If they think God is going to destroy the souls of those people anyway, what would prevent them from rationalizing that it is okay to cheat, steal from, abuse, do bodily harm, etc. to the "unsaved." Isn't that the mindset that allowed "witches" to burned at the stake in the Middle Ages?
2007-07-22 03:22:56 · 17 answers · asked by Pascha 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is absolutely true. Some people like to categorize others as either good-saved and evil-unsaved. Once you've demonized another group, you are able to justify horrible treatment to that group. Almost all groups, political or religious, do this kind of thing if they become too radical. The important thing to remember is that all people are equal and it is never right to dehumanize others.
2007-07-22 03:29:08 · answer #1 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If a person is truly saved, they have no desire to see anyone come to harm in any way. Their desire is to see the unsaved come to know Christ too, so they can have eternal life with God. As a Christian, it is never okay to cheat, steal, abuse or harm anyone. Not even to think that way. What prevents that way of thinking is the fact that the Holy Spirit lives in us, and we want to do what is pleasing to God. We also have a genuine concern and love for others, including non-believers.
2007-07-22 12:56:44 · answer #2 · answered by beano™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Christianity does not endorse doing harm to anyone. People will make up their own rules and doctrines and still call themselves Christian.
On the other hand one could equally rationalize that atheists cheat, steal from, abuse, do bodily harm, etc. to believers because they feel that believers are fools anyway. I do not think it would be fair or correct for me to sit here and think that about atheists and I think the same can be said for your thoughts.
2007-07-22 10:30:21 · answer #3 · answered by ignoramus_the_great 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There is no justification in Christianity for harming others for any reason. The God of Abraham, whose name is "I Am" and not "I Was" is not out there waiting to zap somebody for their beliefs (or lack thereof).
We all have free will and that gives us the ability to formulate our own opinions regarding what is correct for us and our relationship to the rest of the world and we are accountable to both ourselves and that moment we Christian's know as "the great white throne judgment".
While I agree that egregious treatment of people has ocurred in the name of Christianity, your contention that any modern Christian would rationalize that it is okay to cheat, steal, abuse, maim, etc to ANYONE, including the 'unsaved' is both flawed logic and a false representation of the gospel, which is a mandate of love, tolerance, forgiveness, and everlasting life in the eternity.
2007-07-22 10:33:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. Jesus commands believers to do unto others as you would have others do unto you. As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are taught to love, respect and behave in a way that brings honor to God. Not every Christian does this, but many do. The teachings of Christ are of love, respect and living in peace with others. It is totally against the moral values of a true follower of Christ to cheat, steal from, abuse and do bodily harm to others.
2007-07-22 10:38:07 · answer #5 · answered by Shmootsy 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm always not trying to be paranoid about it, but as so many christians and muslims think "the end of times" has come, I am getting worried either. The interpretations of their "holy books" can be chosen to their own liking and are as flexible as chewing gum, and you don't need a lot of them to be able to do very damaging things. Look at what Al-Qaeda did to provoke the US and the harm their strategy of fear brings to the world and in the end to the Middle East in particular. And many phrases in particular in the old testament and the quran, literally dictate to kill people, like those who don't believe in their (interpretation of) their god, gays and whoever doesn't exclusively live by their rules. I'm sensing they're sharpening their swords.
2007-07-22 10:39:18 · answer #6 · answered by Caveman 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The people who burned witches were not right, even though they thought they were. Christians should not harm others who do not believe as they do.
2007-07-22 10:36:18 · answer #7 · answered by hodgiegirl2000 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You forgot to mention Christian persecution. It happens everyday, and it will keep happening till Jesus comes and rescues us.
If someone has harmed you, or stolen from you, or abused you in any way, I am sorry for that. Although, if someone has done that, then they are not who they say they are. Many people claim to be Christians, but are not. Please don't confuse those people with true Christians (true followers of Jesus Christ), who only want you to be saved, because that is what He wants. He does not wish for you to perish, but to have eternal life with Him. That is the message we are to give you, not one of hatred, and harm. God Bless
2007-07-22 10:42:43 · answer #8 · answered by byHisgrace 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it certainly doesn't, it actually lands them with the responsibility to help all those who wish to be helped.
The intolerant people who burnt witches, or fed Christians to the lions, or killed Jewish communities are the ones who perpetuate the conflicts we see today.
The gauge of a person is the ability they have to help others and how well those around them are doing.
2007-07-22 10:40:13 · answer #9 · answered by michaeljripley 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I believe I'm saved but as a born-again christian I want everyone to be saved and that what God wants too.
God gave us a new loving nature so why harm anyone?!!
2007-07-22 10:30:05 · answer #10 · answered by The born-again christian 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋