Why do non-Christians insist that Christians want to "control" and "manipulate" the minds of everyone?

Question

Far be it from the truth. With all due respect to all who read this. All that Christians are trying to proclaim is the truth. A truth that can be backed up historically and scientifically as fact. What's the harm in letting people in on the truth of how things are supposed to be?

Is it "brainwashing" or "manipulation" to know the truth? You'd think all people would want to know the absolute.

I know that not everybody is going to believe this statement of mine but do the research yourselves. Look at the historical and scientifical worldviews from BOTH sides of the story, secular and Christian. And then decide. Be honest and see for yourself. Even if you may not personally agree with it you cannot argue with fact.

Answer 1

Satan is the fullness of darkness ( ignorance ) , and hides in lies, doing all he can to deceive.

Let the same MIND be in you that is in Christ Jesus.

Answer 2

I've not heard anyone 'insisting' that Christians want to control and manipulate the minds of everyone, but I do hear you insisting that what you believe is 'truth' and 'absolute', which suggests everyone else is 'wrong'. This is precisely what gets Christians a bad name. If you are unable to recognise that other people - followers of other religions and none - have sincerely held views, have thought long and hard about their beliefs and values, and deserve respect, then it becomes very difficult to have any meaningful dialogue about anything with you. The Christians I really respect (and there are quite a lot of them) understand that there are different ways of grasping what life is all about - that we are all like those blind-folded folk who touch an elephant, with one insisting they have a bell-rope, another a tree-trunk, another a snake etc. None of us has the whole picture and we might get a great deal closer if we could just accept that others are also doing their best to lead a good life.

I have no idea what 'research' you are talking about, but if you are seriously rejecting the scientific world view and the secular approach as having nothing to offer, I can't see a way to have a conversation.

Answer 3

Christianity, with all the "rules," stories, and faith that it entails is a thought process that non-Christians are unable/unwilling to try to wrap their brains around.

They don't understand the concepts on which Christianity is based. There are certain natural laws of truth, justice and mercy. To meet the requirements of all these laws, some kind of sacrifice had to be made. Jesus volunteered. He did it out of love for us. He was never forced to do it.

In return for this gift of salvation, Jesus asks obedience. Non-Christians don't understand that obedience brings blessings, and, counter-intuitive as it may seem, freedom. They don't realize that obedience brings peace, comfort, confidence, and a growth of character that is simply not possible without that conformity.

When one lives by the principles and thought processes that are found in God's commandments, whether intentionally or not, growth happens. God knows that true, lasting happiness can only be gained by living by these principles, and by no other way.


Think of live as a game- You open the box and there's a set of instructions, which includes a line that says something like, "Objective: To obtain lasting happiness." The instructions are pretty long and invovled- its' a complex game! Read the instructions (Bible), get what you can from them. Do your best to play the game by the rules, and the Manufacturer guarantees that at the end of the game (death), you'll find that you've won.

But living by rules that were made by Someone/Something they can't see doesn't make sense to non-Christains. They struggle with the whole "faith" thing, and don't realize that the product is proof of a Manufacturer/Creator.

Oh, well. When the end of the game comes, we'll all find out what's really true.


PS- Sorry for the novel. It's a good question, deserves a good answer.

Answer 4

I see no empirical evidence for what you claim as truth, however I don't say anyone who wants to believe such things shouldn't.

I do see that if a person says no thank you I have my own beliefs and own truths, some, not all christians, do not accept that. Telling your beliefs is one thing, continuing to do so when someone is not interested is another (not talking about a forum like this, this is a whole 'nother animal).

When one religion tries to enter the secular political arena and amend secular law to their beliefs then you are being manipulative because not everyone who is under that govt is a christian nor wants to be. As a group, you do not have the right to force your beliefs on people of other religions or people with no religion.

Answer 5

I have never seen your "truth" proven, any more than any other religion's "truth" has been. I've read the studies, I've looked at both sides, and all I see is a mystic who had some followers who died 2000 years ago, leaving a cult to grow into a major world religion.

You are entitled to your religion and welcome to it. But I don't believe it, and you have to respect that. However, Christianity is the only religion being forced on non-Christians through the laws of the United States, and that is unconstitutional and wrong. It is that I fight against, not Christianity in general.

Answer 6

Because yes some people DO try to push upon other people thier beliefs and 'morals' etc. However real Christians will let you know with kindness and not with the 'holier than thou, youre wrong im right' attitude. They will respect you. Salvation is a personal choice and if you don't honestly believe it why would i try to make you say you do even though you dont? It is your choice, however as christians we are sent to spread the salvation we once recieved....doesnt mean we are trying to stuff it down your throat.

Answer 7

The Truth of The True Christians Faith can not be "proved" by any one of The Faith... The Fact of The True Christian Faith is God... and only God may give The Truth to those He chooses... Far too many of The Faith go too far in proclaiming "Truth" they can not prove... this is where so many non-believers get their position that Christians are trying to cram their "beliefs" down peoples throats

Answer 8

It wasn't Deists or Pagans that got "In God We Trust" emblazoned on all the currency or "under God" in the prayer of allegiance, nor are they trying to get prayer reinstated in schools or Creationism taught along side evolution. And, if push comes to shove, I'd wager that the anti-choice crowd is will over 99% Christian.

Was there any contemporary accounting of Christ's life? I thought all that stuff was recorded decades after he died. Not days but years later.

Answer 9

I am a non-Christian and I do not appreciate your sweeping generalization.
I think we all own our individual truths and they may vary from person to person. I believe the main issue is many do not want Christian ideas becoming laws that all must follow.
Just my 2 cents.

Answer 10

What's controlling and manipulating is a religion that keeps its followers in line with threats (hell) and demeans them with the tenet that you are sinner and will never be good enough. What a brilliant way to keep people from getting too full of themselves and questioning anything. There is nothing factual in Christianity. It's just as much a book of fantasy as anything you'll read in the sci-fi section. Self-delusion is another form of manipulation and control, too. But it is much easier than using your brain, thinking for yourself, and accepting responsibility for your actions rather than relying on good old sky daddy to make it all right for you.

Answer 11

I give you George Bush... 'nuff said. And the "truth" via christianity cannot be "proven". Dude, if all you have is a holy book, you are in an extremely weak position.....one holy book is just as relevant as any other, and they can't all be true, can they???