Christian = Bigot?

Question

The term bigot is defined (by Dictionary.com) as "One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ."
Isn't this the very definition of how a great many of the Christians in this country practice their religion?
Why do so many Christians take the "If you aren't with us, you're against us" doctrine?

If it would make you feel better, for the sake of argument we can substitute the word "Christian" with "Organized Religion".
And to the folks who are reacting on a gut level and just calling me names, please either take the time to think this through on a critical thinking level or just don't answer. Believe it or not, the question isn't meant to be rude. The word bigot sounds bad but if you think about many of the Christians you know (not necessarily you) you might find its an apt description and you might want to think it over.

Answer 1

It's all they know. They fear anything that wasn't taught to them. A decent portion had very strict up bringings, so that's all they want to believe. So, they feel it's their way or none at all. I'm not saying all of them are like that, just a great deal. I don't begrudge their feelings or whatever, but that's the way they are. They don't understand other religions, so they'd rather not. Or they'd just say its not "the true way".

Answer 2

I do not understand where people get the idea that Christians are extremely intolerant. I don't doubt that you have reasons for feeling the way you do, but I, personally, have never been given any reason to see things that way. Granted, I am a Christian, but I am a very critical person about things that I am (if that made any sense). Christians have a message from Jesus to spread the Gospels. Sometimes...okay, a lot of times, they can get a little too "sharing happy" and go over the top. They start trying to force feed it, I guess. From this, you could probably see them as intolerant.

Now, concerning that doctrine that you mentioned. Personally, I feel that if God is for me, who can be against me (reference to Romans 8:31). But, some Christians prefer to go the route that says, they're not with us, they're against us--yeah, you just said that. God calls us to be in the world, but not of it. These Christians that adopt that doctrine probably take that teaching over the top and refuse to tolerate any non-Christians.

Answer 3

A bigot in the more general sense is someone who stereotypes a large group of people based on the actions of a few. I'm doubting that you know "a great many of the Christians in this country." I'm guessing you've seen the crazier ones on television - the only ones that seem to get the attention. There are a great deal more working to make this world a better place. You don't hear about them because making their actions known is not the point, doing good is.

If you're not with us, we're supposed to be working for you anway. Not that you'd notice or appreciate in most cases.

Answer 4

Well, the way any issue works is if you aren't for it, then you're against it. There really is no middle ground on most issues. If you truly examine yourself deep inside, you'll have partiality for one side or the other, even if it is a minute difference.

As a Christian, I have no problem if someone is not a Christian. That is their choice. I don't treat them any differently than any other person that I encounter. I do wish that they would become a Christian though. The problem lies in the fact that most people who are not Christians and are vocal about it, usually become very rude in the manner they treat Christianity.

So, coming from a youth ministry student who has been a Christian for 15 years, I would best say that you're incorrect in your thinking.

Answer 5

I'd have to agree, but you're right, it's not all of them. I'm not sure why they adopt the doctrine that they do. I know they supposedly want to draw people to the church, but that kind of attitude usually achieves the opposite. Too, so many people have to have something from the outside that makes them feel superior. They don't know how to be content with who and what they are. I think that's why some people take religion to an extreme.

Answer 6

u cant say all christians are bigots, as there are people who really wanna listen and get to know something. i feel that u need to reach out to those who are good and get to them as well.

yet there are those who bad mouth and cuss, forgetting that it was not the way of jesus-pbuh. there are a bunch of black sheeps in all religions today , so pin pointing a christian alone will be biased and unfair.

like yesterday when some1 called muslims a bas**** children of Abraham-pbuh. now when people dont respect the beleif they follow they are passing the same message to others.

Answer 7

Why do so many Christians take the "If you aren't with us, you're against us" doctrine?

Because its true!

There is a spiritual war going on, come right down to it, it is Good vs Evil.
None can sit on the fence.
You are either for God or Against God, no "well I'll see how it goes before I chose a side".

It does come down to You are either a christian or your not, "you are with us or against us"

Now what you personally do does not make for a spit in the wind. (I don't really care) Christians I will do all I can to help, others well its a little late now!

Answer 8

Not in all cases. Some are Christians, and some are the very evil that Christ taught us to avoid. What better a way to destroy a message than by becoming a part of it and distorting its meaning. I am agnostic, but I am starting to wonder as to whether or not we have a responibility to help those who seek, and are crippled by their own systems dogma. I know it isn't easy, but keep your chin up, email me if you need to.
Will

Answer 9

that defines christian and so does this

cretin
1. A person afflicted with cretinism.
2. Slang. An idiot.


[French crétin, from French dialectal, deformed and mentally retarded person found in certain Alpine valleys, from Vulgar Latin *christinus, Christian, human being, poor fellow, from Latin Chrstinus, Christian. See Christian.]

Answer 10

You know, that could be true for every religion. Each religion has extremists, bigots, hypocrites, nice ppl, and so on. Please don't generalize or stereotype ppl just b/c they're Christians. Especially if you don't like it when ppl do that to you.