The term Jesus Freak is a demeaning term.

[hrmjustin]

It implies that I and other followers of Jesus are freaks.

We are not.

Posted in the Interfaith room.

[cbayer]

1. You may be too young to remember it's origins.

It wasn't really derogatory term in the 60's and 70's.

There were people during that time who were involved in the peach/love movement who identified as christians.

The "freak" part was used for lots of things and just signified a part of one's identity.

Try to take it as a positive and don't let others label you in a negative way.

As they said in Hair - "Let your freak flag fly!!"

[hrmjustin]

2. I doubt it was meant that way. Could be but I doubt it.

i don't want to get too meta here because it never works out in this room so all I will say is I think it was meant in a demeaning fashion when I saw it here. I could be wrong and I want to be be but I doubt it.

[cbayer]

5. Oh, I don't doubt that it can be used in a very negative way and would not

be at all surprised if that is how it was used against you.

But, dear justin, people can only hurt you with words to the degree that you permit it.

And once some know that the word can hurt you, they will use it as a weapon repeatedly.

Laugh if you can. Embrace it.

[hrmjustin]

6. I need a thicker skin but I can not embrace the term.

[NYC_SKP]

3. I feel that way, too.

I think different people my age might disagree with our experience with the use of the term, but I remember it never being used in a positive way.

But I wouldn't say that it was used so much to suggest that a person was a freak because of their beliefs and it was meant to say that they were extremely passionate.

Thus we had surfing freaks and guitar freaks and skateboard freaks and Jesus freaks.

However, these days and especially in certain "circles", it's meant as a put down.

[hrmjustin]

4. Thats how I feel. I think it is a put down.

[okasha]

7. That pretty much echoes my experience.

McCarthy freaks (I was one) "got clean for Gene" when he went up against LBJ. Contemporary usage seems universally negative, though, and one should always consider the source.

[No Vested Interest]

8. Perhaps the "Ignore" button needs to be put to use again.

Although I admit to some shock when I see mean and insulting comments, either to an individual or a group, on these pages, I generally pass them by.
Let the individual think I either didn't see them or I'm not interested in replying, which is often the case.
Insults and raw meanness are not a part of the world in which I reside, and I have no need to go online to read such drivel.

[LostOne4Ever]

9. Damn that DC talk!! XD

*[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=3 color=teal]This post is supposed to be a good natured joke to Justin. Nothing more. No offense was meant. Given my last time here, if the hosts in anyway feel that this post is inappropriate let me know and I will self delete.[/font]

**[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=3 color=teal]Context of the joke is that DC Talk is a Christian rock group who produced the song "Jesus Freak"[/font]

[hrmjustin]

10. I take it in good fun my friend.