Why do some people say that Christians force their "religion" on them?, BUT...?

Question

First of all, let me "say" that the Christian faith WILL ofend some people. There is no getting around that. And, there are many Christians who still need to learn to reach out in LOVE, and be more sensitive. With that said, as a Christian, there are things I feel is being forced down MY throat, that some people never take into consideration. What about these???Homosexuality? It's in commercials, TV shows, print ads, etc. But, if Christians complain, they are often simply told "if you don't like it, don't watch, read, etc.? BUT, if the Christian message in some way is comunicated, we're "forcing religion". "In God We Trust"? This country was founded on God, but now we want to take HIM off signs, money, etc. To me, that's forcing an idea to put God aside...yep, That's forcing a beliefe on ME. And, if you say "seperation of chuch and state, do a study of what that truly means. Soap Operas?...imorality, sexual content?
What about what's forced on US?

Answer 1

*applause* I'm glad you asked this. *waits for answers*

Answer 2

I actually agree with you to an extent. I am not bothered by God being on money, I am not bothered by God being in the Pledge, or a nativity in front of a school. As for TV, I see nothing wrong with Christian shows or commercials anymore then I do with anything else. But I don't think anything on TV is being forced on anyone, get up and turn the channel, turn it off or just don't watch it. I think people are to sensitive to things. There are some things that really don't hurt anyone, yet they make a very big deal out of it. The only time I feel like someone is pushing religion is when it enters into the laws, such as same sex marriages being a problem because marriage is a religious thing. Marriage in this country isn't only a religious ceremony, if it were then we wouldn't get rights as a spouse when it comes to health coverage, health care decisions, taxes, car insurance rates that are lower, etc. As for someone being offended by a sign or nativity or something saying God, I think that is extreme.

Answer 3

1. This country was not founded on God, it was founded on the Freedom of Religion (Bill of Rights, First Ammendment). There are millions of people in this country that are not Christian, and that do not believe in God. I could care less what it says on money and old buildings, I see it as tradition. But to allow prayer in a public school is forcing a belief. If it were an Islamic prayer, Christian, Jewish, whatever it should not be in a public school.
2. If we would allow prayer in to public schools, is the next step legislation based on religion? If that is the case, then how far away is it before everyone has to convert to that religion or they go to jail. Maybe they would bring back burning people at the stake if they don't agree. It says you can in the Bible, right?
3. As far as homosexuality...I'm not quite sure what magazines you're reading, but I've never seen homosexuality in print ads, unless its a magazine for the gay population. And I've never seen it on commercials. What I have seen is the guy saying "Have you accepted Christ into your life." Do I complain? No. Do I write letters saying its something that I disagree with morally so it should not be on TV? No. I change the station. TV shows? Well I don't write letters complaining that the 700 Club and TBN shouldn't be on because I find it offensive. I just don't watch. See, its the exact same thing to me. I disagree with the morals, values, and beliefs of Christianity. I do not want my child exposed to it. Just like you disagree with the morals, values, and beliefs of homosexuality, and do not want your child exposed. The only difference is those shows are there to try to make me Christian. Will and Grace is not trying to make you gay.
4. I think that refusing to accept others as valid human beings is what is really wrong with this country. Just because people aren't Christian, doesn't mean we're out there getting our freak on and showing our boobies and going on Jerry Springer. And it doesn't mean we're not trying to be good people just for the sake of being people. Christian people have messed up to. Remember the Bakers in the 80's? And I won't even mention the Catholic priest mess. To be constantly pre-occupied with "I'm right, he's wrong" is what is really devestating the U.S. People not talking to their kids because its an uncomfortable topic, is what's wrong. We find reasons, even if we have to make them up, to separate ourselves from others and find reasons that we are better or different.

Wow. Didn't think it be that long, I should copyright this or something.

Answer 4

How is homosexuality forced down your throat? People wanting the same rights as you? You call it "shoving it down your throat", and in the same paragraph you are talking about "love."

As for other popular culture, I don't see how soap operas and such are "shoving it down your throat." Change the channel. There's that Catholic nun channel.

This country was NOT founded on God. The founding fathers wanted a separation of Church and State for a reason. People were to be able to practice whatever branch of Religion (read: Christianity; Native American religions were destroyed and outlawed until the 1930's) they so chose. How can it be said that this nation was founded on God when not everyone can agree on who or what "God" is?

You say you are preaching sensitivity and love. I only see you preaching hypocracy, bigotry and a frustration bordering on hate.

Answer 5

I think that the problem stems from the fact that Christianity is a religion which encourages its adherents to pass on their beliefs to others, and encourage them to join in. I understand. If you believe that people have an immortal soul, and that people's souls will be saved if they agree with you, and burn in hell if they don't, you would want to offer people a way to save those souls.

Unfortunately, not everyone believes the same way. There are even tens of millions of people who believe in God, but don't believe in heaven or hell. On top of that, there are further millions of people who don't believe in God at all.

So, the government tries to remove offensive displays. Imagine if you were a Christian in a Muslim country, for example. You would want the Government to remove the Muslim displays, so that your children would learn about God in the home, and not from the Government.

The people who founded this country were afraid that if they did not specifically forbid the State and the Church from becoming one entity, that the Sate might become the church, as had happened in England. When the king didn't like the rules of Catholicism, he started the Church of England, where the King was the head of State AND the head of the Church. Scary stuff.

Look at countries where religion runs the country. They are all backward, oppressive and dangerous. If you believe in God, thank Him that you live in a country where the Church and State are not one.

Answer 6

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Um... no. Unfortunately, too many Christians believe this.

The Declaration of Independence states:

"the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them"

(note which comes first)

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

(nowhere does it state that the Creator is the Judeo-Christian God.)

The Founding Fathers were Deists, not Christians. They had a belief in a spiritual self, but not necessarily in the Christian concept of God.

John Adams (you know, Washington's VP, and the second President? One of the guys who helped write our foundation documents? That guy.) signed the Treaty of Tripoli. Article 11 states:

"Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

If anyone would know, I'd think he would.

Answer 7

as a Christian, I agree with and understand where your coming from. But as a human being you also have to look at...Stanley cup playoffs; cereal; cars; new tv shows....everything everywhere is thrown at us from all sides...that's life. you have to learn to live and let live. what someones sexual preference is doesn't affect my daily life, just like mine doesn't to them. As a christian, I was taught that God forgives and loves all. As for taking Him off signs money,etc.....has it happened yet or are they all still just himhawying...what they do will not be able to take God from me..so maybe that's your answer....as long as God stays in you, if they take Him from elsewhere, He'll let them know about it later.

Answer 8

Homosexuals are citizens who pay their taxes just like everyone else and you may not like seeing them but I guess if there were no homosexuals on television it wouldn't be a very realistic world being portrayed ... that might appeal to fantasists like yourself who want only to see an exclusively str'8 world but it's probably not going to happen because we are not all heterosexist fascists. It's tough but get used to it ...that's all you can do.

Answer 9

Ummmm, but when you try and take these things away, you are also taking away the OPTION of these things from other people. You are still left with the OPTION of having them or not having them. As usual, Christianity and logical thought is like oil and water.

Answer 10

We are christian we don't count! But when the rapture occurs they will know better or not. Either way it won't help to argue! The gays have their rights just like everybody else!

Answer 11

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.! When people start realizing that true Christianity is not about a religion but about a relationship and about freedom they wont feel forced.