First of all, let me start off by saying this, I AM A CHRISTIAN 100%. I love my Savior with all of my heart and soul! God has given me the gift of evangelism, however I do not push on anyone that is not a Christian that they "WILL GO TO HELL" if they aren't saved. I show everyone the compassion, comfort, and care that Jesus Christ did. After reading several post on here, Atheist/Agnostic/ any other religous, or not religious people, does it bother you that some Christians shove "YOU ARE GOING TO HELL" down your throat?
2007-12-24 20:24:15 · 29 answers · asked by =)) 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I appreciate you sharing your opinions. This is a very sensitive topic to most. You all seem like very intelligent people.
2007-12-24 21:37:16 · update #1
At times, it amuses me that anybody would be so arrogant and smug, as to think they have everything all figured out.
Other times, I feel pity for them, because by being so judgemental, they are missing out on the value and beauty of a diversity of spiritual and religious paths. My mother may be Catholic, but she loves reading about and participating in many different religious celebrations. If she believed they were 'all going to hell' she would not have the same meaningful experiences as she does while sharing with others, as equals.
Then there are the rare occasions when there is such hate in their expressions, that I fear for my physical safety.
I remember walking down a busy city street one day. There was a man preaching 'the word' on the corner. As soon as he caught my eye, his sermon became focused on what he thought of me based on my appearance (I have very long black hair, and mostly wear black) He started screaming about the dangers of witchcraft, magic, occult and the like, with his eyes fixed on me, yelling that I would go to hell and suffer for all eternity. He followed me for 1 block, continuing with his ravings.
The 'you're going to hell' tactic seems rather outdated, if conversion is your desired conclusion, perhaps stemming from previous eras where superstitions were more rampant in society. I can see how this may have worked to convert people at a time when belief in demons, evil witches, and other creatures of the night, might have sent them to the church out of fear.
Presently, however, this tactic seems to have the opposite effect, sending people running from these seemingly delusional, angry, judgemental, and ignorant attitudes. The majority of people simply do not believe in Hell anymore. Nor do ancient mythologies have a strong foothold in our psyches as they once did.
I see Churches closing down everywhere, as increasing numbers of people are leaving the Christian faith.
I would think that at a time where there is so much hate, violence, societal brainwashing and intolerance around us, that people would be more drawn to a religion that could provide a safe-haven from all of this. Perhaps Christianity would be received more kindly if it were seen as being able to provide this haven, rather than being the type of institution that has evolved into the thing that send you running.
People want to be respected, loved, and accepted, unconditionally. As long as Christians keep trying to convert others, your numbers will continue to dwindle. Show them how beautiful your religion is, rather than how wrong theirs is. Give people what they want, and they 'may' come.
Will you love and accept them if they don't? Will you believe they are going to hell, even if you don't actually vocalize those sentiments?
2007-12-24 21:14:06 · answer #1 · answered by Violet 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, oddly enough.
It bothers me more that millons of Christians believe it of their fellow human beings and are not, metaphorically, crawling over broken glass to rescue them.
This is not a call for more terrible, condescending and judgemental evangelism. There's more than enough of that.
But if the belief is genuine, and the fate so dreadful, why are so many Christians seemingly inactive in this regard?
Are they ashamed of social ridicule, stigma, of being thought fanatical? Or do they not really love these non-Christians?
St. Paul would wish to have words with them, perhaps, on that account...
Please note I am an atheist, and I think the Christian message is mistaken, but I am more amazed at those who appear to display inconsistency within it, than at those who do their best to fully work it through.
2007-12-24 21:04:58 · answer #2 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, in fact it does. First, who gave christian the right to decide my fate or even to assume that there is anything after death. Second, who said that cchristianity is either real or true. This whoe thing is founded on a text written by 14 Jews and then perportedly by 4 guys where were killed before the new testament was written.
Who gave you the right to even suggest that non believers will go anywhere unless they are saved? I note that you put great emphasis in going to hell and that you are christian. That is deliberate and fully intended to once again, shove the ludacrist concept down the throat of any reader.
christians are a monority in the world order of things. There are many other concepts of creation available that make much more sense.
By the way, as a practicing evangalistic christian, how many homosexuals, prostitutes and disobedient sons have you stoned to death - as your bible commands you to do?
I thought so!
Well, looks like you have joined the ranks of those who are going to hell, sinner. Your god will never forgive you for not ridding the world of gay boys and girls. Oh yes, have you commanded the members of your flock to sell off their daughters as is advised in the "Bible". Do yu put dairy product on the same plate as your meat? God has forbidden this. Do you eat port? God has forbidden this. Do you eat shellfish during the summer? God has forbidden this. Do you bury the dead before sundown on the day of their death? God has commanded this.
You see, you believe only to the extent that is convenient which demonstrated how false this christianity really is.
2007-12-24 20:40:16 · answer #3 · answered by organbuilder272 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't know does it bother you when people of your own kind are trying to tell you that you are not walking in a "Christ like" manner. Or this was a good one "Don't turn your back on Jesus by being who you are." This was always a personal favorite "You are Gay!" "We just want to lift up *&^%$%^ to you father God!" "Show mercy on his soul father God, and bring him up out of darkness father God because he knows not what he does." So apparently not only does not knowing him bring you to hell, but according to fanatics ignorance does too. So to answer no it doesn't bother me it just confuses me to see how there can be any redemption when my belief in "him" has never changed to begin with. God could very well be fine with me, but because other people aren't that happens to sway more than what "he" may think. Hmmmmmmmmm...yeah no thanks keep your fan club.
2007-12-24 20:42:46 · answer #4 · answered by foxy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have many Christian friends and they dont mind that I am Jewish. We both believe in God and such, they just have different feelings towards Jesus than I do. They love Jesus as the son of God, but I love him as a great teacher in history.
2007-12-24 23:50:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing that bothers me is that they seem to think that torturing people for all eternity is somehow acceptable and that the god they think is so great is so egomaniacal that he will do this to people simply for not believing in his existance
it's pretty sick.
Other than that they might as well be threatening me with Hades
2007-12-25 00:13:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it bothers me, luckily I am not around people like that anymore. That is why I don't go to church, and the fact that I am not quite sure there is a God. I don't understand why they do that, as long as a person is not hurting anybody (human or animal) then they should leave them alone and let them live their lives.
2007-12-24 20:35:55 · answer #7 · answered by Lady Rae 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They use hell as a control. Cause if you aren't good you're "going to hell". As an Atheist I don't believe in heaven or hell, however I am insulted by the use of the phrase "go to hell" because many people use it as another way of saying "f*ck you".......
2007-12-24 20:43:24 · answer #8 · answered by ms_beehayven 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think that it is incredibly judgemental of them to make that declaration...insisting that you are such a horrible person for not believing their superstitions that you deserve not merely punishment for not being part of their self-righteous mob, but ETERNAL TORTURE. Derserving to be sentenced there by a deity who cannot stand the notion that you did not believe in him because he didn't bother to display any evidence of his existence--by a deity that does not care about your moral or ethical quality, but only whether or not you worship it.
This is one of the highest levels of hubris out there, and it is actively promoted in two of the three major Abrahamic religions.
2007-12-24 20:36:01 · answer #9 · answered by Scott M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think most people are offended even if they are Christians. What if someone says you will go to hell if you are not Catholic, Baptist, Jehovah's Witness?
You have strong faith in your religion and in your heart you know you are right in your religion but someone comes to you and says everything you believe in is wrong. Would that piss you off?
2007-12-24 20:30:11 · answer #10 · answered by whowhat? 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋