have most christians become too big for thier britches?

Question

DO christians think they have all the answers to the afterlife because of the bible? DO christians belittle other religions because it is not thier own? Have christians become prejudiced against gays and minorities? It might be signs of a true christian™

Answer 1

I'm a Christian, and no, I am nothing like that. The bible says those who do not sin may cast the first stone, and I'm a sinner, so why judge anyone else? We all sin, it's human. I hope you don't get the wrong idea about Christians, or become prejudiced towards them, because I'm a Christian who makes for a very loyal friend, no matter what your decisions in life may be. The ones who do the things you describe are not true Christians, and it's sad that they think they are because they are representing us in the wrong way. Me being a Christian, is all about following what the bible tells me, and the bible doesn't tell us to hate, judge, or belittle others, because we're all brothers and sisters on this earth. I wish we could all learn to get along, but hey, this world sucks, so.......

Answer 2

You start your question with some generalizations that don't seem to be accurate -- so it is hard to address. I'll do my best.

I have read several legitamate responses and most of the folks here who profess to be Christian are anything but like what your question portrays.

That alone goes a long way toward answering your question -- if you think about it.

As a Christian I believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Light. There are no other ways, no other truths and no other lights. Other things may seem to be -- but ultimately, they are not.

There is only one way to achieve life in heaven -- that is to accept Jesus as your own saviour. That is a very persoanl and even private decision each of us either makes or they do not.

There really isn't any belittling taking place here and if anything the Christian learns to be-little themselves in order to place themselves last among men, so we can be first in heaven.

There is also no prejudice against minorities or gay. The homosexual lifestyle is a sin. And in the US more minorities are becoming Christian than any other groups of people.

The true sign of a Christian is to be Christ-like -- which is to be humble, meek, choosing to be last so others can be first, to be sacrificial for the needs of others, patient, kind -- those are not attributes that the word honors in any great way.

But the Lord does.

Good question -- I hope this helps.

Answer 3

To your first question no, the Bible does not even pretend to be an exhaustive treatment of what the afterlife will be like. To the second some do, but the reason for disagreement mainly has to do with believing that you have the truth on a very important area, it's not to belittle them, it's out of concern that disagreements should gently be raised. There is nothing about Christianity that has anything to do with minorities, as far as being prejudiced to homosexuals, i guess it would depend upon what you mean by prejudice, Christianity teaches that they are people made in the image of God, worthy of respect, and dignity, but that their actions are not moral (in so far as the morality of the Christian faith teaches). This should never be used to treat people as less than you in any way. Since you threw in the word True Christian i think it's important that you know there are people who claim to be Christians who aren't. Bigotry, prejudice, and arrogance, certainly aren't among the ways to spot a Christian. If you want to judge a religion you judge it upon the blueprint for that religion, not always it's people.

Answer 4

Once again, this question lumps all Christians into one category. All Christians are not close minded people. I believe that we were all created equal and no one is better than anyone else. I don't know any Christians who claim to have all the answers to anything about this life or the afterlife. Yes, the Bible gives us guidelines but not all the answers. I respect other cultures & other religions. As a Christian, I feel like I am a minority...we are always being put down, but that is to be expected. In my God's eyes we are all on equal ground. I believe in live & let live.

Answer 5

Some people use the bible as a weapon. These are not true Christians.

For me personally, I have some answers because of the bible; no one has all the answers. I do not belittle other religions. Some Christians have a strong desire to spread the word to others. This is OK if it is welcome and not intrusive. I do not have any prejudices against anyone. Many Christians believe homosexuality is forbidden in the bible. The bible does not teach us to hate though.

Answer 6

No, a true Christian does not think he or she has all the answers, especially about the afterlife; only God can answer that question, and then only after we've died. True Christians also do not belittle or judge others because of their beliefs and practices, or hold prejudices against anyone. True Christians love everyone, just as Jesus loves everyone, regardless of their past sinful behaviour. Only sins, not people, are subject to judgment by God.

None of the actions you describe apply to true Christians. There are hypocrites who call themselves Christians who do nothing but preach hate and malice against their fellow humans, but in the end, they're bound for the same fate as anyone who hasn't found redemption by accepting Christ.

Answer 7

The kind of puffed up and belligerent fundamentalist arrogance that's common place today was virtually unheard of 60 years ago except in churches where the preachers could barely read the Bible and the congregation couldn't read. When I was a child in the fifties mainline churches fed the poor and built homes for the homeless and Kingdom Theology was the common view of scripture, i.e. bringing the Kingdom on earth in how people sought ways to show compasion and charity. That's very different than militant and xenophobic dispensational churches today, which seem most concerned with building massive buildings, private schools and colleges, raising money for television broadcasting and creating cults of personality around their pastors. In the old days pastors rotated between churches as the bishop directed. Today many evangelical pastors are presidents and owner's of their church "corporation" and even select the board members that set their salary.

In the fifties an Oral Roberts was so rare as to be a curiosity. Now there are twenty even more ridiculous frauds on 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The church my mother served in for 70 years as teacher and librarian is an example. 50 years ago the church was small, the sick were always visited, the elderly driven to church, the poor were fed. Now the church is large, the services contemporary, programs occur seven days a week, and anyone too sick to show up and work for the glory and grandeur of the ministry is forgotten and the elderly of the congregation may as well be dead. But they have rockin' services on Sunday morning and they get all emotional about praising Jesus. That church today might as well be on another planet for its involvement in the surrounding community and members only matter if they serve the ambitions of the leadership. In that sense, the "me generation" is as much a part of the church as they are the rest of the culture. I think that is why Word of Faith and other movements that appeal to narcissism and delusions of personal godhood are so big.

Churches used to be about trying to bring everyone together. Now so many are about creating division and suspicion and a fortress mentality. But if you look a the history of the church that's about to run its course again, as it does every forty years in the US, which is why the John Hagees are so desperate to maintain a fearful Apocalyptic atmosphere in which they gain members, have political power and sell boatloads of books on the end times. It's a cyclical phenomenon, and I think Bishop Carton Pearson's conversion to Universalism signals the beginning of a sea change in a church that is getting sick of bigotry, sick of culture war and sick of preaching hell and apocalypse more than love and peace.

When is the last time you heard a sermon on "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God?"

Answer 8

Some think they have all the answers and become judgmental.

While most Christians believe that homosexuality is a sin, we should not treat homosexuals bad, they need our support and our prayers.

ALL Christians should believe that God is Color Blind, I see no room for racism in God. Jesus did NOT teach that!

As far as the afterlife, I hope to be with God! But I don't spend a lot of time thinking about exactly what that will be like, human minds cannot comprehend heaven. I just work to get there and let God handle the rest.

And I have my hands full!

Peace!

Answer 9

Very odd. You ask all the right questions - which the answers to are all a resounding yes. Then you say "It might be signs of a true christian." True Christians do not throw stones, appoint themselves judge and jury, think they can speak for God or become bloated with their own self-righteousness. True Christians also do not denigrate others for believing differently than them. Prejudice? The fundies bray prejudice like noisy donkeys all jostling for the same spot at the water trough. It's revolting.

Answer 10

I am a Christian, and as sad as it is, I have to say yes to your question. But at the same time, no. True Christians would not act this way. God teaches us tolerance and not to pass judgement on others. God wants Christians to bring others to him so that they may be saved...but what is happening when "Christians" tell others that what they are doing is wrong and that they'll go to hell? They are pushing these people further and further away from God. That is NOT the work of a Christian. Many forget that, according to the bible, one sin is as bad as all 9 others in the eyes of God. No one is perfect, not even a Christian. It's too bad most don't relize this before they pass judgement on others.