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What I Don't Like About Christianity

Rational Agnostic

Well-Known Member
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.
 
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.

I agree.

However i would also venture to say that these very "christians" are not interpreting the bible correctly.

I believe in the bible. But i dont helieve hell is torture FOREVER.

I believe God requires good, kind charecter, per the bibles own words.

The bible even teaches that if you dont understand Jesus death/ resurrection, but live by your concience, God will accept you.

So, these christians are stupid.
 

Cacotopia

Let's go full Trottle
I agree.

However i would also venture to say that these very "christians" are not interpreting the bible correctly.

I believe in the bible. But i dont helieve hell is torture FOREVER.

I believe God requires good, kind charecter, per the bibles own words.

The bible even teaches that if you dont understand Jesus death/ resurrection, but live by your concience, God will accept you.

So, these christians are stupid.


Ah but therein lies the problem good sir, there is no one way to interpret it. So technically they are all right and wrong simultaneously.
 

Regiomontanus

Ματαιοδοξία ματαιοδοξιών! Όλα είναι ματαιοδοξία.
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.

James 2:8 (NIV)

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.
 

Misunderstood

Active Member
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.

If that is your biggest problem I think you are a long way along to being a Christian. I do not talk for Protestants or even most Christians, only for myself.

I feel you are right and understand what I feel being a Christian is all about. I would change one thing in what you said. Instead of "belief is what determines one's ultimate character." I would say one's ultimate character is what one believes or even it is one and the same. If your character is to love those around you, to help those in need of help, and to have empathy for those in pain; then that would be what you believe is right. If that is what you believe that would be a lot of what Christ taught, and would make that person Christian in my sight.

Believing that Jesus was Christ, that He was crucified, and He was Resurrected; but "If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person" I don't think that makes you one bit Christian.
 

Prometheus85

Active Member
What I don’t like about Christianity is that it’s been hijacked by Fundamentalist. You know the American version of Christianity, that tend to push a Christianity that is incompatible with science, and also rather sexist,
racist, and homophobic. Remember slaveholders in America used the Bible to justify slavery.
 
Ah but therein lies the problem good sir, there is no one way to interpret it. So technically they are all right and wrong simultaneously.

That would emply the biblical authors had no original meaning intended behind there writings. Would it not?
 

Ocellatus

New Member
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.

Wholeheartedly agree.
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
I think it gets down to the evangelical focus on orthodoxy as opposed to orthopraxy. To me, the goal of Christianity ought to be to help people become more like Jesus Christ. It seems like fewer and fewer Christians these days see that goal as even remotely important. My husband and I were talking today after church and he said, "I think my goal is just to be able to go to my grave in peace and not with a lot of regrets." I said, "Mine is to be a better person than I started out." I have so far to go that it's not even funny, but the longer I live, the more convinced I am that God is not going to judge us based on what we believed but on how we behaved.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.

One of a few scriptures come to mind when thinking of evangelizing christians

Mathew 25:40 The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

My problem with christianity has nothing to do with christians but it's doctrines on human sacrifice. It made me see other people negatively. But if I were to add people, many christians aren't doing jesus any justice according to that scripture.

If people in Jesus day hit and tortured him, why would any Christian feel just because he has risen doesn't mean he can't continue to be hurt.

Ive seen on RF alone member X believed in one thing. He decided to switch back to christianity. As soon as he did, his views about others went extremely negative and evangelistic. After a year or so, he changed back to a less othorodox belief but his demeanour and language was more loving and listening. Even some of us mentioned the dramatic change as with other factors involved at the time.

Then again, I see people cry because they feel when they sin they hurt jesus. If christians can view it that way, there may be some change and good representation of their Savior and experiences of him.
 
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Kelly of the Phoenix

Well-Known Member
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character.
Yes, it's the shallowest possible thing.

What matters is how you treat others.
Exactly. You gotta put your money where your mouth is. :)

However i would also venture to say that these very "christians" are not interpreting the bible correctly.
They are when they fixate to a pathological level on Moses, Paul, John and Peter (mostly the first three, though). You can see the change from the stuff Jesus talked about to "belief" being central as time went on. Paul predates the gospels from what I've heard, but even then, he's a guy who participated in stoning, so naturally he needs, NEEDS, a system where he can just slap a happy face sticker on his report card and call it a day.

I believe God requires good, kind charecter, per the bibles own words.
I'm inclined to agree. However, there are plenty of hateful, spiteful, and self-serving authors to feed the egos of those who want everything for nothing.

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.
Unless you hate yourself. Then that rule kinda goes down the toilet. :)

You know the American version of Christianity, that tend to push a Christianity that is incompatible with science, and also rather sexist,
racist, and homophobic.
Ironically, it fits with many authors' views in the bible. They apparently had their fundies too.
 

Hockeycowboy

Witness for Jehovah
Premium Member
If that is your biggest problem I think you are a long way along to being a Christian. I do not talk for Protestants or even most Christians, only for myself.

I feel you are right and understand what I feel being a Christian is all about. I would change one thing in what you said. Instead of "belief is what determines one's ultimate character." I would say one's ultimate character is what one believes or even it is one and the same. If your character is to love those around you, to help those in need of help, and to have empathy for those in pain; then that would be what you believe is right. If that is what you believe that would be a lot of what Christ taught, and would make that person Christian in my sight.

Believing that Jesus was Christ, that He was crucified, and He was Resurrected; but "If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person" I don't think that makes you one bit Christian.
John 15:12: A commandment. Not 'you should'......rather, 'you must'!
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.
What I don't like about Christianity currently is the Catholic Church. :mad::mad:
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.
.....hence the traditional Catholic insistence on the importance of good works, as well as faith.

To be fair to Protestants though, my understanding is most would say that a person who professes to believe everything that is required, but does not do any good works, cannot in truth have genuine belief.
 

Earthling

David Henson
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.

Well, it doesn't matter, then, does it? But it never did really. This is all just silliness. The problems with it are insurmountable.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
My biggest issue with the Christian religion, especially the Protestant Christian religion, is the idea that belief is what determines one's ultimate character. Ultimately, the content of your character and your behavior toward others doesn't mean a thing in Protestant Christianity. If you're a kind, loving, empathetic person who doesn't believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then, according to Christian teachings, you're going to burn in Hell. If you're a terrible, nasty, judgmental person who does believe in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, then according to Christian teachings, you're going to Heaven. Of course I don't believe anyone deserves eternal punishment for finite crimes, but that's another issue. The primary point I'm trying to make is that belief should not matter. What matters is how you treat others. A religion that places more importance on belief than action is not one I want to be a part of.

I never had any huge issue with Christianity or any other belief system. I don't believe in it, but those who do, I have no problem with that.

The ones I have a problem with are the "holy rollers," the kind of in-your-face types or the proselytizers. I live in a place where most of the population is overwhelmingly Christian, and yet, I see these sidewalk preachers going around acting like they just heard about Jesus yesterday and saying "Have you heard about Jesus?"

Yes, I think most of us have heard about Jesus.
 
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