Why do christians have a hard time respecting the personal beliefs of others?

Question

I don't care what you personally believe. If it makes you a better person then more power to you, Blessed Be... Why do they insist on telling me I need to find God? Do I not deserve the same respect in return?

Also, this is not a request to have scriptures preached at me. Give me a personal response, not something you read in your bible (remove the "B",s, & you have "lie").

I've already read too much. And studied the history behind it too! We're talking basic human RESPECT!

Ooo..Salsa dear, the christians are the ONLY ones who believe in satan. So where do you think Satanism came from...christianity! I've been accused of that one too!

Answer 1

because they are following a shallow,uncompromising and angry religion

Answer 2

I'm a Christian and it's true that some Christians (not all) will try to shove their beliefs down people's throats. I don't particularly care what religion anyone is as long as they don't impose theirs on me. So I respect all religions because I believe each has their own purpose (except for Satanism, is that even a religion?).
Even if you choose not to believe in a Higher Power I respect you as human being and don't view religion as a determinant of what makes you a respectable person. Such a person is characterized by his/her actions, his/her thoughts and ideas....
If you live a good life and respect the world around you, I think you deserve respect. Simple as that. After all, don't we all deserve a piece of Paradise?

Answer 3

There is a difference between respecting a person and respecting something a person believes. For instance, I might have the greatest respect for someone who lives on a farm and believes that the water they drink from the well on their land is a safe source of drinking water.

But if I know that the government tested that area before they bought the farm and that there is lead and mercury poison seeping into the well from a mining operation that used to be on that plot of ground I'm not going to respect their belief that the well water is safe to drink.

I'm not going to drink any of it myself, and by the love of God I'm going to do everything in my power to convince them that it's not safe for them to drink either. Maybe they'll be offended. Maybe their friends all drink from the well and no one has gotten sick yet so why should they believe me. Maybe they might think that I'm trying to trick them so that I can get them to move and sell the property for cheap so that I can buy it myself.

That's an analogy for you about people who get offended when I tell them what God said about Jesus. It isn't that I don't respect them as people. I care enough about them to risk being called names or disliked for saying what they don't want to hear.

I think that it shows a callous disrespect not to tell someone that they are in danger and to tell them that there's one way out if they will take it. If I showed the type of "respect" you describe I would just shrug my shoulders and say "Oh well, I guess it's their business and I shouldn't try to impose my knowledge on their belief system. Then when they got taken away by a hearse after getting sicker and sicker I could mollify any remorse I might have by saying "Well, at least I respected their beliefs. That counts for something doesn't it?"

Answer 4

I respect that every person has the right and responsibility to decide what they believe.

I don't tackle people for their beliefs or opinions.

But if you ask me, I'll tell you what I believe.

I also talk to people if I feel particularly compelled. I don't bash them if they disagree, but there have been times that I sincerely regretted not talking to someone.

I do believe everyone needs God. I believe that because I believe the Bible. I don't believe that it makes me a better person than others. I do believe that it makes me a better person than I would be on my own.

I don't disrespect you because you believe differently than I do. Do I hope that you'll come to seek salvation in Christ? Sure. But not for my sake. It is hard sometimes not to plead with someone to believe, but in the end, God is the one Who "gives the increase." It's not my job to convert you, but to live a good example and to tell you about God as I have opportunity.

While I fear that some may be over-invested in saving you to avoid working out their own salvation, I hope you can be patient with those who want you to know the God of their salvation for your sake. And I hope that they are respectful of your decision, even if it's not what they want or believe God wants for you.

Answer 5

I am a Christian myself. I believe in God and all that he has said. But like you I dislike my fellow Christians who are as you described. When I wasn't saved I hated when others who were tried to force their beliefs on me. I always felt that when it was my turn then God would handle it. Because of how I felt then I make sure that I don't attack or shove my faith down someones throat now. I think because of Christians that are like you say people don't want to know God. I know I am not perfect and I have no right to judge you and I hope that you show that same respect to me. For those Christians that don't respect your beliefs, don't worry about them, their hearts may be in the right place they just have the wrong approach. But please don't be turned off by what they say, you don't have to accept it, just keep an open mind. Also not all Christians are like this and please don't assume that we are, I know I'm not. Please don't think I am preaching to you.

Answer 6

The fact of the matter is that there are absolute truths in this world. When people choose to disagree with an absolute truth it disturbers them (for lack of a better phrase ) on a universal level. Until they accept the "truth" they will never really be happy.

In other words if you shoot yourself you will still get hurt even if you don't believe in guns.

And buy the way if you take the "B"s out of Bible you get ile which is an Isoleucine (an amino acid)

Answer 7

Not all christians have a hard time respecting the personal beliefs of others. There are some who are passionate about reaching out to find the ones who ARE called to this flock, the lost sheep Jesus spoke about. You may not be that one, but the call goes out anyway. It is the heart of Christ in them seeking His own.

Answer 8

i am a christian and i don't like to preach at people. Christ did not preach at people. he didn't condemn people. christians, and i'll include myself in this, have a erally nasty habit of selecting certain passages of scripture that fit whatever situation we want it to and taking things out of context. our religion isn't imposing and intolerant. PEOPLE are imposing and intolerant. shoving any religion down anyone's throat is going to make them instinctively resistant. above all, the Bible is supposed to teach love and toleration of EVERYONE. jesus ate with sinners and saints alike. it's us "righteous" folks that are a little to self righteous that have the "my way or the highway" mentality and can't respect other people's beliefs. i don't have to believe what you say, and you don't have to believe what i say, but will respect the words that come from your mouth and your heart because we are humans above anything else and we deserve as much from each other.

another reason is because christianity (to my knowledge) is the majority religion in the world. when you are the majority....well, history has shown us how that goes.

Answer 9

you do. respect is earned not given away though. so you can't bash someone's religion and expect them to give it back. I am not religous, but I have friends that are on both ends, what it comes down to is being able to respect people even though they might not agree with your beliefs. that will speak volumes on its own.

That being said, some people have a hard time dealing with beliefs or people for that matter that go against what they have been ingrained since birth to believe as truth. some people have a hard time dealing with it. Be rational, considerate and non-insulting and often they may not agree with your beliefs but can still be your friend. If they are insulting can not show you respect as another human being, then oh well, move on, not worth fighting over. 02. cents

Answer 10

Do you respect something you think is a lie? Could you respect yourself if you knew a truth that might save someone's life, and you kept it to yourself? I'm not trying to be offensive- I'm just explaining the way things appear to Christians. They won't leave you alone about God because they care what happens to you. You might be annoyed and think them misguided, but you shouldn't really look down on them for that. They mean it kindly, whether it feels that way or not.

Answer 11

I am a Christian and I think it's a shame that Christians have turned you off to God. Our job is to share our beliefs with non-believers but that doesn't necessarily mean getting in your face and telling you you're going to hell. Sometimes it means just being yourself and letting others come to you to ask why you're different. God loves everyone but not all are called to God. It may not be your time and frankly, your time may never come. Seek out some Christians that can let you be yourself and hang with them for awhile. My 2 cents.