Why do some people I know hate "born-again" Christians, but tell you they are a Christian?

Question

I have difficulty understanding how some people can hate evangelical Christians and think they are totally wrong, but they call themselves a Christian. What is going on?

Answer 1

Perhaps their distaste for "evangelical" or "born-again" Christians is a result of their interactions with these believers. It is my observation that many born-again Christians (though certainly not all) act disrespectfully toward Christians who do not identify themselves as born-again. Taking John Chapter 3 literally, some evangelicals believe that a man must be born again to receive salvation, and they do not hesitate to inform fellow Christians (often in a paternalistic, know-it-all way) that their salvation is in doubt.

I hope you can understand why this attitude turns a lot of people off. Many Christians consider their faith to be something that has been a part of them their whole lives and cannot identify a conversion experience. Does that make their faith invalid? They think not and are upset by those who are so presumptuous as to suggest it. A few encounters with evangelical Christians may very well arouse deep feelings of mistrust and even disgust among some people who nevertheless consider themselves believing Christians.

My take: Paul commanded the believers at Philippi to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" and God will work in us according to his purpose. Folks on both sides need to recognize that they are on the same team and stop the infighting, which does nothing but damage the church's witness to the world.

Answer 2

To Be Born Again You Must Become As Little Children Most Born Agains Think There More Mature Than The Rest And Have Always Got Something To Say About Someones Life When Its Clearly Not There Business We Are All The Same Get Over The Labels

Answer 3

I care that any Christian gets persecuted. It's wrong. I am Roman Catholic and I am careful not to ever put down Evangelical Christians because they love the Lord. If I love the Lord and they love the Lord, we have all in common. It's just the worship practices that are different. Anyone calling Evangelicals names may not even be Christian. They may be in the bars drinking all week and be sitting in the front pew on Sundays. If people don't like you because you are Christian, that is their problem.

Answer 4

Because, many born again Christians appear to be self-righteous, which is very unbecoming. Not all Christian religions believe it's necessary to be born again, and when you ask them if they're born again your impyling that they really aren't Christians. Even though their faith may be just as strong if not stronger then yours. And if someone wants to be evangelical that's fine, but to be pushy is very annoying. The way to convert is by example. By the way Christian means to be Christ-like, and I don't remember reading anything about Christ pushing anyone into believing, He was an example, by the way he lived his life.

Answer 5

For a large number of Christians, the only thing worse than a non-Christian unbeliever is a Christian who is of a different denomination from their own.

The fact that aggressive evangelical Christian make all Christians look like zealots probably has a lot to do with it too.

Answer 6

Because the principles of Christianity is to go out and try to convert others, most of the time through manipulation and fear tactics. A lot of people find that offputting.

If you want to share your religion, what you need to do is to make sure that the person is RECEPTIVE. Otherwise, move on.

You don't see other religions trying to convert others, do you? You don't see Hindus or Buddhists knocking at your door at all times to try to convert you? You don't even see Jews doing that. Only Evangelical Christians do that.

Answer 7

Oh im Pagan BTW

Born agian christians are horrible. It was a more moderate bunch of christians that convinced me to deconvert however, but the fundamentlaist christians are the worst.

as someone said

Born agian christians are more annoying the second time around.

I agree with ceppie. people do some awful things and make excuses for a bad religion.

Answer 8

Sounds like Cultists with that HATE word.

Cultists are the only people I know of who are experts at HATE.

Evangelical Christians do have a SLIGHT tendency to evangelize...that could be very disagreeable to either Cult.

Answer 9

There are many Christian people who do not accept the true message of God, but instead, go by solely what the church states, which pretty much says that everyone who does not follow rules X, Y, and Z are going to Hell, and that Christians must convert these people because they are different and bad.

This is why I do not like organized religion. It enforces rules that have nothing to do with love and respect (and in fact, breed the opposite in followers). However, to people of all religions who have truly good hearts and can love and respect all, power to you guys.

Answer 10

I consider myself to be open-minded, and receptive to what other people believe and practice. I unfortunately got involved with the evangelical born-again Christians, on two occasions. They were extremely controlling, destructive of families, and intolerant of those whose opinions differed. They comprise the sole support of politicians like George W. Bush, and his corporate-sponsored wars. They contribute plenty of money in their attempt to reverse legislation that they disagree with...i.e., abortion, same-sex marriage, etc. They claim to be patriotic, yet they want to change the will of the public to their liking. They are a cult, and as a cult, they are a slow cancer to social progress. I don't believe that they should be banned, but I do believe that they should be ostracized, and avoided at all costs.