I'm not Christian, but...?

Question

I am a Religious Studies major in college now, and as such I have studied many traditions, including Early Christianity...

From everything I've read/heard about Jesus -- barring, of course, people who preach that Jesus would hate this person for this and that person for that or what have you -- he sounds like he would be a really cool guy.

I mean this with the utmost respect for the people that believe He is their savior. Jesus seems like, if he was to walk into a room right now where there were a bunch of people, he'd just be a really relaxed, cool, loving, accepting dude.

One of my friends who is an "Uber-Christian" actually got angry at me for saying exactly that... Is it a bad thing that I've come to this conclusion? Does it seem in any way disrespectful and/or rude and/or inappropriate?

Wow, you guys are quick! Thank you for all the responses so far and all the ones to come.

The bulk of my study has actually been on South Asian religions, so I'm well-acquainted with the story of Siddhartha Gautama. He seems like a really relaxed, loving, accepting, flat-out-cool dude also :)

What I meant by "people who preach that Jesus would hate this person for this and that person for that or what have you" is the radical preachers who come to my university, or any other place for that matter, with giant signs listing all the people God and/or Jesus supposedly hate and ultimately attract a large crowd of people who not only disagree, but mock them.

Nearly every religion has a group of Radicals who make up a small number of the overall religion, but a huge voice in it.

I was raised Catholic until age 11, when I was actually asked to leave my bible class for asking too many questions. I was told "if you can't believe with the faith of a child, Catholicism isn't for you." And because of other things with my family, getting me back into church just sort of fell by the wayside. I'm 20, now, pretty sure what I believe in, just not where I fit.

But my original point was that I've always been taught God and/or Jesus "love(s) the sinner, but hates the sin."

My hypothetical "room full of people" included, in my mind, mostly my friends. They are all really great people who I believe are honest, good, hardworking, loving individuals whose greatest "sin" would probably be, to many Christians, the fact that they aren't Christian. However, I don't feel or think that should detract from the fact that they are good people :)

Answer 1

I think your conclusion is right on the money. Jesus loved people and loved to be around them. He enjoyed children and laughed as much as he preached. People who don't have a personal relationship with Him tend to put Him so far away they don't appreciate His humanity.

Answer 2

I do believe Jesus was just that when he came as a man here on earth. Really, take the New Testament and just read some of the stories there. The Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultry to Him and said she should be stoned--Jesus looked at the woman and then to the crowd he said, "Whoever is without sin, cast the first stone". Every single one of those people walked away. His response to the woman? "Go, and sin no more."

Jesus didn't come into the world to condemn us, but to save us. True, He hates sin--because what it has done to creation. He dearly loves us. Yes, if He were to walk in a place, He would be the most loving, wise, acceptable person there.

I don't know if you have or not, but check out the Gospel of John--it is a great account of who Jesus is and what He did for us.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Jesus would be a very loving person if He were to walk into a room full of people today. Now, my question to you is, who are the people you are visioning being in that room? Just a random gathering of people from off the street perhaps? Let's just go with that for a second. Jesus, being God, would of course know their sins, and He definitely would call them out on that to their faces, but He would tell them to give up their lives of sin and follow Him, and all of this would be done in the most loving way possible. What Jesus asks for from His followers, when it comes to relationships with others, is to be loving towards others, but to also challenge them to pursue a life after Him, but never compromising love in the endeavour. Your "Uber" Christian friend needs to show a little more love towards you in this because you are not off the mark at all on this one.

Answer 4

It's not disrespectful at all.
It is typical - I've met football players who are completely convinced that Jesus was a big, hulking jock, I've met D&D fans who are convinced that he was first-century Merlin, and I've met karate enthusiasts who swore up and down that Jesus was just like Neo on the Matrix.
The Gospels present Jesus as a complex personality whose statements and actions are difficult to characterize. Anyone who spends some time studying the Gospels can't help but walk away seeing all of their own best qualities exemplified by Christ.

Answer 5

Not disrespectful, rude or inappropriate. You are simply describing Jesus in modern words. If you read the Gospel of John, he saw Jesus in much the same way. A best friend, someone he could tell everything to. Someone who would support you, forgive you, and love you unconditionally.

This is how Christians (myself included) should be but fail miserably.

Answer 6

No I don't think you are being disrespectful at all. From what I've read about Jesus, I would agree that he was pretty laid back. He had to be with everyone pressing around him for healing, folowing him from place to place, and his reaction to the kids as well as to the pharisees.

But I do know that he also wants to have a relationship with you. I hope someday you will decide that is what you want as well.

Answer 7

NO! but some people are so fanatical about their beliefs. If you don't use the biblical terms as written, it's blasphemy.
Especially if you use words other people can understand.
I think they like to translate biblical scripture in their own words so it suits them, but still keeps others in the dark, kind of like a kids club where they use pig latin and have secret codes to get into the club.
Of course this is my own opinion. I have a great respect for religious people just like I know they have respect for other religions, besides their own.

Answer 8

I don't think Jesus would be offended.

I am a Christian, and I am glad that you see these marvelous qualities in my Lord Jesus.

You should get to know him even better, you would be amazed. Dig deep, there is a lot to learn about Jesus.

So, I don't think you did anything wrong. You simply noticed what an aw some human he was. He was also completely divine.

Answer 9

Not at all. Jesus did hang out with sinners and if you read the bible where did he ever hate anyone. He tells us to love everyone even our enemies. We're to love the person but hate the sin.

Answer 10

I think that the approach is quite reasonable. Stick with it. Of course, I'm an atheist and believe none of the mythology. You will find the references of interest, particularly Kung; he's a Catholic theologian.