To think that very christian people often look different?

[notconvincedaboutthis]

I don't mean this in an unpleasant way. I just find that sometimes when I meet people I think "you look like you are a deeply religious christian" and generally I am right, they do turn out to be. I don't think it works on less committed christians. Is this like having gaydar? Does anyone else have this experience? What is it I see in their appearance that makes me think this? Am I just kidding myself about this in some way?

It clearly doesn't always work. The police arrested my brother after a suspected assault. When he told them he had been leading the christian union as he was the assistant chaplain they were very scornful. They had to apologise as he had told them the truth.
To be honest he just looks like an aging surfer which is what he is!

I don't seem to have met any Buddhists - but I imagine the inner calm thing would be the same and agree that it looks rather enviable.

I know what you are on about. It is difficult to describe, but they seem to be nursing a big happy secret, which makes them kind of glow if you believe in that sort of thing. To me (utterly non-believing) they just look happily deluded/slightly drunk. I notice the same untroubled, serene, happy look sometimes in small children and in people with severe learning difficulties who, thankfully, do not know that they should be worried about the future.

I am a committed Christian and am pretty normal looking and acting... and yes, I do have inner peace, even when troubled.

I currently look like a fashion victim because I am a childminder (day off) but otherwise am a pretty snappy dresser... just an average lass I am afraid.

My favourite Christian www.independent.ie/multimedia/archive/00178/tutu_178002t.jpg

He always makes me smile.

Grr... Why won't this work?

Help.

this?

He definitely has something amazing about him.

DH subscribes to this theory. He claims that there is such a thing as a "God grin", which only certain kinds of committed Christian, normally the evangelical type, have.

I really want to say how he describes this "God grin", but it is offensive.

Thank you AgentZigzag

You mean this small clanger?

I think you have a point, op. Cliff Richard anybody?

Okalydokaly, I agree, but Holy Moly too.

at "happily deluded / slightly drunk" but that doesn't explain the serenity or good complexions.

I am often slightly drunk and while I may appear serene in demeanour my skin has every sin I have ever committed etched into it.

Yes LeQ! Wholesomeness, peaches and cream, well-scrubbed.

And very basic jeans.

LeQueen - you went to a different college to me then. Far from dowdy.

After seeing a Christian Union girl dances at a our sweaty disco a friend of mine wryly remarked "she dances well for a Christian".

I'm a bad Catholic. So I guess I look slightly wanton? Hmm. Maybe. I think you are kidding yourself. But the visit of Dawkins does seem to be encouraging the not unfamiliar sweeping generalisations about Christians...

I definitely thing there is a Christian Smile.

I know exactly what you mean. I can't put my finger on it but all the true, serious Christians I know, do have a sort of healthy, pure glow about them. I don't mean glow as in an aura. They just look shiney and unblemished. And happy. Not in anyway a criticism, it fascinates me actually and I also envy them their beliefs in lots of ways.

Sorry SmallClanger - I see your dh got in first. I like God Grin. Actually that's almost good enough for a name thread. Godgrin, anyone?