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Hostility towards Christianity

Scuba Pete

Scuba Pete

Le plongeur avec attitude...
Linwood...

Feel free to lump hypocrites together, even those from ALL of the religions. But please teach your kids that not all Christians are hypocrites. Not all blacks are theives. Not all latinos jack cars. Not all Muslims are terrorists. Not all Irish are drunks. Get the picture?
 
D

DianeVera

Member
Here's how I see it:

ANY religion is going to have in it a large number of people who aren't exactly a credit to their religion. Thus, whether or not Jerry Falwell et al are "true Christians" (a matter on which I'm not going to pass judgment), Christianity WILL inevitably have its Jerry Falwells -- and eventually its Torquemadas too, if the more extreme religious right wingers ever succeed in eroding the U.S.A.'s tradition of tolerance of religious diversity.

It is dangerous for ANY religion to be in a position of monopoly power in a society. Some religions are more dangerous than others in this regard, but I wouldn't want to live in, say, a Wiccan theocracy either.

It is much safer to have religious diversity.

Therefore, the continued growth of the world's two most popular religions, Christianity and Islam -- both of which aim to convert the entire world to their beliefs -- is a major social and political threat, especially in places where Christians are already a majority. This is true even though many individual Christians themselves may be fine people.

Therefore, non-Christians (and many liberal or moderate Christians too) feel justifiably threatened by Christian proselytization attempts.
 
Scuba Pete

Scuba Pete

Le plongeur avec attitude...
Wait a minute... first you heap accolades on religious diversity. Then you make a statement that Christianity and Islam need to stop growing.

So only THOSE religions of which you approve should grow??? Think about what you are saying. I sincerely doubt that the growth of these two religions can keep pace with the population growth.
 
Jayhawker Soule

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
DianeVera said:
It is much safer to have religious diversity. Therefore, the continued growth of the world's two most popular religions, Christianity and Islam -- both of which aim to convert the entire world to their beliefs -- is a major social and political threat, especially in places where Christians are already a majority.
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It is much safer to encourage democratic principles and reject efforts to corrode them. The overwhelming majority of those committed to this approach are theists - the same theists who have surrounded me all of my life without once posing a threat.
 
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DianeVera

Member
NetDoc said:
Wait a minute... first you heap accolades on religious diversity. Then you make a statement that Christianity and Islam need to stop growing.
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The continued growth of what is already a majority does indeed reduce diversity. That's simple math. And, yes, in many places, the growth of those two religions more than keeps up with population growth.
 
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DianeVera

Member
Deut. 32.8 said:
It is much safer to encourage democratic principles and reject efforts to corrode them. The overwhelming majority of those committed to this approach are theists - the same theists who have surrounded me all of my life without once posing a threat.
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Such pricimples as the separation of church and state should certainly be encouraged too, and I certainly don't mean to imply that ALL Christians are dangerous.

Anyhow, I'm not proposing any action against Christianity other than critique.

P.S.: The principle of separation of Chruch and State was arrived at during the Enlightenment, i.e. during a time in which (despite occasional "Great Awakenings") Western culture was moving away from Christianity. The people who advanced the principle of separation of church and state most strongly were Deists in alliance with at least some of those Christian churches that didn't have any state churches, e.g. Baptists.

Alas, too many of today's Baptists have been forgetting their own history lately.... But that's just human nature. As today's conservative Christians become less obsessed with the differences among their denominations and more aware of what they all have in common, it is only natural for at least some of them to form alliances to grab power.
 
G

Godless Dave

Member
atofel said:
I had a roommate in college from a brief time who was from Saudi Arabia. He tried to teach me about Islam and the Koran, but at the time I was agnostic and had no real interest. We didn't know each other very well but I was flattered that he took interest in my spirituality, and I knew that according to his beliefs, he was trying to save me.

I have since wondered why there is often a negative reaction towards Christian evangelism. If I tell an acquantance that I hope they will find their way to Jesus, it is likely that I have offended them.
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But in your example, the man from Saudi Arabia was talking to a person (you) who grew up in a country with a small Muslim population and quite possibly knew very little about Islam. When a Christian evangelizes someone who grew up in the United States they are prosyletizing to someone who has almost certainly already heard the message at least once and may well already be a Christian.
 
Scuba Pete

Scuba Pete

Le plongeur avec attitude...
[quoteDV]The continued growth of what is already a majority does indeed reduce diversity.[/quote] How do you define growth? Most accounts show that Christianity is in decline on a per capita basis.
 
A

alex60

Member
Ghandi once said that he fully accepts Christianity but rejects those who practice it.Bad practice creates hostility.
 
D

Dr. Khan

Member
atofel said:
I had a roommate in college from a brief time who was from Saudi Arabia. He tried to teach me about Islam and the Koran, but at the time I was agnostic and had no real interest. We didn't know each other very well but I was flattered that he took interest in my spirituality, and I knew that according to his beliefs, he was trying to save me.

I have since wondered why there is often a negative reaction towards Christian evangelism. If I tell an acquantance that I hope they will find their way to Jesus, it is likely that I have offended them.

Often, there is a hostile reaction towards any Christian activity. A friend of mine was once driving by a cross that was displayed up on a hill and she remarked, "why do these people try to shove their religion in my face!" In a way it seems strange to me considering the essentials of Christianity are centered on love and forgiveness.

Hello atofl, Jesus said If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore theworld hate you.

Jesus said remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If the have persecuted me thay will persecute you also ; if they have kept my saying they will keep your's also. John 15:18-20. read further in that chapter and you will see. You can navigate you way through the world through the words of Jesus. They provide insight into everything. Also remember that we are to rejoice when we are shamefully mistreated for the gospels sake. We are ordered to accept mistreatment when it comes and to do good to them that do evil to us. We are not accustumed to taking it from anyone so we never find out about the power of God in us when we do these simple things.

I was struck in the face several times for pushing Jesus, here in America, because I quoted Jesus one last verse as I was getting in my car I was struck one last time. I remember being distant from the blow. I never felt it. I remember reading tortured for Christ by Richard Wormbrand and noting that those who were beaten in communist Russia had like experiences. I rejoiced in that but what I didn't know later was that because I lost blood in this event I am a living martyr. I like the company I keep. To them are given white robes.
Finally, Jesus said go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, Stephen was stoned for telling the truth. Paul encountered every kind of oppisition and all the apostles were killed For the gospel. Who are we to deny Jesus his majesty. Jesus is Lord.
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profet

New Member
Your friend said it all "out of my face!"
If one is living a truly Christian life... living as Jesus taught... the result would be that people would be drawn to ask "What drives you to be this way? I want to try that!"
Evangelism is the opposite. It is a promise of some future happiness in return for recognition of a certain belief immediately. It is instant gratification.
It comes from the fact that the true Christian path as taught by Christ... living your life so well that people are coming to you to learn instead of you to them to preach is hard... very hard.
 
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