Why do so many christians think their religion is the only way?

Question

Why are so many christians so close-minded and only believe what they are told in church and what the bible says? And why do they always quote from the bible---do they not have a mind of their own?

Answer 1

They have been brained washed from birth just like people from many other religions. I think it takes a certian amount of IQ to step back and see these things for what they really are. They are a growing number of people however that can keep there faith but at the same time remain open minded about other posssibilities. OH yea the bible quoteing thing ......... thats really annoying

Answer 2

I have asked/answered this kind of questions before. From what I understand their views on religion seems to be quite different from eastern faiths like Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism etc. However, all Christians are not close minded. It's just that, abrahamic faiths believe that religion has been codified and everything about them is already known. Eastern faiths believe that religion is a constantly changing process and no one on Earth, really knows the absolute truth. Abrahamic faiths are against changing(distorting, according to them) their religion, hindus etc. believe that changing is a good thing. Whether they are right or wrong depends on your point of view. I will say again that all Christians, Jews and Muslims are not close minded.

There are some Hindus who hate Christians and Muslims but they do it mainly for political and not religious reasons(except the VHP fascists).

From some of the responses over here it seems to me that they believe only Jesus can give happiness and "personal relationship with God". Other religions have such figures too. Like Krishna in Hindusm. Some Krishna devotees believe that they are also in a "personal relationship" with God and they are quite happy about it. I don't think that some of these Christians don't even bother to look beyond the Bible. That is why they think that Christianity is the "only way".

Answer 3

Any honest and wise person should be able to admit not all religions can be right. As quoted from here: http://powertochange.com/questions/qna3.html

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Do all religions lead to God?

Many people think this is the case, because they assume that all religions are essentially the same when you get right down to it. But this just isn't true. If you let each religion speak for itself, you find religions around the world differ greatly on the basic concepts-God, truth, reality, the basic human dilemma and the solution to that dilemma. They differ so much that many of their statements contradict one another. For example, God cannot be both personal, as Christians, Jews and Muslims believe, and impersonal, as Buddhists and Hindus believe. Those are contradictory statements. According to the rules of logic, contradictory statements cannot all be true. Therefore, all religions cannot possibly be true. It is a logical impossibility. And if they are not all true, then not all of them can lead to God.
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Furthermore, Christians are by definition those who've trusted in Christ as their Saviour and been born again. And Jesus said He is the only way to God (John 14:6) and to eternal life.

Answer 4

We think it is the only way because that's what our faith teaches us. We believe the bible to be the word of God, and Jesus is God's son...

He says he is the only way.

I would have to disagree about the closed mindedness, and not having mind of our own, and this is why.

I think it takes an awful lot of open mindedness when someone first considers Christianity as there belief. We would obviously have to have minds of our own for two reasons.

1- Being a Christian is a choice, no one can make it for you.

2- It takes a lot of thought to READ, UNDERSTAND, and BELIEVE what the bible says.

You should read the bible for yourself and MAKE sure you disagree before criticizing others for having the brain to do so.

Answer 5

I am a Christian, and have formed my own opinions. But often times you will find what backs that up for people who believe the Bible, IS the Bible.

Atheists point to science, just a Christians point to the Bible, or Muslims the Koran. Whatever the basis for one belief is what quotes you'll get. Just happens.

Answer 6

Actually, most Christians I know are the exact opposite... very open minded! We accept all people of all faiths and all circumstances. We love all people. That's one of the key components of Christianity. So if you meet close-minded Christians, please don't use them as the stereotype for the whole group. I have met many many close-minded non-christians! But I don't lump all non-chrsitians as close minded!

As far as only doing what the Bible says... that's the basis for our faith. To ignore it would be to ignore our faith! Without quoting the Bible, we wouldn't be Christians! We'd be non-christians. Does that make sense? I mean, if I am an math teacher, I would probably use numbers all the time. Would you ask why math teachers always use numbers? Its what makes them who they are! So expect Christians to quote the Bible. Alot. that's who we are!

And yes, we have a mind of our own, but we CHOOSE to follow God. Believe me, I don't always like what the Bible has to say, and I don't always agree. But I always default to HIM. So I have "my opinion" of things which is unimportant and uninformed compared to the Bible. So I CHOOSE to quote fromt he Superiror source!

I pray this all makes sense. Try to stay away from the same trap you don't like - stay open minded... about Christians and all others! And don't stereotype a whole group because of a few, OK? Thank you!

Answer 7

Because that is what their bible says. That is all they know most aren't very open-minded and there is definitely a state sponsored ignorance that goes around. They all quote that the Bible says Jesus was the way but the Old testament had ways to earn forgiveness long before Jesus. It just helps them to sleep good at night thinking they will definitely attain entrance to heaven all though no one can know that.

Answer 8

Don't generalize. I only know some Christians like that. People who take religion too seriously quote the bible, and are close-minded and think they are always right. No one is perfect and if they are smart enough they can realize that they contradict the word by acting superior over others.

Answer 9

It really is laughable that some people try to call the Bible out as being contratdictory just because they don't even have a remote sense of morality in them. If you have a particular problem with an individual regarding them shoving religion in your face, deal with them, instead of taking that frustration out on the whole religion. If you had a problem with your car, you would consult a mechanic, wouldn't you? In the same way, we as Christians use God's word as the manual for our lives, because that's what He intended it as. If you want to deviate from Christ's teachings, go ahead, but quit trying to drag others down to your level.

Answer 10

"Religions" are mutually exclusive. That means that each one thinks it is the right one. The reasoning is like this. There is a God. Jesus built His "church" - not churches. So that means there can only be one right church. So everybody thinks,"Of course, it's the one I attend".If they would get an exhaustive concordance and compare their churches "doctrine" against everything the Bible teaches they would see that their church is not the right one. For example, what about the commandments? One of them says to observe the Sabbath. Some do, but that one commandment eliminates many of them.

Answer 11

Its because these ideas are part of their religion. And actually most of them believe that thinking is a tool and not a source of direction. They dont live by thought, they live by the bible and spirit.

I cant deny that there is some wisdom behind this, but at the same time we have to remember that this religion had political purposes at one time. Which may have something to do with this.