Question for Christians or Those Who Claim to Be?

Question

I have posted but one question so far although I have posted several answers. As a former Christian (and former fundie, although the two do not necessarily go hand in hand) I would like to know why, when someone posts something controversial and/or in opposition to what mainstream fundamental Christianity teaches, many "Christians" immediately answer that question with insults, sarcasm, and arrogance?

No, I'm not saying all Christians (hence the quotes earlier); however I recently posted an answer to an atheist's question of whether or not people (he did not specify) would open their door to him if he were there to speak about Atheism and to hand out literature. One person answered sure, he would even read the literature so he could find out how to combat "this particular attack on my faith." Why consider it an attack on your faith? If a Jew wants to talk to you, is that an attack on your faith? A Buddhist? I'm curious as to why the rudeness and anger that I so often see?

Some really great answers here (and a few predictable ones as well).

Let me also tell you all that not only was I a fundie, I was a minister. I know the Bible VERY well and could (and did) use it to my advantage as well as use it to help others.

I left Christianity many years ago, but I did not lose my belief in the Creator. I continue even today, to educate myself in religious archealogy and came to the conclusion that religion in life, is not necessary for me although compassion, the willingness to help others, honor, and truth are VERY necessary.

I am a Deist, if I must label myself, although I practice the traditional ways of the Mohawk people... MY people.

I have many wonderful friends who are "real" Christians (attitude and actions, btw) , I have many Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist friends who just as wonderful. I might add, when my ex-husband (preacher, btw) bailed on me and the kids... it was the Atheists who stepped forward to help us.

Answer 1

I think true Christians would not answer with insults, sarcasm and arrogance....the underlined word here being "true". As in all "profession", there is the "true" and the "pretenders" or "self-deceived." Someone who is truly "Christ-like" would answer in the manner of Christ.

However, it is also noteworthy that Christ, addressing those who were in positions of leadership and were "abusing" and "confusing" the people with their man-made laws and traditions, used some very pointed words when he called them "vipers", "hypocrites", and "white-washed tombs". There is a time for speaking out and a time to be silent, even a time for anger, but there is never a time to be "un-Christ-like", and I agree that if this were to be the standard for our answers, it would silence a lot of the comments that I have read here as well.

"Rudeness" and "insults" are never "fruits of the Spirit", and "arrogance" and "sarcasm" come from a self-righteous heart much the same as those of the Pharisees and Sadducee's of Jesus' day. These characteristics are something that true Christians war against, and while not perfected, struggle to replace with love, kindness, patience, and understanding. Sometimes even "true" Christians can become over-zealous in their efforts to "defend the faith" and forget that we are supposed to be "known by our love"....and that that includes loving our enemies. May God help us all to remember that.

Answer 2

I'm not going to tute my own horn, Just tell you the plain truth. They are not Christians. But you already knew that, right?

Here is how I know they are not Christians, (but they are going to be:)) People who call themselves Christians have mislead for a long long time. and it starts with the church.


Why do you go to church on SUNday? Jesus never went to church on sunday. The word SUNday implies sun worship. Yet the first commandment says "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Genesis 1:5 says And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Yet most of all christians today will tell you that the day starts at 12 midnight?

Matthew 28:6 says CLEARLY "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

Yet most christians will tell you Jesus was resurected on sunday. My question is, if the angel said "He is not here" then why don't Christians believe what the angel said?

they (the romans) destroyed Christian beliefs as soon as they last apostles died. And then they called themselves the Roman catholic church. Which if you go to church on SUNday you are a part of, by worshiping on that day.

"A rule of faith, or a competent guide to heaven, must be able to instruct in all the truths necessary for salvation. Now the scriptures alone do not contain all the truths which a Christian is bound to believe, nor do they explicitly enjoin all the duties which he is abliged to practice. Not to mention other examples, is not every Christian obliged to sanctify Sunday and to abstain on that day from unnecessary servile work? But you may read the bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of sunday. The scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we (Romanized Christianity) never sanctify." [ The Faith of Our Fathers by James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, pages 72&73]

Remember, there was no 'Palestine' in the days of Jesus ... the Romans still called it 'Judea' (Judah) ... just look at their maps and their coins ... it wasn't until after the second Jewish revolt against the Romans (over 100 years after Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) was Crucified and Resurrected) the Romans changed the name from Judea (Judah) to 'Palestinia' (Palestine). The Roman rulers re-named it after Israel's ancient enemy the Philistines in order to try to break the Jews away from their relationship and bond to their Land of Israel. The Bible has much to say about the land of Judah and it has a lot to say about the terrible time we are now moving into . . .
We find in the Bible God says what He means and He means what He says! Bible prophecies will not be fulfilled in secret, but in a way the whole world can see (if they are looking and watching.) It may be time to start taking the Bible seriously...

To fully answer your question, I have to say, I don't consider anything an "attack" unless it's physical. I live in a buddhist nation, and have jewish friends. (that's why I think your question is ironic) speaking Just for me ofcourse, the rudeness and anger comes from the leadership. The leadership has seriously led people away from what the BIBLE actually says, and more towards what man(tradition) says. If they are serious Christians, then they are going to read and be lead to the truth. And the Truth is Jesus and none other is my leader!

Good luck and may the one True God of Israel Bless you and Keep you, In Jesus name.

Answer 3

I love this question! Believe it or not, this has always been the case with religious people. If you read in Jesus life in the bible the Pharisees hated him because He was bringing in a new message that was not the same as there's. This happened to Martin Luther when he began teaching his Theseus. "Religious people" have found the answers to there questions and that is all they believe. No room for any other belief. Jesus himself was killed because he went against the mainstream teaching of his time. As far as why it feels like an attack. Because it is what keeps them feeling safe, you change that, you shake what they feel safe in. I don't know how well you know the bible, but Jesus talked about putting new wine in old wine skin... can't do it because the wine skin will break. He was referring to the religious people. Please understand that these "old wine skin" are not necessarily followers of Christ (or followers of anyone else) but religious people who feel safe in there belief.

Answer 4

I've kind of wondered that myself. Any time I answer a honest question, I try to give it a honest answer. Sometimes I even give honest answers to question I know to be written in jest. The only time I have ever gotten snarky is when a person writes a question that is obviously trying to ruffle feathers, and even then I am fairly even toned.
As a Christan I consider answering questions to be part of my witness and as such I am careful to do my best to be a good example. I think others would be wise to take that into account as they respond as well.
Also, keep in mind that not not everyone here is over 21 and not every one who says they are a Christian is. They could very easily give the rest of us a bad name.

Answer 5

Some people don't know any better. Some are not strong in their faith. And some, like a guy named Hawk of God, just pose as a Christian to give Christians a bad rap. Don't be discouraged. There still are real Christians out there, but they are becoming increasingly harder to find.

Answer 6

Many Christians declare that Hitler used to be an atheist seeing that it sort of feels impossible that any individual who has a dating with a benevolent, simply and merciful God might be responsible of such atrocities. The Vatican had a complex dating with Hitler. In the early Nineteen Thirties, Hitler used to be visible to be a barrier to the unfold of European Communism. For this rationale, the Vatican signed a percent with Hitler (the Reichskonkordat) in 1933 in an effort to assurance that Hitler would not persecute Christians in go back for the Vatican's silence on Nazi politics. There had been, of path, many Christians (principally Dietrich Boenhoffer) who actively adverse Hitler. Ultimately, Hitler ended up persecuting priests and tried to nationalize German Churches - that is but yet another rationale that many declare Hitler used to be an atheist. In nationalizing the church buildings, Hitler validated the damaging skills faith has for being a mechanism of state manipulate.

Answer 7

I trust i am never rude and respect your belief's as a Seventh Day Adventist Christian i do not understand and here will ask about that "former" part being a christian, if you want someone to talk to about God i offer myself as someone to speak to contact me at [e-mail] and you can get free bible lessons at www.amazingfacts.org because it scares me to hear your not walking with Jesus Christ anymore as your like me walking in this open grave called earth and no one here lives. Your telling me you would rather be dead instead and turning your back on someone who loves you SO much, my question to you is WHY?

Answer 8

Christians should not behave rudely, even God says so. John 13:35 says "By this all men may know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Atheism is an attack on Christianity because it says God does not exist. To simply to talk to one of another faith is fine.

Answer 9

i see your point. the only thing i could say, is that just because a person is a christian doesn't make them any less a sinner. yes, they should sin less, but everyone is at a different point in their relationship with the Lord. if you used to be a christian you would have to have been saved and once saved always saved. no man (not even yourself) can pluck you out of the hand of God.

Answer 10

Post a question from the pro-Christian stand point and look at your responses. They are not always nice either.