Does Christianity enable a defeatist mentality?

Question

I will be the FIRST person to admit -- sometimes, humanity sucks.

That said, I also believe we are capable of much, much more than what we have achieved throughout recorded history. We are the most severe underachievers of all time.

I often read comments from Christians that say things along the lines of, "We deserve God's wrath" or "We all should burn in hell", et al.

Is this not an incredibly pessimistic way to go through life? Do (for lack of a better word -- sorry) persecute yourself for a lifetime for something that may or may not pay off in the end? Beating yourself up every day cannot be good for the psyche.

Answer 1

it enables a thoughtless, illogical, unreasonable, cut-and-paste mentality.

most of the "followers" here who post Qs or As have never had an original thought of their own. it's frightening and dangerous. the creation museum is but one of many such examples of the mindless, cut-and-paste nonsense that cults elicit in people.

Answer 2

You don't have to be christian to read or watch the news and figure out things are going downhill fast. I'm wondering how many christians actually have said "we all should burn in hell", because I've never heard that. I've never heard we all deserve His wrath either, though I'm kinda of the same opinion. We spend millions of dollars every year on plastic surgery, and toys, yet totally ignore the millions of people dying of starvation. So I think we're not doing something right if superficiality wins over humanity. You can call it pessimistic if you want, I simply see it as a very sad situation and one we're not doing a thing about.

Answer 3

Some people take things to the extreme and aren't wise. God gives us wisdom to use and some just dont' use it. We are underachievers but it's due to a laziness that grows daily across the land literally. With televisions, nintendos, playstations, cell phones, remote controls, the human race lacks the desire to get up and actually physically do anything becuase they don't HAVE to. I disagree with those that go thru life continually persecuting people and saying everyone should burn in hell because that's not correct. People need to seek God instead of "judging" that everyone is going to hell.

Answer 4

That is precisely the point, isn't it? That so many people can be managed and controlled through fear, and truly denied the opportunity to advance. Look at what exists in this forum, so much quoting, and certainty of righteousness - such a lack of open mindedness, of questioning.... it is tragic really.

By taking this "moral high ground" with such a vengeance and fixity, all that is possible beyond is simply lost to those minds. Possibility and self- responsibility is what I have seen make the incredibly come into being, and with that humanity does achieve more of it's potential.

We would sadly still be back in a dark ages of sorts, repeating the same and same again to each other, if that was all humanity had to offer. We are designed for so much more, but must be free in order to realize. Each being deserves their chance to express as they choose, beyond the conditioning laid upon us by family, religion, society? The unexamined life is one not worth having....

Structured religion serves the political/societal machine very very well.

Answer 5

Setting any religion aside at the moment I agree with you. We are capable of much more than what we give ourselves credit for. . .all of us.

I am a Christian and I don't feel defeated at all. I feel blessed and like I can do anything I want to. I don't see a stopping point in my life. I want to be doing something new, learning something new and reaching for a new goal until the day I day. This is once again an individual mind set. There are many people who are not Christians who live with the poor me defeated mentality. And, if there are Christians, and I am sure there are, that feel this way. . .then they are not getting all they can from God.

Answer 6

You guys must come across a lot of really wacky Christians. Being a Christian myself, most of the judgments placed upon us in the way we think...none of them are how I or most Christians I know think. I don't go around pointing fingers at people, I don't go around causing problems for people or live day to day worrying about the wrath of god, I DO think that all that happens on this earth good or bad IS the result of man (minus occurences in nature). I do believe that God exists, and the main thing I live by is the 10 commandments which most people should try to live by anyway. It's simple, don't lie, don't kill people, don't cheat on your spouse, honor your parents, love your enemies (or try your best to)...it goes on and on. I don't judge people because I think that one day God will judge them and he will do so alone. Why does everyone have to make Christianity seem so complicated and awful? Why is it always picked apart to the point of taking the word out of text on such a low level that the main point of it all is lost? Where are you people finding these Christians like you described? In an insane asylum? Its ridiculous!!!

Answer 7

I don't see it that way. While I do believe that if it wasn't for God's mercy, ALL of us would be destined for hell, I also realize that each one of us has been offered an invaluable gift.

All we have to do is accept it.

I don't beat myself up when I sin, because I try SO HARD not to sin. I'm only human, God understands that, and all I have to do is ask for forgiveness. And just like THAT my slate is wiped clean.

God DOES call all of us. Some of us just don't answer. We're ALL worthy.

Answer 8

the Christians(supposedly)that say things like that are to be pittied God doesnt want that for His children nor does He appreciate them speaking of themselves in such a pessimistic way God gave them life and they should appreciate the things God has given for them

Answer 9

VICTORY IN JESUS CHRIST!!! AMEN

1 Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:4 - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Revelation 15:2 - And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Answer 10

As a Christian and having a personal relationship with my Savior I am not to speak evil of anyone ,but to be peaceful and friendly,and always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone

Answer 11

Honestly, that sounds like the sort of thing I hear from clinically depressed people. They focus on their faults and refuse to recognize that their successes are relevant.