Real question...no bashing.....no hatefull words.....just answer maturely... for non christians and christians

Question

Why do think that there is so much animosity towards Christians today? What is it that Christians are doing that makes people feel animosity towards them?

Please everyone just write truthfully but with respect.

Lets figure out the root to this problem so that we can change it.

I wish I could pick almost every answer on here as the best answer.

I know that I can not change everything. But I hope that other Christians read this and try to change things that they do that people mentioned on here so that they won't offend people anymore. I am going to take all of this to heart and be more carefull. Because there are so many good answers, I will just let everyone pick the best one when it comes to voting. Thanks everyone for your answers and for being mature about it.

I think that the main thing that people want from Christians that they are not getting is HUMILITY which has been expressed in many different ways through peoples answers. Christians have not shown the same humility that they value so much in Jesus. This is the root of it. Everything that people have talked about that Christians do that causes animosity has to do with the lack of some level of Humility.
People have talked about Christians being hypocrits, judgers of men, imposing their beliefs too strongly, and among other things. I am going to be carefull in everything that I do to not be that type of person and to show humility in all of my actions and I hope that other Christians that read these answers are not angered but see it as an opportunity to grow.

Answer 1

I don't think that today is different than any other day.
Christians are just as bad about bashing atheists and Pagans...
Some one is always going to want to tell some one else how or what to think...it's human nature, IMHO.
Christians have just done it in such a way that is so completely offensive and unforgivable (Crusades, Inquisition, witch burnings, etc)...

Answer 2

I am a Christian. At one time I was an Atheist. I am not a fundamentalist. And even to this day, I know it is wrong, but I really hate that group of people as a whole. I have a few friends that I see maybe once a year that are fundamentalist and we do not discuss religion when we are together.

I can tell you what the problem is. First a lot of 'born again' Christians know nothing about Church history. They do not think that other Christians are 'true' Christians, because we do not use the term 'born again' in the same way. They do not understand the mainline Churches. They especially do not understand the early church from which the Orthodox and Roman Catholic came. They know nothing about real theology and when they talk to others their ignorance makes it look like Christianity as a whole is stupid.

Secondly, those with the 'born again' idea are the most vocal. They are annoying to others because they try to preach AT them in very simplistic terms. Now that is fine if the person they are talking to is not well educated. But most non-believers are very well educated and they just look at this type of Christian as not intelligent and not worth the time to be taken seriously. And then they lump us all together and think that Christianity is a religion of ignorant, hateful bigots. And I can't blame them. If fundlementalism is the only brand of Christianity a person ever sees, I would run to hell with open arms too. You need to learn the truth about the religion, and not just want some un-schooled church leader tells you.

Answer 3

OK. Let me put it this way. I was going to be a Lutheran minister in my distant past. The problem with "so-called" Christians is they have no clue what their faith is all about. The first thing they ignore is what Jesus taught about preaching the gospel. To paraphrase. If you go into a city and tell the people there about the "good news" (gospel) and they reject it, leave and shake the dust off your feet as you go. You don't hound someone to believe. Secondly, someone is always going to bring up the bloody crusades. Sorry. If you get into history related to religion, that was more about power and greed than spirit and the people followed like sheep because they were going to burn in hell if they didn't. After the crusades were lost, the Catholic church went after the Cathars who dared to rebell. That was (thank God?) the lead-in to the Reformation. Over 2 million died during the early inquisitions killed by the Catholic church. Then came the Spanish Inquisition lead by Isabella and Ferdinand in Spain. At least they drove out the Muslems, but that's another story. No wonder Christians have a bad rep! But why? They didn't follow what Jesus taught! Those people were not Christian. They didn't turn the other cheek and they certainly didn't follow the commandment "You must not kill". Frankly I think most of the animosity comes from mis-directed TV preachers who think they may be following "God's will" but are missing the true message of peace and brotherhood Jesus REALLY taught and the greed and indoctrination is going global via the media. I think the true message has been lost and real "Christianity" is buried by snake-oil salesmen or any other religious order which might be well meaning but forget to shake the dust off their feet.

Answer 4

1. I think there is so much animosity toward Christians today because of generalizations. This is not only towards Christians but towards young mothers, people on welfare, racial profiling, and the list could go on and on. In today's society a person can meet a horrible young mother then decide that just because one is horrible they must all be. Same goes for Christians and the rest of my list. This stereotypical attitude is nationwide and worldwide. Not everyone is like this but a lot are. It's sad.

2. I think that *some Christians cannot let go of the fact that some people choose not to believe in God. Therefore the push and practically force people to hear them out. Christianity [in my own opinion] shouldn't be based on someone else forcing another to listen but opening up when asked or simply sharing their beliefs without shoving them down people's throats. I also think that *some Christians decide that since Jesus died for our sins that gives them the right to sin. Therefore, not practicing the very laws they preach. It makes them out to be a hypocrite.

I've decided that as a Christian I don't have to prove myself by simply stating that I'm Christian. That religion has so much weight in today's society, instead, I try to show my beliefs by practicing good morals. Granted, I'm no angel and I can be just as much a hypocrite as the next but every day I try harder and harder which I believe takes me closer to God.

I hope this makes sense. Good Question!

Edit--I just thought about it and even if we figure it all out it will still be there. Unfortunatly, through the acts of Christianity throughout history there will be no change. Jesus said that we would be hated. Jesus was hated. That is okay with me. I just hope to make an impression on someone, someday, that will change at least their view on Christians.

Answer 5

Well, speaking as a former Christian that has been in the trenches spreading the good word and all, and now being annoyed by the very thing that I once was......

1.Christians, especially the bible belt ones, are quick to judge and are usually intolerant of anything that is not considered to be good or Christian

2.Christians are often hypocrites when it comes to the idea that you are supposed to be free from sin because that's the reason why Jesus died. everyone is human, but that doesn't give christians liberty to do anything they want and then ask gods forgiveness only to turn around and do it again.

3.Christians also tend to push their religion hard core. Meaning that when it comes to the gospel and sharing it with the rest of us heathens, they tend to overdo it and think that just by talking to a person once that they've never met before will lead a person to their way of thinking

4.Christians condemn people to hell. many people I know who are not christian are more humanitarian than most christians that I know, how is it that these non-believers are better people and are still condemned to hell?

5.In christianity there is no room for change.

These are some aspects, I'm sure there are many more, what starts out with good intentions turns sour when people over do it. They're convinced that they have to save everyone and they're willing to annoy people to try and reach their goal. Many people have just had bad experiences.

Answer 6

Funny you should mention it. Today I got an e-mail telling me that a monument for World War 2 was intentionally omitting the word god and I should be outraged. Well, I checked and the e-mail was wrong but how many things like that do we get a month. How much is true and how often do we check to make certain. I don't think there is as much animosity as were led to believe. I think much of what we see here in this forum is simply trolls seeking attention when they attack anyone who is faithful. I think much of what were told is half truth or outright lie and very few people, groups or institutions are actually trying to abolish Christian faith. But I think the more we get defensive the more people we offend. I suggest we check carefully when someone tells us we should be offended and practice patience and understanding. Tolerance most of all.

Answer 7

There is animosity toward Christians because our beliefs are "intolerant". We believe that the only way to heaven is through Christ, which means that we have to view other religions as inherently wrong and we believe we have the responsibility to try to change people's views. This is not popular as "tolerance" is a very important concept these days. So there's not much that we can do, although it is important that people see that this is not just some selfish idea we have but that it is a Biblical claim made by our Savior himself that we have to follow. It is also important that they know that we are spreading God's word out of love for them and our wish for their well-being, not because we're trying to be intolerant.

Answer 8

I believe that this is not a question about beliefs of the people -- but the question is about the people themselves who profess these beliefs

This is what I perceive as a person who has her own beliefs.

I think that people with beliefs -- sometimes have such strong feelings that they tend to step on others' feelings because they think that what they believe in is proper and true to its essence. When people challenge others' beliefs, those who strongly stick to their beliefs would stand up and fight for them.

I applaud your brave move to ask for opinions this way, and this is a sign that there are people who don't want hostility to be running through people's minds all the time.

There can possibly be a million opinions on this subject alone, but I think that the first step to solving all the hostility could be this: showing open mindedness, humility and respect.

If people are open-minded and respectful to another's beliefs, I'm sure there won't be any disagreements -- there can be healthy debates, but this would benefit them for they can learn, instead of throwing their energies in hostile fighting. Also, if one is humble enough not to brag that what they believe in is right, and that there can be mistakes, then we can all learn from each other.

Answer 9

The major belief/value system of any society will always be the most criticised - unless some utopia is reached.
The hegemony will constantly be attacked from all sides. They are given blame for everything that happens since the are in control of society - with the false unvoiced assumption (often times of dissenters) that since they are in charge of society that they somehow then control the universe and everything that happens under the sun.
For example, before Chritianity reigned, the Romans were being blamed and criticised for every wrong doing in the world... and before the Romans, the Egyptians. Whatever ruling ideal system that is in place will be the one that is critised the most.
That is not to disway or discount the criticism as being incorrect or correct. Complaints and arguements can be completely valid or invalid against the main-stream philosophy or actions of the time. But basically it comes down to one belief system fighting against an almost infinite list of dissenters or other belief sets.
A simple analogy of this is to think back to an old game of dodge ball. One person stands in the center (the main belief system) of a circle of people (other belief systems)... but instead of only one ball in the game... everyone has unlimited balls to throw.
The major hegomonic belief system will be pelted by all its competing contemporary belief systems. The only way this crisis could be averted would be for other belief systems to agree so closely that they would, as well stand in the center. Once you had more people standing in the center then on the outside - you would start to reach a near utopic state - where everyone essentially agreed with one another and the dissent was either little or none.

I want to conclude, once again by stating - this will occur almost completely regardless to the validity or invalidity (real truth) of the discourse between the opposing factions. SO to sum up - Christians are held in animosity primarily becuase they are the dominant prevailing ideology in the world right now. Not that they have the most numbers, not whether they are right or wrong, but in the way they are currently in control of the most soci-economic power in the world, presently. The onyl way to change it would be to find ways to make/allow/sway other beliefs to agree with them more - or to fall out of power.

Answer 10

A lot of people are tired of the hypocrisy, pain and retrictions of Christendom.

Wars, like WWI and II, have had religious leaders on both sides blessing the troops and praying for the other side to fall when Christ taught his followers to love their enemies and show love amongst themselves. (Matt 5:44,45; John 13:35)

In the Bible God's servants always took care of each other physically, but now-a-days it's more common to hear of religious leaders using the money donated to good causes for themselves. (Acts 11:28-30; Isa 10:2)

Christians are supposed to loving correct their brothers when they make mistakes but many use the Bible as a weapon to make others feel ashamed about themselves. (Galations 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:14-15)

Of course, NOT everyone professing to be a Christian does or would ever do these things. Nonetheless because of those who did things in a ungodly way, many in the world views Christendom as a joke. As a result, the true meaning of Christianity is corrupted.

True Christians today are not hypocrites. We listen to what God commands us to do through the Bible and help others to do the same. Even before correcting a person's mistake, we are careful to watch out for our own. (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; Matt 7:1-5, 28:19, 20) If ALL those professing to be Christian follows the counsel given in Mark 12:30, 31 Christianity as we know it today would be totally different.

Answer 11

1) Trying to force their beliefs into the public science curriculum (evolution vs. creationism),
2) ... and into the laws of the land (laws on birth control, homosexuality, marriage).
3) Being bigoted and hateful to others (homosexuals, muslims, and atheists)
4) Believing that Armageddon will happen soon and even wanting it to happen, making a huge world war possibly a self-fulfilling prophecy.
5) Being arrogant and self-righteous while being so deluded.

The sad thing is that there are many decent Christians who are only partly guilty of some of the above, and a few that are not guilty of any of the above, but there are still more than enough Christians that are guilty of most of the above, and the good & decent Christians are not doing enough to police their own.