Why do people hate Christianity?

[ShaneEnochs]

Why do people hate Christianity?

Most have never seen it..
They have seen political religion called "christian', they have seen a lot of misguided and downright evil people that call themselves "christian".

They have no understanding of Christ. only bad examples.

(they would probably like any Christians the actually met)

Fantastic post

 

[ShaneEnochs]

Also some of the stuff in the Bible just doesn't jive with the message Jesus was teaching.

"If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her." - Deuteronomy 22:28-29

"If within the city a man comes upon a maiden who is betrothed, and has relations with her, you shall bring them both out of the gate of the city and there stone them to death: the girl because she did not cry out for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbors wife." - Deuteronomy 22:23-24.

"When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property." - Exodus 21:20-21

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ." - Ephesians 6:5.

 

[Sola_Fide]

I think it's less about Christianity more about the Church. From the persecution and torture of non Christians, to the imprisoning of scientists for not having a view that the Church has.

If that is the standard for not liking a religion, what should people think about present-day Islam?

 

[erowe1]

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ." - Ephesians 6:5.

I get some of the Old Testament examples. But what do you see in this verse that doesn't jive with Jesus's message?

 

[ShaneEnochs]

I get some of the Old Testament examples. But what do you see in this verse that doesn't jive with Jesus's message?

Slavery when Jesus preached freedom.

 

[erowe1]

Slavery when Jesus preached freedom.

Slavery was a fact of life. Many Christians were slaves, often of masters who were not Christians. Paul was giving advice to Christians who were slaves on how they should live. It looks like something Jesus would have said to them too to me.

For example, compare that to what Jesus said in Matthew 5:41:

And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

 

[fr33]

What does that have to do with God? Men did these things.

God has only been represented to me by man; whether it be spoken or written words. I don't hate Christianity. I dislike the whole doctrine.

Even many of those who believe dislike it. They would not grieve as they do when a loved one dies.

 

[carclinic]

I didn't say it would. I'm just saying I try to live a good life and do right by other people.

Good.

How did your views "evolve"?

 

[carclinic]

It is difficult to come to terms with one's own shortcomings. A bitter pill, as it were. Attacking the notions that require such painful introspection is a means of self-defense. The easiest way to attack is to point out the shortcomings of others who profess to have the faith.

Something to think about: Is there a direct conflict between perfection and being human and having free will?

No. We're just too weak to always choose good, as God can.

 

[ShaneEnochs]

Slavery was a fact of life. Many Christians were slaves, often of masters who were not Christians. Paul was giving advice to Christians who were slaves on how they should live. It looks like something Jesus would have said to them too to me.

For example, compare that to what Jesus said in Matthew 5:41:

And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

This was actually a Roman law. Military personnel could force a citizen to help them to carry their crap for up to a mile. Basically what Jesus was saying here is do more than is expected of you.

But the point of me putting it in my post was to prove a point. Most of what Jesus taught was about morality, which is always relevant. Most of what the other guys taught was relevant for the people of the time.

 

[erowe1]

This was actually a Roman law.

So was slavery.

Basically what Jesus was saying here is do more than is expected of you.

Isn't that basically what Paul was saying to slaves?

But the point of me putting it in my post was to prove a point. Most of what Jesus taught was about morality, which is always relevant. Most of what the other guys taught was relevant for the people of the time.

Except the parts of what Jesus taught that were relevant for the people of that time, like telling them to go the extra mile when a Roman soldier compelled them to carry their stuff.

 

[ShaneEnochs]

So was slavery.



Isn't that basically what Paul was saying to slaves?

Yeah I guess you can argue that.

 

[PursuePeace]

Because christianity is often times so far from the real message of Christ: LOVE.

 

[BuddyRey]

I love Christ; it's just some of the members of His fan club that piss me off.

 

[ShaneEnochs]

I love Christ; it's just some of the members of His fan club that piss me off.

Didn't Gandhi say something similar?

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Why do people hate Christianity?

Most have never seen it..
They have seen political religion called "christian', they have seen a lot of misguided and downright evil people that call themselves "christian".

They have no understanding of Christ. only bad examples.

(they would probably like any Christians the actually met)

+rep

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Because christianity is often times so far from the real message of Christ: LOVE.

Indeed.

[h=3]John 13:34-35[/h]New International Version (NIV)

[SUP]34 [/SUP]“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [SUP]35 [/SUP]By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 

[Libertarian_Renaissance]

Because christianity is often times so far from the real message of Christ: LOVE.

I love Christ; it's just some of the members of His fan club that piss me off.

I do agree with this line of thought. The Christians that annoy me most tend to be Christian apologists. Now the vast majority of Christian apologists are not bad people. But, well, look at people such as Matt Slick and his CARM organization. They openly start harassing people off the street, film it, then go on their website and attack these people. If anyone thinks that is Christ-like behavior, I would direct you to a mental asylum.


Now I'll reiterate that I think most (vast majority, even) Christian apologists are nice people. John Lennox, JP holding, Dr. Craig and them are great. But those few a-holes on the internet like Slick and his cult really do bug me. They are doing more harm than good for their religion.


But I don't think Christianity should be attacked. It is essential building block of the West. Jewish Atheists aren't stupid enough to attack Judaism after leaving the faith. Or else they would be attacking their civilization. On the other hand, Westerners have a nasty habit of denigrating Christian civilization & history.

 

[VIDEODROME]

In all seriousness, what's wrong with the message that:

1. God is perfect
2. Every single human being is flawed
3. Because of our flaws (sin), we can never meet the standards of a perfect God
4. Imperfect humans have no place with a perfect God, so an eternal separation (damnation) will result
5. God, in His love and mercy, offers His perfection to us and takes our flaws in exchange, so that we can stand righteous before Him
6. Being righteous, God blesses us for eternity
-Craig

As this message is described here, I want to interpret it as Universalism. Or rather, we are all saved.


But a lot of Christians in my experience seem to dwell between steps 4 and 5. They have this crazy hangup where they want to talk endlessly about how hopelessly screwed up we are and only through Jesus(or going to their Church) can we be saved.

It's like a never ending guilt trip. Or that we should be ashamed of being human. Yeeesh.

 

[erowe1]

It's like a never ending guilt trip. Or that we should be ashamed of being human. Yeeesh.

Isaiah 6 starts out like this:

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts."

When he encountered the holiness of God, he was ashamed of being human. If you were to encounter the same, you might be as well.