Why do so many people hate Christians?

Question

The gospel of Christ is a peaceful one. If people read the Bible for at least information or just for something to read they might see that. You can't go off of what some extremist is saying or doing. You'll never understand what a true Christian believes. I have read books on other religions to understand there beliefs first before taking into account what I percieve and what I hear.

Answer 1

The devil working through them hates what you represent--Christ. If you tell them the truth, that they should repent, they will resent you for it because they don't want to change their lifestyles.
Much of what people do every day is wrong, and if you confront them about it, they may misunderstand and think you are being judgmental.
That said, a true Christian will "speak the truth in love", not berating or demeaning the lost, just seeing them as people who need Christ.
For the non- Chrisitians out there: some people do go about spreading the gospel the wrong way--for instance the truth should never be sold, as with some TV evangelists. Also, if a "christian" tells you he's better than you, or that God "hates" anyone--they are just plain wrong, and probably just ignorant. At the same time, remember that a true Christian really believes that you are in danger of going to Hell if you don't repent, so cut him some slack, he is trying to help you, even though you may be inconvenienced. It is his duty as a christian to tell you.

Answer 2

I was raised Roman Catholic,and I also have read the Bible a version easy to understand for us normal folks.I believe in what the Bible says.All religions make up their own way of doing things it becomes ritualistic,which is exactley what the bible says not to do.I really dont believe in the traditions of the catholic church because that is what it is a tradition.As far as why people hate Christians I will just tell you my experience with them and I know all people and places are different.I tried 2 different christian churches and I have to say these people are the most hypocritical better then thou type.Now I say I tried 2 places cause i thought well maybe its just this church or this group of people WRONG same thing.They look down on others,they carry themselves as if they do not sin and are perfect.I saw a total lack of understanding for just humaness.They talk about other people its utterly disgusting how they claim to be Christian yet behave this way.So I dont go to church I have a personal relationship with God and if I did have to go to Church I would go Catholic and just pray my own way.

Answer 3

I don't hate anyone. And I don't judge people by their religion or any other grouping they might fall into; I consider the individual. Always.

That said, there are a great number of Christians I respect; I think the religion is beautiful, tragic and poetic; and I think Jesus was a great, great man.

*That* said...I take the extremists on a case-by-case basis. Christianity isn't their problem--that sort of person would be fanatic about any other religion they'd been inducted into, and if not about religion then about something else.

Answer 4

With respect, you're generalizing. People do not hate Christians, they hate zealots. You are correct many people should educate themselves about whatever religion will speak of, but remember, that kind of respect cuts both ways. If you look at many of the comments made on this site by those purporting to be Christian, you would be appalled, I know I am.

Now, something else you may not want hear but bears stating. For almost 2000 years, Christians through misguided belief in their superiority committed horrifying acts, and sadly many continue to do so today. I will quote the good book with this:

As you sow, so shall you reap.

So long as Christendom is hijacked by zealots and extremists (Pat Robertson, Dobson, AFA, etc) people will always see Christianity as hostile and even evil.

Answer 5

Perhaps they have had a bad experience with someone that labeled themselves a Christian.

Perhaps it's lack of knowledge...(Reading the New Testament for themselves; instead of taking the word of others that they choose to follow).

Perhaps they have already bought the lie of the enemy...there are other paths...

OR

Perhaps they have bought the biggest lie, from the father of lies; there is no God or Satan or Heaven...or hell.

Some people just have decided to be mean, hateful and spread discontent.

I've probably missed dozens of other "reasons or excuses" but the ones mentioned above are pretty popular.

P.S. The sword that Jesus brought was the Word of God. See Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

Answer 6

If that many people hate Christians, maybe it's time to reevaluate the religion?

That's my cynical answer. A better answer would be that there is not enough backlash against the radicals (God Hates Fags, et al). Islam is seeing the same problem with their extreme minority of crazies. You guys need to speak out more against those who poorly portray your religion.

Oh, and it's posts like mmmk92 above. How can that not be completely obnoxious to someone?

Answer 7

I was brought up a Christian but no longer consider myself to be one. I don't hate Christian's but I sometimes dislike Christians that do very un-Christian things presumably in the name of God. For example, Bush, who considers himself to be a born-again Christian, has killed many thousands of people in Iraq, and believes very fervently in the morality of what he has done. Aren't Christians supposed to turn the other cheek? Also, I don't have any problem with someone believing in whatever they want to believe in in the privacy of their own home and church. But Christians believe in prostelitizing--spreading the word. While perhaps well intentioned, there is a certain arogance to that approach, because it presumes that Christianity is superior to other beliefs. Often, such an approach creates an "us versus them" mentality that spawns conflict and utlimately violence, something that I consider to be very un-Christian.

Answer 8

I don't hate christians. In fact my wife is christian. But so many christians are so hateful toward non-believers and rude that it is easy to understand why many people would be. Many christians tend to be extreme hypocrites. Saying one thing, doing another. All the while telling others they are going to burn in hell. It does get to be old after a while. So many christians equate being good with being christian. This is patently offensive to good non-christians. I think most of these christians are rude without even being aware of it.

Answer 9

Man has been hiding from God since Adam hid in the garden. A witness to Gods truth is despised by those who cannot face the Almighty God. Those men choose to be there own god and humbling themselves to a creator requires a recognition that they are weak... that type of confession in this worlds view where man himself is the supreme being is unacceptable.

Answer 10

You are so right. You can't judge a religion by its people. There will be many who fall short of its teachings. You can only judge it based on its doctrines. The Christian doctrine is one of peace, tolerance, forgiveness, and love.
Many people hate Christians because they are the majority. They also have been the most successfully politically, socially, and economically. Thus, people don't like what others have.