Followup Question: Why are Christians who are being called on their rudeness, not taking responsibility?

Question

Many of the people question justified their rudenss on the non-believers. Here are two reasons why I reject this justification:
1) Because you don't justify bad behavior by pointing out at bad behavior; and 2) Because non-believers don't claim to be better people than they really are, while Christians do.

With that, I would appreciate an HONEST answer to my previous question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnM7Ms_Ro8GZf474GYx59Crsy6IX?qid=20060725161535AAQEIaT

To Rebecca:

While your point makes sense, it is also way too convenient. You can't on the one side say that you're better than a non-Christian, and then say that you're human when you falter.

Others don't place higher expectations on Christians. Christians put themselves in higher expectations by their holier-than-thou attitides.

And yes, because the expectation is there, it is very hard to stay in a church where people are supposed to be better, when they're actually aren't but make you feel two feet tall for your own shortcomings.

I joined many churches and get desillusioned with all of them for basically the same reason. That is why a relationship with a higher power on my own terms is best, without the interference of a third party, and I don't need church for that, nor to share my personal beliefs with others in expectations of agreement.

In conclusion: You can't eat your cake, and have it too.

Answer 1

Part of being evil is the ability or the habit of "justifying" bad behavior by pointing out OTHER bad behavior. Or minimizing the effect or result of their bad behavior. It is important for HONEST and decent people to AVOID people who use reasoning like that. Those people CANNOT be trusted. If they are capable of lying to themselves in that manner, imagine what kinds of lies they will tell you. Imagine what OTHER behaviors they will do and use the same "evil thinking" to justify.

It doesn't matter what religion people call themselves, some of them will be wolves in sheep costumes... some of the costumes being really bad.

It bothers me that so many "christians" see their world as, "those who call themselves christian and those who don't." They DENY that many of those among "them" are more evil than those who do not claim their faith. Refusal to admit that something is bad... because they have been taught that "they" couldn't be bad is one of the largest hurdles people have to get over.

See, the biggest problem stems from the false belief that when they accept Jesus into their life, they believe that they are made a new person. Born Again. The evil parts of them are replaced with the holy spirit. Well, no matter how much you believe that... no matter how strong your faith, you are still gonna have the evil characteristics you had prior to your salvation.

Acting on evil tendancies is a choice. You can admit there is a problem and find tools to help you resist the evil... or you can go through your life pretending that god made you holy and that jesus forgives all sins everything will be alright... no matter how bad you are.

Of course nobody will be perfect, but if we can't even identify the problems, how can we "work out our own salvations with fear and trembling?"

Answer 2

Now, you wanted an honest answer, so you're going to get one.

I am a Christian and, well, as for myself, I have never been called a "rude Christian." When I am sharing the gospel of Jesus with nonbelievers, as I assume you to be, the LAST thing I want to be is rude or argumentative because that's not the way to get people to listen to what you have to say. I share my faith because I have found peace in my life and want others to get in on a good thing too.

I also do not claim to be better than anyone else, and no Christian person that I know does either. In fact, the thing that makes a Christian a Christian is our NOT justifying our actions but recognizing that we have made mistakes, we have hurt people, we have been rude; in short, we recognize that we are sinners and wholly unredemptive without Jesus.

As a human being, living under the human condition, I have been rude to other people, just like any other human being on this planet, usually when I'm in a pissy mood. I get angry, just like everyone else, I curse on occasion just like everyone else, and I have bad days, just like everyone else. Notice the distinction I make here -- I am sometimes rude, not because I am a Christian, but because I am a human.

You are speaking to the rudeness of people who are legitimately discriminated against in this country and who have a right to defend themselves against attack, verbal and otherwise. People call us stupid, brainless, weak, needing a crutch, evil, overtakers of the world, rulers of the government -- my favorite one was "alien invaders." Right here in Yahoo Answers not two days ago, I read some fellow's answer to a question who suggested that Christianity be made fully illegal and that we all be rounded up and taken out and shot! So much for "tolerance," "acceptance," and "open-minded liberalism."

Rude? It seems to me -- and I do say "SEEMS" -- that you yourself are suggesting that as a Christian I should stand here and allow myself to be verbally assaulted and accept every vehement and vitriolic statement that spews forth from somone's mouth BECAUSE I am a Christian. It SEEMS as though you are saying that I, as a Christian, do not have a right to put up a fight when my rights are being infringed upon in the name of "not offending" anyone else. What about my offense? Why doesn't anyone care about that?

Many nonbelievers operate under the false assumption that Christians stop being humans once we accept Jesus; that our attitudes and humanity is suddenly transformed into beings with supernatural ability to be nothing but hearts and flowers and butterflies. In my life I've never met a legitimate Christian like that.

You see, Christians are held to impossibly high standards, and our behaviour is far more scrutinitezed than the next guy. The nonbeliever looks at me struggle with an issue that he believes I should not struggle with BECAUSE I'm a Christian and then when I fail he condemns me and says, "See, that's why I'm not a Christian!"

To me, that is the greatest rudeness of all.

I hope that my answer at least gives you a view from the other side.

Rebecca

Answer 3

Unfortunately, many who claim to be Christians fail to understand that it is perfectly logical and reasonable for non-believers to skeptical of their claims. After all, by definition, they are non-believers. Christians shouldn't be surprised or offended by what others say if their own belief is genuine. Rather, they should share their faith in a respectful and humble way, as their Lord and Savior behaved. It seems that many Christians are caught up in a culture war and are missing the main point. Christianity is bigger than any one culture and transcends our petty political perspectives.

Answer 4

I went back to see your old question: "Why is it that those who claim to be Christians are in fact the rudest people in this forum?"

Eh... Before I end up agreeing with you, I really have to say that your original question is worded in a way that really puts people on the defensive.

I don't even know if I agree with your original question, per se. Since I've seen a higher percentage of Christians in the "Religion & Spirituality" forums to start with, obviously they will comprise a higher number of the "rude" people. To complicate matters, "rudeness" is also somewhat of a subjective measure.

To be very clear, along with rude Christians, I've seen some very rude Wiccans and some very rude atheists (among other groups).

What is "rude" to me? Anyone with a sense of entitlement or who is demanding in their questions, who shows they're not really putting themselves in the other person's mind/shoes, ends up being quite rude. People more interested in promoting/defending their point of view rather than communicating it for the benefit of another end up being quite rude.

So I'm sure that some people are perceiving the very directness (and original bias) in your first question as some type of "rudeness" against Christians.

All that being said, though, I find myself in agreement with your two comments above:

1. Christians are called to a certain standard, regardless of how others treat them. It shouldn't even be a matter of "making ourselves be respectful/kind" -- our hearts/attitudes towards others should be gradually (if not more quickly) shifting towards embracing even those who we disagree with, not ridiculing them or insulting them on a personal level. (Are we loving people, or are we defending ourselves / promoting our beliefs at their expense?)

2. Christians lay claim to this "higher standard," so we need to put our money where our mouth is. I agree with that. (It's the same standard I wish our current political administration would submit itself to.)

Still, not taking responsibility is a pervasive problem that seems to impact everyone at some level. It's far too easy to justify one's answers or questions based on what we think someone else deserves.

Answer 5

Because their human~ the hardest part of knowing and loving God is knowing and loving people. He tells you to forgive, to not judge, to love and show compassion, kindness, patience, and understanding. And as you become closer to God these things will become part of you. But this is a journey of a lifetime, one with many, many pitfalls. People are tough, they will do things that hurt one another, sometimes they don't mean to, sometimes they do, but you still have to love them, forgive them and try and understand them. It's not always easy, but it's always needed.

Being a Christian is not about this religion or that religion, or how you wear your hair, what you do or don't wear, or what you do or don't eat, it's about compassion, acceptance, forgivness, understanding and the really big one, unconditional love. When you find this, you've found a Christian, weather they know their one or not. When you don't find this you've found a human, who deep in their soul longs for unconditional love and with Gods help will someday be able to both give and receive it. Let it start with you!!!!!!

Answer 6

I agree with you, and I'm trying hard not to make this mistake. I try to be careful about this because it only antagonizes things. Yesterday, I asked a similar question and I wish that more people would be willing to be more careful about how they answer.

Because the rudeness only fuels the fire.

If you agree, would you comment on my question?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtV6gIhPM3UJ2Wtue5.wWv_sy6IX?qid=20060725083302AAGd9yJ

Answer 7

I mostly reply bluntly however typically with "please' and "thanks" however no longer constantly. I constantly pray for the man or woman, chiefly while malice and hatred come via. Some men and women are simply misinformed and I attempt to deal with them respectfully the way in which I might desire to be dealt with if i'm misinformed/uninformed approximately different men and women's pasitions and religions and philosophies. I attempt to deliver an infromed reply even whn it's noticeable that that's no longer what the "asker" needs,except the query is finished in jest then I reply (orunless the jest is solely protecting vanity or nastiness and twistedness)