Is this it? Have I figured it out Christians?

Question

What I get from your answers to my last question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmVjJc83wnRweBH1o7lVrXfsy6IX?qid=20070826115646AAoWmsN

is that you don't mean to be rude to non-Christians.

But you hold us to your beliefs, and that is not fair. Not all human beings are Christian, or are going to believe what you believe. It is not appropriate, or polite, or respectful to speak of "Truth" to non-Christians in the way I described in my previous question.

It is fine to talk to each other that way, because you have the same beliefs.

Didn't Jesus say that one of the 2 most important things to do is to love your neighbor as yourself? Would you honestly like it if I talked the same way to you about my "Truth" as if it was the only truth, the only possibility?

Do you understand mine, and many other's position any better now?

I honestly am trying to reach an understanding, not to offend.

Samuel Crow:
I am absolutely not going to convert. And isn't the Christian thing to do anyway to simply pray in private for me? I doubt it is this arrogance I speak of.

Answer 1

What's absolutely amazing (and, frankly, hilarious) about this whole discussion (Which is very interesting, by the way, star for you!) is that (some) Christians while holding others to their beliefs, fail to uphold themselves to it. For example, while their commandment says, "Thou shall not commit adultery," and their marriage vow says, "Till death do us part," statistics show that majority of people in this country identify themselves as Christian, the majority (especially of men) commit adultery, and the vast majority get divorced!

By the way, Jesus never said that non-believers would go to hell. He said his WAY (charity, forgiveness, kindness, and self-sacrifice) is the way to find God, and he was right. It's the church that said that hell business. Way back in the middle ages, when the church leaders were also the political leaders, and it was easy to gain power by instilling fear into the hungry, uneducated, and superstitious masses. No one should fault Jesus for what people have twisted his teachings into. At first, it was difficult for me to make that distinction, but I think I get it now. :)

Answer 2

It seems to be there is a double standard from the answers you have received. It seems that some christians expect their beliefs to be treated with respect, yet they have no compunctions about treating disbelief (or other beliefs) without that same respect.

I think what you have stumbled onto is the arrogance of their belief. Some christians believe they have the truth and everyone should recognize this as truth without christians providing a shred of evidence to support that belief.

I sincerely doubt that these christians will understand you or anyone else who does not believe as they do. It is a one-way street for them. There is no discussion, there is no entertaining of evidence to the contrary. There is only preaching, lecturing and exhortations.

Answer 3

hi!
'love your neighbor as yourself' is one of Christ's commandments, along with 'love God with everything you have'...i'm not sure what that commandment has to do with your question, though. do you take that commandment to mean that we should be silent about our faith? Christ said to go into the world and spread the gospel-are we only supposed to follow the parts of His teachings that don't make others uncomfortable? i don't hold ANYONE to my beliefs except myself! i also don't hide the fact that Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..."-how could i call myself a Christian and say that He was wrong when He said that? He never said that He was truth only for those who already believe-He was pretty bold and upfront about who He was and why He was here on earth. i'm fairly sure the words, "i'm okay, you're okay, it's all good" never passed his lips. i respect your right to believe whatever you choose to believe-but i don't have to agree with it, nor do you have to agree with mine. if you feel that your beliefs are 'the truth', by all means-say so! you won't offend me in the slightest.
i hope i understand your position a little better, as i hope you can understand mine a little better.
on a slightly goofy/sarcastic note, though, i can't help wondering-how weird would it be for me to have beliefs that i DIDN'T consider 'the truth?'

Answer 4

Truth is subjective. I believe Jesus to be the way the truth and the light but I must show that through my actions. Many atheists on here believe that they have the ultimate truth and call Christians mean names because of their faith so it is not just Christians who talk that way. I understand what you are saying because atheists offend me with their idea of truth.

Answer 5

But are you not saying, then all that don't believe in God should force all of us that do believe to not show any signs of the truth we believe in?
Back in the fall of 1964 I decided to disobey my mom and neighbors. The neighbors had a driveway that went down to the road that was fun to glide a bike down and turn onto the road. Since it was fall and I could see blocks down the road. No cars seen or heard. Both cars were gone so I pumped my bike up and got to a very fast speed. As I was 10 feet from the street I relized that if I turned onto it I would proberbly rip all my skin off of my left side or worse. If I went strait across the road there was a ^ on the edge of it to stop cars from going over the edge and down a steep hiil. If I went that way I would hit the ^ and go flying into the tops of trees and drop about 20 feet down, break into peices. Which was better? I couldn't make up my mind in the 2 seconds I had. A car was suddenly in frount of me, perficly still! I hit its back tire, my bike bent into tha shape of an L and I walked away with one bruse on my right knee. IF the car had been moving it would have dragged up the road with it. A neighbor was working in his back yard and came running over. He carried my L shaped bike home for me as I walked with a limp and staired up at the sky/heaven.
How dose a car suddenly become stopped in front of you with no sight or sound of its even coming? Science can not answer this one. I was not alone. The answer is God and Jesus.
Two other times life saving miricals have happened, that science can not explain. I believe very strong. And I am still here to write this to you; because of God.

Answer 6

1. You are releating this to ALL Christians

2. I agree not everyone are Christians and that's what makes it interesting

3. As I say again what question did you ask that the "Truth" was mentioned

4. Yes he did and it is. I will say some think if you are not Christian you are an evil person. I do not think this however

5. If it is your belief then fine say it is the only truth.

6. Yes, I do. and have understood.

Answer 7

all you can do is be patient and polite.

Yes Jesus did say to love your neighbor as you love yourself and to love God more than that! And in the spirit of loving your neighbor and spreading your own "truth" be sure to listen as well as speak. It isn't reasonable to tell someone that they're completely wrong about their religion and then instantly expect them to listen to your views on religion.

I would say, be patient, listen, and then speak. God does all the work and we're just his instruments. Say what you need to say and let God do the rest ;) . Everyone has to find their own truth themselves, and pushing a certain point of view on someone won't make that go any faster.

cheers!

Answer 8

I understand your' posision,because I share it.Christians,I KNOW the basics of your' religion!Quoting schripture or chanting a prayer is'nt going to tell me anything that I don't ALREADY KNOW about your' beliefs.I DON'T SHARE THEM.Respect my choices,and I'll respect yours'.
Lots of luck trying to reach an understanding,Kiddo.I know some Christians that are prefectly respectful and tolerant,but the ones that arent are absolutely insufferable.

Answer 9

How can you reach an understanding with people who believe they have a devine command to bring everyone on the earth to Jesus? They are driven. You don't have to be. You have no devine Power to answer to. You cannot understand them and arguing with them brings only predictable answers.

Answer 10

You are absolutely right. Christians are the only people who have no tolerance for other religions. Most of the religious wars come from the Jewish people and the Christians, other religions can manage to tolerate each other. I am Wiccan and have no problem that other people don't believe what I do, it is right for me and that is all that really matters to me.
Blessed be.