Is Christianity supposed to be a violent or non-violent religion?

Question

Gandhi defined violence as anytime we try to impose our will on others...

Not what it is, what is it supposed to be?

Answer 1

It's sacred texts -- the New and Old Testaments -- are riddled with inconsistencies if taken literally, particularly the Old Testament. The Old Testament God comes across as a racist, violent, insecure, vengeful and whimsical being. An example of His insecurity was his testing of Abaham's obedience to Him by commanding him to sacrifice his son -- and He only stayed his hand at the last minute when He was satisfied old Abe would have done it. I remembered being utterly horrified when I was told this story when I was a child. His racism was when he told His chosen people to do what is called these days "ethnic cleansing" and promised he will help them do it. And so forth and so on. The Old Testament is actually a great read -- full of gore, blood, lust, strange and exotic sins, bizarre punishments. And visions aplenty, preached by frenzied prophets who today would be certified as schizophrenics. Summary: very violent, but not Christianity.

The New Testament is Christianity. The old blood lust of the Old Testament is mitigated -- some would say repudiated -- here by Jesus. Look at Matthew 5 (see link below), the Sermon on the Mount, in particular what He said about enemies, e.g. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." That is the essence of forgiveness and love, the central theme of the New Testament, hence of Christianity. Summary: non-violence.

The practice of Christianity is a completely different story. Some Popes led armies, and the Church in Spain specialized in torture of unbelievers. Summary: often very violent in practice.

This is not to say that Christianity is unique in betraying its own central message -- all religions are so betrayed by their "adherents" when earthly power is at stake.

Answer 2

Christianity is non violent. You can look back at history and see that all of the violence in the past was due to ignorance. The ignorance was due to people not having the ability to read the bible. Some reasons were the bible was not widely available in print at one time, and the language was in hebrew or latin which not everyone could read. So the people had to rely on the heads of the chruch for direction. This led to a lot of corruption in the church. Now the Bible is widely available and everyone can find a copy in his or her language. The ignorance is gone except for people who like to bash Chistianity because they never read the bible or they don't understand it, or do not belive in it. One other thing is the Old Testament is for the Jews and there was violence during this part of history. The New Testament is for Christians which is non violent and is how every Christian should live. This does not mean that Christians should only read the New Testament. The Old Testament is quoted by Christ very often in the New Testatment and a lot can be learned from reading the Old Testament.

Answer 3

Christianity as practiced by Jesus is a non-violent religion. Christianity as practiced by Man is reduced to the frailties of man's basic nature, which Jesus taught us that we must rise above in order to reach heaven.

Both Judaism and Christianity have had their violent eras just like today's Islam, but both have gone through "reformations" which have caused their evolution beyond church-sanctioned violence. This does NOT excuse those fanatics that follow their own beliefs regardless of the teachings of either religion.

Islam, however, has yet to undergo any sort of internal
"reformation" and is still practiced as it was in more violent times with medieval practices and beliefs that are not conducive to what are considered today as basic human rights and equality for women.

WWWD speaks of Palestine as if it actually existed. There has never been a country called "Palestine" except as a name for the region created by the British after WWI and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. Just as they created Iraq, ignoring previous political and cultural boundaries.

The territory that is now claimed by both Israel and the displaced Arabs that used to live there used to be parts of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. There was never a country called Palestine. Those same Arab countries urged the so-called "Palestinians" to leave the territory upon the formation of Israel in 1948 on the promise that they would soon drive the Jews back into the sea, those countries would be able to reclaim their territory, and the refugees would be able to return to their homes and claim the wealth left behind by the fleeing Jews. It never happened.

But instead of taking care of the refugees that they created, those Arab countries have instead fomented hopelessness, despair, hatred and terrorism by keeping these people in a refugee status instead of giving them new homelands in their own countries.

And now, there is a political and cultural situation that won't be fixed until the 2nd coming of Christ.

Answer 4

Ghandi was not Christian.
I am Jewish but I can assure you that Christianity is a non-violent religion. It may have had issues in the past but those were violent times.
Christians are very non-violent today. I mean, have you ever seen an Amish warrior? LOL

WWWD: None of us care what Ghandi said about "Palestine". He didn't live there and hated the British who controlled the area. If he were Christian or Jewish instead of Hindu then he would have realized the land is Jewish land.

Answer 5

Christians go to war and have done for Centuries,its a force thing for them,look at the English with the Zulu's,and the English believed in God,or the North against the South in
America ( Brother against Brother )so what price Christianity.

Answer 6

Ok first of all the context of being a christian is use to loosely within the secular world. Because most who claim they are such are just pretending. With that being said......the true context of being a christian is being Christ -like. Now Jesus denounced Violence and proclaimed " Blessed are the peace makers and bless your enemies". But the world view on a secular notion has seen organization religion in the name of Christianity slaughter thousands of people in the name of Christ. Now this may be hard to swallow but that religious organization wasn't of Christ. Because to understand Christ is understand His purpose and that wasn't to establish an earthly Kingdom but a Heavenly. And Jesus stated the violent take it by force meaning. That with passion and aggressive energy you will lay hold on that eternal life. I'm sorry but historically Christianity has been labeled wrongfully by the actions of so called Christian organizations. I apologize I'm not naming any names but you probably already know who I'm talking about. God bless and hope this is helpful.

Answer 7

Non-violent.

Jesus Christ is supposed to be known as the promoter of peace and love, and hence, from peace and love, that the first Christians have been formed, even through persecution and death.
It's just that due to people's sin, every person is capable of doing bad.
But we Christians have had a bloody past. I don't think those who partook in the crusades, for instance, were actually "Christian" per se, but motivated by political systems and powers of their country.

Christians aren't supposed to impose their beliefs on others - but rather, actually talk about the gospels, answer any questions, and leave the "changing of the heart" to the person. But, Christians are motivated to talk about their beliefs. I don't think that's imposing their will on others.

There are many Christian scientists and people throughout history that played major roles in peace - William Wilberforce, a politician and Christian, believed that all men are equal, and despite all odds, in sickness even, removed the slavery bill in parliament. All in the name of the Christian God. Isaac Newton - wrote his now famous three laws of physics - but wrote even more about the love of God he has on us.

Answer 8

Christianity believes the bible to be the word of god. That 'god' instructed humans to commit many violent acts against other humans so it's not even close to being a non-violent religion.

Answer 9

Jesus never said we should not fight for our religion, he never taught is to be cowards -- and remember he threw the money changers out of the temple. Who cares what Gandhi said, are u trying to say that anytime we disagree with someone we are being violent? Don't think so -- we can disagree with anyone at any time -- why would this be anti religious?

Answer 10

Depends on which interpretation of the bible you take. 'An eye for and eye' is certainly violence, 'Turn the other cheek' is not.

However that is the bible for you - get three Christians together and get fore interpretations of the bible. And don't they fight a lot of wars to prove their point. Probably the second most violent religion after Islam.