So why are Pagans better at loving one compared to Christians?

Question

John 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

I been around Pagans a bit and they are oh so much better at this than any Christians I’ve met. I mean, I grew up in the Baptist church and those Baptists are just nasty to one another. Throw in the every popular bashing of Catholics around here and it kinda makes you wonder.

Why do you suppose this is?

Should read:

So why are Pagans better at loving one another compared to Christians?

Answer 1

Because Christianity is, by its very nature, not about love.

Answer 2

I think it depends upon the particular Pagan and the particular Christian. The best Christian church I've ever attended was Baptist, and the congregation was loving and supportive. I was a single, pregnant woman with a preschooler who was hard to handle, and welcomed with open arms.

There were some odd or difficult people, but instead of gossip and backbiting, the only discussion I ever heard was about how to include them in certain activities and make them feel more like part of the church family.

Christians are just plain old people, as are Pagans or any other spiritual group. Individual Christians, or groups of Christians, are just as susceptible to fallibility as anyone else.

Answer 3

Good point. Why? A lot of reasons and individual reasons that are unique to the person(s) in question. There is a lack of trust perhaps. Think of Communist Russia, think of Jonestown where the people knew he was wack. Some people play dirty no matter what. You don't know who the dirty one is- the mole. The one who will make you look like trash when they find out your delicate secret or past, etc. So don't trust anyone. How fun is it to feel like you've got to constantly be surrounded by people you can't trust? You want as little to do with them as possible. Pagans believe, what? That they're all made of the same clay. Ever see Dr. Zhivago? There's a dramatic scene in it involving that phrase. So there's perhaps less pressure to not trust and an attitude to trust until bitten. People who are trusted respond favorably and that in turn engenders more trust. I'm a christian and I don't deny what you're observing. That's not the way it's supposed to be of course and of course that's not true everywhere, but there is something to what you say, certainly.

Answer 4

Pffft. You don't know very many pagans, do you? Ever heard of "witch wars"? Or "bunny hunters"? We're our own worst enemy. I get more flak from other pagans than I do Christians. That doesn't mean all pagans are major pains, but the amount of infighting and other "holier than thou" B.S. I see in paganism rivals the worst I ever saw as a Christian.

And not all Christians are fundies--quit stereotyping. You don't like being painted with a broad brush, so don't do the same to others. Otherwise you're just being a hypocrite.

People are people. Individuals have their own behaviors, and you can't judge a group by the actions that only some of its members take.

Answer 5

Does being better at loving one include comparing oneself, and then making rude and hateful comments about others? That's just what you did. Why don't you practice what you preach? Just look at some of the answers here. The Pagans are exalting themselves on high. I don't see them loving anyone but themselves.
I know one thing for sure. You do not love the TRUTH, nor would you know it if it was standing right in front of you.
If you want to talk about love, then, read this; "No greater love hath a man than this, that he should lay down His life for a friend." Jesus Christ (and that's just what He did) You have no idea what love is, my friend, but, I pray you find Him one day. God Bless

Answer 6

Christians may never love, wholly... Indeed, they cannot.

In their mind's eye, billions are on their way to Hell. To one who sincerely believes this, psychology demands that they erect a callousness that enables them to believe that they are "loving" their fellow man, while at the same time, understanding that this person will be destroyed.

They are forced to show "tough love" or "sorrowful love" But at any rate, they are want to "hold back", for it is human nature to not cling too tightly to something that will inevitably be lost.

They also suffer from a superiority complex, necessarily, because they are going to Heaven and somehow, have "made it" while many others have not.

Of course, they will tell you that those people have "chosen" their paths (but really, you've got to do better than that, dear Christian - after all, who would really choose torment and gnashing of teeth to streets of gold and insane happiness?)

So the Christian will always feel more fortunate than the "lost." Subconsciously, he will feel "elect" "chosen" or "highly favored."

Atheist, pagans, etc, are the precious few who really know what unconditional love is all about - if we had been "God" we surely would not have established the dictum:
"Believe or be destroyed..." Which is the foundation of every religion.

Answer 7

There are Many, many Christians, so like in any population,
not all will do what they are SUPPOSED to be doing, but
not only that, there Are many Christians that are just
"church-y" - not really applying what they believe - more
of a cultural/social thing to them and too relaxed about it -
not active in faith! Pagans, on the other hand, because of
social challenges, treat others with respect because of
their situation and it is easier for them to by more
tolerant (speaking in the terms of human nature).

Challenge = growth.

Truth is another matter all together.

Answer 8

I'm a solitary practitioner of Atheism (haven't found any locally, yet. still working on it), but I hold a lot of respect for the solitary Pagans I know, now hardliners of any religion usually bug me, especially in groups, but I would still say I prefer the company of good solitary Pagans over practitioner's of any organized religion. Even solitary Judeo-Christians are often better behaved then their church-going brethren, probably it's the group-think and gossip factors that are to blame.

Answer 9

Grimmy, baby, I really think it's non-Christians, not Pagans per sey.

That being said, until about 10 years ago, most Pagans online could stand to be corrected, and now it seems that disagreement with other (and often younger) pagans warrants screams of YOU'RE PERSECUTING ME!!!!

If that keeps up, don't expect us to be good at it for much longer.

Answer 10

That is a pregiduce judgemental questain actually, You probably connect better with the Non religious folks because you havent decided what spiritual route you will take. That is the key word "Spiritual" so it is not good to get into religiousity. What are the Pagens better at?It sounds to me that your just bashing the denominations,You can still believe in God and go to a non denminational church. Pagens have Gods to answer to and honor as well, they seem to respect and honor nature more. I believe we all worship or seek one God of the universe and we call him/her/it what makes us compfortable.

Answer 11

Generally speaking, I think the organized church has been corrupted over the years, thanks to our society. Also, a lot of Christians aren't truly following the word of God. They go to church on Sunday, because they think that will get them into heaven and sleep during sermon.
Pagans have more appreciation for humanity and the world around them.
It also depends on the person. I'm a Christian and I like to think I'm a pretty nice person.