What do non-Christians think of Christians?

Question

More specifically, when a non-Christian person hears the word Christian or meets one, what is their first reaction, or thoughts?

Answer 1

I do not think I have a blanket reactions when meeting Christians as there are many kinds with differing views and attitudes.

Answer 2

The Christians we hear from today tend to be the extremist, zealots and born again. There language and hell and damnation tirade is not just turning people away from Christianity but turning Christianity from a belief and religion into an ideology!

America has endorsed Gay clergy and bishops. I fully support a persons right to be gay but it is a simple truth that it is against the teachings of the bible and therefore flies in the face of it's teachings.

Sadly the church world wide is losing members very quickly - even the Roman Catholics who have stayed fairly close to the original teachings. I suspect that the reason for this is that good Christians cannot stomach the rhetoric put up by the zealots and cannot allow themselves to be associated with them.

The bible and the Christian religion were about love and the forgiveness of sin. Not hating gays, abortion, divorce or anything else. Hater is a human thing and is used by the zealots.

Sadly unless the remaining good Christians stand up and put a stop to the zealots the Church will not just fade away into nothing but governments will be forced in the end to act against some of the more extreme members and practises!

Answer 3

I think that I have in front of me someone who has subscribed to organised religion in some way or another and I find that interesting. I don't think you can define people by their religion as some people say they are Christian (for example), but then say they never go to church or pray and some I have spoken to are not sure they believe in God! They are just saying they are Christian because that is the way they have been brought up and schooled and they haven't really thought about what it means. This doesn't bother me, but I find it interesting that someone can claim to be something that means so much without having studied and thought about it. On the other hand there are those who are more religious, who believe 'the word of God' as found in the bible, and I find these people interesting also because they always seem to believe that they have it absolutely right and everyone else is wrong and 'blind'. Lets face it the stuff in the bible etc. is pretty far-fetched and it intrigues me anyone could come to accept it as the truth. These are obviously generalisations and I try to judge people on their individual character rather than their faith.

Answer 4

I think it just depends on the person I have a couple of Christian friends so I feel more open to religion but I know a lot of people who automatically think that if you're a Christian that you have a bland and overly opinionated personality. I find that all Christians are different too. Some are just strict in their religion and others tend to be a bit more lets say relaxed. Again I think it all depends on the person.

Answer 5

All of my extended family are Christians, so I love many Christians. It depends on the context.

If I hear about Christians picketing veterans funerals, I don't have many positive thoughts...

If I hear about Christians picketing planned parenthood clinics, I don't have many positive thoughts.

If I hear about Christians providing aid to the 3rd world, I usually want to learn more, because I have seen programs rife with misinformation and plain embezzlment.

If I hear about Christian Movements, I typically get a little worried, because I have scene first hand what beliefs can do to people.

Overall most Christians are very nice, good people, unfortunately there are a vocal few who disregard their own teachings and spoil it for the rest.

Answer 6

As a person that was raised Christian but doesn't have a religion now; I see a hypocrite and a sinner. I see the same with any religion I've been in contact with. They all have rules to live by and none of them do. I'm sure some do live by their rules but I have yet to meet them. Anyway that makes them the same as anyone else in my eyes.

Answer 7

I react based on their presentation. If they feel the need to mention their religion or they talk about their church or they are wearing big crosses or religious t-shirts I simply try to avoid them. There is a correlation between a persons level of religious expression and their level of intolerance, ignorance and hatred.

Most Xians are very negative hateful people but they disguise it with a smile. They are the most bigoted, misogynistic, hateful, homophobic, xenophobic, exclusionary people on the planet. Evangelicals are not the kind of people that you want to associate with. People who deny basic facts like evolution and yet believe that a guy walked on water and rose from the dead don't really have a good grasp on reality.

Answer 8

I have no problems with Christians. The problem is the wannabes. There are a lot of them on Y!A. They call themselves saved because they want to feel good about themselves and place themselves over others. They are devoid of grace, hateful, petty and dishonest. At least most of the ones on Y!A aren't after a quick buck.

Answer 9

Simple minded, uneducated, superstitious, easily manipulated, irrational.

Someone who will go to church on Sunday to hear silly fables of Jesus healing a leper or two, but who distrusts modern biology which managed to eliminate leprosy.

And to be unaware of the fact when it is pointed out to them.

I suspect a basic lack of intellect is required to be a Christian.

Answer 10

This is a very narrow-minded person. Do not try to have more than a superficial conversation with them and run at the first opportunity.