I'm not Christian (shocks you all from my question, huh? :P) and in the circles I hang out with, fundamentalist is nearly a curse word, and "bible thumper" is liable to turn someone pale, or green, or some combination thereof.
Namely, it's the Bible thumpers, the people who want to quote the Bible at every turn thinking, for some unknown reason, that non Christians care what that book says, the ones who are trying to convert everyone, the ones who diss all non Christians... namely, it's these people who cause non Christians to loathe Christianity... often with a firey passion.
And fundamentalists are the blind, backwards lot who hold that the Bible is completely perfect as it is, with no flaw or inconsistancy... that last bit proves the whole blind thing, since the Bible is full of holes. And typically jump down anyone's throat who even whispers to the contrary.
So, my question again... are thse people aware of the hatred they inspire of their own faith?
2007-10-15 06:03:42 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In response to Allenint's answer:
By no means do the good acts Christians do cause hatred, either in myself or in my circle of friends. That's the reason why I personally like Christianity as a whole.... the world would be better if more people were Christian, or at least moral. However... I do hate the people who do all sorts of stupid things, like shoving scripture down people's throats, attacking any sense of spirituality of search of truth. I enjoy debates on religion and beliefs, and have run into these people repeatedly. I wish they would stop, so other people (the sheep of the world needing a shepherd) would be Christian, hopefully adopting the relatively good morals, and doing those good things of which you speak. But most of my friends would sooner die than be Christian, because of the excessively aggressive Bible thumpers/fundamentalists.
2007-10-15 06:30:58 · update #1
In response to The Poor Widow.
No, I probably wouldn't consider you such, because you said you'd answer questions "respectfully." I admire a strong faith, and likely would enjoy talking to you. As long as you were telling the truth about being respectful, it's all good.
2007-10-15 06:34:01 · update #2
Response to Tom:
I don't mind well intentioned warning... as long as it is Respectful, Not slammed down my throat, and Not accompanied by insults to my intelligence or interest in the wellbeing and future of my spirit.
In their shoes? Here's what I would do: I would Study my own blasted faith, not just memorizing scripture. I would seek to understand it as best as I am able. And yes, if I believed such, I would seek out non Christians to share the truth... here's the shocker, though. I would be their FRIEND, and live the best I could live, demonstrate peace in my life, and acceptance of my place. I would Gently allow my beliefs to enter the fray, and if questions are asked, to answer in such a way they would understand, not just yelling scripture, certain they'd see it the way I (in this situation) would.
Back when I used to be Christian, I cringed at the brutal way I saw a non Christian virtually attacked by such a Bible thumper. It's disgusting.
2007-10-15 07:15:30 · update #3
Well, may I say that many new Christians have the zeal, and mean to love as well as tell the truth, but unfortunately miss the way. It sounds as though you had a measureful of us, in our immaturity, yet well-intended. I do apologize for their overzealousness, if I may.
But, please look at it this way, if you would. If we are right about the judgement to come, as if the world was a speeding train going off a precipice, then wouldn't it make the intentions of all these who have appeared to tick you off more understandable? Under these circumstances, what would you do and say to others if you were in the Christian's shoes? I'm not excusing arrogance and refusal to respect your own emotional and intellectual space, mind you. But, wouldn't you be more angry at those Christians who didn't warn you, than those who did, no matter how they told you?
Edit: Thanks for your personal response to my answer. I do agree with you, Khana. And, again, I do apologize. But, really, is that all that you witnessed? If so, that is dreadful! I'll be asking God then to send Christians who respect you and want to be your friend to come your way then. I know many!
2007-10-15 07:05:40 · answer #1 · answered by Tom 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As a fundamentalists I will try to answer your question. Frist let me say that I'm an Independent Baptist that means that I'm as far right as you can get. I do not quote the bible at the drop of a hat but I do apply it to my daily life. Like others who have a way they want to live there I will not be pushed around about what I believe. Namely Homosexual or the folks who believe it's OK to kill the unborn. I hold what I believe just as dear as they do. But because I name the name of Christ and the believe bible to be true I'm hated. Even thought I do not hate any of those who hate me. Yes I know we inspire hate and also know that some on the left would like march into our churches and close us down just because of what we believe. I'm still amazed how it's alright to be Islamic and want to kill all who do not en brace their faith and that person will called a freedom fighter but a Fundamental Christian take stand on what a basic right in this country and we are preaching hatred. On a final note please show me the wholes in the Bible I would like to see them.
2007-10-15 06:33:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
ok say I basically got here from a dessert Island and that i had in no way heard of Christianity in the previous somebody gave me a Bible to study and then an Atheists commence pointing some issues out that they don’t even do what their God says Mat. 28v19 circulate into all u . s . a . Baptizing them interior the call of the father an of the Son and of the Holy Ghost and everyone who can’t understand this straightforward verse then there could desire to be some thing lacking of their training it say to Baptize them interior the call of the Lord Jesus Christ do they claming to be such super Christians follow there God’s words no they do no longer they Baptize below titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost as commanded by utilising the Roman empire no person interior the Bible became into ever Baptized below titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost yet they could care much less Their God reported undergo in suggestions the Sabbath to maintain it holy and no artwork of any sort sunset Fri. to sunset Sat there is not any verse to help their Sunday worship they don’t care what there God says their God reported do no longer eat unclean ingredients etc. Jesus in no way reported they have been allowed to eat all varieties of foodstuff he became into speaking approximately why him and his decuples ate with unwashed hand and that they use that as an excuse to eat what ever they wanted returned they could care much less approximately God’s rules. And Easter worship and yule worship became into in no way ordain or instated by utilising their God so how do you Christian’s clarify those information? after which you're so schocked while human beings circulate to different Religions why?
2016-10-06 23:34:39 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if I would be considered a "fundamentalist/Bible thumper" or not...certainly a great many so-called "fundies" refuse to even consider me a Christian at all, for my "heretical ideas".
However, I am aware that my own fierce belief in Christ, and my attitude that America is a Christian country, and that Christians here have every right to our own faith in our own country, does inspire "hatred" in many hearts.
I am neither surprised nor deterred by this. It makes me sad that some folks have chosen to shut their minds to the incredible peace that only Christ can give them, and I will continue to try to answer any questions put to me about my faith as honestly and as respectfully as possible.
I don't think it is my particular "brand" of Christianity that you hate so much, as it is my unshakable conviction that Christians (yes, even the Bible-thumping variety) have as much right to publicly proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ in this country as any Hindu has to proclaim his/hers in any Hindu country.
Like it or not, we are Christians. We are not "secular humanists". We have lost enough ground as it is...it is high time (and past time) that we began fighting for what is rightfully our own.
2007-10-15 06:27:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
namely, it's these people who cause non Christians to loathe Christianity... often with a firey passion
No my dear it is the god of this world who you and your "circle" has chosen to follow who has caused you to feel this way. If it inspires hate to feed the hungry, to clothed the naked, to house the homeless, to care for the widows and orphans, to stand up for those who can not stand up for them selves, yes that includes the pre-born children who are butchered to the numbers of 4,300 a day in the nation, If that inspires you to hate, then you have some issues that we cant help with. And btw, if you ever want to back up your statement about the bible being full of holes, I'll take your challenge, I think you will find, you really do not have a clue. Not trying to be rude, but simply pointing out your ignorance of the matter. I'm sure you have gleamed your info form evilbible.com or some of the other trash sites, trust me they don't have a "contact us link" cause they don't want the truth known.
2007-10-15 06:21:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
They are probably aware, but they think they inspire hate just because "they are right" and "truth is not easy to accept". In my circle of friends, it is the same thing. We stay away from people who preach the bible all day long - I mean, it is not wrong when someone sais something about it, on a discution on the topic, but when you quote 2 paragraphs.... that definitely gives you some weird nicknames behind your back :) besides, it's annoying! We are not all very religious, we must respect each other's opinions, my atheist friends would never offend me in any way or look down on me, nor would the very religious people
2007-10-15 06:11:56 · answer #6 · answered by larissa 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
I'm sure many of them are aware, and still don't care. Some probably consider the hatred they inspire to be proof that what they are doing is worthy of God's praise. See CJ's answer for the typical fundamentalist's response.
2007-10-15 06:17:08 · answer #7 · answered by Pull My Finger 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They are not aware of it because their only train of thought is on the coversion of all who do not think like themselves. They probably dont consider all non bible thumpers true christains in the first place. I have a few in my family.... ick
2007-10-15 06:20:48 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
As far as the preach-to-anyone-who-will-listen-at-any-opportunity crowd goes, I would say that either they are not aware, or that they have bought into the "ye shall be persecuted in the name of the Lord" idea, in which case being hated is actually a plus.
But I agree, they're the best advertisement NOT to become Christian that I can think of.
2007-10-15 06:11:34 · answer #9 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
As a proud "Bible Thumper" my question to you is, why the hatred? Christians do not "diss" non-Christians. We are taught to love everyone. Unfortunately as humans, there are those who fall short. Whether you choose to believe the Bible or not, it is a perfect book. I don't jump down anyone's throat, I don't shove my beliefs in anyone's face, however, if you ask a question about my beliefs expect a heartfelt, honest straightforward answer....if you see that as jumping down your throat, that would be your problem, not mine.
2007-10-15 06:11:31 · answer #10 · answered by Gracie63 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋