Why is it that Jesus preached about tolerance, but Christianity seems to make people less tolerant?

Question

Just look at the gay marriage debate. There doesn't seem to be any anti-gay marriage position that doesn't involve the bible, or that doesn't invoke "Christian Values." Why do so many people who call themselves Christians have beliefs that seem so intolerant? Would Jesus really have hated gay people?

Answer 1

Jesus didn't preach tolerance. Jesus taught that we do it his way or else we go to hell..
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
*That statement alone leaves out all other religions or men that have established religions.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
*The law is very explicit about homosexuality, but hate is another word, Jesus would not have hated them, he would have let them go to hell when they finished in this world. He would have warned them about their eternal destiny, but why should he hate them they were going to hell anyway so there is no need to hate anyone. Yes true Christian beliefs are very intolerant of any sin. All sin is condemned and will not be tolerated in Gods kingdom that is to come. Sodomites will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Do I hate you?? No. Why should I the choice is yours..

Answer 2

Christians are not the one who are against gays marriage. If you go to Iran, being a gay get you hanged. Saudi, they live in hiding, if they get caught they get the noose. just to name two countries. It is religion. The Torah, the Bible and the Quran are all against homosexuality, the good thing is people are changing, and trying to understand and except one another as equal, including the gays.
I don't think Jesus would hate the gay people. Marriage is supposed to be between one man and one woman. Ask the Muslims they will tell you the same. If the problem was that easy we wouldn't be debating over it for such a long time. It isn't easy to solve. people want to get married for many reasons not just the union of marriage, but also financial reason, Spousals rights, health care converge, etc.

Answer 3

First of all, Jesus did not preach tolerance. He preached that if you did not abide in Him, hell awaits.

The problem is, gays want trouble. Marriage is for a man and a woman. It's nutso to think that we should now redefine this age old institution, just so that they can feel better about their sin. Also, I live in Mass. Few gays are marrying, compared to their numbers. They wanted gay marriage as a trophy. Gays are promiscuous. What in the world does a gay person want with marriage?

Jesus would have voted against Gay Marriage. He wouldn't step on a broken reed, but He surely would say: this is wrong. Sane people are against gay marriage.

The notion that two gays would stand before God Almighty and dare to affront Him with the notion that this is acceptable: is for fools to do. Playing around with a flame is what they are doing: unaware of God.

Answer 4

For Christians to agree with pandering to the whims of the gay lifestyle and vote for or abstain from protesting the gay agenda is to say that their fundamental beliefs in the Bible are flawed. The Bible is the Word of God and He is the creator of the universe and established marriage as being between one man and one woman, I would rather not walk the fence and compromise as some christians are doing. It has nothing to do with hatred. Jesus did not preach hatred, a real christian wouldn't hate or at least shouldn't. Hatred never resolved anything. Intolorance is not hatred. Intolarance is simply stating that while you may choose to live a certain lifestyle in the privacy of your own home, I disagree and as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Anyone who truely knows the gay agenda understands that some who are politically active "hate" and feel intolarant toward the hetrosexual sector especially those that come from a fundamental christian stance on the subject. It all comes down to this...everyone experiences sexual tendancies, fantasies and temptations that may be abnormal or obscure and confusing...but there are those out there who by some unknown reason become saturated with the experience and allow it to become part of their persona. The burden can be overwhelming and feelings of defeat permiate as one tries to fight this demon pursuading them..so they give in and begin to slowly embrace the concept of their desires. Choice. To be gay, to feel attracted sexually to the same sex is not a sin...its an affliction..acting out sexually with the same sex partner..where marriage cannot exist simply because of the defintion which cannot change in the sight of God no matter what is on paper materially on this earth..is the sin. Its the same sin as any other sexual immorality...which Christians are being bombarded with everyday. The message is...have sex outside of marriage with whomever, how ever and as often as you please and while we suggest you be careful in the event of pregnancy and desease we encourage you to do it..cuz sex sells and self-disapline and chastity and living for God doesn't. You have to look behind the message to the modivation. Tolerance for the gay agenda is coming..it just takes time. Be patient...soon the world will be as it was in the days of Noah or Sodem and Gommorah..if we are not there already and you will have so called "christians" marching in the gay pride parade too. Just give it a few more years...intolerance will fall by the wayside just as abstinance and purity until marriage has become a joke. Love in Christ, ~J~ <><

Answer 5

Eye..wow, surprising with the help of Jesus and all that your poem isn't a little less crappy. And really, that's all I can say to this, because the rest just makes my head spin and my stomach sink.

Why should YOUR faith dictate how americans can live their lives? Isn't that all for god to sort out anyway?

Marriage is a man-made institution with differing customs and expectations across a spectrum of faiths. If your belief says that two people of the same sex loving each other is a damnable sin, fine, DON'T DO IT. But what gives you the right to then say it is not fit for ANY person?

Answer 6

I really love how people put words in to the mouth of a guy who loved some 2000 years ago. They've read stories about him that were written decades after his death. Why can't we all just tolerate each other because it's the right thing to do?

Somehow I doubt a guy who supposedly said things like love thy neighbor and turn the other cheek and was frequently in the company of prostitutes and lepers would look at a gay person and say go to hell.

But hey, I dunno what he would have said cause I'M NOT HIM and neither are any of you people.

Have a nice day.

Answer 7

Jesus said to love everybody, but he didn't say to condone sin either. The reason the Bible is brought into the debate is because God clearly says that homosexuality is an abomination to Him. Jesus didn't "preach tolerance", he preached love. Tolerating people's decisions is not the same as changing what you believe is okay.

Answer 8

absolutely not. the Bible is clear about homosexuality being wrong, but i think it probably makes Jesus extremely sad when people that call themselves Christians go around screaming "kill the fags!" and stuff like that. Jesus always loved people regardless of their sin. he ate with prostitutes and thieves, for crying out loud! and one reason the Pharisees got mad at him was because he was a friend of sinners. so yeah, i think that some Christians have their views seriously messed up about those things.

Answer 9

Dear Jeebus, most people seem to find it easier to blame others than to come humbly on bended knee to admit what they are, much less have the courage to ask God to reveal what about them needs changing. THAT'S A TOUGH ROAD BABY!
Jesus told the lady at the well that the time had arrived for the true believers to worship God in spirit and in truth. I strongly suspect that people accusing others have not let God renew their mind, that they are not living in the spirit.
God HATES when people get what they deserve. He doesn't gloat over the pain & consequences that come with our mistakes and our selfishness... it breaks His heart.
Christ also proclaimed that all the commandments hung on two: 1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and 2) Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Many believe that knowledge makes them spiritual, that if they 'know' more, somehow they are closer to God. But our sweet Lord spoke to them, "Many will come unto me saying Lord Lord... and I will say unto them 'Depart from me... I never knew you."
Keep your eyes on the prize, baby, we're sent like sheep among wolves. It's our job to follow Him to the cross...
Best to you little bro, and keep the Peace.

Answer 10

Jesus wouldn't have hated anyone, just the sin. I think Christians are getting less tolerant because they are not being heard, and when they are, their views are shot down because they don't reflect what the secular world believes.