"Christians": What is the difference between "calling it the way I see it" and "insult/defamation"?

Question

If you claim that anyone who disagrees with your interpretation of truth is "serving Satan", have you merely called it the way you see it, or have you offered up an insult and defamation?

If you accuse anyone who challenges "christianity" of being "hate-filled" and a "bigot", are you calling it the way you see it, or offering up insult and defamation?

If your ability to tolerate people who challenge your religion is limited, are you more likely to confuse insult and defamation for "calling it the way I see it"?

Answer 1

to call into question the character or heritage of a person, who is otherwise a stranger, is always rude

to call into question one's religious beliefs during a discussion about religion is a natural consequence of entering such a discussion

always enter into them at your own risk

Answer 2

Unfortunately, most people do not understand that, functionally, there is no difference. The common term, emotion, often is seen as something distinct from the technical term, affect. Even experts, such as Ekman and Tompkins have made unnecessary distinctions, complicating the picture. Emotion, or affect, is a person's energetic (non-verbal) response ( or "reading") of the interaction with their environment. Emotion gives us information about, and the energy to carry out physical tasks, appropriate to the circumstances (such as survival). Because it is non-verbal, it is considered to be below the threshold of conscious awareness, thus the word "subconscious" used for this experience/feeling. Tompkins did have one thing correct: affect is primary. Because it develops before conscious, verbal-based cognition, it has a greater influence over behavior than thinking. Most politicians and advertising execs can attest to this. However, this energetic input is not a command, it is merely an influence. Because body influences mind and mind influences body, we can re-ignite memories that can recall emotional responses. The origin is from environmental interactions, not from thinking. But we can call up specific feelings without interaction in the moment. We simply draw on experience. Although oversimplified, W.B. Cannon was right.

Answer 3

I wish you hadn't focused on "Christians" as this sort of turtle snapping (insult/defamation) occurs in the whole spectrum of religions, & the non-religious. I would hope we all understand the difference between a sincere question, or a sincere opinion. Your examples are clearly pejorative. I also don't think we should "challenge" a religion--that's just "baiting," & the implication is that the religion is wrong & the baiter is right. Certainly, you would understand how, if the fish is hungry enough, the temptation to respond in kind, would be great. Knowing human nature, great tolerance would be needed to respond with civility. (I can get quite scrappy when someone bashes ME.) I've studied world religions & philosophies, & found value in all of them. There's still much to learn. "Calling it the way I see it" is to opine, respectfully, not to ATTACK. I think you know the difference.

Answer 4

To answerer your question on the hate and destruction part you would have to read the Bible to understand the fruits of the spirit of God and the fruits of the spirit of Satan.As for serving God or evil you have your choice who ever is not for God is he against him? If Satan is the so called ruler of the sky or earth and you don't worship the God Of life you tell me?
Satan has been working hard through the centuries to place the black cloak over the truth even working his way into the churches to twist the truth.Take a good look at Christ who he is the truths he spoke miracles the father performed through him and who it was he allowed to crucify him. Were he sits know with all authority as the advocate between us and the Author of life.Look at the Justice Mercy Compassion in him and how many times he ask this of us ion the Bible. Read Psalms 8 it talks about who he is and when he was.

Answer 5

Hello Orion,
Am I a Christian? Yes. Do I have any desire to stifle your beliefs, shove mine down your throat, or insult you? No. In fact, I think it would be extremely interesting to discuss many topics, including religion, with you as you seem quite intelligent and extremely eloquent.

Sadly, there are many zealots, literalists, fundamentalists ...pick a term, many apply...that give Christianity as a whole a 'bad name'. The problem, in my opinion, is there is an arrogance on many Christians part (certainly not all, but many...far too many), that mistakenly leads them to believe they are above others and above others' beliefs. Certainly they'll think it's "calling the way I see it" rather than insulting or defaming because, afterall, they're right and you're wrong...at least so they believe. I've always had a problem with this arrogance which is why I stay as far away from churches, youth groups, etc as I possibly can. I cannot tolerate the "holier than thou" attitude and I've seen far too many people pushed away, demeaned and insulted because of it.

After saying all that, there is no difference, in my opinion...it's just the spin that's put on it to make one side feel better about themselves.

Answer 6

The obvious answers to your question are, "Intent and wording." And again, it goes in both directions, not just from the Christian end of the issue.

We can use my Catholic faith as an example. If someone says, "I don't understand why Catholics put so much emphasis on Mary -- can you explain?", that's seeking information. I have no problem with that. But when the question is worded, "Don't Catholics know that they're going to Hell for worshipping the 'Virgin' Mary?", that's insult and defamation.

Another example would be, "I don't understand why Christians believe (fill in the blank with appropriate Biblical question.) Can you explain it?", there's no intent to defame or insult someone else's beliefs. But when someone says, "Is the average Christian IQ 10 or 20?", it's hard to miss the bigoted intent behind the question.

I can deal with honest questions about my faith without regarding them as an attack. But when the questioner's intent is clearly to belittle, insult, or attack based on his prejudice against my beliefs, then I will "call it the way I see it."

Answer 7

Personally, I don't think anyone who disagrees with me is "serving Satan". I also don't have a problem with anyone who criticizes Christianity. A lot of horrible things have been done in its name. The people who get so offended when they are challenged about anything they believe don't, in my opinion, have a very strong belief since they feel threatened by the challenge. By the way, I try not to be rude or call names when I state my opinion or "call it the way I see it."

Answer 8

It's not my job to judge others. I am certainly not "good enough" for that. Personally, when someone challenges the bible. I think it is good. It is a way to learn. At one time or another, I think we all do it. There are so many people saying things are in the bible that are not. If you don't believe in the bible, that's your choice. Maybe it's because it has not been proven to you. Or maybe it's because of misconduct of people who say they do. I can see why people would be deterred from the bible, given the way they are treated and the lack of patience and understanding from ones who say they know the "truth".

Answer 9

I'd like to know why this is directed at Christians when there are people from all beliefs (or lack of one) who call it the way they see it. I appreciate honesty and truly value freedom of speech. Call it anyway you want and I will do the same. The only difference, according to your question, is how people take what you say. Some people really need to grow thicker skin. Shouldn't evolution take care of that?

God Bless.

Answer 10

Depends. If you use the Bible to show what act or belief being done is against what the Bible teaches, it is then the Bible calling you wrong.

If it just a man not liking what is happening, that can be insulting.

What is necessary is to keep to the Bible's viewpoint in all matters. Then the terms "hate-filled" and "bigot" will not be applied to us.