Why is it people are offended by the Bible and Jesus?

Question

In Portland, Oregon... the most unchurched state, someone can cush you out and it doesn't matter. But if you say anything about Jesus, or tell someone they are a sinner they are all pissed off?

Funny story: I was walking downtown, when some guy stood up and started preaching I ignored him, but some lady told him he was out of line and didn't want to hear it. He just said, "Jesus loves you." She snapped and threatened him. Some other people started threatening him after he only said that Jesus loves you. I don't see it. I was born in Brasil, I never seen such ruckess over Jesus since the Crusades.

Personally, I feel that Jesus loves everyone... that's true. He was a pacifist and his followers have issues. I thinks it's funny that people bash christians but isn't better to have faith in something than not?

Is it that people have a guilty consious? THat they are in denial that they are a human being... ( good person, bad person) no ones a good person and no one is a bad person... Later I talked to my Christian friends, who thinks everyone needs to get along. They were saying that man jugde everything as big and small when God judges things evenly. Something like that. People forget that christians are people too. And since they are people they are sinners too. I feel that it is a form of discrimination... I think that part of the issues surrounding gay marriage and stuff is being played out by extreme christians... most christians i know don't hate gays, they hate the sin. I think when people realize that, they'll be able to come closer together... until then maybe they're always be stupid people who choose to hate and believe all christians are the same... Stereotypes.

I think it's funny that she didn't just walk away. A mature person who has nothing to say would walk away.

The Crusades is kinda interesting since the 'christian crusaders' killed everyone! The catholic church, turns out, tells everyone that you can go to heaven by works, being a good person. It's no where in the Bible. I think people are letting agression out on christians because the actions of a few.

An example of this is the 'terrorist' attacks on 9/11. People are expecting an apology from Muslims because 24 individuals killed 3000 Americans. Personally I think Muslims shouldn't have apologize for something they didn't support as a majority.

Maybe people should start practicing what Jesus said and love one another, compassion. That should be so hard, should it?

Answer 1

The truth cuts straight to the heart, doesn't it?

Answer 2

Ok I'll answer the first question asked. I'm not offended by a collection of books at all. I've read them all several times over.
Jesus doesn't offend me, either. Some of his "followers" do.

I think it's interesting that you mention the Crusades, considering this was a "holy war" (aka church sanctioned murder spree) against non-christians... yeah, I'd say that's a "ruckus" alright.

I think it's funny that chrisians go around "preaching the gospel" and yet they don't follow their own savior in word or deed.
When that gets pointed out to them, they say, "well, we're not perfect-don't follow us. Follow Jesus". Um, if you can't follow him, why should I bother?

It's better to have faith in something you can actually accomplish, rather than set yourself up for failure and make yourself look like an idiot to those you're trying to convert.

Answer 3

It's somewhat ironic that you mentioned the crusades, as it was the crusaders whose extreme cruelty to all those along the way who didn't agree with them that was the real start of today's attitudes towards and between the Abrahamic peoples.

In addition, many people who are not christian find any type of witnessing or prosletyzing as a major intrusion, not to mention being an insult to what they choose to believe, even an insult to their own ability to make that choice for themselves.

I'm happy to hear that there are places on this planet where people are more respectful ot others than they are in North America. Perhaps there's still hope.

Answer 4

faith is something personal to every person, your values will never be the same as someone elses, and thats ok, but when an individual or a group attempts to force those values on another person or people, and/or thinks less of them becuase of it, tht is wrong. this goes both ways. i guess the point i am trying to make is that i have never seen a buddhist going door to door, or a pagan preaching on a street corner. thoughts should be shared in a agreed venue, like yahoo answers etc., not at the mall with a stranger who doesn't want to hear it or talk about it!!!

Answer 5

I can't stand fanatical members of any religion. The ones that go door to door in neighborhood's and try to "convert" people to their way of thinking. I don't want someone coming to my door trying to preach to me. If I want to hear that, I will go to church and listen. (Although once I went to church and the pastor told me I was going to hell. Nice huh?) So, my brother and I worked out a system. They come to the door, and my brother answers the door naked =) It's taken about 4 times but they have finally learned their lesson and we haven't seen them for over a year.

What also pisses me off is when I'm checking out in a store and the cashier hands me my change and then says "Have a wonderful day knowing you're loved by Jesus." I've started telling them that I'm Jewish! =)

Answer 6

I am not offended by the Bible ( I own several) or by Jesus
(a very beautiful brass relief picture of the last supper hangs in my kitchen.)

what bothers me is people that have to try to force their religion down my throat. and people that give me this sing and dance about Christianity is the only TRUE religion.

when i am at a city park to enjoy feeding the birds or watching the fish in the pond, i am probably praying (SILENTLY) in my own way. and i do not need some guy shouting his morals for all to hear. if we wanted to hear you we would come to your church.
there are hundreds of religions out there but it seems that Christians and Muslims are the only ones that see the need to force theirs into world dominance.

Jesus does not offend me. his followers do.

Answer 7

First of all, it's not Jesus or the Bible that offends them, it's the application of those things by certain people.

Secondly, Jesus can't currently love anyone as he is (if he ever existed) dead.

Thirdly, yes, it is good to have ideals. However, it is better to base ideals on things that are based on fact rather than beliefs and folk tales. It is interesting to me how many of the religions in the world ridicule everyone else's folk tales while clinging desperately to their own as truth.

Answer 8

People are not offended by the Bible and Jesus; they are offended by a lot of Christians. I become offended by Christian jargon because it doesn't make sense to me, nor does it make the world a better place for everyone. Believe as you will.

Answer 9

I'm guessing the lady was annoyed by the guy's Christian preaching because it was just as you said... preaching. He was telling her (and everyone else) what to think.

If he had just stuck to saying how lucky he feels to be loved by Jesus and kept it all about himself and Jesus, then I'm sure she would have walked on by and kept her thoughts to herself.

Nobody likes to be told what to think and do.

Answer 10

Yes I totally agree I don't know but try watching Disney channel's Hannah Montana and the girl who plays Hannah is A Christian did you know that & tomorrow on Channel 4 if you have dish anyway tomorrow on the annual cristmas day parade she is going to sing Deck the Halls.

Answer 11

I think maybe people just don't like having religion forced on them. No one wants to be told what to believe in. No one likes to have some stranger come up to them in a parking lot and tell them about their religion. People should be able to discover religion on their own and not have it forced on them and people certainly don't like being condemned for choosing a different faith.