Can Christians and Pagans get along?

Question

I ask this because from what I've seen on the board this does not seem so and I wish it was. As a Pagan I wish others would stop telling me I'm going to burn in hell, its very hurtful.

Answer 1

Dear Mr. Pagan,

Although I am a Christian, I also respect your views. It is rather arrogant of me to feel that I have GodsHousekeeping Seal of Approval and you don't.

I realize that there are many road to a god or gods and that there is no way to honstly determine which religion or belief structure is "correct".

Some of my brethen do not know how to conduct themselves and condemn without taking the time to understand.

I, myself, have been condemned to hell by Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses because I chose not to convert.

And I have never had a Pagan come to my house on a Saturday Morning to tell me that I was a bad person because I didn't worship the sun or the moon or the trees.

As far as I am concerned, Mr. Pagan, there is nothing wrong with you. (Unless you're an L.A. Dodgers fan, in which case you will burn in hell, or Chavez Ravine, whichever is closer.)

Respectfully,

One who acknowledges and respects your beliefs.

Answer 2

It depends on the people involved. Not all Christians have a problem with pagan religions. (I recognize that some fundamentalist Christians tend to label their more liberal and accepting brothers and sisters in Christ as not being "True Christians", but that's another matter.)

And it is possible in a lot of cases for pagans and fundamentalist Christians to get along. Sometimes it's very important because you need to work together at a job or you're related. Boundaries need to be clearly established though and both parties must respect those boundaries. I find that to be less of an issue of religion than it is of personality and choices in behavior.

People who choose to be rude and disrespect another person's personal boundaries, be it a pagan who spouts inflammatory anti-Christian comments or a Christian who preaches despite requests to stop, won't or can't maintain that sort of interfaith relationship. Manners and a little common courtesy are a must.

Answer 3

I'm a Christian and I'm ashamed of the way so many other Christians are so judgmental. It's not the way they are suppose to be. I have friends with different beliefs from mine and I don't have anything against them nor do I tell them that they are going to burn in hell. Everyone has the right to believe what they want to. I can totally understand where you are coming from and I apologize for the lack of compassion and the rudeness of others. Being a Christian means that you are to be Christ like. Christ was a very loving person. More people need to be more loving and less judgmental.

Answer 4

I've noticed that these boards really seem to bring out the extremists on both sides. Decent people of any faith can get along and even hold objective conversations regarding each others religion. Understanding why another person believes what he or she does goes a long way to promoting tolerance. On the other hand, there are those who seem to feel a need to hate anyone or anything who disagrees with them. They're the ones with the problem.

Answer 5

I think that you cannot take the actions of a few to represent the whole group. There are a lot of people out there that truly accept people for who they are rather than what they are. If you don't want to be around those who judge you, I don't blame you, but don't let a few "rotten apples" ruin the whole "tree." I consider myself a Christian, and I firmly believe that people go wherever they think they are going to go when they die.

P.S. What exactly is a Pagan? Haven't heard that term for non-Christian since I learned about the Teutonic Knights.

Answer 6

"I wish others would stop telling me I'm going to burn in hell, its very hurtful"

Perhaps the approach is wrong. Jesus instructed of the penalty of unrepentent sin (which is basically burning in hell) but he did so lovingly in a way that people would listen and consider his words.

I personally believe that all non-Christians will be sent to the lake of fire as it says in the Bible, and the thought that anyone would have to suffer that fate saddens me. Some people just tell others that they will burn in hell. I say, please don't burn in hell! Turn to Christ, e-mail me with any questions, please do something so that you can meet Christ! I would be more than happy to answer any questions and I won't be hurtful about it, I will be honest.

Answer 7

I know what you mean.The trouble I have with the Christians I know isn't really that they pick on me,but that they are hypocrites.They think they will go to hell for using bad words and not going to church,but they can trash the planet and God won't care?! I'm willing to get along,but I don't want to be preached at by someone that doesn't even pay a lot of attention to what they are preaching about.

Answer 8

Yes, Pagans and Christians can get along. If both sides are willing to respect the other.

Answer 9

I think the worst think Christians say is,"if you don't believe as I, you will burn in hell". there is not basis for a statement like that, but they say it with such confidence, it is easy to believe them. Well that really sux. The true believers are fighting doubt all of the time. The supposed Christians are using your insecurity against you. Seek your own path, ignore the idiots. Pity them if you must.

Answer 10

Given that the religions are diametrically opposed, you have to expect a lot of difficulty in getting along. I think it is virtually impossible for a fervent Pagan and a fervent Christian to discuss religion without quickly encountering conflict.

Answer 11

i'll deliver any sons I genuinely have in the destiny on missions for our church (as long as they are keen and worth), purely as their father served a undertaking even as he replaced into 19, because i believe that's what the Lord has commanded them to do. in case you do not opt to rework, they can were taught to understand you and your decision. after all, "we declare the privilege of worshiping Almighty God in accordance to the dictates of our own moral experience, and allow all men an same privilege, enable them worship how, the position, or what they'd. " yet there are undesirable apples in each barrel, so there'll be some missionaries that do not opt to take no for an answer. yet do not lump us all jointly for that. besides that, I genuinely haven't any difficulty with Pagans. I do have a difficulty with the occult, yet I evaluate that seperate from Pagans.