Is it true that most non-Christians view of Christianity comes from the Christians they see and not the Bible?

Question

"Out of one hundred men, one will read the Bible, and nintey-nine will read the Christian"
D.L. Moody

I believe this statement to be true in my opinion. What it boils down to is I think we as Christians can try and quote Scripture after Scripture, but if we don't walk the talk, it is no use. But I just want some non-Christians' opinions.

When thinking about Christianity, will you look at the Christians more than the Bible?

Answer 1

i agree and sadly we christians often "drop the ball" and portray a very negative view for non-christians when it comes to christianity. case in point...many of the christians here who really seek to offend potential converts by asking irrelevant and insulting questions.

Answer 2

I think you are not looking deep enough into this. Take a look at your non-christians and see if any of them actually used to be christian themselve. I can pretty much guarantee you that a good number of them did. I personally used to be christian and left because of the BOTH the bible and the members. I had so many questions the bible couldn't answer but that could be answered elsewhere. I brought those same questions to the PEOPLE of the religion and got few answers besides "Don't ask questions! just accept things and god will love you". To me a religion must be able to successfully answer any to all questions I might have.
But yes, some people do looks at the Christians and not the bible. I mean, why SHOULD they look any further when those christians are the product of following the teachings in that book? I personally believe you should judge the religion only after you have studied/practiced it, but I can understand other peopel's aversion to a religion that openly promotes love and hatred at the same time (Yes i know not all christians are like this but too many are).

Answer 3

This is mostly true for me except that I was raised catholic and have had some bible study. I am guilty of generalizing christians and believing that the majority of them are hipocrits. But in my experience I have met very few who like you said, "walk the talk". For me just hearing the lable christian or christianity makes me cringe and it feels like the religion is so far off from what Jesus was all about. I might even consider myself a Christian if it wasn't for what the religion, the religious leaders, and the followers were like because I believe in Christ and God. Your right, quoting scripture is a waste of time if the quoter is a hateful, judgemental slime. I really believe the only way to God is a direct connection, a personal connection and I feel like religion, especially the christian religion does alot to hinder spiritual growth to God. I try (not always successful) to speak about my beliefs in terms that it is my truth, what is right for me and I wish christians would do the same and stop telling me just exactly what they believe I am doing wrong in my spiritual life. But of course the bible commands christians to spread the word about judgement day and I know that makes you feel obligated. But I do not believe the bible is the word of God. I know it says it is - isn't that convenient. I have seen the bible used to scare and control many lives and I believe that was it's original purpose when MEN wrote it. I hope my perspective helps you find some understanding. It is inevitable that the bible and christianity the way it is practiced primarily today is going to exclude and condem large groups of good, moral people and your questioning probably won't change that. But I do appreciate you asking sincerely wanting to understand. That understanding is an act that is worthy of being a real follower of Jesus - as opposed to a christian. Blessings to you.

Answer 4

When thinking about Christianity, yes. When thinking about the Bible, no.

However...

There are still things of which I cannot approve of the Bible, not to mention the lack of evidence for God's existence. The latter is enough to turn me away from it all.

The people? Absolutely awful. And of course, it's impossible to point out to them that 1.) many of their beliefs don't even come from the Bible, 2.) they aren't practicing love as Jesus himself taught, 3.) many of their beliefs contradict themselves, and 4.) that they are being brainwashed. Now, we DO like to use that last term... and it's for a good reason. Some people are raised to believe in it, which makes it very difficult to escape; most follow whatever their pastor/priest says without question (if they listen at all); and many do not even read the Bible, for whatever reason. Of the ones who do, many yet interpret only as they have been told.

You see, there is a genuine lack of interest in Christianity... but an obsession with tradition. This breeds no good...

Answer 5

Yes, it's true. But it's also the only thing that matters to me. The Bible cannot vote to remove my rights, but the Christians can.

However, I'm not the average atheist. I'm the son, grandson, cousin, and nephew of pastors. I majored in religion in a Methodist school, and I spent a year in seminary. I studied Greek and Hebrew. I know more about the Bible than most Christians ever will.

And my original statement stands. I fear the votes of Christians more than anything else. There are as many interpretations of the Bible as there are readers of it.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 6

As there are supposedly 1.2 billion Christians on this planet it isn't too hard to come to the conclusion that there are good Christians and bad ones. That said, a study of history shows that Jesus wasn't worshipped AS a god until 325 A.D. where it was DECIDED that Jesus was "divine" at the Council of Nicea convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine. Before that Jesus was a prophet - NOT a god. Thus, Christianity is based on a "twist of history" if you will, and as such I will never be a Christian again because I "have learned the truth, and the truth has set me free".

Answer 7

One does not force ones beliefs on another. Man is of no excuse. He can use anyone as a example,why not? God comes in many forms a lot of time we even wonder. Why did I say that? Maybe God used you for that very purpose. God need know one to defend him surely he takes care of us,he pays his own bills. Man is held accountable for every word and deed he or she has done. It is Good to quote the word of God...because if any is offended it is not a Christian who said it.God said it! Do you take things personally? Can you remember when you did not seek him? Mocking,angry,upset?
The world is blind until Jesus turns on the light! How can they see without a preacher, how well they hear unless someone is sent? We can not be moved by public opinion,but we are and our little hearts hurt and get offended by the opinion of the unsaved.

Answer 8

Well, yes. I think your walk the walk thing is right on the mark. Even if I read the Bible I turn to my fellow man to help with understanding and interpreting it. I could still become a Christian if I have bad experiences with my fellow men's example, but I would not become a main-stream Christian.

Answer 9

this is how almost everyone perceives anything because it takes the least energy. for example, in the cold war era people were strongly against communism because of what it did to the USSR, but if they would actually pick up a book and read about it they would find communism is a good theory. now the same thing applies to the christians, when christians are appalled by my non-belief and shun me that leaves an impression that christianity is bad and self centered, and close minded. its a decent religion in theory, but theories are theories, and this one cannot be perfected.

Answer 10

No, it's not. I've read the bible. Read it over and over again. Didn't help my outlook. In fact, it made me more aware of the gross intolerance of many of it's so-called followers. Others of us have been there themselves and seen the hypocrisy firsthand.

That being said, I am not an atheist who discounts all Christians and believers of any faith as being bad, or stupid, or ignorant. I call it as I see it on a personal level. I have many Christian friends, and many atheist friends, and Jewish friends, etc. What I have a problem with is anyone generalizing a group of people as a group, and not as individuals. I don't like your religious beliefs - doesn't mean I necessarily don't like or would not like you personally.

Answer 11

Non-christians are not in the habit of reading the Bible. Christians are the ones who read it a lot.

And it's only natural that non-christians judge the value of christian faith by looking at what difference if any it makes among those who believe in this religion.