Why are Fundie Christians so spiteful?

Question

I have noticed that when I answer a question, and give the SAME answer as other "Christians", they get thumbs UP and I get thumbs DOWN - for the SAME ANSWER. I am realizing more and more that it is not the atheists who are thumbs-downing me or reporting me, it is these so-called Christians who always talk about the love of Christ.

All I see from them is bigotry, whether its "CJ" saying that me, the pope and Mother Teresa will rot in hell, or whether its the rude email I get from these loving Bible Christians.

Let me tell you what the Catechism Of The Catholic Church teaches about you:

CCC 838 - "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety..."

CCC 819 - "....many elements of sanctification and of truth" are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements." Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation...."

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm

This seems very charitable to me. Yet what do I get in return from my so-called brothers and sisters in Christ? "Your going to hell", "your pope is a Nazi", "you're a pagan cult", blah, blah, blah.

I suggest to all you "other" Christians that you read your Bible:

"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God" (1 Corinthians 10:32)

"Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 28:39)

Catholics, pray for our brothers & sisters, that they may know the love of Christ.

Answer 1

The Catholic Church is far less guilty of this kind of demonization than are several of the more "fire and brimstone" protestant denominations. I believe that this is because the Catholic Church has other things to offer potential adherents.

The whole demonization thing is all about rewarding people for joining and staying with a particular religion. The whole "eternal life in paradise" thing is a comparatively weak reward, as we don't actually see people get that reward.

Many religions (or at least specific churches) have evolved into the practice of reinforcing adherents for attacking others - in essence, telling people "In OUR church, you get to lie about others and attack them verbally, and not only will we be okay with it, we'll actually reward you for it, calling you a 'heroic defender of the Truth' (or something like that)". Apparently that's very tempting - it's a recruiting tactic that has worked very well for religions.

Answer 2

I think you are right--the BAs and fundies are very spiteful towards the Catholics. It is because they realize that, according to Scripture, the Catholics are the true Christian Religion and the fundies are a disobedient cult.

I noticed recently when reading responses to the phenomenon of stigmata, the BAs were very negative about the topic, many of them focusing on how there is no biblical evidence for stigmata, while ignoring the fact that there has been ample first-hand testimony of the phenomenon. It's really quite remarkable, the fundies spend all day on defense because they've got no physical proof for the existence of God, and then somebody brings up stigmata, which, while maybe not completely satisfactory physical proof of God, is at least some pretty powerful Jesus hoodoo majick. But, as I pointed out in my response on the topic, it is a Catholic phenomena. As an objective Pagan phenomenologist, I am inclined to say the manifest evidence points towards the Catholics as a much stronger expression of the whole Jesus vibe than the BAs and fundies could ever hope to be. The fundies know this, and they are bitter about it. But, alas,they are too proud to save themselves by submitting to the authority of the Pope.

Answer 3

I think that there is much blame to go all around. I am not a Muslim, Roman Catholic, Fundie, or Atheist, but I've seen my share of thumbs downs when my answer favored something they did not believe in.

My idea would be to remove the thumbs down. In place of it, put a 'hide' button which only affects how the user sees the answer. That way, if the answer is so offensive, everyone's perspective may be unaltered.

But you know what? People like revenge. And so I think that the thumbs down will be around a long, long time.

Answer 4

There are rude people in every genre.There are people without knowledge and understanding in every walk of life. Instead of focusing on the "them"s, we most surely should be looking at ourselves. The Bible also clearly talks about worrying about getting the speck out of another's eye, when, in fact, we should be worrying about the log in our own eye.
Bottom line:
Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood so that all men might be - (not will be, because by their own choice they will reject Him -- yet He has made provision for all) saved from eternity in a place called hell. The Bible also states that if we will confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive them and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We must believe in our hearts that Jesus died on that cross, and rose again the third day,and be willing to say this in front of other people.
Does all this make us sinlessly perfect? NO!!! NO!!! NO!!! We still have our quirks, but, by the grace of God, we should be working on them, by prayer and Bible study, to smooth them out so that we become more like Christ! We will not be perfect until we get to heaven. In the meantime, we need to be caring and forgiving of others, just as Jesus was to those who reviled and abused Him, all the while praying that they might see the love and truth of Jesus and His work on their behalf.
Remember, not all those who name the name of Jesus are truly Christians.

Answer 5

I agree with you CC I have noticed the same thing. It's really disturbing how aggressive & self rightous they can be.
The saddest part they actually turn most people off with the rants and brimstone. They are their own worst enemy.
My ex is a fundie and he has gone as far as thrown a bible at me LOL. Of course ONCE is went so far as to say I was not a Christian well I lost my religion that day and had to give him some major tough love in return.

Answer 6

I understand what your saying, your not worried about the thumbs, it is what it represents and from whom.

Welcome to the Club!

I can not help but feel this, "They are wolves in sheep's clothing". I wonder if they are "Christian" at all.

I feel your sincere in your name, so understand this: This is Spiritual Warfare! "This ain't no Party, This ain't Disco, This ain't no foolin around...".

Who is "Satan" going to attack? The Atheists? NO!

Think of the rules of war. Deceit, Deception, Subversion, Propaganda-SPIES!
Not all war is fought in "hand-to-hand" combat.

What better way to turn people from God than to get the "Christians" to do it?

A perfect example of a wacko job Fundie: Shirley Phelps Roper.
Now seriously, who's side is she on?
Pray for discernment of the Spirit, Christian Soldier!

Answer 7

I dislike the anger and rude comments on both sides of the theological fence.
I agree with Matt 28: 39 & I Cor 10:32.
I just try to take the good comments and ignor the bad.
Hugs.

Answer 8

As an atheist, it amazes me to see the vitriol that you get from other so called Christians.
To see people with such shallow differences of belief at each others throats is the height of stupidity.
Unfortunately, that is what an atheist observes all the time.
I see it as another nail in the coffin of religious fanaticism.

Answer 9

The Protestants of the first Reformation hated us because they thought we were wrong............

........ those of the new Reformation because they know we are right.


Gospel According to Saint Matthew
Chapter 7
13 Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat. 14 How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!

Answer 10

Catholics can come across as very arrogant, making out that they are superior to other christians. The current Pope is probably trying to glorify catholicism somewhat when it would be better to concentrate on Jesus' message.

Actually its not at all true the catholics are, through denominational positioning, superior. Indeed some catholic wrong doctrines led to very unchristian behaviour like the crusades and Inquisition. (Protestants and Orthodox have also done wrong of course.)

You are going to get good and less good catholics and good and less good christians in other denominations. Many of both kinds are not genuine believers as faith in Christ is needed for that. So talk of a denomination being superior seems like the Corinthians and their competion for superiority due to being followers of Apollos, Peter and Paul, rather than thinking of Christ.