There is nothing wrong with a good debate and using the brain to ask open ended questions without being told that if I don't conform and repent I will end up in a eternal fire.
2006-08-16 16:00:38 · 35 answers · asked by rickcas06 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because they're incapable of accepting as valid any viewpoint other than their own, and when they hear or read of one, it frightens them literally out of their minds. That's why almost none of them reads the Bible through - they're afraid of finding their misconceptions proven wrong. For instance, there is a passage in the Bible that says there is no afterlife - but they'll deny it, and when you invite them to open their Bibles to the appropriate passage and read it for themselves, they will refuse, insisting it isn't there. Pathetic, isn't it?
2006-08-16 16:13:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Although I cannot speak for others and thier actions, I can say that your question is a fair one. You should not be attacked by believers and you should not be made to feel criticized. Writing from experience......When I was younger, I worked with three guys that would corner me into a debate over my faith. I believed in God, they would gladly admit that they did not. They loved to put me on the spot and say mean things about christians just to make me mad. In all honesty, it worked. I got so offended by the way they treated me and made fun of who I was..... As I got older I had to stop and take a look and how self-righteous I was coming off. Thats probably the same situation here. If this person is being ganged up on by unbelivers, or made fun of, or also being criticized, they will defend themselves. To you it comes off hateful... I don't know the whole situation so it is hard to give an accurate answer. My advice is to also be fair. You don't want to be attacked and judged, don't do that to them. I agree with you, there is nothing wrong with a good debate. But both parties need to stay calm, and keep their feelings out of it. Both parties need to have respect and not fight to be right all the time. I have alot of respect for a person(who doesn't believe in God) if he/she is calmly asking me questions about the bible, and if he/she lets me finish what I am saying. Just a thought. On the other hand, if you are doing everything respectfully, maybe debating makes them uncomfortable. Also, don't point blank ask someone a question unless you are ready for all answers.
2006-08-16 16:25:14 · answer #2 · answered by h04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you have run into a few people that are actually human and make mistakes?
Another reason could be in the way you are debating . Ask yourself how would you feel if your beliefs were challenged in an argumentative way?
Some who don't believe will end up in hell others will be absent from God , but it is God who makes the judgment.
I do agree that as a Christian it is our duty to speak the truth and let others know who are questioning what we believe. The key words there are "Those who are questioning". God gave us all the freedom to either believe or not. If we don't respect your right to choose then we are not respecting the fact that God gave you that right.
Just like any other religion out there, there are fanatics, moderates and there are those who simply believe and walk the walk. So please don't lump us all together. I don't lump all non believers together.
2006-08-16 16:17:24 · answer #3 · answered by Laurie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We're all sinners and christians are nothing more than sinners saved by grace. It might have something to do with the way as you say are challenged and then those who you have talked to may have a problem. If a christian can't answer your questions with scriptural facts then they should be able to direct you to their pastor for the answers to your questions. We all have to walk our own journey in this life and there is no reason why we can't love one another on our journies together. Yes I have experinced some of the hostility you mention but then we should forgive them and move on to find the answers to our questions. Yes I believe in the bible and I still don't have the answers but I do have a pastor that is willing to take the time to help me or anyone else that may have questions. My advise to you would be to read your bible or get one from someone and then seek someone willing to amswer your questions. Remember its not a debate but a soul search to find the answers to your questions. Personally I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and seek to serve my fellow man to the best of my ability. So journey on bone up on the bible and then ask someone with the knowledge to answer your questions and take it from there. Signed, A Sinner Saved by Grace.
2006-08-16 16:34:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If atheists and agnostics are so intelligent and filled with common sense, why are they "so critical, defensive, and hateful when challenged?"
My point is, while many Christians react in the way you describe, not all do. Unfortunately, the loud and ignorant seem to stand out more than the wise, no matter what their religious perspective is.
Anyway, good question. I also find myself frustrated when interacting with (fellow) Christians. However, I find frustration when interacting with ANYONE who is not open-minded when it comes to religious issues.
Peace.
2006-08-16 16:10:37 · answer #5 · answered by Colin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love is the first and greatest commandment of all religions; and all human beings, including deniers of religions, believe that love is the most precious thing in this world (and perhaps in other worlds).
But there are many questions concerning love that we never spend time and energy to seek for the appropriate answers ourselves.
What is love? How could I express true love? Why should we love our disloyal wives or husbands? Why should we love the attackers of my families, our religions, our nations? Why should we sacrify our lives for our enemies? Why should we love our countries? Why should we love all mankind, among them there so many bad people? And six billion human beings on earth may have sixty billion questions concerning love; we cannot answer for ourselves and even more difficult to answer for other people.
Then what is the use of talking about love?
The answer for all questions is right here:
Gos is love. He sends His Messengers to this small planet to teach us about love and They Themselves show the examples of love that not many of us want or dare to accept. Yes, They all say that love is to sacrify our all for other people to preserve our souls: Buddha left the royal palace to conduct the life of a beggar, Christ accepted the death on the cross, Baha'u'llah suffered over fourty years of exile and imprisonment. Yes, this was what They taught and how They acted.
Now, if we see that They deserve our love and admiration, let us turn To them for the best lessons; otherwise, we should at least accept our responsibility for our dark world of hatry and don't accuse each other anymore.
2006-08-16 16:42:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians are - after all - human! It isn't our intent to be hateful. Being loving is our ultimate goal. But sometimes things happen and we give in to the temptation of being critical and defensive and sometimes even mean. Now there are some real fanatics out there that think their way is the only way, but please do not lump all Christians in that category. God designed us to have free will and that takes all to different places. I believe a true Christian tries their best and asks forgiveness when they stumble and then goes back to trying their best.
2006-08-16 16:14:59 · answer #7 · answered by judyjudyjudy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The teaching of Jesus by itself is beautiful and good. But Christianity as a religion has been developed to adapt to human's inherent vanity, selfishness and lust for wealth. Thus you will not find Godliness in the mentality of most Christians. However I have to stress that there are Christians who truly follow the teaching of Jesus. The problem with Christianity also happens with other major religions.
2006-08-16 16:14:19 · answer #8 · answered by Kee 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
For Christians, the Bible represents truth.
When someone comes along and questions truth, we sometimes become irritated.
The irritation comes in because so many people do not want to hear the truth.
It's a point of frustration.
We love people enough to tell them the truth, but the truth is rejected.
2006-08-16 16:09:57 · answer #9 · answered by Bob L 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Christian and I try not to get all defensive. I just strive to tell the truth; tell it like it is.
I hear ya. I hate arguments. The Bible does warn us against getting into stupid arguments. But a good, rational debate does your brain some good.
2006-08-16 16:21:19 · answer #10 · answered by bachlava_9 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not all Christians are critical, defensive and hateful and you are generalizing in saying that. Those Christians who truly know and practice their faith, and more, importantly LIVE their faith in all aspects of their lives, are not condemming and hateful of others and are loving, caring people who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Not, as for the defensiveness, let me rephrase that for you to say Christians will stand up and speak up to defend their faith and beliefs against all untruth, heresies and blasphemy because Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life" and in order to truly live our lives according to Christ's teachings, we must proclaim the truth, regardless or we cannot claim to be followers of Christ. If you consider this defensive, then Yes, we stand for truth and nothing less in the name of Jesus.
2006-08-16 16:14:17 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋