Why do certain people assume that Christians are automatically weak-minded?

Question

Being a Christian myself, I have a Bachelor of the Arts degree in history and I hope to go into a teaching career at a community college or a librarian (can't decide). Just because I have faith in God doesn't make me schizophrenic, stupid, or both.

College helped me to think critically about my faith, which helps me to strengthen it. Intelligence and faith do not contradict one another; they actually complement one another.

Anyone care to agree or disagree with me?

To D: I got a history degree because the idea of teaching it at a community college appealed to me (plus, I love history). I'm also not really interested in the "hot" career fields such as business, medicine, etc.

Answer 1

I think this is a generalization that can be blamed on "those" Christians who give Christians a bad name.

A lot of Christians just believe whatever the preacher/church leaders tell them and don't apply logic or reasoning to any of it. Then again, there are a lot of Atheists who are the same way. They reject the idea of God simply because their parents and/or friends do. In actuality, they are doing the same thing that "those" Christians are doing, only they are applying it to the other side of the coin.

Answer 2

Not that I really care either way, but I'm wondering if i should bet that someone is going to claim your stupid because you have a BA and not a BS, and that is the reason why you have such strong faith, because you don't know better (because you chose an art major, over science)

I guess I'll see if I'm right at the end.

EDIT:Like I said either way, I don't care. Just for the record the term people would refer to everyone judging you on the basis of being a Christian, but no, I don't agree with you because there is no actual proof (that was provided, if any at all) that being a religious type person helped you pass though college, the same way that a person that had cancer has no proof at all, that God saved her from her cancer. But yes I agree on the fact that judging people based on their religion, and not their actions, is stupid.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, I do think you're weak minded.

It is obvious that the bible was written thousands of years ago when a good grasp of our planet was not available to everyone. We were lost for decades upon decades. It took until the year 1600 for people to figure out the sun is the centre of our solar system, and not the earth. Do you think that the writers of the bible really understood the beginnings of the universe?

People were simple goat herders back then. They couldn't read or write, and struggled with every day things like "where does the light go when it's dark" and "what's this red stuff coming out of my arm" If they couldn't figure out what to do with their bodily fluids, do you really think that they have the keys to enlightenment?

In order to appease the goat herders, a series of books were written letting people know that "it's ok, we have all the answers right here, go back to goat herding".

Thousands of years later, we have a much better understanding of our planet, so it is easy to see that the bible is full of bronze age mythology and figurative language trying to explain the every day. Not only that, it is not considered AT ALL to be historically accurate. Archeologists do not consider the bible to be a trustworthy source of information.

Have you actually taken the time to read the bible, cover to cover numerous times, or are you just relying on what a preacher/mom and dad told you?

The bible is full of the most horrendous verses describing or advocating suicide, incest, bestiality, sadomasochism, sexual activity in a violent context, murder, morbid violence, use of drugs or alcohol, homosexuality, voyeurism, revenge, undermining of authority figures, lawlessness, and human rights violations and atrocities.

But beyond the language and themes that don't matter a whit to western society thousands of years later, the sheer mass of contradictions and errors is outstanding. Plus there is absolutely no consensus whatsoever (and has never been a consensus) on how to properly read the bible.

Some passages are figurative, some are literal, BUT WHICH ONES? There are over 30,000 different christian organizations. If they, and all the theologians cannot decide on how to fully interpet the bible, how are you supposed to?

Many people I know say "I believe in god, but I don't believe Noah's ark, etc." Or "I believe in god, but I don't agree with this passage or that, etc."

These are not christians. And neither are you if you believe similarly. christianity is built around the bible and you must believe in the whole thing, you cannot pick and choose laws and verses.

"we are all atheists when it comes to belief in Zeus or Thor, christians just believe in one more god than the rest of us"-Richard Dawkins

If you are as intelligent as you portray yourself to be, take the time to do an intelligent critique of the book.

Answer 4

Not to down you or anything but have a degree is no gage on the strength of your mind. Anyone can memorize, anyone can accumulate knowledge, it's how you use the knowledge that gives you true strength. Weak minded in terms of religion simply means that you have given in to a belief, a belief that has not and can not be proven. I am agnostic, and I have a degree in electronic engineering, but this doesn't really mean anything. A lot of people have degrees. I am agnostic, I have not given in to a belief, it is a lot harder to live your life in probabilities and not absolutes, this constantly forces you to think, and think fast. Human beings should strive for understanding, not beliefs. Understanding is fluid and open minded, beliefs are rigid, and robotic, anyone can be programed, but true learning is learning how to learn, not what you should believe.

Answer 5

Just one look at the questions posted on here that there are many people think that Christians have all taken a blind leap of faith off the deep end. Total mischaracterization of Christians, but it is indicative of many people who claim to be. The only thing to do is know God, and practice apologetics with love.

Answer 6

The sad truth of it is, fear motivates them. So don't get angry. Know that they are frightened. Many of them have had run ins with angry hurtful Christians too.

We have to help the non-Christians understand that we aren't all like that.

Anyone who thinks Christians are stupid need only speak with a Jesuit. They are scientists. Archeologists. Linguists. The Holy See has an observatory. There are clergy who are learned in celestial bodies.

Cool stuff!

Answer 7

I -myself-just cannot understand how an intelligent person can accept Christianity. How can you believe G-d came to earth in human form, died, and was alive and went into heaven. It is really very far fetched. I think this is why people think this. If you said you believe in G-d, and forget this other part---------. Hey! I can understand that.

Answer 8

Agreed. I did most everything I ever wanted when I was an un-believer- I know what is out there.
I also do not use my faith as a crutch- I have used crutches before, drugs, liquor, etc. I know what crutches are.
I am not stupid- silly maybe, but not stupid.

Answer 9

I certainly do not assume you're weak-minded. I think you're intelligent enough to understand that if you worship me, I'll make you happy for all eternity and if you don't I'll have you tortured without end. So down on your knees, you very smart person. Don't worry about the fools who insult you. Get them to worship me too and I'll have extra treats for you in the afterlife.

Answer 10

Obviously the premise is not nessecarily true. However, the slack faces I see when I look at one of those evangelical programs or the parroting I hear from the Creationists does make me wonder about THEIR mental strength.