Why do people do this?

Hello,

I just have a question. I belong to no mainstream religion per se, but I do believe very heavy in certain things. I consider myself to be ver spiritual and wise in what I practice. I belong to a chat site where being spiritual is the main topic. It seems like always people are interested in what I have to say about the afterlife and whatnot, but when I do get a few people who disagree with what I have to say (which is fine to disagree, it opens other questions for me) they seem to want to quote scripture (the bible) but yet claim to be in contact with spirits and whatnot. I guess what I am wondering is why? I have no interest in the bible! If someone wants to believe in the bible, by all means please do believe. But why critisize me for not believing in the bible and tell me I am going to hell and yet on the other side of the mouth say you are christain? Why do people do this? Is the word of the bible a confort zone? I mean if you stumped me, I would not claim to be something I am not to make myself feel better. Most of the time when these "spiritual" people quote the bible and go on talking about how I am going to hell, I tell them that I know for a fact that the bible says talking to the dead is talking to demons (hence they are sinning).

Can someone please just enlighten me and tell my why people are like this? Thanks for the replies!

Why do people do this?

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Self-justification of their beliefs with a pinch of gratification.

nightwolf said:

Hello,
Can someone please just enlighten me and tell my why people are like this? Thanks for the replies!

Click to expand...

Simple: People believe what they believe and many are more than happy to share it with others. Unfortunately you run into the "If they are not for us, they are against us" crowd. Many of them are glad to self justify themselves by making you into something "evil" when they can't "convert" you.

nightwolf said:

Hello,

I just have a question. I belong to no mainstream religion per se, but I do believe very heavy in certain things. I consider myself to be ver spiritual and wise in what I practice. I belong to a chat site where being spiritual is the main topic. It seems like always people are interested in what I have to say about the afterlife and whatnot, but when I do get a few people who disagree with what I have to say (which is fine to disagree, it opens other questions for me) they seem to want to quote scripture (the bible) but yet claim to be in contact with spirits and whatnot. I guess what I am wondering is why? I have no interest in the bible! If someone wants to believe in the bible, by all means please do believe. But why critisize me for not believing in the bible and tell me I am going to hell and yet on the other side of the mouth say you are christain? Why do people do this? Is the word of the bible a confort zone? I mean if you stumped me, I would not claim to be something I am not to make myself feel better. Most of the time when these "spiritual" people quote the bible and go on talking about how I am going to hell, I tell them that I know for a fact that the bible says talking to the dead is talking to demons (hence they are sinning).

Can someone please just enlighten me and tell my why people are like this? Thanks for the replies!

Click to expand...

First, you could tell these people, Judge not lest ye be judged, you will be judged with the same measure as you use for others.

Or, if you would rather not waste your time with them, just realize that by the laws of reflection and projection, they are really judging themselves. They do not know you, or what path is best for you.

No interest in the bible? Why? There is a wealth of knowledge, history and wisdom in the bible! I quote it all the time, without being a christian.

Keep in mind, a lot of times when someone says or infers you are going to hell, they often "mean well", as difficult as that might be to swallow at times. They really do believe they are attempting to 'save' you from eternal torture and guide you to eternal salvation. Christians are implored to evangelize and spread the word for this very reason. If you had the same belief, wouldn't you do everything you could to save those you cared about?

-Erin

I often run into people telling me to go to hell even though I am Christian. When I have conversations with people about spirituality I tell them what I think, feel, and believe. There are times when I want to give them a quote of show them a good reading, but I (unlike some bible quoters) have not memorized where everything is in the bible and will refer them to the part, or I will tell them at another time.

Often when these 'Bible quoters' (not all the time, and not all of them) quote the Bible, they are only taking parts of sentences and mold it into what they want to say.

My answer to "why do they do this?" Power and simply because they can.

Self-righteousness comes to mind. I've lurked on a few Christian boards and am horrified at how nasty they can get when another christian isn't quite as tied up in legalism as they are.

I haven't figured out yet whether it's a sad statement about my beliefs or theirs that I feel more at home here on RF.

Melody said:

Self-righteousness comes to mind. I've lurked on a few Christian boards and am horrified at how nasty they can get when another christian isn't quite as tied up in legalism as they are.

I haven't figured out yet whether it's a sad statement about my beliefs or theirs that I feel more at home here on RF.

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Try being a Mormon on one of those sites RF is much nicer in that respect.

My question is, why do you care? Let them talk - it has no effect on what God thinks of you. That's between you and Him.

SoyLeche said:

Try being a Mormon on one of those sites RF is much nicer in that respect.

My question is, why do you care? Let them talk - it has no effect on what God thinks of you. That's between you and Him.

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I guess I only care because I wonder how many people venture into these sites and say, "Oy...so that's Christianity" and close their minds.

I live in the "Bible Belt." There are many fundametalists and Biblical literalists here. I get so tired of the judgmentalism, the quick dismissals, the self-righteousness. It really wears on my spirit.

I, for one, am enriched by the practice of contemplative prayer. I also pray the rosary. I pray the Episcopal Daily Office. My study is filled with candles, icons and crucifixes. Many, many of the people I know would judge me as idolatrous and spiritually empty.

I don't know exactly what it is that drives Christian people to build walls and exclude others. But I do know that that sort of thing kills me (and others of the community) spiritually, bit by tiny bit.

egroen said:

No interest in the bible? Why? There is a wealth of knowledge, history and wisdom in the bible! I quote it all the time, without being a christian.

Keep in mind, a lot of times when someone says or infers you are going to hell, they often "mean well", as difficult as that might be to swallow at times. They really do believe they are attempting to 'save' you from eternal torture and guide you to eternal salvation. Christians are implored to evangelize and spread the word for this very reason. If you had the same belief, wouldn't you do everything you could to save those you cared about?

-Erin

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Thats what I don't understand. I am generally a quit person, yet when I open my mouth in these rooms they become interested in what I am saying. They asked me for my insight then judge me for it? I don't understand how a person can go to a room like that (talking about contact with spirits etc...) and even claim to be christain to begin with. I don't need saved, I don't believe in a devil or a hell, I see all this as a scare tactic and a way for people to push there faults on someone/thing else (pray).

I think people judge because of there own insecurity! If Bob (just a name) judges me and says I am going to hell, somehow it makes him feel like he has an upper hand in the situation. There are thousands of verses in the bible I could throw in someones face and make it relevant to the current situation, but why? It proves no point! Just to prove my point now, I know the bible says it is up to each in there own to work out there own salvation, these people could look at it like I am on the hard road to salvation (even though it will never happen).

Oh well, I just don't get it!

EnhancedSpirit said:

First, you could tell these people, [/color]Judge not lest ye be judged, you will be judged with the same measure as you use for others.

Or, if you would rather not waste your time with them, just realize that by the laws of reflection and projection, they are really judging themselves. They do not know you, or what path is best for you.

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What do the laws of reflection and projection consist of? Is this a Freudian psychology or magic? To answer the OP, the problem with engaging someone with beliefs belonging to this world if you are a creature of the underworld as you claim is that explanation has to stop somewhere. The dogs of war will reveal themselves when explanation on common ground runs out.

bigvindaloo said:

What do the laws of reflection and projection consist of? Is this a Freudian psychology or magic? To answer the OP, the problem with engaging someone with beliefs belonging to this world if you are a creature of the underworld as you claim is that explanation has to stop somewhere. The dogs of war will reveal themselves when explanation on common ground runs out.

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What does being a "creature of the underworld" consist of? Is this a specific form of psychoses or magic?