The other day one of the people that I go to school with whom I thought I was on relatively good terms with told me that I was going to go to hell after he found out that I wasn't a Christian. I know I'm a good person and I think that it was extremely unfair and closed minded of him just to say that to me based on what kind of religion I do or do not follow. I realize that all Christians are not like this beacuse I have other Christian friends who seem alot more liberal in their views. This experience caused me to wonder why some Christians out there are so fanatical?
2007-05-18 09:19:41 · 14 answers · asked by Alexis 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't know. It's like some sort of insecurity. If somebody told me the sun was pink, I wouldn't even try to argue. My confidence on the sun being yellow (to our eyes, and from the earth) is so strong, that there wouldn't be a need for argument.
If I really believed in God, if nothing would shake my confidence, why would I shun non-believers? I wouldn't.
2007-05-18 09:28:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how you define "fanatical". Your friend thought he was helping you.
Christians don't believe that "being a good person" is enough. NO person, no one who has ever lived, can be good enough to deserve or earn eternal life. It's kind of like swimming to Hawaii from San Diego. Mark Spitz would be able to swim a lot farther than I can, but no person can swim that far. It's impossible.
In the same way, without believing in Jesus Christ and accepting his forgiveness, no person can be in heaven for eternity.
What can you tell him? You can tell him you have a different religion and you don't believe there's any such thing as heaven; or you can tell him that you don't care if you get there or not. Or you could listen to what he has to say and consider it seriously, even though he's not too tactful about it.
I hate to tell you, regarding your Christian friends who you say have "more liberal" views... no, they don't. They just haven't told you about salvation yet. To be a Christian is to believe that Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life... no one comes to the Father except through Him." (John 14: 6).
If they don't believe that, I'm not sure what they are -- but they're not Christians. It's a package deal; that's part of the definition of Christianity.
I don't say this to be mean or nasty -- but that's what Christianity teaches and always has taught from the beginning. It is what it is, and it was what it was, long before you and I were around.
2007-05-18 09:37:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Some Christians think THEY are God and THEY get to say where everyone will go.
They believe that through scripture quoting they can read God's mind and give God's feelings on everything and everyone at ANY given time. This gives them the power to point fingers at anyone not meeting what they consider THIER true standards according to how they interpret scriptures (each Christian sect is slightly different). It is THESE types of Christians that fall into the same hypocritical trap the Scribes and Pharasees fell into, because they begin using the bible mostly to condemn things THEY find more distateful according to their personal prejudices.
I am glad you realize not ALL of us are like that. Some of us actually follow and worship Christ as the true Word and use the bible as a tool for spiritual enlightenment (not judging or rule making) using spirit led, wisdom, discernment and simple common sense . We leave the actual judging up to God and try not to presume we actually KNOW everything God feels about everyone and everything. Our MAIN occupation is loving our neighbor as we do ourselves. Because when it comes down to it, if you read the gospels, Jesus said,
"How you treat the LEAST of my brothers is how you treat ME"
So actually, the people most of us like to look down on and ill-treat or in your case, judge, well, we will be judged by God on how we treated them.
I think certain Christians should not be too presumptuous about their position in Jesus' eyes based on how they treat the LEAST of his brothers and sisters.
2007-05-18 09:35:34 · answer #3 · answered by jessicabjoseph 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it has to do with Christianity as much as personality. Some people are fanatical types and just happen to be Christians. Some people are fanatical about other things, sports (that's where the word "fan" comes from), human rights, politics, war...etc.
2007-05-18 09:26:30 · answer #4 · answered by Misty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is wrong, fanatical are weak minds, they think they're right just because faith... and faith is a concept, not a fact. in other words... influenced minds that get mad when others thinks different.
some people can find peace without dancing, preaching, yelling... fanaticals needs the heaven and hell, they need the fear inside to believe.
2007-05-18 09:39:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some young Christians are over zealous. Now I don't necessarily mean young in age, but rather young in their Christian life. They have been impressed with the need to talk to people about Jesus and the Christian way, but all too often they start their tongue before engaging their brains. I assure you in their heart of hearts, they do not mean to be disrespectful or hurtful, they really want the best for you and are probably going about it in the wrong way.
2007-05-18 09:35:24 · answer #6 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alexis, it may not be openminded. But just because its a "closeminded" idea does not make it a false idea. Truth can only be truth if there's one way. If there are multiple truths for one answer, how can truth exist?
Your friend may have said it in a condescending or mean way. However, I suggest you investigate the scriptures yourself. See what Jesus has to say. And see if His way isn't truth.
If its not truth, don't follow it. If it is...then it requires something "fantical" - an entire change of life.
God bless!
2007-05-18 09:35:04 · answer #7 · answered by TWWK 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your friend did the most loving thing he could do for you. He believes that you are going to hell, so the best thing he could do for you is to tell you, in hopes that you would change that. If you believe someone is in serious danger, you tell them because you dont want them to be harmed, to not do so might seem more friendly, but it would be unloving. He cares more about you than he cares about what your opinion of him is. It wasnt unfair or close-minded of him; thats what he believes. He's not fanatical, hes loving. Please talk to him again, and give him a chance to explain himself. He did it for you.
2007-05-18 10:01:10 · answer #8 · answered by smileyman 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
At least radical Christians are a little less violent than extremists in other faiths.
2007-05-18 09:30:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many people believe strongly in something.
2007-05-18 09:23:58 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋