Is christianity about taking away personal freedoms?

Question

The more I read into it it seems that a whole christians life, and death are suppost to be used to glorify god. It seems that you refain from doing what you might want to do because it's "sinful". It just seems your limiting yourselves in my opinion.

I'm asking you what you think.

I fail to see ow signing up to worship god for all of eternity is giving you freedom, but who am I to judge.

I don't care what you believe in as long as it doesnt effect me, the same should go for you also.

I know what a few of you are getting at.

I do what I want, when I want, if I have responsiblities I'll fufil them then continue on my way.

I know I only get about 70 years of existance, every gets that before thier time. Now, why would I want to take that away from people?

As long as what I, or you do only effects yourself...I see no harm done.

A few of you are..."eh", It seems without jesus you would just go on killing spreez.

Answer 1

It's laughable that people are referring to tattoos as immoral when there's stuff that's actually evil like rape and murder and forcing people to have sex, the pope hides peados for example

People do limit themselves but the limits ar more like repressions to fit in, it's like a square peg in a round hole ora round peg in a square hole

Check out Fred Phelps for an example of religious bigotry

Answer 2

You've got it totally wrong about what it means to be a Christian. It's not about depriving ourselves and living miserable lives because of it--it's a matter of pursuing God's will for our lives and letting Him change our desires and give us hope and meaning that lasts way beyond this life. My life totally sucked before I decided to turn to God and turn away from my own selfish desires. It's the greatest freedom in the world to know now that not only is God helping me become more like Him, but that it's all a matter of what He can do in my life and not a matter of me or any of the rest of us constantly wondering if we're OK with God because if we choose to follow Him and to serve Him, He will give us hope that nobody else can take away. Take a look at the first link below for a little bit about my life.

Answer 3

It depends. There are two threads in Christianity (and most other religions, for that matter). One is a distortion--so much so that it really should not be dignified with the name "Christian." Inthe US, these groups are on the extreme right--and are openly opposed to personal freedom.

Genuine Christianity (along with Buddism, etc) are, on the other hand, not merely compatible with personal liberty, but their teaching and philosophies-: personal choice, responsibility, a recognition that moral and ethical behavior are the basis of law and government, not the other way around, are central to the growth of human liberty throughout human history.

Certainly you can point to the fanatics that distort religion to justify tyranny and killing. But don't forget the many who have spent their lives helping humanity--the Mother Theresas, the Jimmy Carters--and that's just as true of non-Christians; look at Gandhi.

Answer 4

Yes, that's the impression I got after years of living as a Christian. There are limits, or at least encouragements about: movies you can see, songs you can listen to, classes you can take, how to spend your money, how to spend your time, where to live, whether to change jobs, etc. Lots of innocent stuff, prohibited under the guise of "denying oneself" or "not being a stumbling block for others."

The thing is, this is precisely the nitpicky BS that Jesus railed against the Pharisees for. Not working on the Sabbath. Washing of hands before eating. Requiring temple taxes and other ways of collecting money. Basically, also making rules on how to spend your time and money, and claiming that God is behind them.

Answer 5

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What Christianity is "about" has nothing to do with taking away any personal freedoms. What you may be asking is "Why should there be consequences to the choices I make?". Christianity, as with most religions is "about" responsibility. All religious beliefs teach that there are in fact consequences for all behavior, as defined good or bad. You don't need religion to have these same guidelines in your life, but religion excels at defining the guidelines and teaching you where the limits are. Outside of religion, the rules are in constant flux, and what was good yesterday, is wrong tomorrow, and conversely, what is wrong today, will be good in the near future.

Religion defines the absolutes in life. How you define those, is of little matter.
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Answer 6

Surprisingly, Christianity is the most liberal religion on earth: "All things are lawful for me, bu all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Cor. 6:12). The author of this verse said that he could do anything he wanted. This is the liberty of the Christian that many Christians do not have.

But notice that in the verse, the author, Paul, limited himself on purpose because he knew what we do has consequences. Sure, you can do what you want. But there are some things you won't do because you don't want to go to jail. You are deliberately limiting yourself. You deliberately refrain from wearing guns in public and driving on the wrong side of the road. It's a trade-off you accept because you understand the reasonableness of the restriction -- it promotes order in society -- and so you willingly restrain yourself.

So it is with Christians. Christians may smoke, drink, and add tattoos, but many don't because they know these things can have adverse effects on people around them. And doing clearly immoral things is just plain wrong and will harm their walk with God.

You accept certain limitations on your behavior and still find yourself with much liberty to enjoy life. We may accept more limitations on our behavior than most people because we have a source of life within that more than compensates for the lack of other things. Jesus, the author of life, lives in us.

Answer 7

Actually, Christianity is about increasing personal freedom, not taking it away.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

When you're driving, do the traffic rules limit your freedom or do they increase your freedom by allowing you to get from place to place without getting in a wreck?

The Gospel teaches us the rules for having the freedom to be happy. Breaking those rules bring captivity (e.g., addictions).

Answer 8

I believe that knowing Christ is the ultimate freedom. Before I became a devoted Christian, I was a slave to many of the things of this world, for example, wealth, status, perfection, etc. I labored away in life, trying to achieve these things yet failing time and again. God has definitely freed me from all of those things =)

Answer 9

"Laws which prescribe what everyone must believe, and forbid men to say or write anything against this or that opinion, are often passed to gratify, or rather to appease the anger of those who cannot abide independent minds"

Baruch Spinoza 1632-1677
Theological Political Treatise 1670

"Philosophy has no end in view, save truth. Faith looks for nothing but obedience and piety."

Baruch Spinoza 1632-1677
Theological Political Treatise 1670

Answer 10

Christ died to set me free- when you are not a believer you would not understand this- when you become a Christian we have been given us a freedom to live by the Spirit and not to sin- sin is for a moment of pleasure- living for Christ is the greatest thing because we can be joyful serving Christ, and not gratifying the sinful nature. So until you become a Christian you will not understand that because you cannot be have spiritual discernment until you accept Christ.