I am an admitted bigot when it comes to Christians. I want to accept everyone, but I feel naturally distrustful and loathing around Christians because of past experiences. I've been attacked and persecuted by Christians on many occasions. But I want to preach tolerance and live in a world where Christians and Pagans and people of all faiths and philosophies can work together. How can I begin to overcome this bigotry??
2007-07-29 17:49:28 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
get to know some of the cool christians in here ..
2007-07-29 17:51:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
Wiccans/Pagans generally affect a victim stance when it comes to Christians. The reasons for this depend largely on the person, but I think the answer comes in a few ways:
1.) Realize that some people are freakin' morons. Especially with regard to religion. Particularly when it comes to alternative religions. You belong to a small religion that is perceived by many as either inherently sinful or manifestly silly. Accept it. Accept that people are going to be idiots about it, too. You have no control of that.
2.) Recognize that morons come in all forms. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, athiest, buddhist, hindu, atheist, wiccan, satanist - whatever. You probably aren't in a situation where you can experience many good Christians. You don't go to church and the good ones don't get in your face much.
3.) Accept power over your own life. Some people are against you. Some people won't like you. All you can do is be yourself and choose your reaction to this. I recommend living your life without giving much of a damn about it. We don't need to justify ourselves and the last thing we need is to empower others to pick us apart.
4.) It's okay to not like some people or to think that some philosophies/religions are abhorrent and wrong. You don't have to accept everyone. You shouldn't. I think Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are degrading and corrupt. But I recognize that some people embrace their better angels and remain decent in spite of this. This helps me to value the individual believer, recognize what I disagree with them about, and not feel compelled to like everyone that passes under that label just because I happened to like one person.
All the best,
Lazarus
2007-07-30 01:04:10 · answer #2 · answered by The Man Comes Around 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I really think it is just like every other denomination... race, religion... there are labels and assumptions you can find in every group... I'm a Christian, love God and Jesus.... but I've been having trouble even finding a home church because there are even so many preachers even that I've run into that seem to try to conform the Bible to societies views (which is what the Bible warns of as a false prophet) and not truly God's word... people in so many ways seem to be able to point things in the direction they see fit... not the way it is, just with perception.... people in every walk of life seem to be trying to get the world to see through their eyes... really is sad... we all should be looking for the truth... not what we want the truth to be.... anyways, I think you have to take every person on their own and form an opinion.... I'm a little curious of your religion... if it is related in any way to native Americans.... anyways... God Bless!
2007-07-30 01:08:35 · answer #3 · answered by Country 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel that way too sometimes. I try to remember that most of the Christians I come into contact with aren't really vengeful or hateful...Mostly, they haven't read or thought about the same things I have. I think of them (sometimes) with pity-they live in fear and sometimes, it comes out as anger.
Then there are the ones who truly believe God & Jesus are the same being and that they're love-completely forgetting a lot of the OT and not realizing that single males do not create life on their own-If I start feeling uncomfortable around one, I ak them that and that usually ends the religious part of the conversation and we can talk about something else we do have in common...Or, they might actually start considering that and start asking sincere questions
:-)
2007-07-30 14:45:54 · answer #4 · answered by strpenta 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just remember that not all christians are in your face trying to tell you what to do. If you have a bad attitude to all christians the way some christians do to all non-christians it would be the same thing. Just show that you are better than them by not trying to force your beliefs on other people and ignore the annoying ones instead. By showing them how tolerant you are of them you can set a good example
2007-07-30 00:54:52 · answer #5 · answered by SmEllY! 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Only in time. Sometimes we just have to turn the other cheek. I know it doesn't seem like Christians are very tolerant when it comes to Pagans, only because they think that they are the only ones right. But they as Christians can't seem to share their own faith amongst them selves. Just keep seeking the ability to accept the fact that everyone must believe in some thing, and over look those who have no influance in your life.
2007-07-30 05:00:10 · answer #6 · answered by southernriana 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can overcome it by getting to know a few Christians. You'll learn some are nice, some aren't; that they vary, just like every other religious group on the planet.
I really respect your tolerance, your determination. Already you can teach people a thing or two!
2007-07-30 00:53:06 · answer #7 · answered by pamiekins 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
i'm with you. we, as a species, need to set up a world where tolerance of everyone is mandatory. not tolerance of everyone except christians. to give a little backbone to my argument, it's worth mentioning that i'm not a christian.
sure, evangelical christianity has a problem with tolerance, but it doesn't mean we should develop that same problem.
the best way to overcome bigotry is to try to put yourself in that person's shoes. also, to realize bigotry is a rather widespread problem (especially in R&S, lol). it doesn't mean you have to enjoy their conversion effort, or even put up with it. but it does mean you respect the person and their beliefs. even if they don't extend you the same courtesy. take the moral high ground. :)
2007-07-30 01:03:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have a lot of Christian friends and they are all sweet and never imposing. They don't feel the need to try and "save me" because they accept that my religion is the right one for me (Judaism) because it was what I was raised on. Actually one of them constantly kids about wanting to convert to Judaism...
My only qualm with christianity is people who try to impose their religion onto you. I've really only experienced that on these boards, so for the most part my experiences with Christians has been good
2007-07-30 01:01:10 · answer #9 · answered by future_jewish_public_defender 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd suggest taking a slightly different POV.
It's not the faith that is the "problem" rather the acts of those - well those who'd be offended my comments really. Those who are willing to use the religion to push their agenda of bigotry, hatred & violence.
.
2007-07-30 06:50:12 · answer #10 · answered by Rai A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only suggestion I can offer is to try to view them as fellow human beings and to approach that which repels you by seeking out dialogue with Christians.
2007-07-30 00:58:53 · answer #11 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋