Why does everyone hate Christians?

Question

I see this question so often. I usually answer by saying that it's not true, which really, it isn't because I don't hate Christians. But, let me ask you Christians a question that might aid you in solving this problem. Why do so many Christians preach hell and damnation instead of love and forgiveness? If I wanted to convert people, this is surely what I would use. Telling everyone they are going to hell, and pointing out other people's sin while blinded by your own isn't a very good tactic. Am I wrong?

This is to The dude- did you even read this question before answering?

I'm not saying hell should be left out of the equation. I'm just saying that it's far too often common for a "Christian" to judge the people around them instead of looking inwardly.

Llewrose- I did not place ALL Christians in this category, I said "many". From what I have encounter, it has been many, but not all. Therefore, I am basing this on personal experience, and NOT generalizing.

Answer 1

Well stated. Saying "unless you're one of us you don't really matter" or trying to herd people using the fear of eternal damnation isn't going to work for most people. Showing that you value them as a person, on the other hand, and showing them all the positive things your faith is about might actually entice some to show a genuine interest.

Answer 2

Alright, not everybody hates Christians. There are definitely some fairminded people of pretty much any religious affiliation (or lack thereof) who will respect a religion while still disagreeing with it. To the poster: speaking of seeing the same question so often: why does everybody think that all Christians have an inordinate obsession with hellfire and damnation? I'm a devout Catholic, and I have never once told a person that he was going to hell (not seriously, at any rate; I've probably said it a few times as a joke to someone who said something really mean, and they understood I was joking). None of my Christian friends (the ones who actually adhere to the religion they follow, at least) do that, either. Most of my non-Christian friends don't get super-defensive or hostile to Christianity, either. If you have rational Christians and rational non-Christians, there isn't a problem with that sort of thing. Christians should preach love and mercy, but they should also warn of hell. It's done out of love and the desire (and responsibility) to acquaint people with the ideas (which we consider God's Truths) of our religion, because God wants His children to spend eternity with Him, rather than rejecting Him. Threatening people isn't the right way to try and convert them--which is why I have never done it, and I don't know any faithful Christian in their right mind who has done it. So I don't know who everyone seems to get so worked up about.

Answer 3

You are so right! I don't hate Christians, but, like you, I don't agree with their tactics. I do however, think many (not all) Christians hate me! Otherwise why would questions regarding my religion (Wicca) automatically get a "thumbs down" without any bother to think about the question? I do not hate anyone, nor do I disrespect their beliefs. And maybe I am really naive (a good possibility) but I don't really understand why everyone can't be the same. The world would be a much better place if people would stop the finger pointing, name calling and the insane notion anyone who does not believe as they do is a bad person.
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Answer 4

Salvation would not be understood if someone did not know what they were being saved from- which is hell. I dont think we should go around saying "you're going to hell" no- that is not the right approach- but we should share the gospel just like Jesus did- using His law to show people they have sinned against God. And then take it from there, in why they need a Savior....explaining the cross and why Jesus had to die- you see if someone were to say "Hey you should accept Jesus because He will make your life happier" --well that is only part of what happens when you are saved- but that does not happen until you KNOW why you need His salvation. Many people say "I am happy, I dont need Jesus" --exactly, that is why we need to share the truth for what it is- why there is a hell, and how serious sin is- but there is a way to do this out of love- without condemnation. I like what Romans says:

Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

-And that is why Jesus shared the truth using the Law- because that is what reaches a persons conscious....then they will better understand why they need salvation- because sin separates man from God- if one is not to care about sharing the truth- they must not love anyone....this is true love- when you want to tell people the truth! If your neighbors house was on fire, would you sit back and hope they get out- loving them from afar? No you would run over there and warn them! Right? And as I said- this can be done in love- but a lot of times it isn't- and that is what disappoints me, when I do see the self righteous remarks.

Answer 5

One way to judge how good a tactic is is by how successful the tactic is in meeting its goal.

Given the very large number of professed Christians in the world one must
at least consider that instilling fear into minds is a successful mode of seducing people into Christianity. Especially when the method is used on
children & the uneducated.

Accompany fear of not accepting Jesus with the tactics of dogma & ritual INDOCTRINATION starting at a very young age; INCESSANT REPETITION and INHIBITION of acquisition of information from
non religious sources and it becomes easily apparent as to allegedly why
most Christians have accepted Jesus by age 18.

The fact that even an early days church father found it acceptible to lie for the church simply opens the world of fantasy to enhance conversion
as necessary.

Obviously I am not a responding Christian but like you I hold no hatred
for Christians.

The "Hate Christians" is simply a mantra today for whiney Christians
who as yet have not documented for me any ORGANIZED hate movement.

There will always be hate filled individuals and as this answer forum has
amply demonstrated ,Christianity has its share.

Answer 6

People hate Christians because of several things that Jesus said would happen.

"Remember if the world hates you it first hated me"
"The preach of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing"
"I would not have known sin but by the law"
Jesus "did not come to bring peace but a sword"

Today over 90% of high schoolers fall away from their faith by their senior year of college because prof so & so is more involved in their life and they never converted for any reason other than to have joy and peace. Those are wonderful fruits of salvation but even Jesus used the law and warned people of the Judgement to come before offering them Salvation. Look at the woman at the well, Jesus pointed out her sin in a loving manner, and by the end of the conversation she was running into town to tell people who she had a met with an outrageous joy. People do need the law and they need to understand why Christ came before they can understand joy and the other fruits of our faith.

Answer 7

Well because they aren't Christians, if they were they would have a completely different perspective on Christians. We actually DON'T preach on hell and damnation and we DO preach on love and forgiveness. So you see non-christians just have a different perspective on the Christian life. But Christians will always be loving and caring to the non-christians. I hope and pray that this doesn't offend you or anyone that isn't a Christian. I will forever and always pray that people will get saved.

Answer 8

No you are not entirely wrong. Some folks just don't respond to the good news of Christ, so then the fear thing gets kicked in. I don't think you are a person who would be attracted to Jesus because of fear. I think you would love the sweetness of Him. He dearly loved and respected woman and would reach out to them at a time it was not fashionable. He loves you and knows exactly how many hairs you have on your head.He can be your comforter and He will never leave you. He is a wonderful Savior and I truly Hope that you meet this absolutely loving and forgiving Savior. Sometimes we hear that he died for all mankind, but think of it this way He died for you. You were on His mind when He hung on the cross. Who would die for you, not many, even those who know us well. I hope you respond to Him because it sounds like He is calling you.

Answer 9

I am a Christian. I don't preach to anyone. If someone asked me something, I answer them with what I learned from our Lord Jesus Christ. All his teaching was about Love, forgiveness and understanding. "Love one another as the Lord Loves you", Jesus Said. I have read this statement posted on this site by many Christians, but it seems that some people only like to see the negative in others, and turn away when it is about Love. I have read many times people disrespecting and making fun of Jesus Christ only to get to us the Christian and get us upset. Actually some even added that they like it, and they want to make us upset.

I had people come to me, telling me I should convert. I should repent and convert to Islam. Repent from what! If I am a sinner! it is between me and my maker, and he will be judge over me, and no Muslim or any other person has the right to look down on me and tell me I should repent and convert to Islam. There are many good Muslims, and there many rotten ones as well. I for one shall never forsaken My Lord Jesus Christ and convert to Islam, and I never ask anyone to convert either. Live and live.

Muslims Look down on non Muslims, and tell them if you don't convert to Islam they will go to hell. Just in case you didn't know. I believe the righteous will enter Heaven and the sinner will be in the other place, whoever they are.

Your statement 'blinded by your own isn't very good tactic!!!' what do you call the Muslims and other religion people, are they wise and they are the only one who know the truth!! wrong. Many of them are blinded. I have never heard any Christian say they want to convert the whole world into Christianity but the Muslim say it, and they say it all the time.

My Dear,
You just have Judge the Christians by your question and you don't even relise it. Please, don't generalize, we are not all alike, any group all are different. Please don't generalize.

If you find the real reason why people hate each others, not just the Christians being hatd by others! you would have solved the most troubled problem in mans' history, and for thay you will deserve a Noble Peace Prize, and I would vote for you.

ADD:
Pardon me you stated 'Why so many Christians preach hell and damnation instead of love and forgiveness? ...... blinded by your own isn't a very good tactic. "
That is generalizing the Christian when you don't point out that their are so many Christians who only preach love and understanding, and so many are not looking to convert any, just want to reach understanding. I never preach to anyone. I say live and let live. But, it seems you are fixated on what so many of those Christians you think are doing, you are overlooking the others who are simply trying to live, help others when they can, and just be.
I have been approached by Muslims to convert, by Atheist who look down on me because I believe in God, and others who simply don't respect my beliefs and think they know the true enlightnment and we are just blinded, as you referred to us.

Answer 10

jillian s:

That makes absolutely no sense at all. If what you're saying is true, everybody would be submissively cowed into the yoke of religion. But the fact that some people hate or ridicule religion demonstrates otherwise. People choose religion freely.

Anyone who's said they're just too scared of going to hell to question their religion is either misinformed or too lazy to find out about their own religion. It's natural to question your beliefs, so you can test them and make sure they are true. Religion is accepting of that.