Why do christians preach acceptance, but yet they arent accepting of people of other religions?

Question

but if you accept the person, shouldnt you respect their decision to choose another path different from your own without trying to make them change?

I wasnt saying everyone is like that, just a good number of christians.

Answer 1

Because they are confused about what it really means to be a Christian.

Most Americans who call themselves "Christians" practice a belief system that is much more simmilar to Islam that it is to real Christianity. Theologians refer to it as "American Civil Religion."

Remember - it is by their fruits that you shall know them.

Answer 2

Name some!

Answer 3

christians are unfortunately are but humans. it is a human tendency to distort things. they don't necessarily reflect what Jesus meant. christians can't even get along with other christians; they split in many differnt branch offs; the biggest two are catholic and orthodox. i am sure that it's not what Christ had in mind when he sacrificed his life. i would not look up at christians, priests, or even christian organizations for the exemplary behavior. it may cause a great disappointment and make you want to be an atheist. (talking from biter experience) look into christianity with your own eyes and practice it the way you understand it. aside from all man-made hypocrisy, it is a powerful teaching that was NOT ACCEPTED as well at its own time. took THREE HUNDRED years from Christ's death to start accepting it. you probably heard about second coming. i think what it means is that there will be a new way people interprete what it says in New Testament, the true way, without making it into "members only" thing. and i think it begins with the questions like yours. if you study other religions, the main thread in all of them is your love for GOD (and God is idea that created Universe and everything in it; we are all created and obey certain laws, visible and invisible)

Answer 4

That's a good question. A lot of "Christians" preach acceptance but are very unaccepting of others, especially people with different faiths. That is why I think that most people that claim to be a Christian are not true Christians at all. Sad to say, but the Christian faith is full of hypocrites

Answer 5

Christ teaches love, forgiveness, selflessness, honor, and compassion
We as Christians fall short of His glory… I am sorry for Christians hurting you in the past. I know that I have not walked the walk on several occasions, more than I can count. But the truth is this I am not perfect even though I try to be Christ like, I continue to struggle.

We as people cloud God’s laws. He does not see gray, only black and white, wrong or right. We try to justify what we do, I know I do. There is only one Creator of this world and he sent his son for you because he loves you more than you will ever know.

We as Christians should not judge others but show others the truth by first example and then by love and kind words. I know there is an aching desire in your life that searches for something greater than yourself but most of the times we cloud it by trying to be different.

Honestly try a relationship with him, you life will be completely different for the better.

Answer 6

You are right it is not correct. However Christians are taught "to be in the world but not of the world." Christians need to love everyone despite their religion just like Jesus did however be careful not to associate no agreeing with peoples beliefs as not accepting them. Christians should live the way the Bible teaches them, and this is not to shun people because of their beliefs but instead to love them and show them Jesus' love.

Answer 7

If someone is a true Christian, they will follow the doctrines and teachings of Christ, as the name implies. And here there must be a distinction, for though Jesus did accept people regardless of sex, age, race, social status, etc., he did speak of "THE way", and "THE truth", implying that on doctrinal/teaching issues there is only one way to practice Christianity. However, due to the influence of humans, over the thousands of years since Jesus' time, Christianity has splintered and has fallen prey to sects. That is not what Christ intended, for he wished all of his followers to be of one mind and in harmony. And of course this oneness of mind was not to be restrictive and in a robotic sense, but more in the interests of purity, and of maintaining a more direct relationship with he and with his father, Jehovah. Really, if thought of logically, how could ALL of the religions out there claiming to be Christian truly be so if they teach different things? There was only ONE Christ, and he did not contradict himself in his teachings. In fact, the discrepancy that exists between different so-called Christians really is evidence of the fact that their teachings and the way in which they live is not in harmony with the Bible, for if that were so, every religion would teach the same thing. Therefore, a true Christian would refer ALL teachings to the Bible, avoiding doctrines and traditions of humans that have crept in over the years, and would put a serious effort into living the life advocated by the Bible and more directly, by Jesus himself.
Therefore, I think this idea of "acceptance" that you refer to obviously has been expressed by people who really don't understand what they themselves believe. If someone is truly convinced of their religion, and of their beliefs, why would they speak of the acceptance of another way of believing? I am not saying that people themselves should not be accepted, but I personally cannot accept another idea as truth if I am fully convinced of my own. I can accept that it exists, but for what reason should I accept something I do not believe? I think the question really lies in the degree of knowledge and conviction of the person. If someone believes blindly, and cannot defend or refute well, then it does seem a superficial thing. However, to be fully convinced, one must be informed, and I think nothing to be wrong with refusing a belief if one is completely convinced of another. I am aware that many believe that having such a conviction is, instead of a positive thing, a sign of a mind blindfolded, refusing to accept the reality that there cannot exist such definites in this world. And yet, that in itself is an assurance that someone convinces themselves of. And in this case, I would rather be convinced of something that gives me a comfort and hope than be convinced of an empty, hopeless substitute that avoids the making of decisions on quite important issues.

Answer 8

Because they are hypocrites. I grew up in a very religious family and about 10 years ago, I decided it wasn't for me anymore. When my son was born 4 years ago, I told them I didn't want anything to do with the religion and now they don't associate with me or my family anymore. It has been this way since my first boy was born. My second child was born and not one person in my family acknowledged it. They all preach about how to not be judgemental, love your neighbor as yourself, accept everyone, and yet my own family (5 bro and 1 sis) all ignore me now. And I'm not leading an immoral life. I'm married to a wonderful man, my boys are both beautiful and respectful. My mom has had 4 affairs, my oldest brother is an alcoholic and verbally abusive to his family, my second oldest brother was married for 13 years and slept with a prostitute, my other brothers and sister have all smoked pot and done drugs, and I'm the one whose bad??? It makes me mad all over again just typing it. I don't get it. It is total hypocrisy to me. My aunts, uncles and grandparents do not talk to me either. The religion? Jehovah's Witnesses. How can they expect my husband to want to be one when he has seen how they all have treated me. No one would come to our wedding, so we got married in a courthouse....on a Wednesday. I'm about ready to disown all of them myself.

Answer 9

Well a lot of reactionary christians actually don't preach acceptance, just like a lot of reactionary muslims. If you truly, honestly believe that your religion is THE ONE. Then that makes everyone else a blasphemous pig, worth of death.

Answer 10

I'm sorry to say but those that u speak of are one day a week Christians.a true believer in god that calls them self's a christian will accept all people of all creeds. oh by the way a one day a week christian is somebody who only lives by the word of god on Sunday or the sabbath. the other six day's they are your average sinner

Answer 11

It's Christ who preaches acceptance, and people fall short of the message. Like in all religions or ideals.