What's wrong with you?

Question

Why are so many people on here interested in trying to prove a Christian's belief wrong?

Why is it that when a Christian voices their opinion about their belief that non-believers say "They're shoving it down our throats?"
Have you not ever stood firm about something YOU believe in?

Why do you peg all Christians to be the same when all of their beliefs are not the same?

When you say things like "All Christians......" Isn't that like saying "All whites are....." or "All blacks are ......" Are you not stereotyping?

If you are not a Christian and don't want to ever be a Christian, then why do some of you continously post questions that try discredit the bible? If you don't believe in it, then really, is it possible for you to understand it, no matter how well it is spelled out for you?

These are just a few questions that have been bothering me about yahoo answers. I think some people here take advantage and try to harm the spirit of others any way they can. Do you agree?

Answer 1

I feel your pain. When I first came to this section of YA, I expected to find questions posted by those wishing to gain a better understanding of their faith or honest questions posted by honest seekers (and there are a few of those scattered here and there). But, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the animosity.

The main problem I see is a lack of respect for others. This happens on both sides of the fence. I've seen both Christians and Nonbelievers ask and answer questions in a disrespectful manner. I've actually cringed when reading insults and verbal abuse posted by others professing to be Christians. What ever happened to common courtesy? This used to be an honorable character trait.

Another problem is ignorance - and I don't mean this to be insulting. The truth is that a lot of people on here are lacking in a true understanding of the Christian faith. This section is rife with misconceptions. They're simply spouting ideas they've heard or read about without bothering to investigate these claims for themselves. And a lot of times it is honest confusion because there are so many different sects, all claiming to be "Christian", yet blatantly disregarding major tenets of the Christian faith. No wonder there is such confusion!

Then, there are those who are just plain mean-spirited. They post questions not because they want intelligent discourse, but for the intent purpose of inciting a specific reaction or to attempt to weaken someone's faith. Those are the ones you will have to ignore. They view Christianity as a crutch for the weak-minded (which it definitely is not). But, (as they believe), if our faith is a crutch - a crutch that gives us inner peace, hope, and joy, brings purpose and meaning to our lives, and makes us strive to want to be better, kinder people, what does it say about them that they desperately want to kick it out from under us? Misery loves company!

There will always be rude and disrespectful people. We can't change their behavior, but as Christians, we should make sure ours is Christ-like, even though this is sometimes difficult to do.

Peter tells us, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

And Jesus tells us in Luke 6:35, "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

So, as Christians, this is a good reminder for us to be prepared to give intelligent answers for the hope that we have, to clear up the misconceptions, and to do so with respect and kindness, even when others do not return the favor.

Answer 2

I do not say "all". You're saying it, though. And point me to the lie, so that I may understand it and give you a more thoughtful answer. I cannot, however, interpret the word of your God for you. Neither can you. I have stood firm about everything I believe in. Once anything (theory, religion, etc.) spreads hatred, it is no longer a viable source. I'm not saying your Bible does this. At least, not all the time (although "Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man." (Numbers 31:17-18) isn't a great selling point. The God of the Bible also allows slavery, including selling your own daughter as a sex slave (Exodus 21:1-11), child abuse (Judges 11:29-40 and Isaiah 13:16), and bashing babies against rocks (Hosea 13:16 & Psalms 137:9). And I'm only speaking of the NEW Testament. Why do some people no longer practice these things? Because they are inherently wrong, Bible or not.

I believe everyone should believe in what they believe in, as long as their long-term goals are kind and humane, but not fall back on it to spread prejudice - against homosexuals, children, women or anyone. This is what angers agnostics/atheists, etc.

I DO agree that some people are irritating, ignorant, and a bane to one's spirit. However, I know that these people are Christian, Atheist, Jewish, Muslim, Agnostic, Hindu, etc. as opposed to just ONE group. Generalizing is only carrying bias further.

I hope you consider this. My best to you.

Answer 3

I don't care what question gets asked usually it offends someone ...somewhere....I feel like if you are truly comfortable with who you are, what you believe in and how you live your life NOTHING anyone can say here will harm you. If your spirit gets ruined it is because you allowed it. I am being serious not sarcastic. I hope you to can not be offended by this....it's frustrating at times no matter what I read about but it is a part of life and what happens when you have so many different people, religions, races and situations coming together on one site to express grievences or find answers. But remember there are some who sit for entertaining themselves and say mean things....try to laugh it off not get so mad....anger is a sin to right?
I hope this was okay to post but I get so sad seeing people get upset here....your free to type as you wish just as everyone else is thier opinions....no one has to agree or like it....but it is what it is.....try ignoring?

Answer 4

"If you don't believe in it, then really, is it possible for you to understand it, no matter how well it is spelled out for you?"

Bzzt.

It's the people who DO believe in it who don't understand it. You're simply wrong.

As for the stereotyping thing, almost no-one here says "All Christians do X" or "All Christians are X". Complaining about stereotyping is just lazy: hardly anyone here is doing it.

As far as standing up for your beliefs, that's not a good thing when your beliefs are false, as is the case with Christians.

Answer 5

I think every Christian feels like this when they first encounter this site. I just asked a similar question yesterday and received about 25 polite answers from all groups. I think it has to do with a number of things. There are instigators who just love to cause the ruffling of feathers, and there are those who go further wanting to create chaos and mayhem. There are those who try to shock and disgust us with their avatars and some who just deliberately ask the dumbest questions because they just want their voice to be heard. But I think there is a group of serious questioners and answerers that are really trying to grow in both understanding and knowledge.Once we realize that we just focus on the questions and answers that we hope can be helpful to somebody, and maybe plant a few seeds.
This is a good place to put on the armor of God and practice what we preach when it comes to turning the other cheek.

Answer 6

Speaking only for myself, I show facts. If those facts prove the faith wrong, so be it.

I live in the south, and yes, on a daily basis, christians do try to "shove their beliefs down my throat". Whether it be the hippie born again types who come into my store trying to panhandle wine for communion, or the mormons who felt compelled to pull over on their way to temple and give me a rash of shite for building a fence on a sunday morning, it happens. It's not everyone, but its enough to be aggravating.

I was raised catholic, so I understand the multitude of interpretations of the bible, and the variances in the christian sects. In the state that I live in, one christian sect attempted to sue another because of religion in the classroom. They insisted (in a public school mind you) that they disagreed, because the "flavor" being re-inforced wasn't theirs. This is disturbing because the school isn't allowed to support ANY religion, under the laws of the constitution.

You ask why people want to discredit the bible, if we can "understand it, no matter how well it is spelled out for you?" The fact is, I understand it quite well. I also understand the history surrounding it being written, and editted. I understand where some of the allegorical stories came from (such as the great flood), and I understand the history of the church and its uses/abuses of the superstitions of the masses to remain a political power. I, for one, am terrrified of the public face of the christian faith...the one that attempts to force school districts to put a disclaimer on science text books, stating the evolution is a theory (regardless of the proof); or the one that condemns people to hell while crying because he got caught sleeping with his secretary; or the ones who decry gay marriage, while doing meth with male escorts...the list goes on. I know and am friends with many people of faith who use it as a tool for hope, not a high horse to look down on those who believe differently. The fact is: this is a public space, and if you don't like the comments or questions, click thru...there will be others more to your liking.

Answer 7

Stereotyping is probably the worst moment killer when you are trying to witness to someone, I know!

Like you will try to talk to someone about Jesus and how you feel about being a Christian and I have come across that a lot of people perceive Christian's as hypocrites and that we are just being happy little do-gooders to make ourselves look better than everyone else and then the faith fades over the week if you don't have a strong walk with God and people that are close to you see you stumble and say "I caught you...you are NO better than me?" But they don't see that if you are a person faithful to Jesus or God per say that is what the finger pointers don't see is that you know you have done wrong and you repent.


I could keep going...but I'll end here.

God Bless

Answer 8

Christians let Native Americans be killed when the country was first formed, and used Christian doctrines as an excuse for murdering and enslaving a people in order to gain land. Christians allow a war between the U.S. and Iraq to take place, justifying it with the ideation that Muslims are terrorists because they discredit and dislike(sometimes hate) the Christian religion, when in fact, the war is about more assets for the U.S.

While most Christians make excuses and find easy scapegoats, the rest of us are researching the facts, and acting to truly create unity within all faiths. We find the truth, because we don't simply trust what an authority figure tells us to do as the bible instructs christians to do.

The reason we try to discredit the christian faith, is because atrocities have been committed in the name of. . . a Parable. It's like reading Aesop's fables, but nobody worships Aesop as a god, even though his lessons were basically the same.Christianity was formed when Roman rulers were weakening in power and looking for a new way to control people.

Christianity is a certain set of values and dogmas that define you and your religious group as people. So yes, All Christians are the same, in specific ways, as are Atheists, is that not why people form groups, so that they have a community to relate to?

Maybe everybody else is tired of hearing what God tells you to do.

Answer 9

I am with "Nicholas H" (the first answer on this question) on his subject.


i have been here (on Y!A R&S) for like four months now, and everytime i try too learn about a religion that isn't christianity then i get hell threats from some 'So called christians' and that is way i retaliated.


i always said 'I will show you the same respect you show me' if a christian attacks me i will attack them (even if it means attacking the whole of christianity) after all it is a very small number of christians that have never told someone they will burn in hell :)

now if a buddhist or hindu comes up to me and says "Change your religion of burn in Hell" then i will start saying bad things out their religion, but untill that day comes i will stick with mocking your religion thanks.

Answer 10

I agree, you should stand firm about something you believe in. However, when you believe in a sky fairy, somebody ought to point out that humans have evolved. But with religion, it's one step forward, ten steps back. The ancient Greeks realized the Earth must move around the sun. Religion persecuted Galilleo in the seventeenth century for stating the obvious. This is not a progressive mind set. With no progress, you stagnate. Life is change, how we differ from the rocks. I have seen your ways, too often for my liking. If we are indeed the crown of creation, we should start acting the part.