Why do Extremist Christians spread so much lies and hate?

Question

Instead of pursuing personal happiness, I'm supposed to have little. Never mind the rich church leaders with their gold chains and fancy cars.

Instead of pursuing enlightenment in my own way, I must repent, plead for forgiveness, and buy 'miracle water'.

Instead of fighting ignorance, I must have faith and believe in promises that were never kept and in a deity that has never shown itself once!

Is it time for a big wake-up call to extinguish the threat of Extreme Christianity by putting -education- before religion? Or will it be denied that such a thing is impossible - by people who believe in the ultimate fantasy?

dgon1329 - THANK you! That is the point *exactly*!!

Answer 1

I see that some people think you are attacking them. Your question is very clear that you only mean Christian Extremists.

Yes. It is time for a big WAKE-UP for Christians. It is about time to stop playing the silly game of Follow the Leader with the followers wearing a blindfold.

Search for happiness and don't ever let anyone impose their beliefs in you.

Answer 2

First you need to define exactly what you mean by extreme.

I'm a Christian and the leaders of my church are not rich. (in fact the senior pastor has 7 kids) I've spent time traveling with basically no money all over the world. And God always provided.

No such thing as miracle water. However, repentance is a change of heart. Forgiveness is free with the asking, no need to beg.

Jesus is God become flesh. Isn't that showing Himself?

Answer 3

Why do Extremist Christians spread so much lies and hate?
It's all they know. You are a product of your enviornment and what you have been exposed to until you see differently.

Instead of pursuing personal happiness, I'm supposed to have little. Never mind the rich church leaders with their gold chains and fancy cars.
God wants us to live fulfilling lives, He never said we had to be dirt poor. That's another lie.

Instead of pursuing enlightenment in my own way, I must repent, plead for forgiveness, and buy 'miracle water'.
Enlightenment=Wisdom. The only water needed is the one he supplies. Living water.

Instead of fighting ignorance, I must have faith and believe in promises that were never kept and in a deity that has never shown itself once!
God didnt give us an intellect and expect us not to use it. Jesus himself was radical in his way of thinking and putting things.
Wisdom is the most sought after thing ever....even in biblical days. He reveals himself all the time to people who believe. Do you honestly think all believers are crazy? There's too many of them, for some of them not to have it down. His word never comes back void, some people just give up on him too soon and dont see the outcome of his promise.
Is it time for a big wake-up call to extinguish the threat of Extreme Christianity by putting -education- before religion? Or will it be denied that such a thing is impossible - by people who believe in the ultimate fantasy?
It is an extreme wake up call to christianity itself. The dumbing down of people and expecting them to believe in something they havent experienced is just silly. The bible says, SEEK. One must do that on their own. To accept without questions makes it just that....a fantasy in our own mind until something comes along that holds more merit than what we have perceived.

God tells us to seek and ask. And if you don't how can you make assumptions otherwise?

Answer 4

Extremists in any religion are a bad thing. It just isn't one over others but anytime that an extreme gains large amounts of power then the incidents of violence, hate and lies multiply. Every religion through history has had times when it abused others when extremists were in control. The good thing about these times is that when moderates are back in control they have learned the lessons about extremism and work to control it better and until the lessons are forgotten, things are better. Those of us on the recieving end of this violence and hate have to work even harder not to become like the extremists that are targeting us. We do not want to become like them in any way. For me, I find that I become more sure of my beliefs as the extremist becomes more fanatical. They are making me stronger in my paganism.

Answer 5

pc is spot-on. I actual have considered/heard this regular-hand, myself, years previously we had information superhighway forums, and it isn't brilliant -- besides the actual undeniable reality that very unhappy -- that it maintains. i have given this a touch concept. i don't think of it is a controversy of spreading hate, as a lot as an ingrained knee-jerk reaction to all issues Catholic. if you've made up their minds that the Catholic Church is idolatrous and evil, even the perfect efforts of Catholic apologists to maximum ideal incorrect information and reveal the Biblical foundation of doctrine gained't prevail in replacing their minds. it truly is probable that no longer some thing short of direct intervention through the Holy Spirit would accomplish that. We Catholics have 3 alternatives even as confronted with blind obstinacy and vitriol from fundamentalists: reply in style, reply patiently with the actuality lower back and lower back, or decline to artwork at the same time in the argument in any respect. If we settle on the 0.33, we also ought to wish for them, remembering that although we are estranged they're though our brothers.

Answer 6

They are afraid of their beliefs being challenged. But let's face it, we all are. I don't like being told my religion is false, and that I'm going to burn in hell because I don't believe the way someone else does. I also suspect that Christians don't appreciate having people tell them that their religion is false and they are delusional. The truth of the matter is, we should all learn to understand and relate to one another. We can not survive in this world unless we do. Just because our beliefs are different doesn't mean one is better than the other. It's just different.

Answer 7

I think extremism in any form can very easily cross the line and start spreading what many people would consider lies and hate in the name of truth. It doesn't matter what that truth is be it science, Christianity, Islam etc the effect is the same.

Answer 8

You're right on - about some who falsely teach that Godliness is a means of material gain. But don't throw the Baby out with the bathwater. There are still some who are willing to lay it all down for the sake of the One who died for us.

Answer 9

Fundamentalist Christians spread lies and hate because they honestly believe that what they are doing is correct, and that only by prolestyzing can they help people by bringing them to Christ. They don't realise that they encourage ignorance and hatred; they believe that they are doing the right thing.

Answer 10

First, you should examine those calling themselves "Christians" by the source of that name. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). This term denoted a certain class of people who truly turned from sin to the Lord Jesus, trusting Him to save them on His expense and credit (His blood and righteousness), and thus lived overall unselfish lives following their Master. Not in order to gain Heaven but in love-response to Him "Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).

The eliminates those leaders whose suppose "gain is Godliness" from which the Bible commands "from such withdraw thyself. (1 Tim 6:5). Stop watching such and start reading the New Testament.

As for pursuing personal happiness, no, you are not supposed to have little, but just the opposite, but by selfishly pursuing your own you will not find lasting happiness, and will make others unnecessarily unhappy. True and transcendent happiness comes by turning from your way, and receiving the One who gave Himself for us, Jesus Christ, and yielding to Him.

As for pursuing enlightenment, that is a good thing -if it is done with an honest heart - which is what every true Christian was doing when they came to Christ. You have a conscience, and if you esteem what is right, unselfish love and wisdom, and if you wanted forgiveness, you would be attracted to Jesus Christ, as He is the epitome of such, and does keep his promises.

Which brings us to your charge of ignorance, which reveals your own, no offence intended. I, as multitude others also do, know Jesus as one that keeps His promises, and definitely rewards obedience faith in Him. And we do see God, like as we "see" gravity, as Jesus existence is seen by the scientific method of cause and effect. That is, those who, with a broken heart and contrite spirit (Ps. 34:18) turn in their hearts to Christ from sin, and cast all their faith in Him (who died for their sins and rose again) realize effects that correspond to the Object of their faith, and are contingent upon them. I would challenge those who dispute this to their own research. Go to a growing evangelical, fundamental type church (maybe like a Calvary Chapel), and ask the Pastor for a list of people you can interview. Find out what their hearts and lives were like before and after their conversion, and the manner in which it came about. Then interview those who knew them in their "B.C" days and after. and what you will find is effects that overall cannot simply be attributed to psychological causes, etc. Somewhat along that line, you could begin by watching "A Venture in Faith" (History of Calvary Chapel)
www.calvarychapel.org/library/macintosh-mike/video/avif.ram
Or "Glimpse into Eternity http://www.spiritlessons.com/Documents/ian_mccormack/Glimps_of_Eternity.wmv See more links below.

Mewanwhile, it was Christians who took the lead in education (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, etc), and the ultimate fantasy is to be deluded that everything came out of nothing, and that which speaks of design had no Designer, and that all the effects so many Christians realize are a direct result of obedient faith can simply be attributed to coincidence or other natural causes!

While i concur with you about the material extravagance and fund raising of "extreme Christianity" being wrong, you must look directly to the Jesus of the Bible. Given the Biblical gospel, the reason people reject Jesus is because ultimately they love sin more than Him, darkness more than light, which can include an animosity toward authority. But while men may fail in this, Jesus called people to follow Him who is faithful and true, and was a servant of all, and shall is both Savior and Judge.

I would invite you to sincerely seek the Lord, as he that seekth findeth. Grace be with you.