Why does it seem that so many Christians are afraid to acknowledge the evil done in the name of their religion

Question

Some awful things have been done and justified by Christianity. A basic overview of history reveals this.

As Christians, why would we turn a blind eye to this? Sure, even if we don't do these things ourselves, they were done in the name of the faith that we share with the people who did them. I think we should acknowledge them and learn from them, not brush them under the rug.

Opinions?

CJ: Catholics ARE Christians. And where on earth do you think Protestants came from? We share the same history.

Hope- it's a lot of self reflection, and observations based on R&S. Notice how I said "so many Christians," not "all Christians." I have nothing against Christianity. If you pay attention to what I say, a lot of times what I get most upset about is anti-theism and people making blanket statements about Christianity. I hate stereotypes in general.

I try not to fall into those traps myself (thus words like "most," "a lot," and "so many" instead of all," but if it seems like I'm doing that, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Wow, guys. I love Christianity. I think it has done so much great in the world. I am witness to this in my own life.

But that doesn't mean bad things haven't been done in the name of God.

Answer 1

embarrassment?

several years ago I was really embarrassed of being Russian, you know, Lenin, communism, uniform, complete ideology, I HATED mentioning of anything connected with USSR

but now I *know* that it's history and it's important to acknowledge it so that later you won't make the same mistakes and something like that

Answer 2

This is the best answer I have been able to give on this, but it's always easier to blame someone that to accept the blame from another.

Christianity is a big one on that. They are quick to cast blame on others while not watching what they are doing at the same time.

I'm pagan, so I run into this problem alot. Some of my family members will spout off and say I worship the devil and that I'm worshiping false gods. (Which other pagan or wiccans if you will, know there is no devil in the craft).

"Judge not, less thee be judged"

Even after I finish this response, I'm sure you'll have about 20 - 30 other christians spouting some gospel or saying they where not true christians.

However, people in general are evil and do evil deeds. So really, no religion has a clean doorstep.

Answer 3

Generally speaking, any believer wants to perceive his faith as faultless. Imagine finding out your father or mother was slaughtering young, innocent children. How would you react? I guess with revulsion, disbelief, and protest.

History reveals the numerous atrocities committed in the name of religion. Trying to evaluate whether or not one pious group or religious individual was devout or “true Christian” is pointless. Catholics killed Protestants vice versa, believing their actions were justified based on their faith. Of course, I cannot immediately blame “religion” for the cause of their actions, yet religion has been the engine of war and oppression time and time again. Can you think of someone who likes talking about the “black sheep” of the family?

I feel that a Christian who acknowledges the flaws of his or her religion demands great respect. Christianity has done marvelous things for people, spreading hope and charity, offering comfort and support, and reducing fear and malice. Often though, something intended for “goodness” has been rendered destructive in the hands of humans, who, of course, also have the liberty of interpreting religion.

Answer 4

Why...?

Gosh, who wants to talk about their skeletons in the closet ? The past is the past and knowing about it is important to achieving a better future, that's true, but taking on it's mistakes as if they were you own is an unnecessary burden.

I'm more concerned with the mistakes being made by religions today - here and now - and with why there is resistance to recognize and address THOSE concerns.

Putting a halter on Benny Hinn would be a good start - he's a fraud.

Standing against the Creation Science movement is paramount to our future generation's ability to advance our knowledge base rather than drag it back into darkness... Study and do something about that question.

Bridling the likes of Kent Hovid and his crowd's Creation Museum seems like a very good place to put one's efforts. Why not acknowledge a Christian responsibility for that? Propagating misinformation has never lead to anything good, has it ?

Setting a modest place for religion in society - one that can accommodate all the behavioral desires of all the various beliefs - is in tomorrow's best interest and yet those questions are being ignored for the sake of bias greed and religious preference.

So... ... Why fail to acknowledge past mistakes ?... that's at least, somewhat understandable... but neglecting to acknowledge responsibility for the possible mistakes of tomorrow is not.

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Answer 5

I am quick to acknowledge that wrong things were done in the name of my religion. Not all Christians are the same. I didn't personally do any othe these bad things "in the name" of Christianity, so I have no problem saying "Yes, some overzealous radicals in history claimed to believe in Christ, yet did awful things." I shake out the dirt from under the rug to prove how the injustice is wrong, not my religion.

Answer 6

For the same reason Muslims don't acknowledge what is done in the name of theirs.

Their books always have interpreatations that they will all disagree on, and as human rights gains ground, religious tyranny begins to loose it's hold and turn on their own.

How many Christians consider Islam to be a violent religion, for instance? And how many Muslims do? Every time it is questioned, the Muslims say " But they aren't real Muslims"

Same with abortion clinic bombers, gay-haters, 'God-Spoke-To-Me' killers, Ann Coulterites, George ("Go(l)d told me to invade Iraq") Bush etc etc. The Christians just disown them if they are questioned. They don't find a fundamental flaw in believing in patriarchal despot desert god myths, no, that would be too simple and honest. They just disown their own instead. They will fight the world and themselves, each claiming to follow the True Teachings.

The modern heretic is the Old Testament literalist when caught out.

Answer 7

I think we have done a lot of bad things in the face of most every religion, mainly Christianity and Islam. Both throughout history , have a reputation for violance and intollerance of other religions. Only uneducated people will say that Christianity has only had Holy people in it's name. There have been some downright evil people that claim to be Christian. Look at the Klu Klux Clan and Hitler, excetera.
I hope of our relgions will one day live in harmony.

Answer 8

This question reminds me of the neo-nazi's that state the holocaust did not happen and is a fabrication to discredit Hitler. (Yes there are people out there that truly believe this and they are extremely scarry - esp since they look like nice people you would have over for dinner)

I believe that if you renounce history, or try to discredit it, you are forced to relive it. I think that if you refuse to believe that those before us have done atrocities - if you refuse to believe that those people were no different than us - if you refuse to believe that you have within you the capacity to do the same thing - you run the risk of repeating what you so stated was vile for someone else to do.

Look at Peter -- he vehemently refused to believe that he had the capacity to deny Jesus, but he did. IF you are not in touch with yourself and your frailties you will repeat Peter's mistake.

Answer 9

Do you mean like acknowledging the 'bad things' of the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, what Hitler did to the Jews, and the division in American 'Christianity' at present?

Answer 10

Its kinda like Ross Perot said "everybody has the crazy aunt tied up in the basement"there are scrondrels in every group of people be it church,businesses,family,or whatever.The real truth is up to the indivual to do the best he can.We cant use this as an excuse to not to do the right thing thats a sign of weakness doomed to failure.

Answer 11

It is terrible that it took the murder of seven million Indians to establish Christianity in North America. What a terrible shame this is. They seem to think that this was alright and it has become part of their faith to turn a blind eye.