How can I become more tolerant of Christians?

Question

I admit it. I can't stand them. To me, they're just stupid, idiotic, sheltered, narrow minded, superstitious retards spewing their dogma out at everyone they cross. I call them names. Jesus freaks, Bible thumpers, Cross clutchers, etc. I can't help it. It seems like you can't have a conversation with them because they always end up trying to convert you. It annoys me. It's sort of a problem, because living in the bible belt, you live, work, shop around these people every day. So I'm asking you now, what can I do to be a little more tolerant of them? Surely they can't all be insane. All I want is to be able to talk to some friends without getting into an all out battle over religion. Thoughts?

MARIE O: See what I mean? You just proved everything I just said with your idiotic answer. I asked this on the religion thread because it deals with religion. See that good ole fashioned athiest logic? Bet you wish you had it.

SOFTBALLCHICK: I love your answer, you are the frontrunner.

Answer 1

You're not going to get anywhere unless you let your bitterness go. The problem ultimately starts and ends with you -- YOU are the only variable in this equation that you can change. But of course, you've already figured that out. :-)

In life, you often see what you've primed yourself to see. If you really feel that way about Christians and have generalized it to all Christians, then you're automatically projecting it onto every single Christian you meet. That's grossly unfair to the Christians and is just leaving you with a lot of bad feeling floating around in your life. (Yes, there ARE reasonable Christians out there; I have met them and spoken with them, and been very pleasantly surprised at their open-mindedness and fairness.)

My advice to you is to work as hard as you can to take apart the "bad Christian" paradigm that you've built up in your mind. Read up on liberal Christianity:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Christianity

http://www.hostdiva.com/liberalchristians/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=28

As well as the religious left:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_left

As you become exposed to different kinds of Christian thought, you may come to realize that they are not all fundamentalists or conservatives -- that some of them actually hold philosophical positions that are close to your own. And that they are human beings doing their best to figure out the world around them, just like you.

I wish you the best of luck. Prejudice is hard to overcome, but recognizing that you have it is an excellent start.

Answer 2

Christians are just people trying to live right. They are not any more stupid, idiotic, sheltered, narrow minded, superstitious, retarded than the rest of the population. You could start being more tolerant by realizing you are not any better than they are, you have faults, they have faults. If you can't stand living in the Bible Belt, you can move alto I've lived there and there are plenty of non Christians living in that area, plenty of entertainment, plenty to do besides going to church.
Make friends with non believers if that is your choice and quit being so judgmental.
I'll pray about your problem (lol).

Answer 3

I have learned Patience/Tolerance toward all people, through the practice of Mindfulness Meditation {Mindfulness of Breathing); and I am continuing to cultivate this Patience/Tolerance, so that it remains, through Analytical Meditations on anger.

Patience/Tolerance: is the ability to remain completely calm and undisturbed in the face of difficulties or harm. It gives us a stable peace of mind.

Patiently read below, thx. Hope this helps some

Breathing Meditation {mindfulness meditation).
Concentrate on the tip of your nose, feel the breath going in and out. At every out-breath count 1, and count from 1 to 10. When you come at 10, simply start at 1 again. Focus all attention on the tip of the nose and the counting. If your mind wanders from distractions, gently and patiently bring it back mindfully. {15 min. of the Mindfulness of Breathing).
Release the counting and the concentration on the tip of the nose.

Analytical Meditation on Anger.

*Remember to take sufficient time at each step below to remain calm and concentrated.
Recall a situation that made you angry at someone. (Do not take the most traumatic situation of your life or a complicated political issue to begin with, rather a simple quarrel with someone to learn the process.)
How does it feel to be angry; pleasant or unpleasant?
How does the other feel; pleasant or unpleasant?
Would the situation have changed if I had been more calm and patient?
Was the situation completely outside my responsibility?
What was the reason of the others' behaviour? Is it caused by attachment, anger, ignorance, frustration?
What exactly made me angry; a stupid mistake, stubborn or selfish behaviour?
Do I never make such a mistake? Do I always treat people perfectly?
Can I expect others to be perfect all the time, when I also do not manage that?
Try to become angry at the real reason: attachment, selfishness, inconsiderateness etc.
Try to become angry at my own selfishness, anger, attachment etc.
Can I forgive the other for their human imperfection.
Take a few minutes to review the meditation session so far, and try to reach a one line simple conclusion.
Now concentrate very strongly on the conclusion without thinking about it, just focus on your feelings.

Just wanted to share with you what works for me. *These are Buddhists methods for develeping Patience/tolerance toward others, and for acquiring peace of mind.

Hope this helps some.

P.S. - there is a book out called "Working with Anger" by: Thubten Chodron, which helps us to cultivate Patience and Tolerance, to acquire peace of mind and happiness. Helped me a lot also.

** Many people practice meditation without being or becoming a buddhist.

Answer 4

I am a Christian, and I am offended by your name calling. You are the one who is seemingly closed minded because you grouped us all together. I will be the first to admit that a lot of Christians are stuck in their ways and very stubborn about their beliefs. You should be happy that they are concerned for you and your soul. Not every Christian is trying to convert you; I wouldn't force my beliefs on you. But, I will keep you in my prayers, and maybe one day you will understand.

Answer 5

In reality I think you need to realize that they can't help it. They have been taught that stuff since they were babies. They are told "this is the truth" and are not taught to think and analyze anything for themselves. They are also taught that they must share their "truth" with everyone. Annoying, to be sure, but it's what they think is true.

Answer 6

Visit Europe, where Christians are less rabid and where it has blended into the cultural landscape without being so barbaric.

If not, at least move out of the bible belt.

Answer 7

Don't allow yourself to be drawn into irritating conversation, and never give them a chance to preach at you. Save your vehemence for the most hardcore cases. Or you can crank some SLAYER at them, and watch them scatter!

Answer 8

hahah trueee thattt.. i love your names you call them. ive never thought of those ones. lol. well, when ever people try to push their religious beliefs on me, i just argue back at them and piss them off becuase they get mad when you tell them you dont believe. It some how offends them personally. But anyways, i know how you feel. there all around. i mean, some arent bad becuase they dont try and make everyone believe in god, but there are those who base their life off of it, and i usually dont talk to many people like that, so just try to stay away from them, and if it doenst work then just share your thoughts with them.

Answer 9

Most of them are just regular people, really. Try to help them. Tell them about the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster...

Answer 10

I'm catholic and i know what you mean. but we're not all like that. i go to catholic school and no one really ever talks about religion! yeah we are kind of sheltered, but it's not our fault we have to go to catholic school! have you ever just told them, hey i don't really wanna fight over religion!