Why is it Christians go up in smoke the moment someone questions what they believe in?

Question

I have noticed that a number of people that say they are hard core christian.

I am not. I have freely admitted this but I still like a good debate and when I ask them to clarify something that they believe in they go nuts at me!

I have known some christians that are up for a decent discussion but the majority don't even want to think that there may be another point of view. Am I alone in this? Is anyone else as irritated by this as I am?

I welcome views from all religions in pursuit of knowledge!

10.38 pm GMT

I am astounded by the answers I have recieved. I knew that this would open up a can of worms and it did!

Nikki R you have hit the nail on the head but I want a few more answers before I declare best answer!

Oh and by the way, I was a christian heart and soul for a long time but the discrepancies, inconsistancies and contradictions I was fed completely turned me away from it.

Answer 1

Boy, oh boy, isn't that the truth! And, they're arguing from a pinnacle of ignorance.
What's strange is that they've never figured out that they've been totally brain washed since birth by being told that it's a sin (the defination of a sin being different from culture to culture) to even comtemplate any other way of thinking or believing, and that they must prostletize the rest of the world. Religion is the easiest, and most successful way of controlling the minds of the masses, and they're perfect examples of it.
Christians have a pretty tear jerking story about a babe in a manger, a crusifixtion, thorns in the head, dragging a cross while getting whipped, etc., all to save mankind from the tortures of a mythical place called hell. He walked on water and turned it into wine (a good magician can do that) , etc.
And yet, the history of the christians is as bloody as it gets, as is all religions. They all claim to have God's blessings in their murders and mayhem. Absolutely insulting to anyone's intelligence!
No question that a man named Jesus lived at one time and offered some pretty good advice, but that he was "the son of God" is total nonsense and flies in the face of common sense.
When the leaders of the day realize the depth of the gullibility of people, they profited on it to the max and have continued doing so throughout the centuries. Witness the Catholic church who have convinced their members to send them untold billions and who continue to do that. Can you believe you can buy your way into a level of heaven? OMG, and people still believe that
crap...incredible!!
The dictionary defination of the word faith is "belief without proof". I rest my case.

Religion is the result of mans fear of death and his inability to explain his existence. It has been used to control the masses and their money since time immemorial in all cutures and races.
The Incas, Aztecs, Egyptians, Christians, Catholics, etc. all have been totally controlled by their willingness to believe anything their leaders told them to, including to torture, murder, and sacrifice, all in the name of their god(s). And, this control is still alive and well today...witness what's going on in Iraq as we speak.

Instead of focusing on wishful thinking and fairy stories like heaven and hell, devils and angels, they should turn their attention skyward to the study of astronomy and cosomology which is the completely awesome and fascinating truth about our universe, and where we came from. Read the writings of Einstein and Stephen Hawking, and open their minds to the truths of this incredible universe we live in.
There is only one truth and that is mathematics...it's behind all all that exists in this awesome universe, including mankind.
Unlike others, I make no claim to know what created this all, but who, or whatever it is must be out there somewhere laughing it's butt off at the ignorance of the common man to believe in the sheer nonsense of religion.

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You JD are are the epitome of the ignorant masses of which I speak. Tell us of your background in the sciences that you've measured against your sunday school teachings. I already know you have none...as I said, you speak from a pinnacle of ignorance. Rebirth...yeah, right! By the way, I was raised christian until education opened my eyes to its utter nonsense.
You're probably one of these people that find images of Jesus and Mary in your bowl of chili, and on on your burned tortilla.

Answer 2

Frankly my Dear, many are not prepared to debate. Pointed questions may trigger a defense from them. They may feel as though they are in fight instead of a discussion. There are millions and millions of Christians (and other religious people) who have never been in a debate in their lives, nor have they been taught of debate. Unsolicited debate appears as an attack. Seeking a debate from someone who does not know what debate is, is like a school yard bully picking fights. The best debate team in the USA for the last 3 years in a row is the Liberty University Debate team. That is Jerry Falwell's school of religion, if you didn't know. They would love to debate with you on any subject. You can contact them at www.liberty.edu

Answer 3

Its called righteous Anger , I myself love a good debate but find people like you get more angry at me than me at them ,I have had people charge at me and go nuts when i speak them the truth about Jesus Christ ,The Word of God pierces the heart and man cant stand the truth because his deeds are evil , 2+2 equal 4 and if a whole lot of people decided that they want it to equal 5 it don't make it so ,and that's the way it is with a Christian we are not going to share the throne of God with all these so called gods ,if you built a house yourself and I came in and said Wow what a good job these 2by4s did look at these great nails and didn't even acknowledge you but praised the hammer in your hand then you would totally be offended ,So it is with the one true God

Answer 4

I am a hard core Christian and it ticks me off as well when they do this. Many of Christ so-called followers have left me embittered by the earthly church. I know more atheist that have read the Bible from cover to cover then I know Christians who have done it. The Bible clearly states that we are supposed to give the people who ask reasons for our faith. But when it comes to Christianity most Christians have trouble explaining why they get up on Sunday morning, much less explain anything more complicated.
It is no wonder most non-Christians think we are stupid, many of us are. But it is slowly getting better. More Christians have started studying the ancient art of apologetics, and hopefully this trend of Christians who can give a reason for their faith will continue to grow.

Answer 5

Are you sure you aren't just baiting them with your questions and requests for "clarification," as the Pharisees were always doing with Jesus? (After all, you just admitted that you "like a good debate," which seems to demonstrate your motives.) Jesus knew that the Pharisees' questions weren't sincere, which is why He called them a "generation of vipers" more than once! Jesus always told it like it was; He didn't worry about what people thought. So those Christians who respond with righteous indignation toward those who don't respect the Lord are in good company! (Yet, I can't help but wonder if perhaps you aren't exaggerating your Christian friends' responses just a little bit...)

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Nikki R: You make the usual predictable, tired, and rambling arguments that don't prove a thing! Spare us! (By the way, most of us haven't been Christians since "birth." But ALL of us have been Christians since "REbirth"!)

Answer 6

I think that it is like this:

You are on an extremely vagrant site. There are people from all walks of life coming and going. This is not the type of site where you can really get to know someones beliefs, a message board would be much better.

If you are seriously seeking after truth, why not meet them on a board and get an indepth, up close and personal study on someone who impresses you in their knowledge?

You are going to get all sorts of answers, so why not sort them out and really look into it? The candor here is erratic and impersonal.

So use this site to conquer boredom, but if you want knowledge, why lean on this peculliar site? This site is good for picking out the one's you should talk to.

Just my opinion. ( ;

Answer 7

I think the real answer to you question is fear. People who don't feel they have the answers and react this way are usually those who blindly follow a religion without trying to understand it and will get very defensive when questioned. If they truly understood their religion then they would welcome a dialog to further their religion.

I worked with a man once who was a strong believer and who understood his religion. He welcomed any dialog and I often took him up on this. Questions were answered calmly, misgivings were discussed and questions were asked of me. If more people took the time to do this there would be a lot more peace between religions in this world.

Answer 8

I have been around Christians my whole life, and, just like people, they're all different. But in many ways... the same.

I've noticed a lot of them just aren't educated enough. To me, this is more of a leadership problem than a follower problem... although it's also a vicious cycle.

Instead of educating their "sheep" well, these so-called Christian "Leaders" (ie. pastors, bible teachers, you name it) go about telling followers what they should think. The bigger problem is, the followers... follow.

But this problem is everywhere. Just look at the government and society. People are just not realizing the importance of their responsibility with themselves, and those around them.

As for going up in smoke, well, I know plenty of people who do, but I do know some who don't.

My grandmother, for instance, was raised in a Bible-thumping family and she is the best example of a Christian I know. She is also extremely open-minded and wise for this day and age.

This is because she has taken upon herself to thoroughly educate herself in her religion. Thus, I rest my case.

Answer 9

This is a common response from any one who's beliefs are Myth based and for all intents and purposes indefensible.

This is a pretty good sign that what they believe is not the truth.

The truth has no problem standing up on its own. Nonsense like religion often teaches Like the belief in a judgmental punishing God, is illogical and impossible to defend. This is why those who believe these types of Myths get angry when they are questioned about them.

It can be summed up if you recognize that anything that does not support an irrational belief system, is seen as an attack on that belief system.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 10

Going up in smoke? Not just the Christians surely. Suggest gun control to a Republican and see him fire off a litany ending with 'out of my cold dead fingers'.

Emotional responses are almost always tied to something we believe strongly about, whether you are Christian, Moslem or Capitalist.

So you may want to rephrase the question.

As for Christians who convert by the sword?

Read up on the Spanish Inquisition where Jews and Moslems were tortured into baptism and communion.