For me, it is about the relationship. God's on my side is like saying He's got my back, He's supporting me. He's with me all the way. Similar to how you would feel about anyone else who is 'on your side' as you go through life.

OP here. Thanks all. Good food for thought. Best wishes for everyone and their families.

Anonymous wrote:Reminds me of the line from John Kerry's Convention speech: "I don't want to claim that God is on our side. As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God's side." Word's to live by, regardless of your politics.

19:00 here. ITA.

Reminds me of the line from John Kerry's Convention speech: "I don't want to claim that God is on our side. As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God's side." Word's to live by, regardless of your politics.

It's pretty simple. It's a completely smug and obnoxious statement of "I'm right and you're wrong".

I never knew a seriously religious person who would say this. Ever.

OP, if you honestly are curious what that meant from the 8 kids thread, my take is that the pp simply meant that she is living her life according to God's purpose, and if she's being obedient to His will, no matter what the consequences are in her life, she will have joy and peace even in the midst of trials.

I don't see sanctimoniousness in that statement, but it could be misinterpreted if someone claims that God is on their side to the exclusion of other "sides". Anyway, even if God is on your side, doesn't mean your side will win. Long term gains may require short term losses - you never know.

it means their head is up their ass and they're deluded theocratic arrogant types.

"Re: Smugness, on the contrary, I think people who have faith in God tend to be very humble."

Laff of the Month!

I think it needs to be reversed. If people insist on saying this, I think it needs to be stated, "I'm on God's side." This sounds like you're at His service. Saying he's on "your side" makes you sound like a complacent jerk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've said this before and honestly it doesn't mean some deep thing that needs to be looked in to. It just means I'm a follower of God, I do things with him in mind, and I try to lead a Christian life.

You don't think being a follower of God is a "deep thing" ?

Realize that it makes you sound smug and sanctimonious. Maybe you do need to examine it a little more.

np:

I don't see how it's smug OR sanctimonious.

Re: Smugness, on the contrary, I think people who have faith in God tend to be very humble. It's those who have a strange and visceral reaction and go out of their way to criticize like you are that are expressing the smugness. What's it to you if someone believes in God?

As for the alleged sanctimony, what evidence do you have that this person is a hypocrite? Because sanctimony means doing things you preach against. How do you know she's not consistent? If she is, that means she is not, by any definition, "sanctimonious."

Or, are you one of these people who don't understand the meaning of the word? I am genuinely confused.

It means they have run out of good arguments and want you to just accept they are right.

I don't think people who use that expression are trying to be ugly about it. They are just saying that they believe they are following God's will for their lives.

And it's Biblical. Romans 8:31 "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

God helps those who help themselves.

Sometimes the "God fearing" forget that.

Anonymous wrote:From the 8 kids thread:
"As long as I continue to have him on my side, all is good"

What does this mean exactly? I honestly want to understand, no flames.

It just gives people who are dependent a reason to live.

sort of like self-enabling!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know; I want to know too. God's on everybody's side as far as I'm concerned. It sounds so self righteous to say that. Same with "I'm blessed." It implies that everyone else is not. And no, I'm not an atheist. I was raised a Christian and am now an agnostic, I suppose because I ponder stuff like this.

So you doubt God because some of his followers are stupid?

No, but it's certainly a detriment to making me want to embrace faith wholeheartedly.