I’ve read a comment on this board that Christianity is an “elitist” belief system that encourages intolerance. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
thank you.
2007-04-25 12:08:36 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Elistist means one can join by invitation only. Anyone can become a Christian provided he or she is in earnest.
2007-04-25 12:43:35 · answer #1 · answered by flugelberry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ramjet, that is the problem with people who claim to be Christians, and those who are. The elitist that you talk about could be construed 2 ways. 1 is the person who uses the Bible to control others behavior. That is spiritual abuse. The second, and the way I apply it to my life, is that it is a guideline of how I will behave and live my life. Yes there are many things I no longer do because I have accepted Christ as my savior and I attempt to live to glorify his name, that being said, I really don't miss anything that I have given up. Christ has a way of filling all those empty spaces so my life is full and complete. I hope that answers your question!
2007-04-25 19:16:33 · answer #2 · answered by cunhvn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "elitist" accusation usually stems from the fact that we believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no man comes to the Father except through Him. Those are Christ's own words, and He left no room for ambiguity.
The idea that there is one way to Heaven through Christ's sacrifice on the Cross does not set well with those who think that all religions are equally good and lead to God. This leads to accusations of intolerance from the politically correct crowd who insist that we're all a bunch of close-minded bigots.
As far as I'm concerned, if someone has a problem with Christ's statement about Himself and how one gets to Heaven, they can take it up with Him. I choose to take Him at His word.
2007-04-25 19:19:15 · answer #3 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see enough intolerance in the answers from christians here to make the answer obvious.
Elitist means having a lower regard for those not in the group, exclusivity is not needed to be elitist, and besides, it IS exclusive, you have to believe in a mangod that dies so you can get away with things..
2007-04-25 20:14:43 · answer #4 · answered by XX 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any religion encourages intolerance of anything but its own beliefs. All religions pretty much say ours is the only one, and everyone else is wrong. All use some sort of a holy book they all claim is the revealed truth.... And each claim to be the word of a god. Read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.. supertight arguments, now number 8 on the NYTimes best seller list.
2007-04-25 19:14:47 · answer #5 · answered by April 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that it does encourage intolerance, but not on purpose. A lot of the teaching of Jesus were about tolerance, love your neighbor and what not.
However, Christians can be some of the most judgmental and intolerant people.
2007-04-25 19:14:10 · answer #6 · answered by ☭ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It encourages intolerance to evil, sin against God and others, dishonesty, hatred, selfishness etc. It is seen as elitist because we know that the word of God is true and there is no other God besides Him.
2007-04-25 19:23:13 · answer #7 · answered by patrick m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not sure what you mean by elitist.
I do know that i consider myself pagan and the only thing that concerns me about the chritian faith, is that they claim to be the only way. They do not have respect nor do they validate other beliefs.
2007-04-25 19:16:13 · answer #8 · answered by trinity 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any religion that would leave anyone else out is elitist.
Any religion that says, "our way is the only way", is elitist.
God said, "Let their be Light". this doesn't mean that there was no light before that, it means His Light of Love and Truth will be unto **+++ ALL ALL ALL +++** men. All will be "saved" and come unto the knowledge of the truth.
The truth is all. The Truth is Love.
The commandments are for protection from "darkness", not to hold us down. The "must do's" are not the traditions and precepts of men. What all must do is learn to love even your enemy; learn to forgive all of everything (this actually frees you); learn to have compassion on those who are suffering in sin or in circumstance.
If you are leaving anyone out in your mind, you will be left out until you learn the equality that does away with iniquity.
Love
Forgive
2007-04-25 21:52:35 · answer #9 · answered by G T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's elitist in terms of instilling the elitist attitude in the individual.
No worldview is more arrogant than "the creator and sustainer of the universe loves me, takes interest in me, my scripture is the best source of truth for everyone, everyone who does not accept it as true will face eternal torment after death, etc."
2007-04-25 19:16:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it is not elitist. Grace and salvation are open to all and free. No money required, no race, creed, or nationality turned away. Come one, come all, the Lord God loves all.
2007-04-25 19:14:57 · answer #11 · answered by Sylvia G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋