Why do Christians feel insulted by questions that point out the inconsistencies in their belief system?

Question

Is it because you get angry when the quetions have validity and there is no plausible explanation from the point of view of a Christian?

Heyblue, not Christians as a whole. As much as I believe religiosity is counter-productive, I have found some religious people who use thir faith to bring goodness into a harsh world. Christian missionaries and bible thumpers are not among them,

Don't want to break up people loving eachother in a Christan way, that's cool. But what about the disdain that's felt for Muslims? ot cool.

Also, I am not a darwinist. I know the difference between theory and irrefutable fact. I also know the difference between blind faith and irrefutable fact. I choose to give more credence to Theory because it at least is based on provable facts.

Don't want to break up people loving eachother in a Christan way, that's cool. But what about the disdain that's felt for Muslims? ot cool.

Also, I am not a darwinist. I know the difference between theory and irrefutable fact. I also know the difference between blind faith and irrefutable fact. I choose to give more credence to Theory because it at least is based on provable facts.

Answer 1

there are inconsistencies and flaws in every religion---religions were made up by men---men are by nature inconsistant and flawed-----but some people think their religion is better than others and will exploit flaws and such in other peoples beliefs ,while ignoring the flaws and inconsistencies in their own religion-----blind adoration and ignorance = bliss----and all religions are just theories anyway---i,d like to see someone prove that their beliefs are any more a valid theory than evolution---and by proof --i don,t mean -mindlessly quoting the bible----all religious books were written by men---men lie--men exagerate---men will write about things they don,t understand-and other men will blindly follow-----sprinkle a few truths in with the lies and even an intellegent man will believe!!

Answer 2

I don't get angry and I don't judge others. I have noticed though, that it seems that atheists and others are trying to change many things in this country, and it is not for the better.
I, personally do not see how teaching a child to tell the truth, not to steal, etc. is bad for them.These are the only things that are taught from the bible.
From the things that are happening today, it appears, that teaching morality and honesty has gone out of the classroom along with the bible. My children were taught these things at home, anyway. But, many children aren't taught anything at home. I do not believe that there is a problem with children singing 'God bless America' or saying the Pledge with 'one nation under God'. This is after all, America. These things have always been a part of this country, so if people don't like it, they can do what I do, and teach their religion at home. My oldest daughter was in public school and wasn't taught anything about any religion at school. My youngest daughter went to private school and was taught in depth about many other religions, I was not offended and did not start an uproar about it. When she came home with questions about other religions, we used that time to compare those beliefs with ours, and to enforce the religion that we believed in. This led to a much stronger belief, than that of my oldest, who didn't really question at all, but accepted what she was taught at home. Teaching of other religions, actually, helped my youngest to become a very strong Christian. Everyone has the same opportunity, you can start an uproar over something or you can use it as a teaching tool. I can assure you, as a person who went to public school in the south many years ago, no teacher ever tried to force-feed me religion of any kind! I was taught right from wrong, and I learned fast, that if you break the rules there will be consequences.
So, believe what you want, but leave our schools and the rights of Christians alone. It doesn't seem like it anymore, but we are supposed to have some rights in this country, too. Just because we don't agree with you doesn't mean that we are angry or insulted. We do have some fanatics like all other religions, but most of us are, actually, very tolerant.
By the way, for the record, I did not vote for George Bush, either time! Do not and never have liked the man! I do not and will not ever, vote for someone, just because someone else says to.

Answer 3

I don't think all Christians get angry at that. I certainly don't.

But if some Christians are put off by such questions, it's not because they "have validity."

Often, it's because the posers of the questions jump straight to the worst possible interpretation of things, rather than exploring with an open mind what Christianity and the Bible is all about.

As an example, look what happened when someone cited Bible verses talking about people eating their own children.

These verses were ripped badly out of context by people who wanted to portray God as someone who wants people to engage in cannibalism.

The truth is that the verses were speaking about famine -- and the people who posed these questions were ignorant of the fact that thousands of years ago, if there was a famine, people often ate the flesh of those who had died. Including family members.

It's things like that which tell us that some people are not really interested in asking questions. They're not really interested in seeking knowledge.

They're just interested in making Christianity look as bad as possible -- probably because Christianity teaches things that they don't want to hear, and they feel the need to discredit it in order to validate their secular lifestyles.

Answer 4

Let's be fair.

If any human being, whatever their belief, is asked questions that questions their belief, they react negatively because some of them went through a lot to reach that viewpoint or conclusion. Some take it very well especially when it is done in the spirit of open discussion. However, if the questioner obviously has an agenda and disregards every answer as not plausible whether the answer is valid or not, any human being would feel insulted that their viewpoint is even considered but blatantly dismissed.

Plus also as humans, we don't have all the answers. But that doesn't necessarily mean that our belief isn't true.

If you gave me the most reasonable answer and I disregarded it as not valid and said things meant to insult no matter how mild, would you not feel that way as well?

Answer 5

Not a Christian myself (I know that's hard to believe, given the avatar!), but it's understandable to some degree - if you have a belief system, it's precisely that - it's what you believe to be true about the world. If someone comes along and says "that only makes sense if you believe in it", the natural reaction is "well I do, so what's your problem?" - think this would apply almost equally to any religious group...except possibly Buddhists, who seem truly, delightfully relaxed about the whole thing...as well as many political people. And of course if you persist in showing people that they believe things that it would be easy to call erroneous, they're just going to get more convinced that you don't "understand" their truth in the same way they do...and so begins intellectual debate and ultimately emotional conflict...

Answer 6

They may be angry because the aren't as confident in their beliefs. They may be angry because you don't understand what they are saying, and they are frustrated in not being able to communicate. Remember, Christians are human too, and have human limitations.

Christianity isn't explained by clearly evident explanations but rather through mystery and faith. One can't explain how the sacrifice of Christ provides forgiveness in the eyes of God for those that believe in him, but it is the case. For us to rationally explain God and his actions limits God. If we are a product of His creation, then how can we know and explain Him.

Those things that have no plausible explanation does not mean they aren't true.

Remember, the foundation of science is found in the hypothesis. We prove a case to be true or not true by testing. But changes in the test factors such as environment may change the outcome. That doesn't limit or invalidate the previous tests, it only gives us more information and understanding of principles that always existed, but we didn't know.

Give your Christian friends a break. Rather than challenge their beliefs, explore them. Maybe they aren't as inconsistent or implausible as you think.

Answer 7

All humans are afraid of the unknown--death, sickness, tomorrow, etc. In every society there are personalities who desire control. These "witch doctors" seize the opportunity to control the masses and give them a feeling of stability, security, and hope. This is done with myths, dogmas and scare tactics. Eventually, people confuse the difference between fact and belief. When someone points out the difference, the religious mentality feels security is threatened. When you take away one's security you must replace it with something else. Point out the difference between proven fact and belief. Belief begins when proof and fact ends. In science, ethics require demonstrative proof. There is no such ethicial requirement in religion. In the USA one is free to believe any fool thing one wishes to believe. But, when the person is unable to say, "My unproven belief is simply a concept that makes me feel good", then that person has taken the first step toward fanaticism.
I feel there is nothing wrong with religious belief as long as one can distinguish proven fact from belief and places morality above religious beliefs.
A secure person is one who can accept one's insecurity.

Answer 8

No...it's not really our job...we've experienced the Truth that Jesus offers and we in no way claim to have all the answers. God doesn't need to be explained. The Bible doesn't need to be explained. Christians don't need to be explained. It's more than a belief system, so all the questions trying to point out the inconsistencies really don't make any difference to us...it's God's thing...we've just taken His Hand. We're not insulted, just amazed at how people can't understand how easy it is.

Answer 9

I do not feel insulted.

The Bible is like a school book that has things in it for those from pre-school to people with BA degrees, but it is all mixed together. No one knows EVERYTHING in the Bible.

Many people believe the Bible because they have found enough truths that they do not worry about what they do not understand. I think most of these people have seen that we can have a relation (to know Him) with Jesus now, as described in the Bible, and they sought Him for that blessing and found it (Him), so they know THE TRUTH.

Answer 10

No.
It's all about Faith. There are a lot of OPEN ended things in the Bible and things that are up for interpretation. There is no 2006 handbook on how to be a Christian.
I don't see anything wrong with admitting that.