why can't christians be understanding?

Question

why can't they understand that there are other religions out there, with their own beliefs? can't they be more open and accept the fact that as "free" individuals we are, there's going to be [no matter what] a variety of religions out there. Why do they have to think they know the one and ultimate truth [when it's not, to us at least]?

I don't mean every christian, because i know some of them actually are open, but that usually doesn't prevent them from wanting to convert me... even after i've said no many ..many times..

sadly enough, the people who try to convert me so often, are my friends. which makes it so hard for me to say no [which i do] but you know.. you feel kind of bad. but it's not like they ever gave any thought about my religion [shrugs]

it's not a warning though. because i know life is going to end, and like most religions, there is one bottom line "be a good person"

so if i already know that, why must people try to "Christianize" me. I know they do it out of love and caring [maybe] but "sharing" and just pushin' it, are two different matters.

so tell me what was the reason for wars caused by Christians?


for peace?


... does that even make sense? it's like what's going on with Iraq now, so many people killing... do you know that? Christians KILLED for peace, when it could have been there without bloodshed.

i'm not being biased, because i never once mentioned what religion i believed in. since i'm surrounded by christians, i know what the main message is from the bible, so i'm not blindly shouting out things. and i didn't say all christians. some. and alot perhaps. and i'm sure i'm not the only one getting annoyed of this intolerance of other religions.

btw. i was talking about christians. not christianity.

for "there can only be one" who posted #17

i'm not exactly the best person to ask about christianity stuff since i'm not christian. but i know i few christian who think that homosexuals should be who they are. because it's their freedom to like and love whomever. And if he/she is a great person then heck, don't they deserve it the most then?
didn't god say to you guys to "love thy brother"? [my christian friend told me this] so why not? leave him be, no forcing is going to change him because it's who he is. it's the same as telling someone to believe in someone else's religion when you're deadset and happy on the one you believe in now.. some people just don't get it. =\

"vcanfield"'s got a point about the pushy people. but half the people she listed were people who .. well it was there job to pester. as in paying job, so they had to. for christians, i guess it's their responsibility so they feel the need. so tell me.. do christians also have a "do not call list" .. i mean "do not [convert]" list by their side? ... apparently not everyone..


and again christians disregard other religions, which is why this isn't just about pushy people -____- it's about disrespectful pushy people who should respect..and be less... pushy..

Answer 1

their religion ITSELF teaches them to be intolerant.......that's why...yes,it's very irritating and ridiculous..

i also hardly pass a day without people trying to convert me.....i don't get it,i mean it's a common characteristic of all relgions that their's is the true religion but only christians are such pests about it.
no one would have any problem if they followed their religion and let others follow theirs.but no....they must try to convert...very annoying.
_____________________________________________
BRIAN:
"Just because there are lots of religions out there, doesn't mean they're all equally correct or valid. "

see,typical attitude......just because THEY think their religion is true,doesn't mean that everyone does.
i think christianity is oe of the most ridiculous religions ever.

people of other religions also think these things about YOUR relgion christians,but they have the manners to let you get on with your beliefs.what makes you think you have the right to go around teaching people how to live their lives?
how would YOU like it if others did that to you?

Answer 2

Why can't atheists, Muslims (some of their factions threaten to kill us if we don't convert), Hari Chrisnas, Neo-Nazis, Communist dictators, Amway dealers, people on the street who wash windshields at a red light, insurance salesmen, telephone marketers, door to door solicitors, steam cleaning companies, environmentalist, every political party every known to all of mankind, my boss and Tom Cruise be more understanding?

Everyone thinks they have the answer, so why single out Christians?

It seems the questions should be about pushy people. The people you are referring to are just pushy people who happen to be Christian.

Update: I don't usually go back and further answer a question. But you seem to be truelly wanting an answer, not just trying to mix it up. Here are some thoughts.

1) You live in a country (USA, I assume) who has a very large Christian population - 78% of the total population (CIA World Fact Book ISSN 1553-8133), which means most of those you encounter are Christian.

2) Spreading the Good Word is a part of Christian dogma, as it is in many other faiths. It is built in to spread the faith.

3) Given #1 and #2, those you meet (in the US) who want to convert will statistically be mostly Christian.

4) Those who are big into trying to convert are doing one of two things- a) They are naturally pushy people
b) They really are concerned for you soul. Don't
forget the caring ones are also the ones who
are willing to go to Peru and live in mud huts to
help the people stricken with poverty. They are
working with their hearts.

5) I'm pretty sure "no" still means "no" to Christians who are working on bringing more to the flock, so you are encountering different ones and not the same over and over.

6) Christians can't read minds nor do you have a "do not convert" sign, so naturally you will be approached. I am and I'm Christian!

So, do what I do. I say, "Thank you for caring. I already have a very strong faith (for you it can be beliefs) which is very personal and I don't feel comfortable sharing such things with people not close to me." Frankly, I feel all paths lead to the same destination. I am an extremely open minded Christian.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Islam and Christianity, the "daughter" religions of Judaism, have hundreds and thousands of years of war and suppression to their names. The original, Judaism, is peaceful and never made a religious war on those who believe differently.

You have, of course, the Crusades as the prime example.

The reason for the conflict between Israel and the Arabs is that the Arabs, plain and simple, refuse to accept a Jewish state in their midst. They invented this whole idea of a "Palestinian people who deserve a state" just to use as a tool to dismember Israel.

Arab violence against Jews has been going on long before there was an occupation, long before there was a refugee problem--indeed, long before there was a political Zionist movement. Need I present more painful examples? Perhaps even further back, where I hope everyone will agree that the Zionist movement did not yet come into being:

In the centuries after Muhammad there have been periods when the Jews were able to live in relative peace under Arabs, but their position was never secure. They were generally viewed with contempt by their Arab neighbors, and their survival was always predicated on their abject subordination and degradation to them. Mass murders of Jewish "protected people" started in Morocco as early as the eighth century, where Idris I wiped out whole communities. A century later Baghdad's Caliph al-Mutawakkil designated a yellow badge for Jews (setting a precedent that would be followed centuries later in Nazi Germany), and synagogues were destroyed throughout Mesopotamia in 854-859. In Tripolitania, Jews were considered the property of their Arab masters, who would bequeath the Jews to their heirs upon death. In the 12th century, after anti-Jewish riots, the contemporaries commented that their population had 'greatly declined.' ( Middle East Digest, September 1999)

As to how to solve the problem, the only way would be for Israel to defeat the Arabs overwhelmingly, and then dictate the terms for peace. Otherwise, the Arabs will never stop trying to destroy Israel.


.

Answer 4

You know, I am having issues with this, myself. And I am a Christian. I believe in my God, and that he sent Jesus to save us, if we believe. But just as I believe that, I know that there are people who truly believe they were a lizard in their last life. That being said, I don't want people telling me that I am wrong for my beliefs, so I respect that others hold their own beliefs.

Also, the other issue I am having is with judging and acceptance. I work with a homosexual male. By my religion, I should tell him he is wrong, and try to convert him, right? He has been the nicest, friendliest, most helpful person to me. He, as far as being a nice person, has acted more Christianly than many people I know. Is it my place to judge him? Is it my place to tell him he is wrong? Or will God touch his life when the time is right, if ever?

Answer 5

Ok folks. I've never had ONE Christian try to convert me. Not one. Especially not over and over again. I mean, do you hang out on some street corner where some idiot is screaming with a Bible in his hand. I just don't see this happening ANYWHERE. Tell me where this happens because I would love to see it for myself.

Answer 6

You must be talking to the wrong ones first off.

Second off just like you don't want to be converted you should worry why we "think we know the one and ultimate truth" You believe what you want to believe and let us believe what we want to believe......... maybe if less non-believers stopped calling Christians conformist and cattle more Christians wouldn' t get so defensive.

Answer 7

Let me ask you this and see if you get a better understanding...

Imagine you're a truck driver. It is midnight and you're driving on this bridge and the tail lights on the car ahead of you suddenly disappears. So you slam on your brakes. You get out of your truck to see what is going on. The bridge is out and the car ahead plunged 80 ft into a river.

What do you do? Do you get behind your truck and try to wave the next car down? They pass by you, honking their horn, shooting you the bird... Then they plunge, also.

When someone is attempting to share with you about Jesus Christ. They are like the truck driver attempting to tell you, "death is ahead of you..."

In this example, it's physical death. In reality it is spiritual death. You're free to reject it if you wish, but when the day comes of Judgement. You won't have anyone to blame for your failure to heed the warning that death awaits you!

It's not intolerance. It is failure to listen to the warning!!!

Answer 8

What good is compromise? I would never ever want to disrespect GOD ALMIGHTY by giving even the slightest bit of credence to some fake god thing.
The problem is that ppl do not want to accept that there is absolute right and absolute wrong and ONLY ONE GOD!!!
This will not change the facts!

Answer 9

Real Christians are understanding--and respectful of other's beliefs, even if we don't share them.

But don't confuse the right wing cults tha tmake so much noise these days with real Christianaity--therey are two different things.

Answer 10

That is very true. I have asked that question many times. Not every religion is fit for every person. Why try to force something on people that can't really believe it anyways. I don't force my religion on anyone. If you like it then it is your choice. I don't condemn anyone for their religion. I would love to have the same respect that I give to others.

Hugs