Why are Christians so hated?

Question

People seem to trash Christian on yahoo a lot. Why? Do they not realize that we are only trying to help and sometimes that means trying to convert? To put it bluntly, do some people wish to go to Hell or to be saved? I'm really curious to know what people are thinking. And if you are going to be rude and illmannered you might as well not bother answering. I've warned you now and those whom do not heed the warning will be reported. I'm not kidding.

You see, there's another thing; we don't always try to convert people. I've helped a few people without bringing up the subject of converting at all. I respect people with other religions, really I do. Just sometimes I feel it's necessary to try my cards at get a person to at least see what Christianity is actually about before the trash it. Wouldn't you feel the same way about your religion if you saw that someone who had no idea what you and your religion were really about?

Look, I only speak the truth of my beliefs. I'm not trying to be rude, unlike some people. And, if you want to play that card, is it not also true that several people on this site ,and a lot of other places, believe that Christians are the ones going to Hell? Is that not also rude to say? I do see that some of the time not only are the Christians trying to help without converting but that they are being bashed on for that. Now, would anyone he like to explain that one to me? Understand that I did say I respect other religions and sometimes I even study them and try to get a feel for what they are truely like before I even think of speaking about them. I have friends of many religions and they are not as hateful as you people on here, so what is your deal?

Thanks for your answers! Most are quite nice to read and I'll do my best to not "shove my religion down people's throats" as long as they don't trash Christians who haven't try to do anything yet. Does that sound fair? I really don't mean to seem that way and must apologize to a few of you for this. As for the ones who were trashing Christians before I got on here, take it up with the others who were on here before I was.

Answer 1

For the most part i don't think Christians are hated on here. But as an agnostic who reads and answers a lot of questions i can say (from my point of view only) that when i feel attacked for my beliefs i am going to try to prove my point. Just as when Christinas feel attacked for their beliefs they will push back and try to prove their points. Does it get out of hand? Ohhhh yes! it would be best if people (everyone - including myself) would not take the questions so personally and try to see things objectively.
As far as Christinas trying to "convert" others... well ok.. you can do that... but then it is only fair that we should be able to try to "convert" back. Right? Doesn't your bible say do unto others... or something along those lines?
i try not to bash, and i get angry when others bash... but we all do it. When christians attack others for not believing their way or try to force thier opinions down our throats... well were going to basically try to force our opinons down their throats.
i hope this is making sense. i know what i am thinking but hard to put into words at times.
But as an agnostic... i will say i do not hate christians. But i will push back w/ my own beliefs if others beliefs are being shoved down my throat.
On that note... perhaps both sides (if that is the proper term) should maybe calm down a bit... and try to answer questions (and take answers) objectively and not so personally.

Be well! :)

Answer 2

I feel like I'm just going to be spouting what everyone else has been saying, but I hope to throw a good amount of original thought in here, too. Well, here goes.

In the world, particularly the United States, there is a concept called "the freedom of choice." Along with this freedom, there is also "the freedom of religion."

Christians are not always viewed in the highest regard because many of them (not all) tend to throw these two ideas out the window.

To put the two together, you have the right to CHOOSE your RELIGION (or lack thereof). Some people choose to be Christian, others Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, etc. When Christians come along and decide that you made the wrong choice and that their religion is the only one that is correct/the "truth," that's when stones tend to be thrown.

Trying to convert someone from their religion or lack of religion to Christianity (specifically in this case) is infringing on that person's rights.

Though Christians may claim to "know" that their religion is right, and that they're "doing people a favor" (or "trying to hep them") by converting them, they really have NO idea as to whether or not Christianity is the true "right" religion. It is pretentious to claim that your little group is the only group in the entire universe that is correct about the meaning of life. Not only is it pretentious, it is disgustingly self-centered and egotistical.

Telling the world that they're all going to hell when they die because they didn't follow every single word of some book written by a few old dudes 2000+ years ago is one thing that Christians seem to love doing nowadays.

That is why they're hated.

Answer 3

Well honey, I can't answer for everyone, I can only answer for myself, but then I don't ever intend to come off as "trashing" Christians.

I think my whole problem is with the mission work and the witnessing and whatnot. Obviously you are a devout Christian, and that's great for you, it works for you. Have you ever had a Jehovah's Witness come to you and try to get you to listen to them? You wouldn't convert would you? Well, it's the same for me! I take offense to the fact that people think that just because I'm not Christian I'm just lost and waiting for some noble person to stop and show me how I should be living. I'm also offended that Christians go to impoverished countries and villages with the premise of helping these people, but all the while they are there they are "saving" them, pushing their religion on them.

How do you believe you are saving anyone? Civilizations have survived for thousands of years without you coming to them and giving them a bible and having them attend your church with you. I don't need your help to make good competent choices in my life.

Also please explain to me how someones opinion posted on a bulletin board is going to send them to hell? Or were you meaning that we are automatically going to hell for not following your beliefs? My question to you then is how do you know you're right? Who's to say the Aztecs were the only ones to get it right and since you don't believe in their beliefs you will go to hell?

I think the reason Christians take the blunt of the badmouthing is because they are the most prominent religion pushing their beliefs on others. People bash The Watchtower and make jokes about Jehovah's Witnesses, but their population is few and space. I have never met a Buddhist that tried to convert me, I have never met a Muslim that tried to convert me. You are a pretty big target so your going to take a lot of flack!

Basically I live under the premise that I will live my life my way and I really appreciate it when others do the same, but when my beliefs aren't respected I make my opinions known.

I hope that clears some things up for you!

Answer 4

Well, some of the reasons Christianity is looked down upon is because some of the events that have taken place in the name of Christianity in history. For instance, look at the crusades... what was the purpose for that? Christians going off and killing people who didn't believe or convert to Christianity, and I am not saying that Christianity is the ONLY religion that has done that, Islam has done the same as well... A more updated reason would be the incident at Waco Texas... Some guy claiming to be Christ and sleeping with underaged children and killing people... that doesnt put a positive light on Christianity.
Then you have scandles and things with preachers and tv ministers.... Which does not put a good look on christianity.

What people don't understand is, that this is NOT the way Christ wanted us to be AT ALL!! We take on HIS name, meaning we are to follow HIS examples and teachings and if you recall, Christ taught about love, patience, kindness and healing... and people tend to forget that. Thank you for your question.

Answer 5

Well, often the Christians on here come across as judgemental, intolerant, ignorant, and sometimes just plain loony. Do you really think you are going to "convert" someone through Yahoo? Why do Christians think people want to hear that they are going to hell? And why do Christians think that's the "Good News" we're called to share?
To warn people they will be reported for being rude seems kind of like blackmail. Does that mean if they say something you disagree with you are going to report them?

Answer 6

I don't hate Christians. But I do agree that there's a lot of religion-bashing going on around here -- especially with Christians.

I guess people see Christianity as another form of control. People get enough rules and boundaries from the government, work and sometimes even in their own homes. They don't want to get another dose of "do this or you'll end up in hell when you die" during their leisure time. It just so happens that most people spend their leisure time here on the net, where you can trash-talk all you want and the FBI (hopefully) won't coming crashing in your door.

So to sum it up: Christianity = Control = Resistance & Animosity.

Answer 7

Obviously the concept of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is lost on you. If you want not to be criticized, do two things:

1) Don't proselytize. If people want your religion, they'll ask for it. You have no more right to proselytize to strangers than strangers have the right to proposition you for sex. It's hypocritical to flog a bible to fifty different people and say "Who's your god?", and then be offended if fifty different men say "Who's your daddy?"

2) Stop your fellow christians from being rude, vile, violent and hypocritical. It's amazing how many christians excuse the behaviour of their fellow christians because they have the same religion. Or worse yet, christians who deny the christianity of others (eg. Fred Phelps, the KKK, the Nazis, etc.) because they don't like what other christians do.

Clean up your own house before pointing out problems in other people's. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, but you think closing your eyes will keep your own glass house from breaking.

Answer 8

Simple when you represent and extreme side you draw out your foil. for example Fundamentalist Islam is a direct result of Christianity trying to wipe out Muslims during the crusades.
You need to understand that not every one you hand a pamphlet to wants to be saved.
for the record Christianity has instigated more conflicts than any other religion in recorded history.
Christianity also has a funny habit of being on the wrong side of history.They were late to the party in denouncing slavery, they supported the persecution of the Jews during the holocaust.(the Jews are the first to go during the end days according to biblical prophesy, and Hitler was a Catholic)They also killed numerous scholars for suggesting things like the sun is the center of the universe not the earth.
So if you want to report me for having different beliefs than you go ahead, and then you can go on pretending that you are persecuted.

Answer 9

Because the world hated Jesus.

Jesus said that if the world hated him, the world would hate his followers as well.

Christians tend to be scape-goated by others as well; also many people do not like the fact that Christians believe in an absolute right and wrong; and some have had negative experiences with individuals claiming to be Christian -- and use that as an excuse to be bigoted against Christians.

Cordially,
John

Answer 10

One reason for sure is because a lot of them, though with good intentions, preach when it may be that God may not have directed them to do so with certain people.
It is so important, as Christians, to follow God's leading and to act in love in every way.
Then there's the main reason, that is, the Light exposing the darkness in the world. I know that once people see what they have been doing in that darkness then they want to live a better life. But the only way to do this is to accept the Lord God Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Answer 11

I don't think Christians are hated any more than Muslims, or Shintoists or any other religion it's just that some people get off on making people mad all the time, even if they believe the same things. BTW this is coming from an atheist