HubPages anti-Christian?
Yes, one probably would defend their father, because fathers, unlike gods, actually exist.
I suppose if someone were to state emphatically that Santa Claus wears red because he is in league with Satan, we might jump to his defense as well.
Then, what is the reason?
In addition to the reasons you and DPH mentioned, there is also the idea that some people carry that both santa and satan want take the focus away from Christ
I would tend to agree with that, so many beliefs surround the constant good vs. evil battle of the invisible and undetectable, all vying to win the title of the most ineffectual invisible and undetectable entity.
My monies on Jesus, too.
Ah, Troubled Man, you are speaking on the presumption that everyone believes the way you do. For some of us, God DOES exist, and He, in fact, is our Father. He is our Creator who loves us. How much more "fatherly" can you get? But that is what I think. You obviously do not. You are free to believe as you wish.
As for Satan and Santa Claus both wearing red, frankly, I don't know that either of them do :p. Their caricatures, yes, but I'm simply saying that your analogy doesn't make any more sense to me than the point you were trying to make simply because I also believe in Satan and yes, Santa Claus, too (with a qualifier, I must add).
In point of fact, if I were to jump to Santa Claus's defense, it would be closer to the mark to say that I might jump to the defense of St. Nicholas, the bishop and saint from whom the legend of Santa Claus (derived from the Dutch Sinter Klaus, which was originally Sint Niklaus [sp?] ). The modern-day "Santa Claus," as most people (at least most adults) know, was merely a marketing tool of the Coca-Cola Company. But as for St. Nick, God, and Satan as well, to me, they all exist. To you, they don't. 'Nough said.
P.S. I see your username is "A Troubled Man." At the risk of sounding like I'm proselytizing, maybe there's Someone who could fix that.
I will only say that NO ONE is free from beliefs of some kind. It's impossible. You act as if the word "belief" is synonymous with "fantasy." Yet everyone "believes" in something. "Belief" means "confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof." Do you believe in the love of your parents? Or in any kind of love at all? It's not something you can see or prove, yet most people believe in love of some kind. Do you believe in happiness? There's no proof of its "existence." You only know it by the way you feel. Well, in a spiritual way, I can "feel" God's existence in my soul or my spirit (there's no proof of that, either.) You believe in your unbelief, if that makes any sense. But my point is, not everything that's "real" can be proven in a specifically scientific way.
As for the subject of suffering (starvation, etc.) it's a rather involved subject and there are no easy answers. But let me ask you... has your "unbelief" alleviated any suffering? There's still suffering in life, no matter how you account for it - or don't. It's there, so I accept it. And I choose to believe that there is a God who is there to help us work through it rather than believe that it's something I have to go through all alone and with no purpose. Suffering is hard enough, but the idea that it has no purpose or won't end or won't bear some kind of good fruit is unbearable. How do you deal with that? I can't. I prefer to think that suffering has something to do with love. Think of it. Love requires sacrifice in some way, shape or form, does it not? Parents suffer and sacrifice for their children, for example. And if Jesus could suffer and sacrifice His very life for love of us, who am I to complain about the sufferings I must endure? That's not to say I don't complain sometimes! I'm human. But I have little right to do so.
Anyway, I don't get you agnostic/atheist types. Why are you SO defensive and - what's the word? - oppositional, when it comes to anything to do with God? I have to wonder about that. But, I'm sure you don't get us "religionists," either. C'est la vie.
I am curious as to what you could say about my username. It's part of my actual name. I guess I'm too naive or something to see anything in it that could prompt a personal attack. Hm. Oh well. Probably better if I don't know.You really are A Troubled Man
. I'm not going to argue with you because we are on two different planes that will never meet. Think what you want, and I will do the same.
I have a request, though. If there is ever an occasion where you might respond again to anything I say, would you please reference what words or section that you're referring to from my post when you comment on it? It makes no sense when your answers stand alone. I have to go back through my post and guess at what you're referring to. It makes it hard to understand what you're trying to say.
Unsurprisingly, I have gotten a bit of flack on this thread. I can't answer everyone all at once, and several of you are starting to gang up on me.
(proving my point, btw ). But hey, you're entitled to your opinions. Still, there are those of you who are proving me correct in thinking there is a lot of "anti"-Christianity here (depending on the definition.. for me, "anti" means against, and I don't care what you say, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that many people here - yes, even on this particular thread - are against Christians).
All I've tried to do here is to try to defend my faith to some who obviously opposed it. I'm not going to apologize for trying to defend myself or my beliefs. I got the impression that some seemed to think that Christians shove their faith down others' throats. I tried to honestly explain why it may appear that way. I've tried to come at it from an honest point of view. I have not tried to make myself or any other Christian out to be any better than anyone else. I never tried to put anyone down here for what they believe - or don't believe. I honestly do not know what I have said that makes anyone here (with one possible exception towards someone who really got on my nerves in his derision of my beliefs) think that I was putting anyone down (as one or two have implied). I don't like being put down myself, and I really do try not to do that to others. I don't generally call people names like, "stupid, ignorant, delusional, insane" and the list goes on. However, I have had people say those things to me - if not here, then on other posts - just because I admitted to being a Christian. Frankly, I don't deserve it.
Whatever my beliefs are, they are based on reason. I have studied them and come to conclusions, not based on "blind" faith, but because of faith AND reason. I question things. I don't just accept things on a whim or because someone said so. I study them. I'm really kind of sick and tired of people who think I'm a stupid ignoramus just because I'm a Christian. I went to college. I have a degree. I'm not totally ignorant. Of course there are things that I don't understand, and I'm not perfect, neither in being knowledgeable about everything nor even in my character. But at least I can admit it, unlike some people who strike me as know-it-alls who seem to think that the world revolves around what they consider to be their superior knowledge. This is from my standpoint, of course.
All that being said, as I mentioned, several of you are ganging up on me, and I can’t respond to you all. I may or may not write again on this thread, but please don't feel insulted if I don't respond to certain posts. If I don't, it's not because you "got me" or because I’m giving you the cold shoulder, but rather because I may simply feel that we are at an impasse and it’s pointless to go on. I thank all of you who have spoken respectfully, whether you are a believe or not. I appreciate it.
since you asked so nicely.
Hey Deepes - since you're a Christian and also one of my closest friends that I've met on Hubpages - do you think I'm anti-Christian?Anti- Christian? Honestly? Yep you are anti-Christian, but it has little to do with the belief itself. Some people are just pieces of work. Just like the fact that I'm one of your best friends has nothing to do with my belief.. I think my belief is secondary to my charm and my cute smile
.. But seriously, you and I became friends because we took the time to learn each other and gain enough of understanding to where we can approach each other in a respectful manner.
But on a more serious note, you do have several issues with Christianity as with other religions. I do think you are open minded enough to at least hear someone out until you decide that their demeanor no longer deserve your open mindednessLet's try to get this right.
To be "anti-Christian" would mean that we are against the person, the "Christian"... that is false.
The correct answer is "anti-Christianity" which removes the person altogether and focuses entirely on the ideology.
I've been around HubPages for some time now, and so far, I've not detected any real anti-anything sentiment. A good number of people in these forums may appear to be anti-Christian, but in reality, they simply don't like being preached at. Unfortunately, whether it's intentional or not, many of us who are Christians have a tendency to speak to everyone as though we are encouraging or edifying our already Christian brothers and sisters. While that is a respectable thing, others who are not believers don't see it that way. In fact, they are often offended by the assumptions others make in addressing them that way.
My feeling is that if you approach others on HP as individuals, and attempt to leave religion alone, you'll find that respectful conversation will flow quite naturally.Hello Phyllis, and thank you so much for your kind words. I don't blame you for not following religious threads here, and can totally understand that.
This young lady seems too have had some negative feedback and wanted to leave or has left, and my heart went out to her because I totally get that. Having your content or voice stifled for sharing what she did, I think is not fair.
Even with very different views, as humans in a world where we have to live together, we can do much better than that. It doesn't cost us anything to be kind to people, and short of being terrorized, can respect the other people's views. I like to encourage that in others, and you seem to be so fair and nice yourself, and I appreciate that. Thank you again.
The religion and political forums are an excitable bunch.
Many of us just avoid those particular forums altogether. The rest of the site is perfectly sociable and friendly.Write about whatever topic makes you feel good or are knowledgeable. Do not pay attention to negative comments but keep in mind that just as you are free to share your views others are free to share theirs.
Welcome to HubPages and write your heart out for the love of writing!
Troubled, let me turn this back on you. Why not keep your "reality" to yourself and no one will bother you. Look, nobody's forcing you to read this stuff. If you are, then I can only assume you must have some kind of an interest in it. If you don't like what I have to say, just stop reading it, OK?
- Sooner28posted 9 years ago
0Sooner, explaining why I believe the way I do would take a book
- even more than the ones I tend to write in these questions and forums. In fact, there have been scores of books written on the subject. My faith is something that can't be explained in one or two paragraphs. It's a lot more involved than that. Some people believe in having a "simple" faith. Well... I personally think that faith is anything but simple. It's darned difficult, and not easily explained (at least, not without sounding like a simpleton). "'Cause Jesus said so" doesn't quite cut it when people are seriously looking for answers.
Laura, it is possibly because of my beliefs that I tend to follow hubs/questions that have to do with religious topics. I should know better, eh?
I've always known that politics and religion are topics that are to be avoided if one wants to avoid conflict. But I just can't seem to help myself.
Seriously, though, I am alarmed at how widespread anti-Christianity has become - especially among the younger set. I could go on, but I'll refrain in the interest of keeping the peace. Don't want to start a holy (or unholy) war - for now."Little questioned throughout our history"... are you kidding? Christians have been persecuted since Day 1. Of course, as a Jew (albeit an atheist one??? - I'm guessing you're a Jew by tradition rather than by belief?), you might understand religious persecution even better than I do.
But here's the thing. Christians don't have a corner on being judgmental. Perhaps it is simply that we are expected to rise above that because our very religion teaches us that being judgmental is not a good thing (some people twist the interpretation of "judgmental" all out of proportion, though). Personally - and I apologize if this statement itself seems judgmental, but it's just how I see it - I have to wonder if those who aren't Christians (who are often VERY judgmental) use the fact that they don't have that precept of non-judgmentalism as a rationalization for their somehow being allowed to be judgmental, as if they're allowed to be but Christians aren't... (that may not make sense to anyone but me, but I know what I mean ).
Anyway, as the Christian Bible says, "We are all sinners, and all fall short of the glory of God." In short, nobody's perfect. That's not to condone anyone's wrongful actions, but rather to say that no one - neither Christian, nor Jew, nor Gentile, nor pagan... whatever - no one is going to get it right all the time, so for anyone to imply that Christians have a corner on being judgmental is really not fair. Just sayin'...
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