Why do Christians feel threaten when their core beliefs are challenged?

Question

It would seem, they would rejoice in the opportunity to prove their beliefs are correct. It would give them the opportunity to so let their light shine before the world. (Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.) But yet, they run and hide behind the scripture of “2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” Paul was a man, not Jesus Christ and subject to the same fallacies as you or I.

Answer 1

I just wrote way too much, so i'll try again, and you can read the rest if you're so inclined.

The first reference you cite is what it's all about: what's on display? Light! Good works! Does that passage mention beliefs or theories? No, but many Christians believe that in order to be saved, they must BELIEVE and THINK in certain specific ways. These beliefs and theories are inventions of religion, and are therefore mostly arbitrary.

So when some of these Essential Beliefs and Theories are shown to be suspect (six 24 hour day creation, for instance), Christians can feel the eternal fate of their souls hanging in the balance! That's a threatening situation.

But that passage talks about "light" (whatever that is) and "good works". That's what's on display. We Christians have dropped the ball on this -- we'd rather get Those Gays to stop humping each other because It's A Sin, yet we live in our wealthy suburban Christian ghettos and ignore the inequities here and around the world.



Here's the longer answer.

Christians -- specifically American Fundamentalists -- claim to believe unswervingly in things which are empirically wrong, or at least questionable. The age of the universe serves as a perfect example. Fundamentalist believe in the infallibility of scripture, and in some cases the superiority of their Authorized 1611 King James Bible, which was translated with "extra diving inspiration". Therefore, it's unthinkable that the bible might be in error, or non-literal, and the whole universe must be around six thousand years old.

When we visibly see contradictory evidence -- geological formations which are hundreds of thousands of years old -- something has to give. These Christians believe one of the following: the evidence is misleading, meaning God deceptively created the earth with "appearance of age"; the entire scientific community is involved in some kind of anti-religion conspiracy; the Bible is wrong; or finally, their interpretation of the Bible is wrong. Most fundamentalists choose to believe that the scientific community is against them, and because these scientists are pretty freaking smart, and can out logic and out evidence Bible Bangers, these Christians end up feeling backed into a corner, and will fight fiercely to preserve their whole belief system.

They're afraid that their faith is a house of cards, so they'll go to amazing lengths to preserve the foundations of their beliefs.

Answer 2

Oh my! A refreshing breath of honesty. Thank you.

I was just sitting here thinking of posing a similar question, something along the lines of how many of our lives actually reflect our beliefs or how many of us actually feel worthy to receive grace.

I don't feel threatened. I feel invigorated! I like a good challenge. I look at it this way: Someone else's beliefs or non-beliefs don't threaten my salvation. I pose the best answer I can, put it on the table and it can be accepted or rejected or ridiculed. And it doesn't really matter.

Oh, it matters in the sense that I'm planting seeds for Christ, but it doesn't matter in the sense that it's my personal responsibility for each person here to choose.

I can't wave a magic wand, but maybe I can cause a light bulb to go on for someone to want to dig a little deeper.

As believers, you're right, we're not supposed to be yoked to unbelievers, but a question and answer forum isn't exactly yoking, is it?

Maybe most feel threatened because it is such a deeply, satisfying 'personal' relationship we have with Him that if someone attacks our beliefs we feel 'personally' attacked.

Me? I feel sadness, frustration and sometimes am just happy that I get to share what little bit I do know. Not perfect by a long shot.

Have a great day!

Answer 3

Why is it that Christians are the only religious group, (other than Jews) that are constantly bombarded by those, such as yourself that seem to live to "disprove" Christianity? If you don't believe in Christianity, then WHY do you so vehemently deny it? If it doesn't exist then why are you threatened? Why spend your time trying to prove you are right? ANSWER, because you know that Jesus IS the Son Of God. You are quoting The Bible, yet do you know what it means? "Let your light shine"........meaning, live ones life in a manner consistent with God's plan. No need to "preach". Anyone can "talk the talk", the PROOF is if one is able to "walk the walk" and that in and of itself is a testimony. God Bless.

Paul was referring to marrying an unbeliever, not comparing himself with Christ.

Answer 4

I'm not sure what you mean by "hiding behind scripture" but I always enjoy the opportunity to relate what I believe and what the Word of God says. I do not feel "threatened" when my core beliefs are challenged - why should I? I know what I believe and why - if you do not agree with my beliefs that is certainly your right. I do not have a problem with "agreeing to disagree." The only thing I do have a problem with is people who believe satan's lies and wind up in hell because of it. Now THAT's a problem.

Answer 5

Besides the New Testament, there really isn't any solid evidence that Christ even existed. They believe because they can feel him. They have an internal knowing that others may find hard to understand. And this would be hard to vocalize in debate, I would think. Either you believe or you don't. There is only one book to use for reference and if the person challenging that book has read it inside and out there is not much left to say.

Answer 6

Nobody can challenge my knowing of where I am going when I die and where an unbeliever is going when he dies.

Nobody can challenge my knowledge that Jesus Christ is my saviour and my salvation and that he died on the cross for my sins.

All others may believe what they like - they have heard the truth and if they don't want to accept this, then so be it.

You get ONE chance only. What happens when you wake up in hell? Sorry, no return ticket. Once there, there is no turning back.

Answer 7

Some do but some don't...For the ones that do, paint a horrible image of God like he's a tyrant or a scornful father figure that would be angered if you ask him any questions. The rigidness of not being able to theologically debate something about religion is rooted that asking God a question will result in his wrath.

Answer 8

Well it is human nature to defend oneself. Some people are downright mean when confronted with a christian. We are not to force our beliefs onto anyone, but have an answer ready should we be asked. We are to live our lives as examples. If I walk around and tell all their wrong and I'm right, would that make them jump and say:"Hey, I want what you have." NO, it would make them walk away.

Answer 9

Why would ANYbody like their core beliefs challenged!? It's very painful!

They run the risk of losing their belief system, pissing off their family, becoming a pariah in society, losing a plan for their life, losing hope of eternal life AND seeing their dead loved ones again.

Who runs to embrace that? I'll be honest, I didn't!

Answer 10

It's been a long time since my faith has been threatened by the questions of others. I know GOD exists, my faith is firm. I also know that my faith IS in GOD, not religion. The Bible is a great source of insperation, but those who have built institutions of man around the works of GOD, are not always the best examples of "God's People".