What specific words, acts or attitudes in Christians offends nonChristians?

1. 61

   liftandsoarposted 12 years ago

   What specific words, acts or attitudes in Christians offends nonChristians?
   
   The Scriptures enjoin followers of Jesus to adorn the gospel with our lives.  What are the most common infractions of this instruction? What offends nonChristians? Think of something a little more specific than the common charge of hypocrisy.

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2. 59

   Josakposted 12 years ago

   Intolerance. Opposition to gay marriage, being judgmental about sex before marriage, opposing stem cell research etc. etc.

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Anything and everything that has to do with religion. I think this maybe stems from people not wanting any limitations or consequences for their actions. Non-believers just want to believe they are in charge of their fate, no higher power has any control over them at all.

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      liftandsoarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I know non-believers have their issues, but we are not free of fault. I wonder what it is we do that offends the world.  Wouldn't it be a tad arrogant to assume that whenever there's conflict it's the unbeliever's fault?

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      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Of course it would. This is not at all what I was saying. Sorry if it came across this way.

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4. 49

   Ericdierkerposted 12 years ago

   I have actually spent a lot of time thinking on this. And I have come to believe that that which is offensive is offensive. Smart quotes and scripture citing out of context and empty cliche's.
   
   It is great to see brand new Christians get on fire and want to go spread the Word. But the problem is that in that early state the one liners and quotations are just being learned and not yet studied and applied to themselves for a time. While they are meant with passion and full belief they are not mature enough to be more than an empty gong.
   
   So these wonderful children of Christ have yet to learn discernment and go out and attack the poor non-Christians with fervor not supported in depth knowledge.
   Then some poor sap like me with 50 years of hard study and trying to walk the walk along with the talk, comes along and repeats some of the same catch phrases --- And that is insulting as hell to a non-Christian. I do not blame them.
   
   In order to spread proper good news we have to have been around long enough to struggle with our belief and walk with others as they do. Perhaps then we can approach a non-Christian with enough empathy to not offend.
   
   Thanks for the opportune to set forth some thoughts on this, Eric

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   1. 61

      liftandsoarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Eric. Didn't Saul turned Paul on the road to Damascus have the same problem?  It took him three years to to develop discernment to go with his new found zeal for the gospel.

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      Ericdierkerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow that is a perfect reference. That is going into a sermon!!!

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   Emile Rposted 12 years ago

   I suppose it is the 'us against them' mentality. A couple of years ago most of those I called friends joined a church and suddenly I wasn't 'good' enough. Nothing had changed, except them. I was bitter for a while, I actually hated Christianity. I got over it.  I'll never forget the callous disregard the call to Christianity instills in people.

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      liftandsoarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, sometimes Christianities worst enemies are Christians.  It's not Christianity that "instills callous disregard", it's immature Christians and misguided Christian zealots.

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   M. T. Dremerposted 12 years ago

   I think religion as an excuse is probably the most offensive thing to a non believer. Why is there more violence in schools? Because there is no prayer in schools. Why can't gay and lesbian couples get married? Because the bible says they can't. Why is god in our pledge of allegiance and on our money? Because this is a Christian Nation. The list goes on, but the trend is religion being used as an excuse to affect something non-religious. If there is more violence in schools, then maybe we should look at the conditions in the schools rather than attributing it to a variable we can never influence. If gay and lesbian couples want to get married, we should consider it on a human, civil rights level, not one outdated book. And, if any religious wording or symbols exist in a government that claims a freedom of religion, then the government is either lying or that religion has too much power.
   
   Religion can be used to guide the direction of one persons life, but never should that person use the same religion to guide the direction of someone else's life. That is their ultimate sin, and that is why non-believers need to start pushing back.

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      Ericdierkerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is very interesting. Time for non-believers  to start pushing back. Pol Pot, Hitler, Mao, Stalin we are all non-believers of something. I am just saying if our mere existence pisses you off, well the resulting logic ends badly.

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      M. T. Dremerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      There isn't significant evidence that men like Hitler were non-believers. And, even if he was, he still used religion to brainwash his country. My answer to the question was very clear about the problem, and it's not that believers exist.

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      kalkidan62003posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't understand how people say this country was founded on judeo-chrisitian beliefs. Where does that argument even come from?? don't think the bible or the constitution states any of that...

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   arellcastposted 12 years ago

   You know this is always a touchy area... Since anytime someone does not agree on something things can be voiced in ignorance. What about Christians being offended? Christians are very often targeted just like many other groups and have to be accepting to things in the work place and everyday living even if it goes against who they are. I don’t see many internet postings about that. What about their rights. Why do they have to be ridiculed and put up with what offends them? It goes both ways. I do know like any category of people there are those who are doing things contrary to their beliefs because although they are part of something they are not fully aware of the entire meaning. Example: If you are a lawyer, you could have gone to law school and still not know everything and make mistakes in your beginning years but after experience and if you want to be a good lawyer you grow and get better study more etc… Same for a believer, they make mistakes. A nonbeliever has every right to what they believe but so does a believer. I feel that if each party considers the other persons position (in other words try and walk in the other persons shoe) then maybe an understanding instead of misunderstanding could be accomplished. A Christian for example who will try and spread the word is doing this out of obligation to what they believe. (I am not excusing the ones who are accusing people in ignorance). I do however know that when you stand up for what you believe then you will be ridiculed. At the same time a non believer has every right to chose not to accept what any other person is trying to offer, personal choice. If you understand that a Christians beliefs are they will have to account one day for what they do with the gospel. If they are concerned with being politically correct all the time more than what they believe, it goes against the very belief they hold onto. The non believer has a choice to give the gospel a chance or not. The non believer believes in something weather it is free will (which we all have) or no beliefs they still are choosing something to live by. Just saying………

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   1. 61

      liftandsoarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer, arellcast.  I agree that often it's Christians who are offended. But that goes with the territory. Jesus warned us that if they hate the master they will hate the disciples.  I wrote a hub on this last week. Check it out.

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      arellcastposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very True OK, I will look for it. Thank you. Have a great day!

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