Why do people hate Paul so much?

Question

They accuse him of distorting Jesus' message or of being misogynistic, but when pressed they can't give any examples or him actually changing the message and maybe one or two quotes ripped out of context to show he was misogynist. So why do they say Paul was such a bad guy when they've obviously never studied his writings, let alone engage in a thorough comparison with the 4 Gospels.

And if you say Paul did those things, please give some examples.

Answer 1

I would have to agree with you....just probably people looking for ways to try to say the Bible isn't the real Word.

Answer 2

Not here to argue, but possibly support.

Some insight on Paul's way of life!

1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (NIV)

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!
9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.
10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Answer 3

When Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christian believers, he was stopped by a blinding light, and a voice that said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" Paul asked, "who are You Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Paul then converted to Christianity. And his zeal to persecute the early Christians was re-channeled into preaching the Gospel.

I think many people are envious of Paul's encounter with Jesus. Thus, they will try and find contradictions in is writings.

Answer 4

Perhaps they cannot fathom the Holy Spirit having the power to turn him from a persecuter of Christians to a man that gave himself, body and soul to God. Paul gave his entire being to Christ to use as He saw fit even unto death. He was imprisoned for the message of Christ, and still sang the praises of God, even in chains.

Answer 5

According to what another user of this site explain to me about your same question, the online dictionary says that Paul was an enemy of Christ and was working against Christ. This is true, PRIOR to his conversion. They do not read on and fully understand the life of Paul and how he was converted.

Answer 6

I like the apostle Paul. His teachings are priceless. He was used by Jesus and maybe that is what people don't like, after all the rant about Christ too.

Answer 7

Dont know or do anyone know what Pauls problem was other than he may have been a criple in some way,however if DESTINY could kick in here he /she may be able to shed some light on what U ask.

Answer 8

Hmmm... Good question, and good challenge. Just to let you know, I've never met Saul of Tarsus, therefore, it would be impossible for me to hate the man.

I've studied the founder of modern christianity much, and here are some examples in which Saul contradicted his alleged teacher.

'Think not that I(Jesus) am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily, I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.' -Bible, Matthew 5(Sermon on the Mount):17-18

'But he(Jesus) answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' -Bible, Matthew 15:24

In the first reading, we see that Jesus did NOT come to spread NEW teachings, but to FULFILL and bring back to remembrance the Mosaic Laws.

In the second reading, we see that Jesus was not sent by God to any other culture (Gentiles, Romans, etc.) EXCEPT for the Israelites.

Why would Saul of Tarsus, being a Roman, be 'chosen' by 'the spirit of the Christ' to systematically undo all that he(Jesus) has done while he was alive?

For instance, Saul allegedly assumes temporal(supreme) power in 1 Corinthians in which he states 'All things are lawful unto me(Saul), but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.'.

If he were truly a devout follower of the Christ, then he would practice SUBMISSION and OBEDIENCE to the Mosaic Law, not negation of it.

Also, if christians were true followers of Christ or Saul, then why aren't they Jews? 'And unto the Jews I BECAME AS A JEW, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law...' -Bible, 1 Corinthians 9:20

And if he were to obey the Christ's commands or even obey the Mosaic Law, then he should've known that swine/pork was strictly forbidden to him. However, he states 'If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, EAT, ASKING NO QUESTION FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE.' -Bible, Corinthians 10:27

I'm getting tired of actually writing these verses, so I suggest you read how Saul contradicts himself, and thus proves his fabrication of this 'revelation by Christ' by cross-referencing Galatians 1:13-15 and Acts 6:5; 8:1-3, 9: 1-2, 41

Knowledge is Power; Power is Freedom; Freedom is Peace...

So may Peace be upon you...

Answer 9

St. Paul was aware of the difficulties of adult food for those unready to digest it, and for them even mild milk is difficult and abstruse. Of his ability to teach, there is no doubt to the well nourished and mature. 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, is fit for all to consume, and be edified, if they be humble.

Allah'u'Abha (God is all-glorious)

Answer 10

I haven't heard people who hate Paul very much. Many people, however, doubt his authority to speak for God.