Why are some people so tolerant toward every religion except Christianity?

Question

Example:
Why is it that Muslims, Buddhist, & other alternative religions are respected in our public schools, on our jobs, & in our nation period, but our children are told they can't pray or read their Bibles in school. Christians don't think of Christanity as a religion, it is a relationship with the Living God through the blood of Jesus Christ. We don't have religion, we have relationship. True Christians followiw the teachings of Jesus Christ, & He teaches us to love everyone. Therefore, true Christians do not hate people, but hate what Jesus calls sin. Some other religions teach their followers to hate what is not customary to their teaching, yet Jesus teaches His followers to love and to try and help those who are walking in spiritual darkness. Jesus wants us to live in Him, for in Him is the fullness of joy and peace. Those who don't know enough about Christanity should not make a snap judgement about it, until they at least have studied it out. What do you think???

Answer 1

In many schools they don't allow girls to wear head scarves as the Islam religion mandates. Neither is it mandated for them to doing Koran study in public schools. As far as Buddhism, there isn't really anything that they do to worship, so that wouldn't be an issue. Can you give a specific example of where a class or company allowed religious observance outside of taking certain holidays off? Otherwise this appears to be a generalization.

PS - Don't forget that you have every freedom and right to worship and learn and practice your beliefs at church. Many countries ban that ability and if you are found out, you could be thrown in jail or killed. Freedom to worship means having a place of your own where you can gather together with other Christians or whatever religion you celebrate. But there is such a thing in the constitution called "Separation of Church and State" which says that the government cannot be entangled up in catering exclusively to religious groups.

Jesus said "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." He basically mean keep the politics of men out of religion and vice versa and just concentrate on living a Christian life.

Answer 2

Ok, first of all, Buddhism is NOT a religion, its a philosophy on how to live.

Secondly, why do christians feel that by having the words "under God" in the pledge, and "In God we trust" on money, they're being tolerant to any other religion? Why do christians cry persecution of belief when, people of other faiths don't want the word "God" used? Claiming that you're using it as a generic term loses all meaning when its the capital G of christianity.

The bible, as well as other "holy" books have no place in school, unless they're being looked at from a historical, sociological, or cultural standpoint; nor does "intelligent design" or "Creation Science". By nature of the Constitution of the United States, and The Bill of Rights, we the people...christian and nonchristian alike, are guaranteed Freedom of Religion. This means that with our tax dollars, we ensure each and every individual recieving an education funded by the government, will not have it tainted with the religious leanings of anyone. If you want that in your child's classes, send them to a private school.

Claiming that christians don't consider christianity is a religion is foolish. That's exactly what it is. Using the word spiritual instead of religion is just semantics to distance yourselves from the atrocities committed in the name of the book you follow.

If living in Jesus is what makes you happy, by all means go for it. Just do those of us who live in the real world a favor, and keep it to yourself. If you want to claim that these decisions should only be made by those who've studied christianity, then it becomes apparent that you only wish to further a christian agenda. I would personally like to challenge you to click on the link I'll provide, and at the very least take a look at the teachings of another wise man. Maybe if you open your eyes, and mind, you'll understand that these "alternative religions", as you put it, are not looking to overtake your belief set, they just want equal footing...something that the moral majority and religious right are incapable of giving.

Answer 3

I'll make an analogy to a phone personals ad I saw tonight. Those who take offense to this analogy should stop reading. To those who take offense and are still reading, bite me. The ad had a black girl talking about this personals phone line to call. She referred to it as "our line". Basically, only black people. If white people were to make a white personals line and advertise like that, there would be hell in the streets.

Basically, majorities always have to be careful not to have the appearance of being oppressive. Minorities have more freedom in that area. And while Christians may not think of Christianity as a religion, that doesn't hide the fact that it is. It is an organized set of beliefs regarding a creator and ruling being. As a religion, it should be kept out of state institutions, including schools, at least for religious purposes. You can't really teach European history without some knowledge of Christianity's various sects.

Answer 4

The basis of our nation is that all religions be treated equally here. This, of course, doesn't always happen.

"Why is it that Muslims, Buddhist, & other alternative religions are respected in our public schools, on our jobs, & in our nation period, but our children are told they can't pray or read their Bibles in school."

I don't know where your kids go to school, but I've never seen anyone get into trouble for reading his/her bible or praying at school. As long as it isn't disturbing class, children can read the bible and pray whenever they please at school. (Lunchtime, breaktimes, etc.) The laws don't say children CAN'T pray or read the bible in school. They say that children cannot be TOLD TO pray or read the bible in school. If they so choose to, your children can spend every spare moment at school studying the bible.

The same applies to other religions. Surely Buddhists aren't allowed to meditate in the middle of a lecture at school, but if they choose to during off time at school, no one will stop them.

There are special times of prayer for Muslims. Pardon my ignorance but I don't know if that falls into the time of the regular schoolday or not. I'm not sure how schools handle that, but in my opinion they should be allowed to pray if they want to at that time so long as they cause as little a disturbance as possible.

Christianity most definitely IS a religion, but that's irrelevant to this.

"Those who don't know enough about Christanity should not make a snap judgement about it, until they at least have studied it out. What do you think???"

I think you should absorb your own words for a moment. Perhaps you shouldn't make a snap judgement about other religions until you have studied them. There are probably religions out there that teach hatred, but none of the ones you mention do. There will always be radicals who claim to belong to a certain religion, and then skew that religion's teachings for their own agenda. There are Christians who commit hate crimes just as there are radical Muslims who commit acts of terror. These things aren't directly related to the religion. They are examples of religion used to justify hate.

In short, you are right. True Christians do not hate people. But you must also know that True Muslims and Buddhists do not either. When hatred is perceived from these other religions it is generally for the same reason it is perceived from Christianity. They are only trying to show you THEIR way.

Answer 5

I think that Christianity is suffering from some very bad publicity. But a good part of that comes from many so-called Christians that do everything except what the Bible teaches. There also seem to be a lot of people who wish to cram their beliefs down everyone else's throats. That is not a good way to get a message across.

Answer 6

i think many christians, altho have good intentions, end up becoming too forceful, too judgemental, and too strong and that scares other people off. i don't blame em either... i am a christian , but only recently do i feel that i TRULY accepted Christ...before i did, but not going the next step forward of accepting and acknowledging that i should rejoice in Jesus' sacrifice, take advantage of knowing that i am cleansed, and that i can change myself to be better in the future, regardless of the past mistakes i've made. instead, i was taught to be negative, to feel bad about my sin, to punish myself for doing wrong and not being a "good christian". a lot of christians these days Don't have that joy and peace of feeling cleansed and continue to judge others who make mistakes.... they are seen as hypocritical and obnoxious.. .which is bad for our religion. but we are human beings, and not perfect.

also, the church has always had many members and a lot of money, and that threatens other groups or governments. i think that is why people are so scared of forcing christianity on others... and we were told that we would be persecuted in the bible. it's ok..as long as u continue to love and learn and grow in the Word, i belive we will find joy and love and peace, and regardless of anyone who "hates" or says bad things, it's ok.. they are free to feel as they believe just as we are free to belive what we do. Jesus teaches acceptance and tolerance, not bigotry and judgements and punishment.

Answer 7

Oh yeah, Buddhism (that 'alternative' religion) is being taught everywhere!

Heck I can hardly turn around without a politician saying how the Four Nobel Truths should be in courtrooms, or how Buddhist ideas on the beginning of the universe should be taught in science classes, or etc, etc, etc,

Hey, I spend more of my time defending Christians on this board then most, but the idea that you are somehow persecute in this country is shallow at best and completely narrow-minded and selfish at worse.

Answer 8

I am empathetic to your resentment.

Christianity,unlike all other religions,is the only one that has not settle since its inception some 2000 years ago.It is also a 'very democratic' religion.i.e Law is determined by votes rather than God.
Unfortunately, it also one of the most cruel mankind have ever witness in history.
Declining Church power over state and increase intellectual contributed to en mass rejection of the irreconciliating dogmas.

Howver,Christianity as a religion survived but is still evolving.

Answer 9

You do yourself and "Christians" no service when you repeat Pat Robertson's lies on the Internet.

Most Americans are familiar with Christianity and Christians are not being persecuted in the US.

Maybe if Christians stopped whining and lying, people might come to respect them.

But, so long as Pat Robertson & Jerry Falwell (et al just like them) are the public face of Christianity, Christians will not get respect, they will get contempt. And, rightfully so since both are nothing but hucksters selling the equivalent to snake oil.

And repeating lies for people to tell on the Internet.

Answer 10

ifrst of all, you nee to pick up a dictionary and look up 'religion'. To say that "Christianity is not a religion... (etc.)" is the height of ignorance.

Second, none of the other religions are trying to take over the public school system and insert their belied systems into the curriculum.

third, there are no Buddhists or Moslems teling anybody that they're going to spend eternity burning in hell if they don't say the magic words, have faith, and believe.

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"If it made any sense you wouldn't have to accept it on faith, would you?" ~ from Nuns On The Run.
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Finally... Christianity is a DANGER to society. Christian 'Dominionists' (Reconstructionalists, theonomists) have largely usurped the local level political apparatus of the Republican Party, and are engaged in a sub rosa process to politically motivate moderate Christians under the false cover of religious issues such as morality and family values. The goal is nothing less than the takeover of all elective offices in the USA.

Their doctrine comes from the Bible, starting with the term 'dominion' at Genesis 1:28... “And God said unto them, [Adam and Eve] Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have DOMINION… over every living thing.” They interpret DOMINION as: “... a supremacy in determining and directing the actions of others or in governing politically, socially, or personally.”

They want to remake the USA as a theocracy... and they are succeeding.

Its most common form, Dominionism, represents one of the most extreme forms of Fundamentalist Christianity thought. Its followers, called Dominionists, are attempting to convert the laws of United States so that they match those of the Hebrew Scriptures. They intend to achieve this by using the freedom of religion in the US to train a generation of children via home-schooling and in private Christian religious schools. Later, their graduates will be charged with the responsibility of creating a new Bible-based political, religious and social order. One of the first tasks of this order will be to eliminate religious choice and freedom. Their eventual goal is to achieve the "Kingdom of God" in which much of the world is converted to Christianity. They feel that the power of God's word will bring about this conversion. No armed force or insurrection will be needed; in fact, they believe that there will be little opposition to their plan. People will willingly accept it. All that needs to be done is to properly explain it to them.

All religious organizations, congregations etc. other than strictly Fundamentalist Christianity would be suppressed. Nonconforming Evangelical, main line and liberal Christian religious institutions would no longer be allowed to hold services, organize, proselytize, etc. Society would revert to the laws and punishments of the Hebrew Scriptures. Any person who advocated or practiced other religious beliefs outside of their home would be tried for idolatry and executed. Blasphemy, adultery and homosexual behavior would be criminalized; those found guilty would also be executed. There are two conservative Christian pastors in Texas who have advocated the execution of all Wiccans. Ralph Reed, the executive director of the conservative public policy group the Christian Coalition has criticized Reconstructionism as "an authoritarian ideology that threatens the most basic civil liberties of a free and democratic society."

By allowing this insidious agenda to progress, we are sowing the seeds of our own destruction, while these religious nut-jobs are paving the way to Armageddon with gleeful anticipation.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/reconstr.htm
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/HistoryOfReconstructionMovement.html
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/Clarkson_RiseOfDomionism.html