do you agree that this is why it is so hard to reach out to christians on the R/S section?

Question

For a long time it has confused me how most Christians fail to even slightly recognize that Christianity might contentious, no matter how earnestly and sincere and competently you explain it.

Thinking about my experiences here on the R/S section, I believe that there are notable sociological reasons why this is so.
You have to consider the Christian demographic on the R/S section.
Most Americans believe in god, but for the most part most do not concern themselves with the bible or church too much.
The Christians who mostly are on this section are most likely the ones who do take it more seriously, they are people who most likely go to church, and are basically surrounded by a church or general Christian environment.
These are the people, who, from the start, have a stronger determination to declare that the questioning of Christianity is spiteful towards god,
or that all the arguments are wrong and that it is more logical and rational to believe in god than to be an atheist.

This is the main demographic of Christians you will see on the R/S section.

Now consider this: we all know that the R/S section contains about an equal amount of Christians and skeptics.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that almost half of the questions posted here are skeptical questions about Christianity.
No doubt about it, many Christians don’t care to frequent a site where they have to face so much criticism of Christianity,
Many Christians who don’t have it in themselves to answer to such criticism all the time will shortly leave the site and not visit it very much.
Basically the demographic that is left is mostly (not all) people who believe that closing their minds and portraying skeptics as deluded spiteful people is what god wants them to do.

That’s why it is so hard to get someone to realize that you have rational complaints;
Most of the people that would otherwise have the mental facilities to understand that some things don’t make sense have left the section already because they don’t want to be put in that place.
Why would they venture themselves into discussions of god not existing if they REALLY like thinking that he exists?
If you were a Christian and your life was pretty good, you had all the things you need in life, no real complaints, would you have much motivation towards pondering if god was real?
Many Christians don’t ponder it unless they have a reason to.
Meanwhile, many of the Christians left at the R/S are here because they take pride in their blissful ignorance. It doesn’t matter to them if you make sense; all they have to tell themselves is not to question the bible because the bible says so, and that god is honored by them think that way.
Do you agree?

Answer 1

There are prerequisites for having an open mind

Empathy - The ability to understand another's feelings

Conscious awareness of one's own subjectivity - Being able to see how your opinions and viewpoints shape your experiences is vital in being able to try another's on. If you don't see your self in your observations then how could you ever take that away from the objective you attempt to perceive in a certain way?

What exactly are Christians doing here? Trying to understand themselves more and trying to help people. It's pretty much what just about everyone is here to do. The problem in attempting to reach out to these people is that they generally don't want it because they don't believe they need that kind of outreach. If you're looking to make a breakthrough to someone you'll just have to be patient. They're not in the mindset to receive such a message.

Answer 2

Well, you describe some of the people in your statement. You don't, however, describe all Christians.

I am a Christian. My position is this, I was raised Baptist (which is a denomination of Christianity), am non denominational now. Never bothered much about Church and the Bible until about 5 years ago, when I really had my eyes opened and became saved by Christ Jesus. I can understand the thoughts that non believers have and even that some of their arguments make pretty good sense. Good sense to one who has not the understanding Spiritually from God. You should always question things that people tell you and research for yourself as to the truth in it. So because you question Christianity, does not make me think you are spiteful. I have full understanding that you can not understand things that I might understand because until you receive Christ Jesus, you simply will not. Eyes are closed and ears can not hear. Having said that, it would be my goal to first help you to understand who Jesus is and to understand that the things that you can not find reason with in the Bible will not make sense until you take that leap of faith and believe. That is a choice you would whole heartedly have to make. Then, you would begin to understand based on your own personal experience.

What makes me think of spitefulness and hatefulness are those that mock and ridicule what they do not understand. That goes for Christians as well as non believers. The way a Christian might help to lead someone to Christ is not through hatefulness and ridicule either, something I have seen a lot of on this site.

I have met some very intelligent non believers on this sight who make good points, some have even tried to understand my points. I try to explain what they do not understand to the best of my ability. If I do not know, I must admit this and refer them elsewhere. I don't get rude about it though.

As far as rational beliefs, I understand all that science has put together and admit, it can be convincing. It doesn't shake my faith or belief though. Science still can not explain everything either, therefore, they are no more rational in my opinion. My biggest question isn't why are there still Apes if we came from Apes (which is a point), but my question is if the Universe was created via the Big Bang theory, where did the matter and gases that produced the bang come from? How did it get there? If this universe is expected to end, as science warns, especially earth, then it had to have a beginning. Everything that will end had to begin. Everything that has a beginning, was created some how, hence, a creator is needed. God.

Anyway, these are my thoughts. I hope I don't fit your categoerys and I hope you can look at each individual and not group based on possible majority.

About Christian having an easy life ......... you are way off on that one. My life has been anything but easy. I don't blame God for it. My life has been as it has due to my own choices, my parents choices, my children's choices, etc. Evil lurks in this world and that will stay until Jesus returns. The condition of the world today is what causes the bad things in life. The good news is that even the bad can be turned for the good thorugh God.

Answer 3

I read your entire question! :)

Actually I think you're right. The people who frequent this section are passionate about what they believe. What's really weird is the nature of the arguments and points made by both sides.

For the most part, from the atheists side, you don't have people who have been indoctrinated from their youth with atheistic beliefs. This society is a religious one and people are atheists have typically made a deliberate decision that science (evolution etc.) represents a far better reison de etre for the universe. These are the analytical types.

On the other hand, for the most part, the religious people on this site repeat the threats they have heard about what will happen to you if you don't believe exactly what they believe. (E.g. Take JC into your heart or his dad will torture you for eternity). These are the Myer's Briggs "sensing" types who like there to be a set of rules that they can base their lives on. They happen to have been given the rules of whatever religion they were brought up with and spend their time telling the rest of us that we're wrong if we don't follow their rules. Their sense of success in the world comes from following those rules better than the next guy. But they never question the rules because they can't really see them. Their rules are the framework upon which they build their reality. It's really pretty sad.

Answer 4

No I don't agree. First I don't think that all the good Christians have left, but if you are right, I feel that I would fit into that small percentage of people who have remained and try to answer the "rational" complaints made about Christianity. I never try to close my mind, but you can expect a certain confidence and authority to my answers if I am speaking the truth.(Although many might claim I can't logically be so sure of myself.) If I don't know something I say so. I don't believe all atheists are spiteful towards God, but I often see a cynical side expressed towards believers. I know for a fact that there are contentious and arrogant Christians. If they knew the scripture, they would see their faults in those areas and work to alter their imperfect character a little more. If they cannot defend the faith calmly and rationally, they are not fit to answer these types of questions. Your opinions are yours to have, but I just want to let you know that I disagree.

Answer 5

You make a mistake in assuming that Christians have never questioned the Bible. Of course we have. We just realized that we were wrong in doing so. However, you were correct that we sometimes get frustrated with people picking on us. But the idea that Christians live lives that are without trouble is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, especially if you take into account the things that Christians face in communist countries where atheism reigns supreme. They are often slaughtered by the thousands in those places. We have it easier here in the States, but we still face problems, like disease, loss of loved ones, people that decide to leave their spouse just because he or she got tired of being married (happened to my brother and my sister), etc. The Bible basically teaches that life is hard, but God is good. He will sustain us and take care of us throughout our lives, even though we will face trials and tribulations, sometimes very devastating. In the end, He will take us home to heaven, where there will be no more suffering.

Answer 6

You could have made your point MUCH more succinctly. (We can't see all that stuff in the Additionals in this screen.)

You apparently don't notice all the Christians that frequent this category who AREN'T those you're talking about.

Just as there as some "god haters" who are imbecilic in this category, along with us reasonable atheists.

But if you think you're going to "convert" anyone here, you're as deluded as the preachers who frequent this category.

But then, that's not the purpose of this site -- to convert people.

It's for asking ans answering questions.

I've seen a few good, genuine questions from Christians addressed to atheists and non-Christians.

Mostly, I see a lot of preaching from both sides.

Answer 7

I agree with all that you have posted, but notice that you did not consider (or deliberately avoided) mentioning regional and educational/social and economic factors. This I believe would identify the larger percentage of the believers into a more narrowly defined grouping, something that has been glaringly obvious for a very long time. To repeat another posters remarks that Seattle is a top IQ city with the least number of churches, whereas Alabama........ Superstition is the state of believing that what you are unable to fathom is not the act of a higher mind, but a higher Deity.

Answer 8

all of it comes right down to the expectancy of perfection. Christians are no longer to any extent further effective than Atheist. We make blunders. If we've been appropriate various human beings might certainly convert to alter into appropriate to. Perfection is fathom in the international. the component is human beings get overly enthusiastic approximately spreading Christianity and bypass overboard. They style/ say regardless of pops into their head quite of asking The Holy Spirit for preparation on what to assert. You adult adult males can debate with us all you want and vice-versa. that's an countless conflict until Jesus returns or until we attain heaven. Our strikes ought to demonstrate Christ, no longer unavoidably our words. desire this help, And my apolpgies for previous, recent, and destiny ignorant performing Christians, Cora

Answer 9

Hi, After reading many of the answers, I would say that most Christians on here know their Bibles. I do, and I am a Christian.

And just for the info, my husband and I have a very good income and we want for nothing. This has neither added to or subtracted from my belief in God.

Answer 10

I could not agree more. The ones that are left do not pay any attention to any question that they see. Logic NEVER even enters their brain. They go on bible robotic mode and we all get ''The bible says".

There are a few wonderful Christians here that do actually think and we respect each other and have fun.