!

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants' windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
While the sky darkens and freezes
Will be gathering around the hearths and tables
Giving thanks for God's graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus

Well they call him by 'the Prince of Peace'
And they call him by 'the Savior'
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavor
And they fill his churches with their pride and gold
As their faith in him increases
But they've turned the nature that I worship in
From a temple to a robber's den
In the words of the rebel Jesus

Well we guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

Now pardon me if I have seemed
To take the tone of judgement
For I've no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In a life of hardship and of earthly toil
There's a need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure
And I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus

The Rebel Jesus - Jackson Browne / The Cheiftains
Attached file:
(Download)

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Bob, if you click "Quote Reply" on the post of the person you are responding to, it will allow folks to see not only who you are responding to, but what you are responding to. As to your question - how about taking interesting photographs of churches in and around your area.

Zenmonkey

Bobishcan: Go to several of the stock photography sites(Adobe Stock, 500px, Alamy etc.)and type in the keywords you used here in your post. See what you get that other photographers have shot to depict these concepts..

rpm Loc: Houston, TX

Petereff, I agree will every statement you just made above; especially about "chit chat or the attic." Just wanted to add an analogy that might help. You have no doubt heard the story of the chameleon on a tree: A man entered the wood and saw a chameleon on a tree. He reported to his friends. "I have seen a red lizard." And he was firmly convinced that it was red. Another man went into the woods and saw the same lizard but it was green. And he was firmly convinced it was green. But the man who lived under the tree said, "What both of you have said is true. But the fact is sometimes it's red, sometimes it's green, sometimes yellow, and sometimes it has no color at all."

Jim Bob

Well alrighty then. Welcome back from the dead.

Petesfixit Loc: Houston Texas

That's so funny. All the devils trying to define Christianity. But apparently there is a few genuine Christians here. Just ask yourself a question Bob. What kind of Photography do you usually do. Myself I like architecture and landscapes, mostly. As a Christian, you know ,just ask Jesus what he would want you to do. He always answers, doesn't he?
1 John 5King James Version (KJV)

5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.