I'm independant. My parents never forced religion on me. I chose to be a Christian based on my understanding of reality and a bit of common sense. I weighed the options and Christianity won out everytime.
I did this along with a few other billion people. Do people really think this sort of "mass dillusion" is possible? Why do people hate what they just fundementally don't understand? Are they being bigots when they call Christians stupid or mentally ill?
Why is your free thinking better than my free thinking? Do you have to be an Atheist to be a free thinker? Do you have to deviate from the norm in order to be a free thinker? Under the free thinking as "a deviant from the norm" wouldn't that make Atheist in fact crazy?
2006-10-26 08:05:14 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Right on! I, too, became a Christian after about 10 years of studying and searching - how does that make me stupid or ignorant?
2006-10-26 08:08:24 · answer #1 · answered by They call me ... Trixie. 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
The fact that an atheist is a person who depends on logic and reasoning only shows the enormity of the extent of the mass delusion of society regarding religion. Common sense should tell you to trust your senses and your mind over emotion and contradictory and incredible claims of the Bible. It's terribly inconsistent if you look.
When a person hears voices in his head that no one else can hear, It's called schizophrenia. When a million people all hear the same voice that no one else can hear, It's called religion. There were a lot of German citizens who used to think that Adolph Hitler was a pretty cool guy, If I remember correctly, seduced with persuasive words and national fervor. Did that make them right? Numbers mean nothing.
But religion is easy, it is socially acceptable, it is for people who don't even really care, it keeps them out of trouble with family and society, it keeps them invisible, it is convenient, all the thinking has been done for you, all you have to do is to show up. People who earnestly think and feel and trust their own mentality revolt at being herded like sheep and take a stand for what they believe, even if they're the ONLY person in the world who feels that way. Majority does not make things right. Do you ever wonder if you might be insane whenever your personal choice of political party is in the minority? Are you that swayed that easily by what others think or what is in vogue?
2006-10-26 15:20:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is nothing wrong with being a free thinking Christian. Atheists don't corner the market on free thinking but I actually think they're the ones who have been brain washed by public schools teaching-- or should I say--- preaching evolution. Without a sense of a higher being that's in charge where do you get your morality? Your sense of right and wrong? What is the purpose of life if there is no hope for a heaven or fear of hell? Folks that reject God aren't always bad but they do tend to push God out of areas I think He has every right to be... oh... that's everywhere!!! Including the public square.
Have a great day!!!
2006-10-26 15:31:34 · answer #3 · answered by Coo coo achoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for some of us, it's not hating what we don't understand. We do understand it - we just don't buy it.
when some Christians use biblical scripture as "proof" and can't seem to understand why that doesn't settle the debate, they don't seem to grasp the limitations of the circular logic they employ: it's like saying "Mike is better than Al." "How do you know?" "MIke told me." They thus become the ones who don't understand; repetition of this breeds frustration; frustration breeds name-calling, especially when some Christians clearly want to force their views on the rest of us.
not all Christians are stupid; and I'd wager no more of them have a physical mental disorder than any other path. But the blind zealotism, the obsession of someone who does not respect anyone else's views could be characterized as a mental disorder, on par with the obsession of a stalker or a kleptomaniac. I AM NOT saying that this is true of all Christians, or even that Christianity causes this; but I have seen it too many times to pretend it does not exist.
Deviation from norms is not crazy. I hope you remain a free thinker, and I repsect your right to do so, as a Christian or whatever. But I would like to see some reciporocal repsect from Christians of others for once.
2006-10-26 15:18:55 · answer #4 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you have a mental disorder. But I would question your common sense and weighing the options, with Christianity coming out ahead. There are too many Christian teachings that just don't make sense. I was raised Christian and had questions all of my life that no one could answer. They still can't. Having said that, I am not a Christian basher. I don't begrudge anyone having their beliefs ... I believe there are so many different religions because everyone has different needs. ALL religions have value. Everyone is where they are supposed to be, and when they extract all they need from a particular teaching, they yearn for more and move on. The End.
2006-10-26 15:13:14 · answer #5 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Christianity is hardly the norm. Worldwide, there are just as many Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims.
I don't consider Christianity free thinking. Your life is based on a book written over 2000 years ago that tells you exactly how to act and think--and you try to force everyone around you to act and think the same way. That is what makes my way of thinking better than yours (in my opinion)--I don't try to force my choices on anyone and I make my decisions based on my own experiences, not someone else's. As for Christianity being a mass delusion....I think it is mostly just a habit. Someone you respect (not necessarily your parents) tells you that it's right and what you should do, so you do it. It's just another way to fit in with an identifiable group of people.
2006-10-26 15:14:40 · answer #6 · answered by Jensenfan 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Free Will. This is "the" greatest Gift, the greatest ability we human beings have.
You chose the christian version of Jesus for you, that should be respected by all people not looked down upon for.
Others have chosen the Jesus of Gnosticism or Mysticism and it brought them the salvation and peace they were looking for.
Some choose the Muslim Faith, Hinduism, Buddhism, and have found what they were looking for.
One should not judge another, ever!!
Acceptance and tolerance is always best!!
Some religions try to convert others to religion, to their God or to their Jesus. This should be accepted about religions.
Paul started Christianity, I respect the man. Many follow Paul's version of the Jesus in Christianity.
Acceptance and Tolerance without judging other individuals, their religion, or there culture and color, without criticizing, or gossiping IS what should take place!!
A person's Greatest Gift and Ability they have is "Free Will" and this should be respected by all people. And if you were hurt by the words of another, try your best to forgive, letting go of all ill-feelings, and resentments toward them. This way you will maintain your relationshihp with God.
1 Jn. 1:9 is conditional upon Matthew 6:14, 15.
Read it, are not the words of Jesus to be taken over the words of the Apostle John?
2006-10-26 15:21:31 · answer #7 · answered by Thomas 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I love being a Christian. Catholicism teaches that true freedom is gained by serving others. Christ himself taught us that great lesson. He freed us from sin by subjecting his body to death. Not servitude as in serving one or a group of persons, but knowing that you are no better than any other person, and doing what you can to help and put others before yourself. You would be free from the constraints of sin and hatred.
That is what I believe. What others believe is up to them. When you try to help someone believe or understand your point of view, it's not forcing, unless you can't accept that they don't believe as you do and use hurtful ways try to get them to understand. You should do it because you want people to feel as you do in that, the joy and understanding and freedom of what you believe makes you feel. Others should never be forced.
If you believe something, it's only natural that you teach your offspring what you believe, whether that stealing is wrong or that God is three persons in one. That's not forcing, unless you can't accept that they don't agree with you and try to force them in hurtful ways.
Its amazing that people use mean or hurtful ways or words to try to make them come to their beliefs. But it happens. You just keep believing in what you think is right.
PS Christ started Christianity. Hence the name of the religion. Paul was an apostle. He helped to spread the word of Christianity.
2006-10-26 15:28:20 · answer #8 · answered by Mysteriana 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I never said you were insane. I am an Atheist, and I think that everyone is entitled to their beliefs.
However, I think Christians who call out Atheists and call us all crazy (like you imply) are hypocrits. Doesn't make you nuts though, just a bad Christian.
And to the chick below me, do you even know what ODD is!? I don't defy authority figures, and religion and anyone involved in religion is NOT and will NEVER be an authority figure to me. If a cop or my parents when I was a minor was FORCING Christianity down my throat, and I THEN defied them, then I would suffer from ODD.
2006-10-26 15:08:59 · answer #9 · answered by Heck if I know! 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
what makes you think that being a christian is the norm it is only the norm to you because in the usa that is how you are bought up but out side the usa it is not the norm to be a christian so you are the one with the mental disorder
2006-10-26 15:11:07 · answer #10 · answered by andrew w 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
From what I've seen of you on this board, you seem like a pretty pensive person.
Don't worry about the people that put you down like that, they're just like the bullies at school that would put others down to feel better about themselves. I'm Christian too, but I know most intelligent atheists and agnostics with high self esteems never say things like that.
2006-10-26 15:13:37 · answer #11 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋