Why is it that people dislike Christianity so much?

Question

This is a general phenomenon observed today.

Muslims dislike Christians ( A pretty old war ).
Atheists don't agree with theists especially Christians.
Jews don't like Christians.

Please give me your honest views.

Paul S, you're damn right!

Jack P and TomyThumb, I agree with you guys too.

Answer 1

Matthew 24:9
It is a sign of the times we live in.
Read all of Matthew 24 to get it in context

Answer 2

A ton of reasons.

1. Some people had it forced down their throat as kids.
2. Some people had parents that were heavily into the church/or were leaders and turned out to be drunkards, bums, violent,sex offendors etc.
3. Some people have had very bad experiences in church or with other Christians.
4. Media. The tv evangelist money, sex etc expositions, eg, Ted Haggard, Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggart.
5. Second hand accounts of Christianity from other people, usually non Christian. Also second hand accounts from disenchanted ex Christians.
6. Cultural bias, eg, Muslim nations.
7. An awareness of world history. Some people are very conscious of the inquisitions, crusades, witch burnings etc.

And a lot more I'm sure.

I was going to add the popular perceptions of Christians that they don't smoke, drink, gamble, party excessively etc, plus they have to go to church, pray, give money etc. However, I believe that these are simply reasons that people are NOT Christians-but not reasons that they are AGAINST or dislike Christianity.

There is a difference. I can choose not to be a member of an organisation, but still not hate it or despise it. Or I can not be a member, but really hate it too.

Answer 3

"Muslims dislike Christians ( A pretty old war )"
Actually, the Muslims you're talking about generally dislike Western global dominance. It's coincidental that the West is predominately Christian.

"Atheists don't agree with theists especially Christians."
Atheists argue with Christians more because the countries they live in tend to be mostly Christian, not generally because of Christianity itself.

"Jews don't like Christians."
That's hardly a surprise. Christians have been persecuting Jews for nearly 2,000 years. But most Jews probably dislike Islam far more than Christianity these days.

Answer 4

Wow! After reading all the Pro-Christian and Anti-Christian views take your pick. I mean everybody has "their" reason(s). For myself I would say because it is full of contradictions. Before I continue I like to say to all that even if you disagree or dislike a thing (or others views) there's no need to insult. Insulting is a trait of ignorance. Meaning if you cannot respond (disagree) intelligently then you replace it with an insult. Sort of like saying maaaan F'it! Because you don't know how or what to say. Now the birth of religion from my studies is that God is The Creator and He Commands that He is to be worshipped "alone" (Deuteronomy 8:11-21). So the Old Testament establishes it. Then the verses (Deuteronomy 13) sets up a conviction against the false apostle Paul which is then cleared up in Revelation 19:10. So notice I use their book for proofs that God is to be worshipped alone and that Jesus is not to be worshipped. I can go on and on but the point is that Christians can produce proof for their views too. Jesus is the Son of Man! No...he's the Son of ...! God and Jesus or the same. No he is a manservant of God. Back and forth we can dispute without clearity of what is the truth. So for myself I dislike it because of my disagreeing with it with an intelligent argument not blind bigotry as I see the world have with others beliefs. If you were to be honest with yourself and what you see based upon the true definition of "bigotry" and "prejudice" and were to study the veiws and actions of the worlds leaders and what drives their intentions behind their actions it would probably fall under one of these catagories. Take that and think about the lives that are lost and for what reasons. Unfortunately religion from all sides share in this sad state the world is in. I'm done. Please don't insult me.

Answer 5

The Church is based upon absolute power. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. If Jesus did exist, and did walk the Earth at one point, and did preach the concepts that are universally accepted as his teachings, then he would be rolling on his throne right about now to see such mockery of his ideals. The Church has perverted and dirtied the waters of true Christianity (for example: did you know that the first Christians believed in a Mother Goddess as well as a Father God, and that they were content with living with the Pagans of their time without trying to "spread the word" and convert those who were still followers of such ancient traditions?) My honest opinion: The Pat Robertsons and Jerry Falwells of the world have turned many people against it- especially young people. It was, after all, Reverend Falwell who openly (on national television) blamed the September 11th attacks on America on the gays, lesbians, pagans, and feminists in the country. It was Pat Robertson who said that feminism causes women to murder their husbands, become lesbians, practice witchcraft, and eat their babies. I had a good laugh at these comments, but sadly, both men were perfectly serious when they made such allegations. Funny... all Jesus ever preached was love, trust, compassion, and understanding.

Another reason Christianity isn't the most loved religion by followers of other faiths: believe it or not, there was a time when the Church litterally hunted down and killed those who did not join forces and put their utmost faith in this new God. (Christianity is still relatively new, if you look at history overall...) For me, I cannot bring myself to walk into a Christian church, a so-called "sanctuary", when it's forefathers imprisioned, tortured, exhiled, or killed thousands in the name of "God". (See also- the Salem Witch Trials)

True Christianity is a beautiful thing- alas, that concept died long ago with it's first followers (who, I might add, were also "cleansed from the Earth" by the Church...)

Answer 6

I don't know any Muslims and the Jewish people I know are pretty tolerant.
As a Christian I have to agree with those who say that people who claim Christianity yet fail to live as Christians probably bring on the most hatred, simply because they're hypocrites. Jesus Himself hated hypocrisy.
Here on y/a I have also seen true believers who uphold the Word of God, yet refuse to be baited into acting in a hateful manner.
To respond to hate with love is foolish, in the eyes of the world, but it is what Jesus asked of us. He told us that we would be hated, to expect it if we wanted to follow Him.
If nothing else, that is one biblical truth that can certainly be proved! Because not only do people hate the hypocrites, they hate those who actually try to practice Christianity. They can't see the good, because like any other group, it's only the blatant idiots that bring media attention.
The person quietly serving God, sacrificing their personal desires for Him, doing their best? What's newsworthy about that?

Answer 7

Because they have the power of majority and they are content to trample everyone else. They want special privileges, and complain when they are told it's unconstitutional.

They demand that everyone be either with them, or against them, and I have no intention of being either. They often use their religion to promote prejudice, hate and bigotry, then claim that they're justified with freedom of religion.

And lastly, their proselytizers are the most annoying and persistent. A few bad experiences have really given me a bad view of the entire religion, despite later claims that those people weren't "real" Christians.

Answer 8

Can you speak for every Muslim, Jew and Atheist?

Some Muslims dislike Christians because of the Crusades.
Some Jews dislike Christians because of hundreds of years of oppression in Europe.
Some Atheists dislike Christians because some try to get in the way of Science and progress.

Answer 9

Christians hold a very cruel view on life.

They believe that a God will torture my kids for eternity if they fail to see his will, which humans can't agree on, or fail to see evidence of his existence.

They then turn this view around and tell people that the being is Loving, and that view distorts the definition of Love itself.


It is a very sad existence and should be considered by all who are trying to make their guess at the unknown policy.

Answer 10

"Atheists don't agree with theists especially Christians."

Don't give me that "especially" crap. All religions are equally stupid, and the most dangerous is Islam. But it's a Christian majority in my country, and it's a Christian majority on this website, so that's who gets the majority of the arguments.

Answer 11

My honest view - with no offense intended - is that some Christians see themselves as the only people who have all the right answers. Not only that, they consistently tell people who see things differently that they are going to hell. It does tend to be a bit annoying at times.