By Christianity, I mean strictly the fundamentalist, evangelical variety that feel the need to "save" the rest of us, and impose their views on others, whether by just offering unsolicited advice or by trying to legislate their personal "morals" on everyone else. I DO NOT refer to the true Christian- those who offer love and acceptance, do not judge, allow people their differences, and only want to live their lives according to the dictates of their own conscience but do not feel the need to inflict it on others.
2007-07-04 21:27:29 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We just moved into a new community, and my son got into a discussion with a mom and her daughter about Christianity. My son was exposed to some religion when he was younger (just so he could get some imformation and later be able to make up his own mind about how he felt) He made it clear he believed Darwin's theories, did not buy into religion at all, but respected her right to feel the way she does. (I was VERY proud of him) Now, this woman and her daugher are showing up on Sunday's banging on the door, inviting my son to church, etc. I also recently went to pick my son up after a prom and one of the parents walked right up to me that I had not met and asked me "what fellowship I belonged to?" We are constantly being handed flyers to invite us to church being handed out by rather aggressive "Christians". The topper though is we were to attend a class held in a church but could only attend if we signed a "statement of faith"! I though everyone was welcome in a "House of God"!!
2007-07-04 22:54:32 · update #1
Not nearly the same, Christianity is the biggest religion here, the majority of people born here are raised as Catholic or C of E, the thing is though when I left Christianity I did it freely without getting any hate, when people try to convert people here they normaly make events, and promote the communal side of the Religion before they try and make you "sign up".
I'm sure there are some die-hard fundie's here but I have not really encountered them. I can still speak freely to all the members of my old Church, some of them feign pity for my soul, but they haven't condemmed me ever.
I have met some, that are judgemental, but not so imposing as you say. The vast majority of "active" Christians(In England) I know are really considerate of others.
Edit: My old School counceler, was an "active" Christian, but no one even really knew. He never preached, he was a good listener.
I was raised to know the teachings, but alwasy told I had to choose the right path for me. Reading some of these other answers I think I was lucky.
and JW's do often turn up on my doorstep on a sunday.
2007-07-04 23:31:39 · answer #1 · answered by Link , Padawan of Yoda 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that it might be, but on a different scale to the US. In general I think that we English are not as outgoing as people in the US.
So for example it's very rare to go to the shopping centre and see Christians preaching or have people knock on your door telling you about the good news.
I do however think that evangelical churches are growing and so if you enter one of those you might now expect a hug or a much bigger welcome than you are used to.
It's hard though as the main part of the Christian religion is to share the good news of Jesus. I don't mind people sharing this good news with me as long as they don't judge or dictate. If they share Jesus' love and help then that's great, and I hope that there are many out there who will do this.
Obviously these answers will be personal thoughts.
It does remind me of a funny moment where some religious people in the shopping centre were telling people that they were 'going to hell' to which one shopper replied ' no mate, I'm going to the music shop' !!
2007-07-05 05:14:26 · answer #2 · answered by Dave N 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends where you live. Where I grew up, no, no-one was, everybody just got along. That was a working class area. Now I find myself stuck in a middle class district and over 70% of the people are christians, apparently. Obviously not the kind christians that actually do what they preach, but the snotty, judgemental, stiff-as-a-board types who hate everyone slightly different from them. And I get it all the time from my jehovahs witness neighbour and her friends, 'we're in the last days, you need to make a decision Acai' . I just did something to offend her and now she ignores me - great, should have done it ages ago.
2007-07-05 06:00:51 · answer #3 · answered by Acai 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recently re-discovered my faith and I attend church every Sunday with my family. Many of the churches in my home town have rising attendances, but that is partly down to the fact that a few of the churches where there is a high Muslim population have closed and their respective congregations have chosen to attend churches that are further afield.
2007-07-05 08:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by Hendo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No that type of Christianity is not as prevalent here. But you're question is incorrect. A 'true' Christian will be evangelistic, Jesus commanded us to do so "Go and make disciples of all the nations."
By the way, do you think its easy for us to start conversations with complete strangers? Everyone seems to think we do it just to annoy everyone else but I can tell you its flipping terrifying. We do it out of love for you.
That church that tried to get you to sign something to go their services was wrong though. Everyone IS welcome, believer or not.
God bless
2007-07-05 07:51:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, in fact England has become quite a secular country. I spent two months living with families who attend Christ Church in Deal, England.
The biggest problem is that the English Church has become quite exclusive and is not dealing with those who carry emotional wounds or baggage. Evangelical ritual has become more important than meeting people where they are at.
Plus if you watch the tele, as they call it, you will notice that nudity is not censored over there. I watched the English version of Americas Funniest Videos and one clip and naked old people dancing around. Evangelicals hate that type of stuff.
2007-07-05 04:36:48 · answer #6 · answered by Quexner_the_wonder_leech 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is dying a slow death in England, as in much of northern Europe. People are turning from "State Religions", Islam is rushing in. In one or two of the northern European countries, meaning north of France, Mohamed is now the most popular male name for babies. (I believe that is in the Netherlands).
American style fundamentalism has never been popular in UK or anywhere else in Europe, as far as I know.
I am Christian, affliated with the Anglican/Episcopal Church
2007-07-05 04:36:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
no,not nearly as much we do have some u.s imports but thankfully we shook off that religius fanatatism over 300yrs ago,we still have plenty of weird cults,from people who think the sun is a godess to people who act out the gorriest aspects of the passion of Yesus Christi,but on the whole we are a religiouslly tolerant society,well apart from people who have succumbed to the media led hysteria over islam
2007-07-05 04:40:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Far too many and they are taking over - even Sheffield council buys cars from the company which then invests in fundamentalists schools to brain wash our children.
2007-07-05 06:50:43 · answer #9 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, thankfully not. Just a few pockets of nutters left. Our main problem is not christian fundamentalism but Islamic fundamentalism.
2007-07-05 04:52:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋