Why are Christians so hateful and mean spirited?

Question

Before the 1960's, people used the bible to justify the segregation of races. The Bible has been used to demote the roles of women in our society.

Having Grown up in the South, I've met many Christians who openly make bigoted comments about Jews, Gays, Blacks, and everyone else different from themselves. Yet, surprisingly, the atheists that they condemn, do not have these prejudices.

What gives? Why are Christians so judgemental, hateful, and mean spirited? Don't they realize that they are constantly contradicting themselves?

Answer 1

It seems to be an American phenomenon. In the UK even evangelical Christians tend be well balanced members of the community and there is very little of the extremism or lunacy that American Christians engage in. Why there is such a contrast I don't know.

Answer 2

First of all NOT ALL Christians are hateful and mean spirited. I ask for forgiveness for those of us that would speak bigoted comments. God created all equal, and He loves all the same. The Bible has been misinterpreted about women's roles as well. Jesus was VERY clear about the importance of women. The first 2 people that proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus were women. About condemning atheists, I only want what is best for them- and that is believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it but to save it. But it also says, those that have Jesus have life, those who do not have Jesus does not have life. Segregation is wrong, I totally agree- people have used the Bible to do things that are not right, and justify it somehow. I pray that you will find Christians that are genuine and loving, because if I were not a believer I would also look to see how that person lives.

Answer 3

I love everyone.
Past generations used the bible as an excuse to segregate people. As time goes on we learn that blacks and jews are from the same race as whites. The bible has taught us that we are all equal. In generations to come, even the gays will be accepted by society.
In short, the past has made many mistakes. And remember this, christians are not the only people that ever segregated someone by race. Look at history, romans, persians, chinese, and turks, all had slaves and were bigots towards people that were different. By pinpointing the christians you have fit the category of bigotry yourself.
It was the past, and people are more accepting today.

Answer 4

That is just in, they dont think that they are any of those thing that you mentioned.

Some of them feel like they are appointed by all that is holly to be 'the keeper of the word'.
IF you dont agree with them, they are kind enough to enlighten you that you are going to hell.

I think that they are like this due to huge insecurities. They have a need to feel better than someone so they are in essence saying
'I am better than you are because the bible told me so'.
(nanny nanny voo voo )

For the most part, the athieist that I have met seem to have a higher order to the way that they process the world.
Since they are able to rationalize or because they seek to do so, they dont have the same base fears and dont use religion or the bible for an end all cure all when they dont have the answer to a certain problem or question.
If you ask a xtian a question that they dont know the answer to, most often instead of admiting that they dont know, they will say'
'you got to believe, or that GOd said so'.
It is the weirdest thing
Anyway the more 'good Christains' I see talking in such viles ways, it makes me rethink quite a few things
It was nice to read that others had simular observations

Answer 5

Anybody who does not embody the teachings of Christ is not a Christian but an impostor. This sayings come to mind; by their fruits you will know them, actions speak louder than words, do not judge a book by the cover etc. Yes, the Bible came to Africa to make way for the gun and that enabled slavery in more ways than one. A knife is dangerous yet you will find it in many if not all homes! To suggest that Christianity reflects hatefulness and meanness is like saying that a knife is aggressive and inhuman because it was used in a murder. It may be true on the surface but what a tiny piece of truth it is. Christianity is life affirming but it has been used wrongly to dominate and enslave just like the knife is an integral kitchen tool but in the wrong hands it can be a lethal weapon.

Answer 6

Maybe you've just been around a bunch of *ss*holes. I've been around the most loving Christians, and, the most bigoted jerk Christians.

It's the way they were raised to be - most of the time.

I don't know many other atheists in person. The ones I've known were very nice giving people. It's the Internet were I've run into seriously bigoted atheists.

I also think it was the way they were raised also. It's hard to shake old family baggage.

Answer 7

If they are mean and hateful then truly they are not a Christian. If you note that in order to make the word CHRISTian you will first see CHRIST. Therefore, a true christian must be Christ like which is humble, nice, kind hearted, loving, turns the other cheek, helpful and understandable. So the mean people you see are not real Christians... they just like the title. But if you consider telling you the truth such as being gay is not right and you must be born again in order to make it to heaven mean and judge mental then that's a different story meaning you do not want to accept the truth and you began to be mean by accusing the other person.

Answer 8

I think the Christians that are hateful, are that way because of fear. The Bible is long and meandering, as a result it is easy for people to get whatever they want out of it. For instance, the bible states that homosexuality is an abomination against God. It also states that Pigs are unclean and eating them is unlawful. Most Christians will happily eat a Sunday ham dinner, while sitting around the table talking about how "lost" gays are. Truth is, they are fearful about the homosexual lifestyle but are fine with Ham because it is socially accepted.

All racism is fear based and Christians are fearful, just like many humans

Answer 9

How best to answer?
Okay, clearly they are missing something because we are not supposed to be like that.
There are two greek theological terms I'm going to tell you about.
Exegesis, where you accurately draw the meaning from the verse of scripture.
Eisegesis, where you simply make the verse say what you want it to mean.

In proper homiletics, and in personal Bible reading, a person IS SUPPOSED TO let the Bible speak for itself...and NOT read what we want into it.

To do so would be to add to the word of God, making it say something that it does not say. That is sin.

There is also the huge temptation to do this according to our culture, this is what you are seeing.
If a person will read the Bible correctly, they will find out that they themselves are being constantly judged by it, and challenged to change, to grow...and this in accordance to God's will.
Unfortunately, many people don't get that understanding.

Answer 10

I, being a Christian, find that many people who attend Church and carry the Bible around have no clue what the Bible and Christ teaches. They do because that's whats always been done.

Some of the biggest devils sit in the front pew every Sunday or when ever the Church doors open -- it's the best place for them, God does have his eye on them.

Answer 11

I can not say anything for the so called "Christians" that you have met but not all Christians are like that. Most of the ones that I know are caring to all no matter how different they are. Being a Christian is to try to live like Christ would have lived. To treat others the way that you would like to be treated. I will admit there are a few that do not live like they should and still consider themselves Christians. It is unacceptable and they will have to deal with their actions eventually.