(Please read description) Is it so hard to live and let live?

Question

(I'm putting this in 'Religion' because this is where I see this problem the most)

Why do people try to force others into their beliefs? Don't humans have the right to think freely?

Staying with the religious example, it seems that as soon as someone mentions that they don't believe in God, there are a dozen people who freak out: "You're gonna go to Hell!" "Read the Bible, *****!" "I hope God kills you!"

I think people should believe in whatever the Hell they want to, without being judged by others. I'm an Atheist, but I'm not going to search out all Muslims or all Jews and tell them that they shouldn't believe. If sleeping with a Bible under your pillow makes you happy, then I won't stand in your way.

I just wonder why others don't think the same.

Answer 1

I am sorry that you do not believe in God. Don't you ever wonder how life started or why we grow old and die? Have you ever thought about how wonderfully made we are. Do you wonder why there are so many beautiful things the earth and our universe gives us, such as rainbows, flowers, sunsets, starry nights and sunrises? We do not need those things to survive, but we have them to enjoy. We also see them in color, which we do not need, but someone very loving surely provided us with all those wonderful things. The Bible--God's letter to his creation, explains all the things we wonder about.

Answer 2

When something works for someone, and they find great comfort and a wonderful way of life from it, they feel the need to share it with others. They truly believe that they can save people from lives of misery, self-destruction, drug-abuse, depression, disease, discomfort, sin, prostitution, and all other "bad" ways to live by introducing their better way to live. Some people have been saved by this, and they are the strongest advocates of pushing their way, their religion. They are the "it worked for me, and I was a lost cause, so it must work for you or you'll end up like how I was". We can't fault these people for their views, because they are living from experience. But it would be nice if they could take a broader look at things and realize that if someone doesn't believe the way they do, that maybe they'll be just fine anyway. Also, they need to not be so pushy and definitely not threaten death or eternal damnation on anyone. That is just mean and hateful.

Answer 3

It is so hard to live and let live for the Christians of our society because they genuinely believe that you are going to hell if you don't accept Jesus Christ as your only Lord and Savior.
I grew up Catholic, I was young and my glass was small and easily filled. (Watch the movie Dogma) But we moved to the Bible Belt when I was 12 and they told me I was going to Hell, just for praying to Mother Mary. And these were kids, telling me this. (They are brainwashed.) So I became disillusioned, then my brother was killed in a car accident. (He was 18, Christopher Matthew Hunziker, RIP LOVE YOU LOTS) I was 13. I became an Atheist the day he was "taken from me" and at 13, how do you sort those feelings out? You don't.... I remained Atheist for seven years, and I found my light again, only this time I realized my glass is much bigger, and isn't quite so easily filled. Goddess was inside me the entire time I didn't believe in her, or any thing else, for that matter. But I learned a lot- if there is no god, then surely there's no satan, and everything that happens to you is cause and effect. That got me thinking about karma. Then the pieces to my puzzle started coming together, I strove to do good things with or without a god in my life, and my good came back to me times three. Then I realized I turned my face from god first. I will never say to an atheist, what you believe is wrong. What is right for me isn't necessarily right for you, the next guy, my mother, ad infinitum. And these Christians spreading hatred? They are further from God than you are. Telling you that you that you belong in some fiery place, and they don't even know you. I don't even believe in hell. They would say the same to me, being pagan. I say to them, See you there, my friend! Then smile, because they know not what they do. I do hope, without any smidgen of forcement upon you, that you find what makes you happy in life, that your life produces good things. For what else should we incarnate on this planet for, except to learn? To do good works, and make bad decisions to learn from? I think just the same as you, I think we should agree to disagree and leave it at that. Good question. I like answering questions from Atheists. Because I am a diplomat, and I come with experience. So I hope you read all this, I am running on long....Blessed Be

Answer 4

No, its really not hard. However most people forget that Jesus WAS THAT WAY.

Jesus was live and let live.

He could see the heart and didn't approach anyone that wouldn't accept his word. At least the Bible doesn't say he did. Christ allowed the rest of mankind to live the way they were because HE KNEW that there would only be a few that would accept. And he knew that the others would not, and you can and could not force them. All it would do is anger them and cause them to hate you. Christs message was for his "sheep" not for the "goats" and so he and His Father started the separating process at this time.

If someone doesn't want to hear it. MOVE ON! RESPECT THEIR WISHES, CHRIST WOULD HAVE!

Answer 5

I will tell you that anyone treating another person in the manner you have described is not a christian. We are taught in the word of God that we should love others without condemnation or judgement. While that does not allow others to lead us from out faith, we are to love them no matter what. I am sorry that anyone pretending to follow the loving God I follow has caused you any pain. As for forcing my faith on others; I would not even try, if I truly believe God has given me free choice in my life; then I would be putting myself above Him in trying to do so to others. One of the truest freedoms we have been given is the freedom to believe in our hearts any way we want to and no matter where ever or whoever we are; no-one can take away what is in our hearts. I hope I have helped you in some way, if in no other way than to show you that all christians are not complete bigotted imbeciles.

Answer 6

Very well put. I believe anyone and everyone has the choice to believe what they want, christian, athiest, or whatever. If you care to check, the bible says that too. God does not force you to believe in Him, do what He wants you to do and if you want to go your own way and not even believe He exists, you have that choice. We are each given the free will to either believe or not, to choose what we want from life. I may not agree with your belief but who gives me the right to say you are going to Hell or not? That is not my place as it also says in the bible. So those that condemn you to Hell are being very judgemental and in danger of going there themselves as the bible also mentions. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Not all Christians are so all powered self righteous and not all "Christians" are going to Heaven either. Your point is well put and well taken. Thank you for your candor and honesty.

Answer 7

I don't think anyone should disrespect others for what they believe in but seriously how is commenting forcing their beliefs on you or anyone. Not grant you I do not feel they should be behaving like this but honestly I see it from both sides. I see name calling and disrespect for others and their beliefs calling people stupid or referring to what they believe as a fairy tale or whatever is not a nice thing either. Don't get me wrong I do agree with you. but I think we all could be a bit nicer with how to post questions and answers. Simple rules should apply that if your not willing to accept advice from everyone you should not be asking if you cant offer help don't answer just to make comments and in your questions and answers don't belittle others beliefs then the forum would help in gaining knowledge and wisdom other then a see who can bash who the most.

Answer 8

I totally agree with you.

However I think you slipt up at the end. In other words I don't think you ment what you said at the end. I think you ment it in a different way then it comes across to religious people.

If sleeping with a Bible under your pillow makes you happy, then I won't stand in your way.

To a Religious person you could be downing thier religion. Saying that it makes you happy is like saying something that most religious bashers say.

I think what you meant to say that if you believe in god that is your choice.

Answer 9

You're slightly off track here....
People DO have the right to believe whatever they choose...

Judgement comes from God alone....

However, as a Christian, let me explain...God is the One who says that I can choose between Heaven with Him or Hell without Him, once I grasped it and accepted it...I got saved.


Let me ask YOU a question in answer to yours....
If you knew there was a cure for cancer(which there is by the way)....and that certain "groups" were not allowing it to be made public because the "cancer orgs" fundraising is a multi-billion dollar industry, so they are just letting millions a year die so they can keep their cushy lifestyle(ALL TRUTH)...how would you react?

That's the same with getting to Heaven....I don't want ANYONE to miss it!!!!!

Answer 10

if someone finds religion as i have, then i have found a "happy place" for myself and my family. one that preaches love and eternal happiness if we abide by the rules.

therein lies the problem. most people balk at following the rules because if they do, they feel that the power that they have is dimished.

look at how many people drive just five miles per hour over the posted speed limit. they are not "speeders" but they feel empowered when they do.

after a period of time, if they have not been caught and tickted, they become emboldened and begin to believe that they can get away with anything. this is when they drive to fast, lose control or run over somebody.

as for religious folks preaching to an atheist, it is done out of hate at times, but in my case, i do it out of love.

i dont want anybody to burn in hell for all eternity. what a terrible terrible situation. although the human nature in me says that they should be punished, it is not for me to judge another's soul and say where they should go.

a very good friend of mine is a devoted athiest. we jibe each other and i make sure i say "God bless you!" when he sneezes. it's a laugh, but he knows i truly want him to convert, confess and live in splendor for all eternity.

it is just not for me to belabor the subject. there are many hard headed people in this world who would not accept God or Allah or any other divine entitiy if they appeared before the entire world at the same time on every radio, television and in person speaking the language of the observer.

likewise, if you proved darwin's theory of evolution, to be without a doubt true, i would still adhere to my ways in the Lord, because it would still think i was right, anyway.

-eagle

Answer 11

Yes you have a right to believe anyway and anything you want to. It is your God given right. If you don't want to believe then don't believe. But I also have to tell you that it is not just my right to tell you about Jesus and His Love and that you will end up in hell without Him, but it is my Command as a Christian. The last Command Jesus gave before He ascended in to Heaven. Matthew 28:18-20. So you go ahead and don't believe but one day you will wish you had. And I will go on doing what Jesus Commaned and that is, telling others about Him and we will both be happy. That is until Judgement Day, then only one of us will be rejoicing God Bless