Who do people critize Christians for expressing their beliefs?

Question

Why do people who aren't Christians critize what other Christians think? It isn't fair to us who actually want to express why we believe in God and why we rejoice that he died on the cross for our sins. Yes, I know we have a freedom of religion and speech and things but, it just doesn't make sense. If you don't like what Christians express, then fine. But don't say we're stupid and everything. How would you feel if someone went around calling you the things you call us Christians?

Answer 1

Just remember what Jesus went through....2000 years ago! The message of Christ scares people who won't accept it, so they resort to reticule.

Don't let it bother you. Just pray for them like Christ did when He was here on Earth.

Answer 2

As a minister, and a Christian, I must honestly say that I had to laugh when I read your question. Not at you, but at the question.

On television, radio, and in pulpits, one can hear Christians and "claimed Christians" criticize anyone that does not think and believe the way they do.

In ancient Rome, all religions co-existed, even merging in some cases to be inclusive.

Christianity is on "Religion" that has been the least tolerant of any, yet it is Christians who put down Muslims, Jews, Atheists', Wiccans, Buddhist, etc... more than any other, yet they feel that they should not be criticized.

God is a God of Love, Jesus taught Love and acceptance. Why can't Christians do the same?

Answer 3

I'll tell you exactl why people criticise Christianity and the Christian faith.

If you care to look at "most" answers from Christians, what you see is a thinly veiled reference to biblical utterances, but not expressed in a relevant or theological way. Instead, they seek for "truth" in the written word, yet completely fail to understand the deeper truth.

In some ways, the debate about homosexuality is a microcosm of the religious/secular divide, and here is the reason why.

Ask the simple question, "Is homosexuality a sin?"

Most would start by quoting Romans, as proof that "God" (actually St.Paul) does not approve, because that is what is written in the Bible.

But the Biblical reference to "a man shall not lie with another man" has a far deeper significance than the apparently blanket dissaproval of people like St.Paul.

Let's say you have a gay brother or a gay son. Wouldn't you be afraid for them in a world in which AIDS and HIV exist, and where Hepatitis B abounds? (That same worry also applies to the straight population, of course).

Now, if a Christian simply says, "It is wrong because the Bible says so," then the meaning behind it is completely lost. It becomes mere law, and people are not stupid enough to accept laws which have little relevance.

Now take a different approach, as a loving parent or sibling, and say to the gay son or brother, "You need to be very careful and learn about safe-sex, because I love you, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

The "law" takes on a totally different significance, and becomes instead a loving warning and an expression of concern.

Go back 2,000 years, long before they had knowledge of disease, and no effective cure for ailments, and this concern has to be converted into taboo, and not "law" for its own sake. Sexual health was as important then as it is now, and probably far more so. For a start, they knew nothing about infection, barrier contraception or safe-sex. All they knew, was that when men had sex with men (maybe lots of men for pleasure), bad things happened, and those people often got sick from things like Herpes or Syphallis. In the latter case, they would die eventually, and this was common knowledge.

So things like virginity and faithfulness were critically important to the welfare of people, and if you loved them, then you would try to protect them by stating grave warnings about the consequences of irresponsible sexual activity.

IN OTHER WORDS, ST.PAUL WAS THE SAME AS THE MODERN DAY TERENCE HIGGINS TRUST, but without the benefit of medical knowledge or effective methods of minimising risk.

In THAT context, the words of St.Paul (and others) begin to make sense, and can be seen as loving words, and not condemnation out of hand.

Christians are among the worst when it comes to quoting the good book, for they fail to UNDERSTAND the true meaning, and limit God to their own understanding, which is often that of a rule-book or life workshop manual.

Conscientious Christians KNOW that theology and communication are vital, and unless the "word" is re-interpreted, there is the danger that the underlying love of the message will be ignored.

Now lets's take a theological view shall we?

If I were to say to my gay brother, son or friend, "I still love you, even if you are gay, and God loves you too. Do you know about safe-sex and the dangers of sexually transmitted disease? I would be heartbroken if you were to become a victim."

If the underlying LOVE os the Christian message is lost, then it serves no purpose whatsoever in the modern world, and that is what I see time and time again in "rulebook" Christianity.

In fact, when I see or hear some of these answers, I am the first to mark them with a thumbs down, or ridicule the questioner/answerers.

The same argument applies exactly to Muslims, who even more than Christians, fail to understand the underlying message, and concentrate on the mere details of the words at a superficial level.

Do you think, I wonder, that those who say terrible things about Christians, or give their answers the thumbs-down, would enjoy saying similar things about Gladys Ayelward, who risked her life to save vulnerable children?

People are not stupid, and they instinctively know the difference between the beautiful faith of caring people, and those who simply like to judge others by quoting religious verses whilst expressing personal prejudices or ignorance.

Answer 4

Hmmm, vaguely familiar. Funny how when anyone asks a sincere question involving Wicca or witchcraft we are INVADED by hoards of Christians! It is not fair to us either. Why don't you take a look at the names we are called and the assumptions that are made by people who really know NOTHING about it? If you don't believe it click on any question involving Wicca or witchcraft and see what comes up. In general we are fine with your beliefs and will not criticize, but we will defend our beliefs (just as you would). If you are genuinely expressing your faith and not condemning others I will have no comment and will not post an answer.
BB
)O(

Answer 5

I don't call Christians stupid. Maybe misguided. It is in the actions that many Christians portray that they are called stupid. Spouting out religious banter at ever given moment without backing it up with evidence is a good way to get on the nerves of people who use logic and reason to dictate their lives. I have on occasion tried to reasonable explain to someone that their religions beliefs don't make sense to me, but until I insulted them my words were never heard. Since a lot (not all) of the Christians beliefs are critizable meaning they don't stand ground against logic and reason it is a responsibility to put them in their place. You can call me what you will, but you better be able to back up your words.

Answer 6

You are never in this life guaranteed freedom from criticism. Instead you are guaranteed the right to state your belief and defend it. It is in dialogue that the silly beliefs and the harmful beliefs are placed under a light and examined. You can still hold your belief even if others think it is silly or harmful, but you will probably have fewer and fewer people moving toward it, after the public examination.

Answer 7

This is a good place to learn the virtues of bieng a Christian and practicing your walk with the Lord. Turn the other cheek. Pick up your cross and follow Him and plant seeds of faith in this arena, which is also a dumping ground for those who have a need to vent all matter of hate, bitterness and pain. God Bless You.

Answer 8

Christians have their own way of calling us names. Hellbound, lost souls, evil, satan worshippers, along with stupid, ignorant and intolerant. I actually find more intolerant christians than I do anyone else. So if you christians stop, then us atheists will stop. But there is another question going on right now that I find offensive as an atheist. Christians determined to pray for our "lost souls". Your time would be better spent on other things.

Answer 9

We have been criticized for our beliefs from the very beginning and we always will be as long as we are alive here. Christ even told his disciples that they will be persecuted as He was. It's part of being Christ like.
Also, however, it's sad that there are a lot of people who claim to be Christians who have done very bad things and they've been exposed in the media. This helps give Christians a bad name.

Answer 10

Unfortuntly, a lot of your fellow christians do exactly that - which is not an excuse.

If somebody tells me that they believe 2 +2 = 5, I cannot remain silent, no matter how much I may respect their right to believe.

Answer 11

I don't think people are always criticizing Christianity per se. Sometimes people criticize misinterpretations of Christianity or fanaticism. I would object if Christians said "Islam is evil" or "everyone else is going to hell" or other extreme statements. In that case, however, it would be the statement that I object to, not the person. I deeply respect Christianity and Jesus.