Why can't Christians accept other people, and respect their beliefs?

Question

Examples:
1 Why tell people who have Pagan beliefs, that their not going to heaven, but to hell. Or say it is Satan's religion, which clearly is not.
2. I notice at some Pow Wows; christians will protest across the street, because it goes against the christians bible.
3. I know that their good christians and bad christians, but why can't the good christians prevent the other christians from disrespecting other peoples beliefs in the way they live: stoping Fred Phillips at soldiers funerals, or stoping peoples rights to be recognized? Have christians police after themselves.

Instead of saying that they are not true believers of the faith & do nothing about it, or quote from bible text to prove that the bible so; why can't they accept people (human beings) for who and what they are?

Answer 1

Ego gets in the way of religions, whether it's Christian, Islam, Buddhism, etc. And OH YES, we Buddhists have our fair share of ego-deluded people too. That's why I always say, people are people first, which rolls along logically with the Buddhist logic: The mind has to work in conjunction with the brain and sensory organs, if the brain or body is suffering from some chemical imbalance which topples an ability to think clearly, or is contracted around a false sense of ego or self-cherishment, then the result isn't pleasant.

In the case where people use religion, from their sense of ego or psychological "woundedness" (if you will), as a weapon and can't or won't think any differently, then they're not going to accept ANYTHING outside that narrow view. It's a sad truth, but such is life. The best thing to do is to cultivate understanding and then try to cultivate compassion, stopping harm/suffering when it arises (doing so w/ compassion) and letting go of the rest.

_()_

Answer 2

1. The bible says witchcraft and things similiar to it are the works of Satan. They tell you this so you would step away from it for your own safety, not to insult you. They are worried you will hurt yourself unknowingly siding with the enemy of God.

2. I've never been to a Pow Wow, so I'm not sure what it's about and so cant say much on this, sorry.

3. Why don't other groups police themselves? These boards are filled with people attacking the christian faith, why do you not police them? Why do you not stand up for the other side as you yourself want done for you? It goes both ways. Nothing personal, but you know how that works. It's impossible to police so many people just for their opinion. If you know there are good and bad ones, why then do you not just put the people who bother you into what you consider the good/bad piles? We have to do the same thing.

4. We accept people for what they are. They are unperfect, sinful, wicked, and just all around LOST. If you sinned just 1 time, you are unperfect and sinful, if that sin was against someone else, you are wicked, because you sinned you are lost. Just to explain that first bit. I accept the fact people will condone what I say or do, I am well aware any mistake I make will be thrown in my face because of my faith, this does not make me try to save others any less. In fact it makes me stronger because I was told it would happen.

When you can accept that people are corrupt in general, it makes understanding them a lot easier. They see no need to NOT steal/lie/etc besides the fact they shouldnt. People lie all the time and think nothing of it, even more so if you are a stranger. This does not mean christians are any better, we are the exact same, but we have the Lord to help us resist such things. Notice I said help, because we are still human even we do things we shouldn't knowing full well we shouldnt. We are not better than anyone else in that way, but at those times we can call upon Him to help us resist.

Nobody is perfect, not us, not you. How then can you point your finger at one group and say they put you down? Do you not see your own group putting others down here? There are always bad apples in every group, as I said it's impossible to police ideas. Sure, we can speak out against each other, and often do. This of course is used against us because we dont all agree on whatever is in question. People will ALWAYS try to find a way to discredit believers. We get tired of it just as much as you do. It's alright, when that happens take a break from these forums and have a breath of fresh air, you'll feel better.

Answer 3

What if I were to say, "Why can't all Democrats (or Republicans or Boy Scouts or Elks) accept other people and respect their beliefs?" I think you'd see the generalization and logical fallacy in that statement right away.

No group of people will ever have identical beliefs and ideas, and Christians are no exception to that rule. There are as many variations in belief as there are denominations and members of those groups.

So to lump all Christians into some mythical "pagan-bashing, hate-filled bigots" category is just plain silly. I'm a Christian, and I have good friends from every belief system (or lack thereof) that you can imagine -- Pagan, Wiccan, atheist, Jewish, Christian, etc.

It only takes one exception to disprove a generalization, and I'm obviously that exception. There are plenty more like me out there, too.

Answer 4

I ask myself that very same question every day.

Their bible teaches them intolerance. They feel that being tolerant towards something is a form of acceptance. An example, their bible supposedly tells them that homosexuality is wrong. They believe homosexuals are going to hell. If that is their belief, why do they feel they have to "Cure" them or make them see that they're wrong? Because they believe that tolerating the behavior is accepting the behavior, and accepting homosexual behavior to them is against the bible's teachings. Thus they have to stick their noses into other people's lives & try to change who they are.

THEN when someone questions THEIR beliefs, they get all bent out of shape about it. They're a bunch of hypocrites. It's funny when someone (above me) posts "oh sure, stereotype ALL christians"... when in every other question posted by some christian on yahoo answers here (and any comment made about people in the real world) is always some stereotype that is slapped on some kind of race, religion, culture. I.e. "pagans are devil worshippers"...."Atheists are all pro-choice baby-killers who don't value life"...etc....

they are the biggest hypocrites out there. Sure, there are some really nice ones.... great people who question the idea that anyone who doesn't follow christianity is going to hell. I do not consider them "normal" christians though. I've been around enough hardcore christians to know that they are crazy hypocrites.

Answer 5

I think everyone generalizes. We just need to realize that it's the few that give the majority a bad rap. Fortunately we live in a country where we can believe whatever we want. Unfortunately some people believe that others don't have the right to believe differently. There are people on both sides of every line. If we get annoyed because someone is criticizing our beliefs then we are letting them win. It's what they want. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Answer 6

We can accept other people.
We cannot respect beliefs that we think are false.
We can respect their right to their own beliefs.

We believe that Pagans will not go to heaven.
We believe that if one group has the right to demonstrate, another group has the right to demonstrate also. That is normally called a protest.
We don't believe that anyone has a right to express their own beliefs while denying the free expression of the opposition.

Good Christians can not effect the behavior of bad Christians. It is that simple. If you really analyze that statement, you will find that you have little effect upon the attitudes and behavior of others.

We can accept them as who they are and what they are, but we do not have to accept their beliefs if they conflict with our own.

grace2u

Answer 7

Christianity is the number 1 hated religion in the world.
Even with the State of Israel being our most beloved brothers, they still reject the Messiah being Jesus.
Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Jesus stated in Mark 16:16; He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. A Christian must approach others by two means listed in Scripture; Jude 1:22-23; And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. We do not hate but we know that without Christ, they will be lost and sentenced to the Lack of Fire for eternity. Sometimes Christians approach others with the wrong attitude, these you must forgive and look over.

Answer 8

Im sure you are asking this as a general question and not stereotyping all Christians together....For that, I agree with you. Many Christians just have this mindset that Christianity is the dominant religion and that everyone was meant to be Christian. Its just a natural for them to go around preaching their religion. Those that do lack tolerance and confidence. The best we could do is ignore it and stay strong in our beliefs....or throw hot water at them from our windows when they come knocking at the door with "Have you accepted Jesus" pamphlets!

Answer 9

those people are not true Christians....I'm a Christian and though I don't agree with a lot of the other religions, I don't go around criticizing those people. there really is no such thing as a bad christian because these so called "bad christians" aren't Christians at all...they are people who hide behind the word Christian. and we as Christians should stand up, and stop these people from going around and spreading hate, we should spread the word, and teach people about Gods love. we are supposed to bring people to God, not drive them away...which is what these so called christians are doing, by protesting funerals of soldiers, and going around saying :"you're going to hell because you have paegan beliefs" We are supposed to love these people even if we don't agree with what they say and do. i'm sorry you have had a bad view of Christians, but let me assure you that is not the way true Christians are...

Answer 10

accepting others is no problem for most Christians. You are asking people who do not believe what you believe to defend you. If I do nothing and allow you to do as you choose then how am i to blame for another mans action? public meetings and public protests is this a freedom for all?