Comments on how the intolerence of many mainstream religeous leaders and organizations are affecting christian to non christian relationships. This is intended for a thoughtful discussion of feelings. Trolls and hatemongers need not respond.
A~
2007-03-28 11:41:29 · 11 answers · asked by BigMac2xk 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would like to thank everyone for their thoughtful and respectful responses. I will be difficult to pick a best answer.
2007-03-29 09:05:57 · update #1
The religious leaders have a goal, to build hatred, intolerance and encourage prejudice. The leaders want people to be against each other because they don't want Christians to learn that they don't need a priest or a church. All we need is God and thats it. And they want the Atheists to hate us, and with the preachings the leaders keep teaching, who could blame the Atheists. The leaders want to keep us ignorant and unable to think for ourselves and their biggest fear is for us to interpret any religious doctrine CORRECTLY.
Plus if people stopped going to church then priests wouldn't have an income. I think its sick to sell salvation. This is what Jesus was against when He destroyed the markets in the temple.
2007-03-28 12:11:16 · answer #1 · answered by Lifted by God's grace 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The reality is that very few people have actually met a true Christian. I would be pleasantly surprised if there are more than 7000 actual "born again" followers of Christ in the USA.
Most of the people in church (myself included) follow Christ when it isn't too much trouble, and we feel like it. If being a Christian was truly costly as far as persecution, we would be "out of there".
It is very possible that 80% of the people in church as just practicing "religion". It is something they pretend to do on Sundays, but the rest of the week they are little or no different from non-believers.
A true follower of Christ can be identifed by humility and a 24/7 effort to be a good ambassador of Christ ... to show the care and kindness of The Savior.
2007-03-29 03:56:08 · answer #2 · answered by lda 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well put.
I watched Jesus Camp last night. It was a real wake up call for me. I don't understand how a woman can condemn Muslims then admit to deciding to do exactly what she's condemning them for.
I find some of the most popular TV evengelists, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ted Haggard to be the very people who keep peace FROM the world, rather than bringing peace TO the world - as Jesus tells us, as Christians, to do.
Where is the love? The greatest commandment is LOVE.
Anti-Christianity is the last acceptable bigotry. People like the ones listed above are the reason why this is still acceptable.
2007-03-28 18:48:23 · answer #3 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It seems like now a days you can't hardly discuss Christianity. If you bring up any other religion then it is ok. Most thing discussed in a movie or TV makes fun of Christianity. There are hardly any show that families can even sit down and watch together anymore. It is hard to bring people to Christ when there is such a misinterpretation of what Christianity is. This is a great question!
2007-03-28 18:52:21 · answer #4 · answered by G.W. loves winter! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think many people are offended by the visible self righteousness of many public Christians. While media has been able to spread the Word of God it has also exposed the humanity of Christians. I think when their failures are shouted from the rooftops many non Christians believe that they have the entire story of Christianity. I think that it takes alot of effort on the part of dedicated Christians to set personal examples for the non Christians in their personal sphere in order to do damage control. Another problem for Christians is the recent fracturing of many denominations in their beliefs. So many people have moved away from Scripture and are losing sight of what it means to be a Christian.
2007-03-28 18:53:11 · answer #5 · answered by future dr.t (IM) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the media is showcasing zealots who believe their way is the only way. That God hates fags and evolution is a myth. Most of the Christians I know aren't like that. Add to that the pope, Falwell, etc. constantly making rediculous comments, the priest and Haggard scandals...a very poor image indeed.
2007-03-28 18:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by DougDoug_ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is particularly vexing is the people they choose to follow as leaders. Ted Haggard (gay prostitutes and meth), Jimmy Swaggart (prostitutes, adultery), Jim Bakker (embezzlement, adultery), John Hagee (gluttony if nothing else), Benny Hinn (medical fraud and enriching himself to an obscene degree). Paul and Jan Crouch (who've diverted tens of millions to themselves to live like royalty), Pat Robertson (who founded the Family Channel with 700 Club donations, sold it for 600 million and pocketed the cash, and used "Operation Blessing" jets to fly mining equipment to his gold mines in Liberia. I mean their leaders are are a bunch of un-indicted criminals except for Bakker who actually did jail time but is right back at it.
2007-03-28 18:55:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that, combined with an irrational insistence that science is lying to the world is going to cause a big backlash. It has already started in Europe.
2007-03-28 18:49:32 · answer #8 · answered by Alex 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It makes me more cautious how I approach someone who openly identifies as a Christian, but I try to treat everyone with respect and compassion, no matter how much hate gets tossed my way.
_()_
2007-03-28 18:54:41 · answer #9 · answered by vinslave 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, I try not to be mean, but sometimes I'm just not able to control myself. I'm not going to make excuses for myself. I'm sorry if I ever offend anyone.
2007-03-28 18:45:36 · answer #10 · answered by Lina 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋