Thread: Why do people hate christianity so much?

One of the reasons I dislike religions like Christianity because they so often impose their views on others (After all, the Bible tells you too). A lot of religious people consider it their "holy duty" to convert other people to their religion. I also find it objectionable that people want to indoctrinate their children with their own personal religious views, rather than letting the child think for itself. Also, I think it's scary when people base their desiccations on views from an old book, rather than thinking for themselves.

Through the years, the church has opposed science and knowledge, and though this might be a mistaken interpretation of what the historical person Jesus - if he ever existed - wanted to teach people, it is still religion. Also, there is no denying that wars have been waged over religious beliefs, and that atrocities have been committed. Therefore I conclude that all in all, the world would have been a better place if religion had never existed.

I find that people are more accepting of Christianity when you don't try to force it on them.

Originally Posted by The Invisible Man

I find that people are more accepting of Christians when they don't try to force it on everyone else.

Fixed.

Another reason why people don't like christians is because many are so quick to say; "but look, those guys are worse than us!"

Basically, for me it all comes down to not practicing what you preach. I have met few christians who are able to turn the other cheek but I have met many who pass judgment on their fellow man. I don't know any that would cut off their hand if it caused them to sin, but I do know many that would cast the first stone.

So far everything I've read is not that relevant to the topic because it all assumes Christianity is a religion.

The word "Christian" itself means "little Christ", indicating a mentor/student relationship, not a religion. And this is also plainly stated throughout the Bible in the word "disciple". The latin word that "disciple" comes from (discipula/discipulus) would be literally translated into English as 'student', so don't use the excuse that the word "Christian" isn't actually used in the Bible...the concept is still clearly there

So what we've got is a relationship with Christ, who teaches us the way of righteousness and salvation, not because he was just a prophet that got his word revealed to him from some mystical source, but because he "is the Christ, the Son of the Living God"...the source itself.

NO religion has this concept behind it. If there's a mentor/student idea about it, the mentor is a prophet, not the final authority. If there's a prophet, he gets his information through mystical chants and drugs.

Therefore, the problem isn't with Christianity itself. The problem is with the American church. (Yes, church as a whole, not churches plural.) Overall, the church in America has gone to teaching the Bible dead wrong and not living it out as they should, and that's why people hate it. But the truth is, people would still hate Christianity if it was lived out properly...just in a different way, and for different reasons. People hated Christ Himself...why wouldn't they hate Christians that act like Him?

Originally Posted by LiveInTheDream

NO religion has this concept behind it. If there's a mentor/student idea about it, the mentor is a prophet, not the final authority. If there's a prophet, he gets his information through mystical chants and drugs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shed_(deity)

Originally Posted by Catbus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shed_(deity)

Still not the same. All that mentions is crying out for help with physical ailments. You don't get a relationship out of calls for help

You don't get a relationship with any kind of imaginary entity. Not any sort of relationship that is healthy, at least.

Because when i was Christian God never talked to me.

Originally Posted by A Roxxor

You don't get a relationship with any kind of imaginary entity. Not any sort of relationship that is healthy, at least.

Not to mention, it's rather disturbing the acts that have been committed under the guise of "god told me to do it."

My mum used to take us to church as kids, just sometimes, to give us an idea about religeon. My parents never forced religeon on me, they let me make my own decision and I'll always respect them for that. I'm not religeous really, I have no problem with religeon, I just can't stand it when people try to force their faith on you.

What I really meant was the insignificant things (well for me anyway) like saying grace. If your eating and someone suggests grace is said then some hardcore atheists have a fit and refuse to be part of it, I mean of course they shouldn't HAVE TO but why not I 'm not religious but must have said grace several thousand times in the presence of others just for the sake of it.

Another thing which I can understand more, but not fully is christian schools. Again many hardcore atheists will refuse to send their children to a religious school. My school was a Church of England school, like around 50% of schools in england, but I doubt 50% of parents are religious, only 7% go to church on sundays. I'm not a christian in a religious sence (although culturally) and I'd have no problem sending my children to a Church of England school, and I don't know of anyone who would have a problem. So why do these hardcore atheists (which seem to make up 25% of America and 90% of dreamviews) have a problem?

Honestly, Jesus Christ answered all this for Himself:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:18-20)

Originally Posted by LiveInTheDream

Honestly, Jesus Christ answered all this for Himself:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:18-20)

Its so easy to hide behind self righteousness instead of taking responsibility for yourself and your ideology, isn't it? I doubt Jesus had the 1/3 of the entire planet that is currently christian in mind when he said that. I would guess he was talking about those people that would turn the other cheek in the face of such things as 9/11; people who would continue to advocate peace even when it is extremely unpopular. I don't think he was talking about the majority of christians who say things like god told them to go to war, or that aids is a punishment from god for condoning homosexuality.

Oh, definitely, He wasn't referring to the majority of so-called 'Christians' of today. It always gags me when I hear people say things like "the United States is still 85 percent Christian" and stuff like that...going to church on Sunday morning and then living like the devil himself for the rest of the week is not Christianity at all, but sadly, that's how the majority of people who call themselves Christians are

Really. And, um, do you really have the right to judge them over their personal beliefs?

I for one fail to see how stating objective truth is passing judgment on anybody, on my part. I didn't create reality, so it's not judgment for me to simply state it.

Think about some written material (book, email, blog post, whatever) that says something against a particular group of people. Would it be passing judgment for someone to read it out loud so that others could hear? Of course not. It's the one who wrote the original message that is responsible for the words.

Religion limits my freedoms and promotes intolerance. Why the fuck would you be okay with that?

It's not objective truth; it's your opinion. You seem to think that the vast majority of the people who call themselves Christians have no right to. You passed judgement when you said that they "live like the devil himself", and you're assuming they should have the same standards and values that you do.

So you're blaming reality for your perception of it? Your analogy is lacking.

I always considered the devil something of a role model, actually.

I assume he meant that people who call themselve's "christians" should at least have the same standards and values as their supposed role model (jesus). Which is after all most of the point of christianity.

Incidentally, as I understand it, it was this precise observation (or its converse, that people who live like the devil should drop all pretence of christianity) that led Anton LeVay to invent the Church of Satan, something which you look like you would know.

Originally Posted by horsey101

Religion limits my freedoms and promotes intolerance. Why the fuck would you be okay with that?

How?

Originally Posted by Samael

It's not objective truth; it's your opinion.

Everything I said in the post you're referring to is taken from various parts of the Bible, and since I didn't write it, how can it be my opinion?

You seem to think that the vast majority of the people who call themselves Christians have no right to.

You're close to correct on that. Everyone has the right to call themselves a Christian, but there better be supporting evidence of that claim (i.e. a changed lifestyle, at the very least) else the person making the claim is believing a lie and would be better off admitting they are not a believer so that they could take the necessary steps to become one, for real.

You passed judgement when you said that they "live like the devil himself", and you're assuming they should have the same standards and values that you do.

Well, hopefully it will be the same standards and values as me, but that's only because I hope my standards and values are matching up to God's. But God's standards/values are the target, not mine. If someone aims for God's standards, they'll probably end up somewhat like me because I aim for God's standards, too, but there is plenty of room for differences. Everyone's at a different point of distance to God, and the closer they are, the more their standards will reflect His. If I find a fellow Christian with different standards than me, I don't immediately turn him away, but consider his position with the Bible. If they match up, then I've learned something new and I continue to change. If they do not match up, then I have found a place where I can help said fellow in growing closer to the goal.

So you're blaming reality for your perception of it? Your analogy is lacking.

No, I'm accepting reality for what it is. No matter how you try to get around it, your perception of reality can't alter reality itself, so you must simply accept reality for what it is...which of course, one can only get past his own perception by someone explaining reality to him. That's one of the many things the Bible does.

I always considered the devil something of a role model, actually.

Many people do these days. It's not surprising. The Bible has been saying people would head that direction in the end times for a couple thousand years. If that's not enough time for people to get prepared, I don't think they'll ever be

Originally Posted by Thatperson

How?

Passing laws and justifying them based on Christianity (AKA every single anti-drug/incest/polygamy/gays law), not to mention trying to force Intelligent Design in schools as scientifically-backed and replacing historical figures with religious ones in history textbooks. Of course, religion is inherently intolerant towards gays and non-believers. There are numerous instances where the Bible promotes aggression towards these groups, not to mention genocide against enemies.