Have You Ever Been Hurt By A Christian?

Question

I have read a TON of Internet forums and have seen a LOT of stuff about people not liking Christians. If you've been hurt, lied to, cheated or whatever by a Christian, I DO apologize. I wish there was something I could do to change the past. I know that, because we are sometimes held to a higher standard and/or some of us can have an arrogant "holier than thou” mentality, it can sometimes be easy to say, when 9 or 12 or 47 of us mess up, we’re all a bunch of liars and hypocrites (which isn’t true). With that said,

1) Can you HONESTLY say you hold Non-Christians to the same standard that you hold us?

…and…

2) What can Christians do to “make it better” (for lack of a better term)?

Please answer BOTH Questions! …and “going away” isn’t an option! ;-)

I’m starting to see this might get uglier than I thought…

To answer my own questions: 1) No! I figure I shouldn't need to worry about being lied to or cheated or what have you by a Christian because of his or her relationship with God. However, we're Christians but we're STILL human. (No excuse!)

2) I believe if more Christians actually studied the life of Christ and exerted more of an effort to walk it out, we MIGHT be viewed in a slightly different light. However, because of our convictions, things could be better or things could be worse. I don't know! Just from reading the few answers that are here, I see that there are some people who are right on and some people who have no clue what the heck they’re talking about.

My intent was to get sincere answers to a sincere question NOT to get a flood of “hate-mail” from a bunch of angry, negative, intolerant people who only see what’s wrong. I guess if I want to avoid such replies, I need to say away from Internet forums.

Answer 1

The issue with christianity is the most visible people representing the religeon are Gw bush, Pat Robertson, Ernest Angley, Jerry Falwell and their ilk.
You Mention 'holier than thou' attitude, well, these guys have it. They are intolerant of everything that doesn't fit their mold of what a christian, yet, Jesus, the founder of christianity, was tolerant of exactly the opposit of what these people stand for. Praying for the death of a Supreme Court Justice? What is that. Jesus healed the sick, fed the poor and educated the masses. The afore mentioned, kill which they, simply, do not like.Period
Christians are crackpots.
If you want to make christianity better, then run these guys, and every one else like them out of the country. Denounce them and their beliefs, because if that what represents christianity, then I want Satan.

Answer 2

Have I ever been hurt by a Christian...yes, but that has absolutely nothing to do with why I don't care for Christianity...it just so happened that person was a Christian. Anyway, it's not Christians I don't like...it's certain types of Christians I don't like (although, I don't care much for the Bible either...but that's different than not liking a group of people).

1) Yes I do....the only standards I hold for others is that they respect my rights as an individual and do no harm to others.

2) Christians as a whole should stop trying to push their beliefs into government and onto others. I realise that not all Christians try to make others believe and act as they think is the right way....but those who do think it is their business to mess in the personal lives of others should simply back off and mind their own business.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter if one is Christian or not. To be kind to others is a virtue. I am Christian and yes, I've been hurt many times by other Christians. Initially when one is hurt, anger appears and it is difficult to think of forgiveness. But holding on to the hurts sometimes destroys you and it isn't a healthy exsistence constantly carrying those feelings around. So forgiveness is important. Making it better is not something that can be done in a group. How can you make those who are self centered and mean change their ways. It is simply impossible to do and all one can do is pray for everyone that needs help for whatever reason and try to do the best you can

Answer 4

For starters, you could rein in your fundamentalist cohorts and keep them from lying about the origins of america (saying it was founded as a christian state, when clearly the constitution is secular), and keep them from loading science classes in kansas and other places with religious dogma. You could also champion a movement to remove the 10 commandments (which are contrary to the bill of rights, especially the first amendment) from public property. While you're at it, see if you can't fix the currency and the Pledge back to the way they used to be.., universal (without "in god we trust" or the phrase "under god"). Oh, and that law in texas that says holders of public office must believe in a supreme being, that should be stricken from the books as unconstitutional, can you guys try to make some headway there, too?

Even if these things don't get done, it would be nice to see that moderate christians understand that separation of church and state is absolutely essential in a free society.

Answer 5

yup, been hurt by them. but they come in different flavors...some tastier than others. yes, it is a shame that all christians tend to fall into the same generalization. looks like you have a lot of poor representation.
i hold everyone to the same stardard. if someone isn't practicing what they preach then i will call them on it and i would also like to be called on it myself.
what can christians do to make it better? basically what any human would do--put yourself in the other person's shoes before you speak. treat them like you would like to be treated. i have people in my life that are christian, and there are things about them that i love. however, there has become a separation between us because i don't like it,nor do i think it is respectful, to constantly tell me that what i am doing or how i live my life is wrong. i don't want to be around these people much anymore because of this. honestly, would you hang out with someone that viewed you as a lesser or would you choose to hang out with people that loved you unconditionally and accepted you for who you are? jesus didn't go around telling people they were wrong. he released them from suffering. he didn't make the suffering worse by condemning people. i think if everyone could seek out what makes us similiar instead of different and work to be inclusive instead of exclusive we may be able to get somewhere.
you can email me if you want to talk more.

Answer 6

It is not your place to appologize for others. They have to take responsibility for their own actions. It is big of you to step up for them though.

1. Yes. Most of the time I will hold a non-theist to a higher standard because some times I think christians just don't know any better.

2. Remove your religion from our SECULAR society. No more playing polotics, bibles in courts, makeing laws that support only your religion, ect....

I would not want you to go away, because I enjoy having people arround that have a diffrent view than my own. Clones are boring!

Answer 7

I haven't been hurt by a Christian but I have been open-mouthed in astonishment at some of the things that some of them believe. What they need to do in order to 'make it better' is to get themselves educated and informed about the real world - And that means the reality outside their religious worldview.

Answer 8

here is an answer to both ur ? or statements if u prefer. the way of the world is being destroyed by 95% percent of the people that exist on this cesspool of a planet. if things do not change very rapidly in the very near future, which i do not see happening, the [people on this planet will cease to exist. that includes fools like u.

Answer 9

1. I think so... the hurt that stands out to me didn't have anything to do with religion...
2. I guess, respect others' beliefs? Not that it's usually a problem - I guess, don't jeer girls getting abortions or anything; I mean, I know you guys have agendas and values that you have to stick to, but I still don't think that's a reason to drop all proper manners and start shouting.

Answer 10

I have been on both sides of the boat. I say yes to have been hurt and hurt some one. I got over I asked for forgiveness and we both got over it. We both burned that bridge and learned the truth about forgiveness.