Why is it that people think mean people are Christians? What is a true Christian in your opinion?

Question

I have noticed some people say most Christians are racist. But if somone is racist they are not a Christian. If someone is extremely evil they are not a Christian. Not everyone who says they are a Christian is and why is it that nonbelievers and even Christians fail to realize this.

Answer 1

A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. You are not a Christian just because you were born in a "christian" country or your parents were christians. Many, many people go to church every Sunday and call themselves Christians but in fact are not at all. What I mean is that people can go to church every Sunday and yet spend the rest of the week completely ignoring God and His teachings. For example they go to work and gossip and/or lie. Or they go home and speak nastily to their husbands/wives. That is not a Christian. I thought I was a Christian because I had been born "christian" to christian parents and had been baptised as a child. Yet, it was only at the age of 35 when I asked Jesus to come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour that I truly became a Christian. Since then I ask Him to help me every day in being who He wants me to be. Before doing anything, I try to think, what would He do? And, with His help, I try to do it. I have never regretted becoming a Christian. Jesus is my best friend and life has become SO much easier! Reading the Bible helps me to get to know Him better each day. What a book! Very practical up-to-date help every day! Truly amazing. Give it a try - you won't regret it! Find a New Testament and ask God to show you the truth as you read it. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you - that if He is the true God you want to know Him. He won't let you down!

Answer 2

What makes a person a Christian is whether or not they have accepted Christ. If a person is mean or racist technically they could be a christian but most likey they are not. I think a christian should be a kind loving person but I also think that doesn't mean we agree with the way some people live their lives. I think thats where ppl get the idea that christians are racist, homophobic, mean and that kind of thing because we strongly believe in something and in a certain way of life. Also some christians take things too far and pass judegement. Its not our job to judge ppl that is Gods job. All we should do is tell them "well this is what the Bible says about it" I think too many ppl say "your wrong and I'm right" no one leaves room for their own error and so they offend ppl by being all in your face about stuff. I am a christian and I have never been called mean in my life except by my little sister when we were young. Even though most ppl I'm around know my views on things they have never said I was judgemental either. Christians need to learn how to stand for what they believe in without alienating everyone.

Answer 3

I think that it's mainly people have begun to think that Christians are mean people, because all the people who run around flaunting it are usually exceptionally rude and have "better than you" attitudes. Great examples to people who were even considering converting to Christianity. *sarcasm* I've read on here a lot that it's a Christian's duty to "sew the seed," but after that, it's up to the person whether or not they decide to convert. There's nothing wrong with holding a belief, feeling strongly about it, and having deep faith, but when you use it to bully other people and shove it down their throats, you're certainly no better than anyone else, if not a bit worse.

I don't think religion has much to do with whether or not someone is mean, though. I don't associate myself with any religion at all, but I'm really not a mean person. And you can't really criticize Christians for not being perfect, nobody's perfect and some people just go overboard. There are extremists in every religion and while it does tend to have a damaging effect on the image of the entire religion, people really should be judged seperately, not as a whole.

Answer 4

I am a Minister of the Gospel. I have seen many people that are true believers, and many that are not....but still claim to be Christians. Read the parable of the Wheat and Tares. It describes that there will be many who grow together within the church, but some will not be true believers. It is up to God to determine which ones are and are not.

As to soeones comment that we marginalize other people, religions, ect.... I would say that your perception of that is correct. Many Christians are under the belief that we must completely shun those that hold to s differnt opinon than us, however this is not the case. I have friends that are different denominations, and know people that are Muslims and even Hindu. I associate with them regularly. Do i try to talk to them about Christ? YES!! Am i upset and yell and tell them they are heathens that are not worthy of my time?? NO!! Through conversation, prayer, and continous communication I believe that they will come to see that Christ is the way to eternal salvation. If not then I will grieve for them.

Hopefully, Christians and not, will come to see that the way is not by demeaning everyone but through loving, caring relationships where we allow them to see Christ living in us.

Answer 5

I think my of the answer here are good and some are proven by other answers. A true Christian is an extreme follower of Christ. It goes back to the New testament where the believers in Antioch were so much like Christ that they were called Christians. Satan is really and people who dont believe in Jesus are easily swayed by him and confused and this is why christians do have such a bad rap and because christianity is about going against the world. They Bible fortells that the world will hate christians as they hated christ.

Answer 6

True christians are bible nuts who try to enforce the bible on everyone else while failing to realize that the god they follow loves everyone nomatter who they are. The christians are not racists but they do have contempt for people who are not christian because they blindly have faith in their preachers who teach that everyone should be christian. It is easy to see that christians are not the best people when they try to break down the separation of church and state by trying to influence national policy by banning abortions, also having a problem with muslims for believing differently. It is sad to believe that a group of people are so cruel as a whole to non christians and then get all up tight when people critisize them for not being as good as they thin.

Answer 7

Christians do and are capable of any sin that a nonbeliever does and is capable of doing. The difference is the result of such a lifestyle and actions. The difference in the Christian's life is that the Holy Spirit of God actually dwells inside the Christians body along with the persons inner God created spirit that leaves the body upon death. The difference between a Christian's sins and a nonbeliever's sins is that God cannot judge what he cannot see and Christ sacrificed Blood blots out all visibility and evidence of any of the Christian's sin. People don't sin or aren't mean or racist because they are Christian it is because they are human and born into a sinful nature. The LOVE of Christ that changes the Saved and Christian is due to that inward dwelling of the Holy Spirit which is God Himself and every true Christian knows, experiences and feels the Holy Spirit's ministry inside. For those Christians that live a life of sin and evil living even after conversion they live miserable due to their suppressing the Holy Spirit of God and live very lonely and miserable lives. Your concern for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is admirable but just allow Christ to shin through your life with the Love of God and you won't have to say anything in testimony as God will make himself evident through you as long as you keep yourself in His Will.

Answer 8

Most Christians are just people who wear the label because they were born into it. They haven't found any other belief system compelling enough for them to "switch brands." They are racist because other people are not part of "my tribe" (See tribalism in Wikipedia) In Wiki's Devil's Dicitionary, Christians are people who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with their life of sin. (Humorously put but with a grain of truth)

Other Christians are so lost looking for answers in the Bible that they lose sight of what is in plain sight. Still others are like blind sheep following the sheperd. (Some of these definitions also apply to many Muslims and people of other religions)

Who then are the true Christians? They are persons who love God, life and all creation. They have genuine concern for all people, even those radically different from them. Life is uncomplicated for them for Christ's commandments are as plain as day to them. Love God, and love your fellow man. Sadly most Christians can't even observe such simple commandments. They go digging around the Bible looking for reasons to hate their fellow man

In sincerity, you could be an Atheist or Muslim or a Buddhist and still follow Christ's commandments. But if your are an atheist, why bother doing good -- people are just walking chunks of meat anyway. And if I were a Muslim espousing peace, I wouldn't be standing around and let fellow Muslims blow up women and children. And if I were a Buddhist -- forget about global warming, some life soon, I will an empowered super-being, or maybe a toad.

Answer 9

It's not that most Christians are racist, it's that most racists are Christian, or religious rather, which in the western world is usually some flavor of Christian. Religious people, as a generalization, accept what they are told by their parents and find it easy to believe "facts" despite a lack of evidence, or even contradictory evidence. Anything which goes against their parent's worldview is either a fluke or an evil conspiracy by "them", be they "incorrect" religions or "lesser" races.

Answer 10

A lot of people believe in God but they're not Christians. A Christian believes in Jesus Christ....hence the name. Some Christian give Christianity a bad name because they don't have a clue. They jumped on the bandwagon without really understanding what it means. Those people are dangerous. Jews, Muslims, etc. believe in God, but they are not Christians. That word is used too loosely.

Answer 11

Like all religions there are people that take an "extreme" view of what the bible says, and these people aren't true Christains, but they view themselves as Christains.

I have seen some Chirstians give really good advice, i had another call ME a homosexual just because i don't feel that gay people should be persecuted.

Jesus was about LOVE the key word being LOVE, even if people don't live a life you approve of you should still love them, after all God is the only true person who can decided what is right and wrong isn't he???