Why are some Christians so patronising?

Question

Various comments I've had include 'you're confused,' 'you obviously don't understand the Bible,' 'you just don't know the truth' and 'it's like that because God said so (cue some ridiculously long Biblical quote)... DUH (or equivalent demeaning sound)'

I think that this is one of the biggest barriers between atheists and theists, as theists tend to assume they are more enlightened or intelligent than atheists (and vice versa.) Can't we just say that theists FEEL differently to atheists, rather than it being about knowledge and truth etc?

Answer 1

It just seems that way. The truth is that everybody thinks they are more enlightened, just as everyone thinks they are smart and have a good sense of humor.

Answer 2

It stems from their inability to respect any religion other than their own. Self-righteousness is a hallmark of extremist Christians. The arrogance displayed by this particular group is very hard to tolerate sometimes. Condescension is another general personality trait they seem to share. The whole "we don't hate the sinner, just the sin" is one of the most patronizing phrases in the religious world, besides being simply not true. Their disdain for people who don't believe as they do is only matched by their penchant for judging others and calling it God's work.

P.S. Just a side note though. I am Deist and technically I am a theist, since I believe in a God figure. I don't want to be lumped in with these people, it just gives me the wiggins to think about it.

Answer 3

As I always say, while I feel I'm right (an Atheist), others think they are right (Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc.). Unfortunately for us, an absolute PROOF will not be discovered in our lifetime, and probably not our children's or theirs either...

It's a neverending story that we will never know the ending to...

I agree with you....lets just say we agree to disagree, have some INTELLIGENT discussions/debates (minus any stereotypical commentary like you've stated from either party), and keep living our lives the way WE want to.

Answer 4

Since there is no sound from what you read, it may be your interpretation, you may have a belief & that is how you see Christians & this is why you read into it that way. Christians know the truth of God and of life and they do not fall for anything against God. Because Christians are strong in their beliefs and faith and in the fact they know the truth of God, they do not get led astray or get sucked into blasphemy. Nonbeleievrs can't understand this because they want Christians to bend, and change and be sucked into their way of thinking. Christians are vessels and God is the blood, he works througfh Christians. You may be angry at God and are venting towards his followers. Biblical quotes, are a way Christians demonstrate that it is Gods words and not thier words. When someone says you are confused, they are doing it in love. If you do not have faith and understanding of God and truth, then the antichrist has decieved you and confused your thinking. It is not a slam, rather a loving comment to promote you to finding truth and to not be destroyed by the lies Satan tells. God is the truth, he is the light of the world. Satan is the Great Deciever, he keeps people in darkness and he lies. Please, search for the real truth and God will reveal it to you. You cannot find what you are not looking for in life.

Answer 5

I agree that everybody might want to stay in peace and that the international should be with out hatred. I do experience although, as an atheist, that our evaluations are downsized by non secular ones (you could say something about an atheist yet criticise faith, your truly in for it). each and every from time to time i believe like non secular human beings believe that atheists do no longer have an ethical code and that i'd be very scary. there is also a huge double established. human beings get to break guidelines and, some circumstances in united statesa., the regulation because of religion. everyone looks bending over backwards because they are scared to criticise faith because then they are seen as undesirable human beings. free speech is ineffective till everyone looks able to educate it Peace x

Answer 6

You cannot approach the bible with a simplistic intent, it is many faceted and much of it's stories seem ridiculous, it did to me before the Lord saved me, but after study and reading the history and the social structure of that time, the stories come to life with a different meaning than what you would normally get at face value. You just can't read the bible like it's a simple history book or a technical manual of sorts.

Answer 7

Well, to start with no one knows the truth. Not the most brilliant scientist, not the most studious religious scholar. It is all conjecture.

I find myself guilty of feelings of superiority, too. I struggle to understand how anyone can aver with any kind of certainty that there is or is not any kind of deity.

I wonder what electro-chemical connections are not being made in the brains of people who are sure of their own truth. What is missing in the human brain that allows this to happen? Maybe there is something missing in my brain, too, that I cannot accept their short-sightedness. What do you think?

Answer 8

There really is no acceptable reason why a Christian should treat anyone this way, it certainly isn't how Jesus treated anyone and we're supposed to follow his example. My only guess is that Christians might feel a little offended by people who say that their God does not exist. It is a little bit like if someone told you a close friend of family member was worthless.

Answer 9

I agree wholeheartedly. I am a Christian and I get frustrated with trying to find a common factor for all of us to get along under. There is so much more to a person than religion or lack thereof. I find it is like politics....sometimes you simply ignore the subject.

Answer 10

Because their Bible tells them that they and only they are right. And they know the Bible is never wrong because...um...because it says so! Yeah, that's it.

They have this strange idea that people can only become "truely" happy or fulfulled if they join their version of their religion. Never mind that many people find equal happiness and fulfillment with other religions...even non-Christian ones. Oh, the horror!

Answer 11

I hear you loud & clear and agree 100%. There have been a few times I've almost left Christianity due to Christians :-)

Peace :-)