This is the Religion and Spirituality section , isn't it ? Then Could You Please Help Me To Understand . . .

Question

Could you please help me to understand why some people are rude or offended when someone asks about God ?

My last question(titled would you be rude if) got 61 answers last night . Of those 61 , many were offended that I would even have the nerve or audacity to politely ask people to get to know Jesus . Do they think I should've asked it in 'Television' or 'Finances' ? Is there some kind of rule or ban that forbids someone to ask about God in the Religion and Spirituality section ?
I'm only being somewhat facetious to illustrate a point . To understand fully , you only have to read my previous question .

One last very relative and important point. . .. . . It should also be noted that I simply asked people if they'd be willing to get to know Jesus . . . . . I didn't ask them to convert or join any religion . Isn't it a good idea anymore to know exactly what you're talking about , fully , before commenting on any topic ?

Anyways , God Bless every one of you !!

Map - If you have the temerity , I ask you to show any criticism whatsoever . And if you can't , then I ask you to amend your answer . Thank you .

Ty the Unsaved Guy - Smile . You asked if I'd be offended if a Muslim asked me to get to know Mohammed ? LOL , no , why would that offend me ?!?!

Cassie - Provide even one ounce of proof for your statement please . Thank you .

Map - Cmon now . You took that out of context . I was clearly referring to people who say they already know God , but had left the faith . If that wasn't clear enough , then i apologize . But I still ask that you go back and see that .

Answer 1

Ernest, I am truly sorry for the hatred that spews these days. First before I say anything else. There is nothing wrong with asking if anyone would like to get to know Jesus. I know Jesus as my personal Savior. What a wonderful presence to have in my life, my heart, and especially my soul! Without God in my life, I truly do not know how I would survive. He gives me the strength and courage to face another day with optimism and joy. He gives me the wisdom to raise my daughter right. He gives me hope that there is better than what we have here on earth. He gives me immense love and serenity. He is my anchor in all storms and my peace. To live without God would be to not live.

I think that the hatred comes from ignorance as well as, fear. People in general are always afraid of what they do not know or understand. So they lash out at those who think they do know. People are so wrapped up in their little lives that they think they have actually created all that is good themselves. However, if their lives are sorry and pathetic, then of course, that is God's fault! People are all about control these days, controlling everything from the environment, oil, health care, and yes us. They think that if they can control it that everything will go the way they want it to. They can not grasp the concept of free will, and that there really is no control. They do not understand that giving your life to God actually gives you more insight and control. To fully follow God and Christ, you must allow Him to control and guide your life. That is when life is the best!

As I am taught, for those who are rude to you, forgive them. Pray for them so that they may also find the peace and love that God provides.

Why people were offended is because that is the way the liberal establishment wants them to be. Children are being taught a warped sense of freedom of religion. Ever since one atheist stood up and complained that prayer in school offended her, it was then removed. Ever since God was removed from the school systems, evil has taken over. Freedom of religion DOES NOT mean freedom from any religion. When you have people like the Clintons, Ted Kennedy, Al Gore, and so on. They all pretend to worship God, but we all know they do not follow God. The late sixties started the down fall of this country's religious freedom. Most of it I do not understand, because why should a nativity scene at Christmas be offensive? Or a cross at Easter? I do not understand why Merry Christmas would make someone want to scream to the government. I have no hatred towards any religion, but the Christian religion is the most maligned. But haven't we always been? I think as Christians, it is our cross to bear. It is also our duty to press on and not let ignorance and hatred stop us. That is what Christ wanted and did. In closing, I think that part of the problem with why people hate Christianity is because of the moral rules. The moral rules does not allow them to be promiscous, drunken, hateful, vengeful, adulterous, lustful, or to covet, steal, kill, lie, cheat, bare false witness, be homosexual, or abort. That is where the hate comes from.

Though long, I hope this helped you to better understand. Thank you for bringing this forward and God Bless You! God Bless Everyone!

WOW! A thumbs down already, I must have hit a liberal or atheist nerve. Oops sorry! lol

Answer 2

I agree mate, I am an Atheist so I don't believe in religion or god's. However I believe knowledge is power, so I would like to learn as much as possible about all aspects of life.

Also I think some people are scared in case they are converted to said religion or other. I think I am smart enough to figure it out for myself, which I have been since I was 12.

When I was at school my teacher asked the class to write on a piece of paper, whether or not we believed in God. I had never questioned this before, as I was brought up to believe. I wrote yes, but in very small letters. From that day I started questioning everything from God to the ingredients on a can of food.

Answer 3

It is a generally accepted fact that God and politics are very dangerous topics to broach because they arouse such violent and divisive feelings in many people. It is perfectly legitimate to put a question about religion in this section and it is a sad fact of life that you will get abusive or snooty answers.
Whatever one's conviction, beliefs, origin, or nationality, there is no excuse for unpleasantness in any section of yahoo answers, but, if this is any consolation to you, it will happen in other sections too, even in Finances, if someone disagrees with what you have posted. You would think that Languages or Travel would be innocuous topics where abuse would never occur, and yet the French, or the Spanish Americans, are regularly in for vilification. Such comments as "Why would you want to go there for. The French are horrible people and cowards" are frequent occurrences and the thumbs down are even given all down the line to the all the different entries using the words "French".
Some people get their kicks out of being unpleasant and snooty.

"May your God go with you!" as Dave Allen used to say.

Answer 4

You also got many polite responses, so I it looks like you asked that question for the purpose of getting some rude answers so you could say "See, look how mean those nasty o'l non-believers are" If those 61 answers, many were polite, and many were support from believers, even tho' your question wasn't directed at them, so why are you only interested in showcasing the rude answers ? I guess it would go against your belief to acknowledge that a non-believer acted politely ?

Also, your claim that you are not asking anyone to convert or "join a religion" is rather disengenous. Many Christians argue that Christianity is "not a religion, its' a relationship". By asking people to get "know Jesus" (you didn't say know ABOUT Jesus) you are in fact asking them to develop a relationship with him, and many Christian define Christianity as a "relationship with Jesus".

You can put whatever semantical spin on it you'd like, but you weren't really asking a question, you were getting up on your soap box and preaching.

I am sure you will put my answer in the "rude" category, but I am just answering your "question". I suspect that you consider any answers that don't support you to be rude.

Answer 5

I note your "Top Contributor" came from Politics. But here, I think there's a number of assumptions that cause confusion/conflict.

"Religion and Spirituality" is open to all Religions and Spiritualities. Some people (from extreminists in all faiths) tend to forget this.

Oh the other hand, I think there's a few assumptions on your part that lead you open to confusion/conflict.

Extreminsts from both Non-X-ians and Atheists/Agnostics (a form of spirituality & therefore hav a right to be here, will take offense to comments like the blessing at the end of your question.

Even ignoring them - there are people here who've been assulted, insulted & worse by people shoving Christ's message down their throats - 9/11 proved that ANY religion is judged by the actions of Extreminsts. So just denouncing such Extreminsts as "not christians" do not soften the scaring.


I think there is a need here for people to look at what they say, how they say it AND look at how they'd feel if they are spoken to in that (usually in a insulting, derogatory or challanging) manor.

.

Answer 6

People get offended by the slightest things these days. If you saw the wrong word, make a statement personal, it does'nt matter...offence is made without ever meaning it. By asking people to get to know Jesus, you don't need to beleive in him, just learn about him. There is a historical side the sacred writtings.
One thought...if your going to ask people to come to know who Jesus was, not who He said He was might have found more productive answers. The fact that you were challenged should make you look at how those challenges were phrased.
Remember my friend, there is a time and a place for everything under heaven, even the rude have their time.
Blessings to you and yours.
+David

Answer 7

To those who are dying we are the smell of death...they may not physically smell it but they see someone asking about Jesus or praying and are so offended they lash our or even report the question so they can get rid of that smell...but there is nowhere to hide from the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Keep on asking. I think it's awesome to ask in a non-pushy way...very Christ-like.

Blessings.

Answer 8

Of course it is a good idea to learn about other viewpoints. Have you learned about Islam? How about Hinduism? Buddhism? Are you willing to make the study of all the ideas people have come up with? If not, get off your high horse.

What frustrates people is that many Christians do try to push their religion to the place it gets annoying. Give it a rest for a moment! Talk about something interesting for a change. Most atheists know the stories in the Bible. Most know the history of the Bible (both in it and how it was put together). They have simply figured out that they don't believe it. Asking them to 'get to know Jesus' sounds to us like our asking you to 'get to know Socrates'. It's a funny way to talk about learning what someone dead has said.

Answer 9

This section (religion and spirituality) is the perfect place to ask questions about God (by whatever name or concept you understand Him/Her). I have noticed that some (many)people tend to get rude when they are defensive--regardless of the topic. Why do they get defensive? Usually because they feel threatened (again, regardless of the topic). Topics relating to religion and spirituality are dear to people's heart and many are passionately committed to their beliefs. When you combine a passion for your beliefs and a defensive attitude, unfortunately rudeness and intolerance results.

A few weeks ago, I posted a question wondering why some people post questions about religion and spirituality in the folklore & mythology section. Many people answered that when they posted in the R&S section they got blasted with rude comments (how sad).

This is the perfect place for posting questions about anything related to our Creator--a place to engage in meaningful exchanges (answers/responses) that are respectful and tolerant of the diversity represented in this forum.

Answer 10

Earnest, I think you and I and all other Christians know the real reason why your question was so offensive.
Why did they gnash of Stephen with their teeth when he taught about Jesus Christ?
If you know the answer to that then you have your answer.

I would pull back for awhile and allow God to fill me up again with His goodness so you can sprinkle it out again.
I'm sure you thirst about now.

Be tremendously blessed my friend in the presence of the Lord.

Egg_Sammash

Answer 11

The reason is because in the Western world, where Christianity is the predominate religion, most people have seen too many Christians who encourage others to Christianity- either strongly or not- yet don't themselves follow Christian practice and beliefs of loving God and their fellow men- whether they are Christian or not (or Samaritan or tax-collector or whore or not.) Hipocrisy is the problem and the only solution for the Christian is to demonstrate Christianity, not preach it. That's not to say that's what you are doing, only that that's what people are sensitive about.