In all honesty- Why don't you Christians police your own!?

Question

I do not believe all Christians or all atheists are good or bad people, however, it is apparent to me that when Christians are nasty* (whether it be calling non-Christians names here or people like the Phelps family) it should be Christians who deal with them.
I honestly believe that if you are a Christian, and you watch a Christian be nasty to people and you DO NOTHING you are allowing the nasty Christians to dictate what the word Christian means. If you're okay with that, do nothing.
Several times a day, Christians post questions asking why people seem to hate them, and here's why-the nasty people using Christianity are pretty much unopposed.
Why don't Christians seem willing to police their own?



*Not all Christians are.

Bev-
Atheists should probably police their own, but Christians are supposed to be brothers in faith...atheists are not members of a community of atheists (for the most part.)
And I've never been attacked by an atheist....

Bev- I wrote disclaimers and used the word some. How can I make it clearer that I don't mean *all* Christians.

However, the unopposed nasty minority is being allowed to FRAME THE DEBATE for Christians.... if you as a Christian don't have a problem with that then do nothing about it, it's that easy.
There are some that try, there are even atheists that have stated "not all Christians" when atheists have been nasty.

Answer 1

Good point. It seems that there are a lot of individuals who claim they are Christians, but are willing to cast the first stone when some does something wrong; when someone believes in a different way that they do. I truly believe that televangelists have contributed to this division of Christians and non christians; that they have justifed , in the minds eye of the Christians, that its okay to pass judgements on non christians. There are too many people who are being led by these demons in sheeps clothing...

Answer 2

Because they are not "our own" any more than Muslims or Jews are "our own." Group dynamics don't work that way. If we were members of the same denomination, then you might have a point. But the only connection between the many different denominational affiliations is the word "Christian." I have a closer connection to the Muslims in my community than I do to the Southern Baptists. Why should I accept responsibility for their actions?

And what, exactly, do you mean by "deal with them"? Do think that any of us have any authority over another denomination? Or, for that matter, any other human being? What do you suggest?

Lumping all Christians together into an arbitrary category is senseless. Why not suggest that Americans police their own? Or that humans police their own? Or that people who wear denim jeans police their own? Categories are mental constructs, after all.

Answer 3

I agree that Christians are obligated to speak up when another Christian is being abusive. We are told in the Bible that we *are* supposed to police each other; to "chastise one another in love." Love does not mean that you never criticize. Criticism also does not mean setting yourself up as judge over another. It means pointing to a standard you are both obligated to and saying what you think.

Adults can disagree with each other, even disagree with each other's morals and actions, without getting ugly about it and bashing each other over the head. We *have* to. Unless we are willing to disagree, and discuss our moral values openly and without shame, we will soon have a society that has *no* moral values -- the point some people feel we've reached already.

Back to the person asking the question: Muslims are widely identified with a few violent extremists who claim to represent Islam, because the vast majority, who ARE speaking out against that violence every day, don't get the attention of the media. If it doesn't bleed, it doesn't lead.

There are Christians who speak up against our own extremists, every day, and act on an entirely different set of moral priorities. Do you seek them out? Give them publicity? Or do you just pay attention to the same minority all the time? Who are *you* encouraging?

Answer 4

I would say that Christians don't "police their own" in issues like you discuss... because it is not up to a Christian to judge another... That's God's job.

At the same time, I think it correct if ANYONE is nasty to someone else, it's definitely nice to come to that persons 'rescue' (in the sense of doing what you can to either stand up for them.. or say something to someone, etc etc)..

As Beverly noted too.. Why does this just apply to Christians? What about when people of other faiths.. or no faith.. etc.. do something.. does that mean that they're responsible for their own too? So, if an Atheist does something, does it not make other Atheists wrong if they don't stop in (at least according to your logic)..

I think we're all human.. and that we should all stand up for people where we can. That's my opinion.. Doesn't matter the religion.. people should be respected... and respectful.

Answer 5

So in essence all religions should take care of their own My, My, my our own little ;police state, the first amendment is still in effect as of the last time I read the Bill of Rights. What comes out of ones mouth will make that person have to answer to a higher power. The tongue is the sharpest weapon mankind has. When we learn to control our tongue (that comes from learning wisdom) our actions will also be controlled. If a person is being nasty to you under the name of Christianity, you have the right to ask them if they are truly a Christian. too many people claim Christianity as part of their life, but not all act Christ like. Being a Christian is being Christ Like any thing else is bringing discredit to Christianity.

Answer 6

I don't see how this applies to only Christians..why don't Atheists "police" their own? I see on here hundreds of hateful comments from some Atheists and it gives the rest of them a bad name...OR we can all realise that there will always be some "bad apples" and that others should not be held accountable for those people's actions.

I have often been attacked by Atheists in here, but since you haven't does that mean it doesn't happen?
What about the idea that people shouldn't judge a whole group by some people?

Answer 7

Better to ignore them and not answer. If there were only one or two, that would be different. However, you must remember that those who despise Christianity will pose as one on YA! then say the most abominable things to make them look small and petty. Now, atheists pride themselves on being able to think. So, think! Would someone who's Lord that commands us to "love our enemies" and "do good for to those who despitefully use you" as well as exhort us to "be wise as serpents, yet gentle as doves" be a true believer or impostor? Are they not more likely their own self-satisfied lord?

Also realize that there are far more users on this forum who want evidence to confirm their hatred of God, the Bible, Jesus and Christians. You will know them by their responses. These are the atheists that do harm to your camp because they speak without the use of any thought, logic or sense. They are speaking through emotion and crown themselves intellects. They vehemently hate God who they say does not exist.

I have no problem with atheists. From them I gain my most stimulated debates. Unfortunately, there are impostors on both sides of the aisle. The question is who is the more willing to ferret them out and expose them for what they are?
_____________________

Jesus said that each man will give an account for every idle word they utter. I'll leave it in His hands to deal with them. I just look for the true seekers. Do not feed trolls.

Matthew 12:36
Jesus said, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."

Matthew 7:6
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." - ie Do not feed the trolls!

Answer 8

Gee, I don't know why any Christians act that way. Theirs no need for name calling. And I haven't found that everyone hates Christians, they just don't like pushy Christians.

Actually, I agree with scott B, since were the minority many Christians are on the defensive side and don't spend enough time to think before they post, but their defiantly shouldn't be any name calling.

Answer 9

We're quite willing to admonish and rebuke brothers and sisters who drift, but the Christians you're talking about do not submit themselves to authority as all Christians are to do. So we don't have any control over them.

Also, God is our judge, and theirs, too. Christians who dishonor their God and His own, through inappropriate and disobedient behavior, will suffer loss in heaven (1 Cor 3:15), and may not even be saved if the behavior is habitual. God said through st. Paul (all believers are saints, by the way) that the Lord's "servants must not quarrel, instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading to a knowledge of the truth, and that they may escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken him captive to do His will." 2 Tim 2:24

Not all of us sit by and DO NOTHING as you say. You're just not around when we do speak up. Some churches actually discipline believers, by rebuke publicly or expulsion....but not many have the courage....they need the money.

Answer 10

I dont know - I wouldnt call myself a Christian I do try & am slowly learning but people are very critical & expect any Christian to be perfect all the time & know the answer to everything ....no one is perfect but in all religions I think you get people with different ideas some bad & some very very good......if someone just hates a Christian for their beliefs Id think it was them with the problem, not the Christian.