What repels nonbelievers from Christianity?

Question

If you do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God or you hate Christianity, how come?

Feel free to share any personal experiences.

Answer 1

I'm a Christian, but I think nonbelievers are turned off by Christianity because of bad experiences they've had with so-called "believers." A lot of Christians feel it's necessary to push their beliefs in the faces of others, but that's really NOT the way God intended it to be. Furthermore, many Christians have tendencies to judge and condemn others who don't share their views, but it really is NOT their place to do so. Christians are commanded to love everyone just as Christ loved...and that means EVERYONE: murderers, slanderers, adulterers, prostitutes, thieves, homosexuals and those who don't share their beliefs. So again, I completely understand why nonbelievers are "repelled" by Christianity. I just continue to pray that they understand that, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven."

Answer 2

Well because Jesus was a spiritual master and not the son of God. That's the first reason. Then there is the fact that all religions are man-made therefore are not what they should be. Then the reason man came up with religion was to control the masses. I can control myself without someone telling me what I can and can't do. Then there is the holy than thou attitude of some christians. Then there are the ones who take the bible as literal and don't realize that it wasn't written to be taken that way. Then there is the fact that many christians who claim to have so much knowledge about the bible have no clue what the truth is in the bible.

I think those are enough reasons for now.

Answer 3

Christians repel non-believers from Christianity. I'm a Christian and I've been to lots of different denominations and even some other religions. There are a number of really obnoxious Christians who ruin it for many people.

When a person asks really tough questions in order to determine whether or not Christianity is legitamate and they get garbage answers, that repels the non-believer. It seems most preachers want to answer simple questions like "Does God exist?" or "Was Jesus God?" When they get hit with a really tough question they give an answer that has nothing to do with the question or they give a non-commital answer like, "You need to pray."

Another thing that repels non-believers is inter-denominational bickering. Baptists claiming Catholics aren't Christians. Catholics claiming Jehovah's Witness aren't Christian. Jehovah's Witness claiming Church of Christ aren't Christians, etc., etc. All denominations need to stand together to strengthen the body of Christ.

Answer 4

I know some Christians are caught up into Endtimes beliefs and some actually pray for the world to end. I think that's Evil. I'm a pagan and have studied about many gods. When I look at the symbology of Jesus, I wonder if He is actually a symbol of Death. He was celibate, had no children or sex, and was executed. The cross, a device of execution, is a common symbol of Christianity. The only other Hanged God I've read about is Odin, and He's not always someone you can trust to have your best interests in mind. The 'Conform or be Damned' thing is worrying too. How can all religions be fake except for Christianity which Christians say is the Absolute Truth? That's too extreme and dismisses wisdom from all the other religions in the world. I think wisdom is more important than it's source. I see the actions of public figures who are open about their faith in Christ, like George Bush, Mel Gibson, and televangelists who got caught in scandels and I have to wonder about that. You never hear about a Buddhist leader who got caught using drugs and having gay sex like some of those televangelists.

Answer 5

I think if you weren't indoctrinated as a child, there are many obvious flaws in Christianity: 1) There is no need for a god. Not to explain nature, and not to feel 'complete'. 2) If there was a god, how in the world would you decide that it was the christian god? Think about how many people in the world believe in some other god Just As Strongly As You Do yours. Think about all the religions through history, and how many people were certain about their gods. Why would I worship Jesus instead of Ra the sun god? 3) The bible is a little nutty. Frankly, it's hard for me to imagine anyone reading that and seeing God. It's illogical, contradictory, and just laughably silly in places. 4) Religion has not done the world a shred of good. More people have died, by far, in the name of religion than for any other reason. Those people who didn't die directly because of religion were killed by someone using religion (very often Christianity) to justify their actions. 5) The behavior I've seen from individuals seems to agree with the societal behavior from #4. The persecution of Jews and homosexuals, the deprecation of women, etc. 6) God seems a lot like Santa Claus to me. There's about equal proof for both. I don't believe in Santa either. How's that?

Answer 6

I was raised catholic and even went to school as such (there's another nightmare).....

for all of the good-feeling talk, the actions of such believers, their attitudes towards people, money, etc.....I observed has been the complete opposite.

I've observed that people will attend their church or whatever.....as a social gathering, each seeking to fill their bellies and looking to forward their cause, massage their own ego.

In other words, it's hypocrisy. It's not seeking honesty or truth.

I was fortunate - I had a priest who was honest and a seeker of truth - and he warned me privately about the state of things....and my eyes were opened and I saw he was correct. Church is big business today, he explained that to me as well. Money, rents, properties, investments, huge gold inventories, homosexuality, these all run right through the church.

So the words, so ofter parroted by "believers", about love and god and etc.....soon bear the fragrance of the decay that exists in faith, in blind, un-thinking unquestioning faith.

And why would I or any other thinking person desire to even associate with such people? Didn't Jesus even warn against such people, calling them hypocrites?

And yet if you attend church regularly (and I did) you will find this is very commonly how people operate their faith - like a bulldozer.

No thank you. God gave us brains to THINK with. I'll use mine to seek truth where I find it.

God is good and that's enough for me, I don't want anything to do with anything connected with religious people or their religions.....

Answer 7

Just because I am not attracted does not mean I'm repelled. I have read the bible from cover to cover several times (Have YOU ever read a science book that was not a text book?) and I find it is a collection of stories and morality plays. The new testament was written 300 years after Christ's death.
Knowing it's history, it can not be accepted as the word of god.
And the bible is the basis of your religion. along with your "spirit"

in other words, a badly edited novel and a gut feeling are all you have.

So I am not repelled, I just find nothing attractive.

am I wrong?

Answer 8

It's not Christianity per se, but religion in general. Why do people subvert logic for religious fervor? I can't say so myself, except that it gives people comfort. Christianity's track record has not been a good one, especially it's "love thy neighbor" part. So much of the Bible contradicts itself, condones genocide, incest, etc. that a sane person would look at it adn be aghast at the horrible words. Also, I can't understand why people are wrapped up in end times nonsense, eschewing the real world and it's problem for the supposed "thousand year kingdom". Come on people! If it comes it comes, no point wrapping your lives around it!

Answer 9

I'm not repelled so much as not attracted.

You probably don't understand this (or *won't*) but I've never seen the appeal of Christianity. I've never been Christian, never been tempted to try it....

Sort of like cigarette smoking, if you'll forgive the metaphor. Never had an interest, never tried a single puff, not once.

When I read the Bible the first time, it was like reading the Mahabarata. It may be a bunch of religious stories, but I never considered joining the religion it's about.

Answer 10

I don't accept your Jesus as a messiah and I certainly don't hate Christianity or any other religion. There are many reasons for me not to follow those kinds of beliefs. The books of your bible, if read carefully, is sufficient reason to become an Agnostic or an Atheist.