Would society be a better place if ex-Christians converted back to Christianity?

Question

The current majority of Christians seems to fail to understand what 'equal rights' mean when it comes to freedom of religion.

One particular god (the Christian one) is clearly favoritized in our western society.

Allowing one god in schools, means all gods AND no god in schools. Allowing one god on a pledge, means allowing all gods but also no god on a pledge. That is what religious freedom and equality is all about.

I can understand how somebody who is always raised with the beliefs in only this 'majority God' can't fully understand the concept of religious freedom. I do see many ex-Christians understand this concept, because they've seen both ways.

Would Christianity understand religious freedom better if many ex-Christians found their way back to Christianity?

Lol Mr. Squirrel, I'm very, very sorry!

Answer 1

You know, understanding the legal implications of our pledge better than we do isn't very polite. It's like talking about how GM's cars sucks when a Saturn engineer is right there.

Answer 2

I know at least a half dozen people doing prison ministry in different parts of the U.S. and several people who work within the prison system right here in my state in the middle of the Bible belt. I asked a few of them about this 75% number when you (or someone else) mentioned it the other day. They said that percentage was not even close to reality in 1925 when it first started making the rounds. But now it's even less realistic. If this percentage were true, what need would there be for the 21 Mosques and 32 Native American religious Lodges currently in full-time use in Federal and State Prisons? No, the actual statistic is more like about 40% and that includes a great deal of people who only claim a connection to some flavor of Christianity in order to gain additional freedom from their cell from time to time. As for your question; God is everywhere; in schools, in prisons, in the local park, the grocery store, and believe it or not, even in your home. It's just that most people refuse to take the time to stop and listen to what God is saying to their hearts and having all that pride in accomplishment tends to dissuade them from humbling themselves before God. People in prison, on the other hand, have nothing to do with most of their time but listen to what God has to say to their hearts and humility is something they've had to learn the hard way.

Answer 3

Since you are not an American and do not reside here,what concerns are these of yours? What the current majority of Danes and Dutchmen seem to fail to understand is that most Americans consider those countries to be utterly decadent and corrupt; we certainly do not feel we have anything whatsoever to learn from them. By and large,they are societies without creativity or energy. Perhaps persons from the Low Countries as they are so appropriately called would have a better understanding of our concept of religious freedom if they read our Bill of Rights. I do recommend it. By the way,there is no majority god that I know of; unlike Holland with it's draconian immigration laws,the United States has generally welcomed all the peoples of the world,irrespective of race,creed or color. You do not have to be born here,or of pure "nordic" ancestry. Thus,we have 7 million Jews,8 million Muslims,at least 75 million non-religious,as well as practicing Hindus and a wide range of smaller groups such as pagans and wiccans. I am sure you would discover far greater diversity than in Holland. However we thank you for your interest.

Answer 4

Nope. They'd find out that their One God is actually No God or All Gods. Why go back, anyway? If they left, they must have had a reason. If they did not find the fulfillment they needed in the church they grew up in, perhaps they'll find it in the church they freely choose. Maybe after sampling other faiths, they'd decide to return from whence they came. But going back isn't going to teach them religious freedom. Sampling others and seeing how ostracised they are as a non-Christian WILL show them what so-called religious freedom really is. Then they can go back with a new outlook -IF they go back.

Answer 5

I don't think "conversion" is the answer. If there are people with a true relationship with Jesus Christ, then it doesn't matter what they call themselves (Followers of the Way, Christians, or whatever).
The flip side is that there are people who say they are CHristian who don't have this relationship with the Lord, or who have a skewed relationship or seeming relationship with Him and who don't understand what He wants of us. People throughout the centuries have misread things into the Word for their onw good or to feel better about themselves, but that doesn't mean it was God-ordained.
God doesn't want us to hate others; just to hate sin. He doesn't ask us to have slaves or treat people ill, but these have happened in times past and still do occur sometimes. God never asked us to conquer other areas of the world... just to tell people about Him and let them make their own decision. The Holy Spirit is strong wnough to sway people to do what they should according to God's Word, and the Lord is a gentleman. God doesn't trick people into coming to Him, or into doing what isn't in their best interest. He doesn't call people to terrorize others, to hate others, to call others out on what they believe if they believe differently.
He calls us to be a shining example of His love, grace, forgiveness, mercy, and goodness. He calls us to be like Christ - to be Christ in this world.
Religious freedom was written into the Bible when God gave us all free will back in the Garden of Eden. It's part of that choosing we have been given. Sad to say, many Christians HAVE tried to take that free choice away from others in the name of Christianity... but that isn't the way God would have it...

Answer 6

Yes; because Christianity is a religion of Love and forgiveness. People that are true Christians should not hate anyone or hurt anyone even their enemies. Christianity and true Christians make the world a better place - The more Christians the more peace, mor love.

William Hanna

Answer 7

I don't think so. I am Christian and I clearly understand equal rights. Religion belongs to the families and individuals not school or public displays. If you allow one you must allow all. Keep it simple and keep it home or in the Churches

Answer 8

I see what you mean, that ex-Christians could bring back more understanding of outside thoughts if they came back to Christianity. Unfortunately, that would not happen. People who return to Christianity go back because they can't handle thinking for themselves. They will denounce whatever beliefs they held or experiences they had - and turn on loved ones they knew - as being from Satan, and blame Satan and anyone they can rather than accept responsibility for their own actions. They would be no help to those of us who've managed to escape the madness.

Answer 9

Not going back. How about if the current Christians would listen to us?

I do feel sometimes like I have dual citizenship. I sometimes slip into "Christianese" even though I've been Pagan for ten years!

Answer 10

The star is not only for your question (which was very good), but also for Bad Squirrel, Bad's hilarious response.

Actually, I think we would be better off if people tried studying epistemology and learned that it isn't really possible for there to be ONE TRUTH, and therefore impossible for there to be one god.