Why are so many people afraid of the Christian religion?

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taburkettposted 11 years ago
Why are so many people afraid of the Christian religion?

Jesus teaches love and compassion. Christianity teaches the Ten Commandments. So what is so frightening about the Christian religion that makes people attack those who believe? Is it the pagan level of society today? Is it lack of education in God's doctrine? Is it the immoral factions pressing for equality? What do you think is the problem in today's society?
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ChristinSposted 11 years ago
I don't have a problem with this Jesus fellow, it's a lot of his followers who don't practice the love and compassion they preach that bother me. There are also many other beautiful religions/spiritual paths that also teach love and morals - some of them are pagan. Then again, there are those of us with no belief in a diety and we are perfectly loving and moral people too. There's room in this world for all of us. Why do some Christians feel the need to impose their beliefs on the rest of us is the real question I think.
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  peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Agreed. No point in me answering. This said it perfectly!
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  +1
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Many Christians believe that it is their obligation to save your soul by converting you. That is just reality. There is scripture to support that. The problem really is that it is not every Christian's job. And most are ill trained.
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  Smirelesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  If you have no problems with Jesus Christ, perhaps you should seek Him and ignore the followers who have failed. There will always be hypocrites in any religion. You find them everywhere in and out of religion. The followers are irrelevant.
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  ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I respect that, but I don't understand it Eric. I feel no need to convert people to agnosticism or atheism and I respect the rights of others to believe what they will. "Saving" people to me seems ego driven - a need to be better than others.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  To be fair, Christin, not all Christians seek to convert others. Some Christians hold their beliefs as more of a personal philosophy that applies only to them rather then the mob mentality thinking that others hold to
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I do believe that many "new" Christians take an ego driven path. "Look,, I brought in ten souls to your one". And "fund raising" is another such issue. I made my youth group take a full year of training before any outreach.
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  ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I know that Deepes - I have many Christian friends that I adore that walk the talk so to speak I'm not saying "all" Christians do that. I don't believe "all" in any group to be bad/good etc. we're all human.
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  Gabriel Wilsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I think a nail just got hit on it's head
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Obviously you do not venture into the land of loveliness where God resides. Otherwise, you would assist those who do not practice love and morals to understand they should change. This is probably why you feel they impose their beliefs on others.
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  ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Whatever you say TA I have a perfectly beautiful life that I love very much and I don't need your dogma or anyone else's to have it.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  ChristinS, I think you have a beautiful life and a great soul and what we call a "walking with beauty" attitude. I am sorry if someone suggests otherwise. My Christ loves you as do I.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  @TA, I have had those moments you speak of. You don't need Jesus's intervention to do so. Mine were direct . . . and awesome.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 Thessalonians 3:2
  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
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  JOENOLTposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I am so happy to hear that you are a perfectly loving and moral person. Who told you this if you have no belief in a deity? We have to base our beliefs and feeling on something. In Christianity, we are all sinners, saved by Grace.
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  ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  @JOENOLT seriously? my actions are what determine how good and moral I am, the same as with anyone else and no religion or diety is required for that.
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  JOENOLTposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Yes Christin, I am serious. You say that your actions are what determine how good and moral you are. What are your actions based on? Who decided that your action was right? Are you Playing God?
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  There are many loving and caring people on this earth.
  Most do not fear the Christian faith.
  2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
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  Pollyannalanaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  One day you will understand completely...in not too long is my guess.
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  A Happy Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Deepes Mind makes a really cool point: Not all Christians are called to convert. All Christians are expected to openly share our faith in, and our love for, Jesus. Few adults EVER acquiesce to confrontation and someone in their face in ANY regard.
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Lee Teaposted 11 years ago
"What do you think is the problem in today's society?"

In the coming age where information is readily available, there is no need to cling to beliefs like in the past. Yet some adamantly do. We can research and explore and even expose the atrocities in our social institutions and religions, yet some remain faithful to that which they have always considered a part of their "identity", something that ties them together with their family and community. If you're not willing to question your identity, or how you think of what you really are, you'll stay what you've always been.

I think the church should've fallen after the molestation of young boys was exposed. How could you, as a Christian, let that slide??? I, as a confirmed Catholic, left the church.

We're not afraid of the Christian religion. We're informed. Suggestive states of consciousness induced by incense and oil and wine and ceremony and...give me a little more of your money. Just a little more. Hey can I have a little more? We have the biggest, most sturdy and beautiful castles in your hometown but we need just a little more of your money while we humiliate your children in the back. It's brainwashing, God is all around you, you don't need the church or any religion to find the creator in the midst of his own creation.
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Well said.
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  Smirelesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I understand your disgust with what happened in the Catholic Church. However, there is a very real experience with God that does not require you to be part of organized religion. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. Seek and you will find.
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  ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Why would a "God" forsake billions of people? Very large problem #2 with Christianity for me. I don't buy that only a few are chosen. If God created everything, he created those other religions also. Why? To trick people into "hell"? makes no sense.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Jesus is the sun...there, mystery solved. He travels around with his 12 zodiac disciples and performs healing miracles, because he reaches everyone, because he is the SUN!! Now, can humanity resume "getting along like decent people?"
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Christin,
  God did not forsake people; He died to save them. Mankind is responsible to believe the gospel. It is not God's fault if they do not. The Lord did not "create those other religions also"; He said, "You shall have no other gods before Me."
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  ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1 God is the creator of everything though? so how did "he" not "create" those religions? If he didn't then I think he didn't create your religion either. In fact, I think man created all of it.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Have you ever heard of Satan? He is the father of lies; he is the originator of all false religions. Ever read about "doctrines of demons"? No. God did not create Buddhism, Islam, and false Christianity; fallen men listened to the own evil hearts.
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  ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1, Yes I've also heard of the bogeyman and I don't believe in him either. Hellfire and the Devil are used to control people and frighten them. I grew up with this nonsense pushed on me, then I started thinking for myself.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Your not believing that hell and Satan exist does not make it so. I believe Jesus.
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Glynch1, if God created everything but not religions. He still would have created the Devil who did create religions. So... It's God's doing either way.
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  ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  and your believing in it doesn't make it true. Believe whatever you want, but who are you to judge anyone else glynch? This is why people run screaming away from religion - and rightly so.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  God created Lucifer, but Lucifer rebelled against His authority. God did not force Lucifer to sin against Him; he sinned of his own free will. Christin, I am not judging you; your own words judge you. People run because they hate God and love sin.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Jesus is the SUN! The devil is things not real, and the light of the sun illuminates that which IS in the HERE and NOW. He's the one LIGHT we have from the CREATIVE FORCE we cannot see, and the "demons" are only what keep us from knowing that.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Running away from a problem never fixes it - it only temporarily avoids it until you experience it again. When a problem exists, moral loving adults fix it before it gets worse.
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  angryelfposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Order came before religion, Glynch. I believe religion spawned to scare the people in olden days when they were gullible. Now education has advanced. Fewer followers. Religion scares people from committing crime. A great tool, but no longer effective
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Proverbs 1 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.20Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;21 on top of the wall she cries out,
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Humans are the originator of all religions. Glynch1, you are the sort of fundamentalist preacher that drives sensible people away from the church. They are lucky to have heard you and siezed the opportunity to escape.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  God didn't die to save people. It was Christ that died to save people from their sin. According to John 3:16, God sent his son, not himself, that whoever believe shall not perish but have everlasting life
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Deepes,
  Is not Christ God, the Second Person of the Trinity? Therefore, the incarnate God die die. To be sure, God (the Father) did not die for sinful humanity.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  OHHH.. You believe in the trinity of a 3 in one God. So you believe that God (as Christ) Sacrificed himself TO himself in an effort to save mankind? Sorry, but Christ never claimed to be God or a God. He always directed people to God.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  That is not the deal. God does not need to sacrifice His Son for us. How silly. But He did. How strange? It had to be to teach us something. I have ideas. But the point is that the Trinity is 3 in one. How many do you have inside you?
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Mental, emotional, physical - 3 in one. Altogether now - in the name of the father (point to your mental head), and of the son (point to your emotional heart) and the holy spirit (cross your physical body). Truth hidden in plain sight. Thanks church.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 John 4:18
  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Yep. "Don't worry, don't be afraid, it's just a ride. And we can change it any time we want - it's only a choice between fear and love." - Bill Hicks
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  2Timothy2: 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
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  gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Totally agrtee.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Lol...a conglomeration of like-minded opinions does not make any one thing more "right", but I guess if you understood that you'd be out of writing material, eh GM? And TA, yeah, I get that. That's a matter of one's character, not religion.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
  Galatians 5:5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I don't follow any teachings, just my direct connect to all that is. And I don't await anything - I create for the creator by grabbing his lessons by the balls. You're wasting your life not learning all there is to learn now. That's the lesson.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Truth here. If I teach and someone follows my teaching I am a buffoon. If I listen and blindly follow I am an idiot. I teach and I preach. My Goodness I hope no one follows. I can only open minds to learn for themselves -- I am glad in that.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  time has little meaning for those who follow the devil
  evil is growing as leaders divide us into welfare slavery
  no matter how hard we reach to properly teach
  immoral attacks each denying and driving them to evil
  moral must stand for better society
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  WHO HERE IS FOLLOWING THE "DEVIL"!? You're juvenile thinking that some side with "God", and some side with "Satan", and that's how we tell each other apart. We are all innocent , start with that. I care less what our leaders do - they don't guide me
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  gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Excellent synopsis, could not have said it better. As people become more educated, they will question organized religion. They see NO NEED TO prescribe to atavistic religious concepts. They see through the religious progam.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  GM thanks for your comments lately. I went to a Catholic wedding this weekend. It's funny, I never remember the priest pleading for respect for the house of God when I was Catholic, but a white girl with dreads I hear it every time I'm in one now...
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  education is good when it leads to moral principles and solid ethics.
  society is then advanced. however, much of education today is based on immoral acceptance. this leads to destruction of moral society. this is clearly wicked reversion.
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  jstfishinmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Lee Tea, I agree that God is all around us. I also agree that Christianity is not dependent on any religion. The book of Romans was written to keep us away from religion. Paul didn't leave one religion to go to another. Paul followed Christ.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Good point Js. That's the problem a lot of people confuse Christianity with an organized religion.
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LoisRyan13903posted 11 years ago
It's probably because they may have had an experience with somebody from a certain branch of Christianity that gave them a negative attitude of all Christian religions. For example, there are some in several denominations who like to pass judgement on others because they might not believe in their God. They might have experienced hatred from some churches-the best example is Westboro Baptist-it's been in the news lately. The true Christians are loving Christians who, as you said, show love and compassion. They do not judge people for their faults. I am one of these types of Christians and I have many faults. Of course there are others who have their own beliefs and nonbeliefs.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 Timothy 6:20
  Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  What's entrusted in your care is your own life's experience. What's falsely called knowledge is people babbling from books, instead of speaking what they've learned from experience to be true. You know scripture but nothing of their lessons.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  And taburkett, you still continue to hide behind anonymity, rarely telling us your own, honest, personal take on life. Resorting to spouting biblical quotes is utterly pointless. Unintelligent rhetoric. IMO.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I know that I have saved individuals from immoral life through righteous living and teaching. I know that ignorance breeds babble inflicting evil upon innocent individuals. I know that removing God from schools has brought more evil to the USA.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "I know that I have saved individuals from immoral life through righteous living and teaching." Thus thought the Pharisees, but your Jesus saw through their self-righteousness.
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  Lukus Leonardposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  OMG. In the USA pledge, Under God was added in 1967 (approximately)... Do tell how me how adding God made society any way visibly better? Better for who?
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Deepes Mindposted 11 years ago
People are not afraid of the Christian religion. People are afraid (at times) of the fanatical prectitioners of the Christian religion. There are several types of Christians. Some believe that they are actually helping by preaching "turn or burn". Unfortunately, Some Christians are trying to teach others things that they themselves have not bene fully trained on and as such and are unprepared to reach others. A lot of unbelievers know more about the bible than believers and as such are ready for the discussion. What the issue is that when backed into a corner, some believers change up and start behaving in a manner opposite the example Christ set out and what the bible teaches.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  While "Turn or burn" communicates truth--one must repent or one will spend eternity in the Lake of fire-- it exhibits a wrong attitude toward preaching the gospel; it shows no love for the sinner. Christians must learn to "speak the truth in love."
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 Timothy 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "...spend eternity in the Lake of fire..." you are free to believe this for yourself, but you are not entitled to preach it to others. It's your religion, nothing more nothing less. An ugly concentration on judgment.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 36
  I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:There is no fear of God before their eyes.
  2 In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.
  Evil abounds in the USA.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The whole "lake of fire and eternal damnation and torment" mentioned in the KJV bible is actually biblically inaccurate in the face of the original versions of the bible (Greek, hebrew, and aramic). King James added it in his to exert control by fear
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  jonny,
  God has given His people the responsibility to proclaim the good news to the whole world. I see no concentration on judgment in the gospel; I see a perfect blending of judgment and grace. May God open your eyes.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Divine Comedy may have contributed
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch,
  
  I agree with you about the bible being a blend of judgment and grace. The biggest issue is that a most of the more vocal Christians are preaching judgment but not teaching grace. IMO, this is what's turning people away from Christ
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Which "vocal Christians" focus on judgment? If they neglect to bring in the solution to sin, then they are unbalanced.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  If you look around HP, you will see a lot of unbalanced Christians. This doesn't make them less Christian, IMO, but these "unbalanced" ones are presenting themselves as the true representatives of Christianity.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Eric,
  Did you respond to my question, "Which "vocal Christians" focus on judgment?" with "You." If you did, where did you get that idea? Read my posts. I constantly talk about the grace and love of Christ.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Try again -- who is sinful??? Make a judgment or not, your choice. Maybe it is your place to decide. It is not a "gift" given to me. What is a sin? Hate. Who hates? Not mine to determine. But if "I" hate -- I repent. That is my only right.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Again, I cannot determine what comment or question you are responding to. I only know you did not clearly answer mine. All people are sinners, and all people need the Savior.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You miss the point. All are sinners, between their heart and God/Trinity. That is scripture. It is not for you to call out. You got no right to call it out. Nobody gave you the right to call me a sinner. That is between me and my God - not you.
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I agree, Eric. I've tried pointing this very thing out to glynch1 but he says that I'm mistaken. He feels as though it is his right to call out sinners, I say it is God's place and no other.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  As I have said before, Christ has commissioned His Church to proclaim the gospel to the whole world. The gospel includes making known humanity's lostness in sin. Where you get the idea that the Church has no part in this matter?
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The flaw in this whole argument is that humans, individuals, have chosen what to accept/reject in the business of "spreading the word." It comes down to a self-appointed commission. No god told you to do it.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 119:63
  I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I'm not talking about church, glynch1. I'm talking about you, as a human, if you are telling others that they are sinners and are going to Hell, it's not your place to make that judgment. That's God's job. Not yours, as a human. That is my point.
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "'Turn or burn' communicates truth--one must repent or one will spend eternity in the Lake of fire--" -glynch1
  Why an "eternity" burning? Why not make a punishment that fits the sin/crime? & Forgiveness requires an innocent person's punishment? H
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The entire matter of judgment rests upon there being, in reality, a "god" that sits in judgment and that "god" is waiting until after each of physical death to meet out the judgment. For me: No reality after my death.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Reality of the spirit is shown through signs in every living thing. As each living organism wanders toward its demise, the signs come more quickly. This then provides the period of spirit lifting through sacrifice of the despondent one.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "Sacrifice of the despondent one"? TA, you gonna do that? Sacrifice the despondents are ya? Do you know how to skin a buck? I do...straight to the freezer. God taught me.
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A Happy Manposted 11 years ago
They are put off by the militant and strident extreme Christian right. As am I. And I am a proud and abiding Christian. I, however, am not proud of what far too many believe Christ intends for our life. Intolerance and selective acceptance. For, as open minded and good hearted Christians know, God loves all and accepts all.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I totally agree with this statement. Christianity is supposed to be an all inclusive religion that is open to all people that want to be part of it. Unfortunately, some Christians want to make it sctrictly exclusive tp ensure that only they get in.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I do not know what you mean by a "proud" Christian. You also have to define what you mean by "God loves all and accepts all." The Church should provide a general call to everyone so that more people might be saved. Your last point baffles me.
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  A Happy Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1-
  Ever hear a "Christian" express reservations about homosexuals? Non-Christians? Atheists? Even hostility and disdain for such people?
  I have. Most of us have.
  That's what I'm talking about.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Yes. Some Christians allow their flesh to control their actions and attitudes toward these groups. The Church should boldly speak the truth but do so in love, having the hope that some of them might be saved.
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  A Happy Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1-I think we're on the same page as brothers in Christianity. I have advanced degrees from two different private faith-based institutions. My belief in the power of God and Jesus Christ is profound. So is my capacity for independent thought.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Job 34:37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us &multiplies his words against God.
  2Timothy 2:25 Opponents must be gently instructed, so that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Happy Man great comment but not all Christians are judgmental towards homosexuals, atheists, other religions. I have friends who are homosexuals and I don't judge them. I do pray for them Love the sinner hate the sin
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  A Happy Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  taburkett & LoisRyan13903-Right with both you guys. Please do not lose my point. I am talking about the militant, close-minded extreme Christian right who shun all but those THEY accept as righteous. Christ did not teach "selective" love, yes?
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Gods love has no boundaries. Individuals exert their own boundaries through self-imposed restrictions by embracing evil. This is easily viewed as immoral individuals seek to gather others through devious actions. Truth always outlasts the devious act
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "Individuals exert their own boundaries through self-imposed restrictions..." you're making a great example of this, telling us who's wicked and evil and the like, when "God's love has no boundaries"... yet somehow, you keep finding some. Hmm...
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marwan asmarposted 11 years ago
I think Christianity has become associated with the western world and the latter has been associated for the ills of this world both historically ( colonialism ) and today with consumerism and exploitation. It is an unfortunate association.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 119:106
  I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
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Ericdierkerposted 11 years ago
It is complicated for many people. Just consider this idea: "Jesus has brought me so much joy and love and happiness and saves me from a hell or no life after death" Now just let that soak in. Just grasp that notion that most Christians have. Do not judge it, just comprehend it.
Now if you believe that --- what to hell are you going to do with it??? Keep it to yourself.... Not likely. So if you believe that you want to share it. That is cool and good. But if nobody teaches you how to share it appropriately --- well you are going to make an ass out of yourself and piss other people off. Even if your only "Gospel" is Love you are going to make others angry if you argue your point of view wrongfully.
Sometimes I just pray and thank Jesus that the Trinity did not give me the commission to convert others. Oh I get the pleasure to debate with agnostics...... But it is just not my job to convert. I have been given the gifts of teaching, discernment, raising children and loving. That is a full plate enough for me. Plus I have to grow a garden, earn a living and take care of several dependents. I got no time for conversions or "saving anyone".
With that said I have converted at least 30 people to Christianity. Just an accident of them wanting what I have and then finding their own path and relationship.
Again though, having nothing to do with my Christian beliefs, I am a large nose broken, very loud man, with hands that look more like a rock formation and scars that make me scary. So I do reckon this Christian scares folk,,,, sorry for that ;-)
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I see no point in using vulgar language to get your point across. Every believer is responsible to proclaim the good news. If you have truly led thirty people to the Lord, they did come to Him "by accident." You should know that.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I am sorry -- what was "vulgar"? And yes you got my point. People do not come to the Lord Christ because they are led. Good news is all we can share.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You wrote: "what to hell are you going to do with it??? But if nobody teaches you how to share it appropriately --- well you are going to make an ass out of yourself and piss other people off." I do not believe you need to use this kind of language.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You sure are judgemental, Glynch. Who cares what language he uses, if it got the point across?
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  TJenkins602posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Hell is a biblical word... You dare call God's word Vulgar???
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Gentlemen,
  Eric did not use "hell" to describe the place where the unsaved go; he used it in a profane way.
  God cares what language Eric uses if he is a Christian. If you knew the Scriptures and believe we ought to obey them, you would agree.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "what to hell are you going to do with it??? " What I wouldn't do is just babble my belief to others...I sought the truth. And I found it. The answer hiding in plain sight that makes all your views make sense. Jesus is the ... SUN!!! Of course.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  In my post to you I wrote, " If you have truly led thirty people to the Lord, they did come to Him "by accident." I accidentally omitted the word "not" after "did." People's salvation is certainly not accidental; it was in God's eternal plan for them
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch, you are certainly increasing my knowledge and I appreciate it. Yes that word accident is not right. It is more divine. We may walk and others may follow, but we can only walk.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Eric,
  I am glad to read your last remark. "Iron sharpens iron." However, I am not certain what your last sentence means.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Eric's statement reads to me as saying that we can only walk for ourselves. Others may follow, but we are only responsible for the steps we take. We can spread the word, but we cannor force others to accept it.
  
  You can lead a horse to water, but...
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Correct
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  OK, now I get your meaning.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Others may follow you to Christ, but they must walk their own way and do it of their own volition. we cannot force someone to talk the path to righteousness. We can only continue to focus on our own path
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Luke 11:10
  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
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  Lukus Leonardposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  Not the will of the Trinity? So you don't in fact, believe and live all of Jesus words? He clearly had a great commission: tell the world about me, before it perishes...
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  Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  MOST don't "KNOW" Scripture! They only go by what they've "HEARD" from their popes, priests, pastors, & preachers! MOST don't "LOVE" Jesus & FORGET what HE HAS SAID cuz they're not hearing IT unless 1 ("man") above has said it!
  
  IGNORANT FO
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  Purely egotistical. You have a way of showing you know it all, while everyone else around you is a fool.
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  Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  NO!
  I've "got a way of "STUDYING" Scripture & MOST do not!
  I "quote" WORD which is "available to ALL;" therefore, is it *my* fault MOST are too lazy to pick up the Bible & go to GOD for "revelation" in HIS WORD?
  II Cor 3:5"Not that we are c
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  If there was such a god, he would be laughing his head off about you. Thanks for the comedy show.
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  Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  MY GOD is crying HIS eyes out about you for HE "desires no one is lost" (II Peter 3:9)!
  
  Merry Christmas!
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  Na na, Norine. Those are tears of laughter. Wake up Dear.
  
  Have a good one.
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  Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  What do you want me to "wake up" to Jony? Common sense & logic? U see 'they' still can't "figure out" If it's "evolution or creation?" U want me to join them when *HE* "tells me ALL things" which "appears" to be "egotistical" to u? Go Backwar
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CroftRoanposted 11 years ago
I think people are more afraid of some of the followers of Christianity than the religion itself. I have known many Christians over the years and some tend to get critical, judgemental and close minded when it comes to certain subjects. I've had to tiptoe around them so that I didn't set off a one sided argument. It's not easy especially if you're pagan or Wiccan.
This is just my opinion but it seems sound when looking at past experiences.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Jesus claimed to be the only way to God; His resurrection proved His deity. He said the gate is narrow that leads to eternal life. Paganism and witchcraft are on the broad way that leads to destruction. Christians must speak the truth in love.
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You do realize that many of the practices of Christianity were based off of Pagan beliefs, right? Many European/Middle Eastern cultures are cousins of each other and are built from the last generation of beliefs.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Why tiptoe? Did you think that you were wrong? Or, did you not want to hear what others were saying? Wise adults learn through exchange with others. Running away never provides an answer.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Yeah...I'm sure the victims of the Salem Witchhunts could've saved themselves through calm, rational conversation. Or the citizens of Iraq, or victims of domestic abuse....oh, if only they were wise enough...
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The "I AM" refers to the inner self, the place where divine consciousness resides within each of us. Jesus was speaking of this. It really IS the way, the truth and the life. YOU got it wrong, glynch1.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Johnny I just wrote a bit on "I Am" in my last article
  http://leetea.hubpages.com/hub/Virgos-F … rimination
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  @Johnny - I agree. The "I Am" is what Jesus was referring to when he talked about "heaven within." And spiritual leaders from other spiritual traditions have said the same thing. Religions are spiritual teachings in different languages and ages.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Deuteronomy 4:29
  But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Love that old testament. I can't even imagine how hard these guys had it before Jesus.
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Witchcraft brings out God's Compassion (Not)
  Exodus 22:18 (KJV), "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
  Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV), "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, ... WITCHCRAFT [emphasis mine], ... a
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  taburkett the reason why I tiptoe around friends and family is because I don't want them to ignore my side of the argument and tell me that I'm wrong and going to hell because I don't practice Christianity.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Croftroan, This is the right place to air the angst. It is safe here. I do not know your troubles but I have empathy towards you. You are right to have your feelings. Others are wrong to tell you how to feel. Thank you for sharing them.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Again taburkett quotes a verse from the Old Testament, totally out of context from the passage it was written in, and expects this to somehow "guide" us into his/her way of thinking. Crazy!
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Some people believe that moral actions are determined through complacency because mankind has improved technologically. However, regardless of decade, if one seeks the Lord they will experience a wonderful life. Truth outlasts all criticism.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Wait a second. TA Burkett. hides it's identity and professes Christianity? Totally fully wrong. Anonymous is great for certain things but just plain wrong for a Christian.
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  Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Taburkett, at phases in my life I have sought The Lord and at other phases I have not sought The Lord. The difference in my life experience? Absolutely none.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Disappearinghead - I must disagree with your analysis. Since you can tell the difference between your phases, there is a specific variance. Therefore, others also can determine this variant also. Life experience therefore is different.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The only variation in life is whether you wish to be a Lazy Christian and wait on God to do everything for you or if you understand Phil 4:13 as well as faith without works is dead and understand you have the power to do things on your own
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  glynch1posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Katie,
  True Christians practice the apostles' teachings; they do not follow pagan beliefs. Roman Catholicism, not Christianity, is a combination of pagan beliefs and practices alongside a veneer of the Bible. You are referring to that system.
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  Lukus Leonardposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  Glynch1, please do your research.. The thing with the resurrection, is it is an event that literally cannot be substantiated.... It's hilarious, no body left, oh-must be resurrected!
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chef-de-jourposted 11 years ago
I think many people are wary of the following when it comes to the Christian religion:

* a history of might is right and God is on our side type of mindset that led to such events as the Crusades and subsequent massacres, wars and battles fought in the name of Christianity.

* a history of abuse, both physical and sexual, recently exposed but latterly swept under the carpet or ignored by those in responsible positions.

* belief in the absolute word of the Bible, a fantastic series of stories recorded, translated, edited and changed over the centuries to suit various schools of thought.

* dogma based on selective passages of the aforementioned book.

* a certain paranoia fed by fear driven preachers and others who thrive on the vulnerability of some individuals.

* a medieval attitude towards gays and other perceived outsiders who are seen as a threat to a comfortable bigoted establishment.

* what might be called a narrow minded approach to other religions, practices and faiths.

These are a few of the reasons. There are many more.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Catholicism is not true Christianity. Never has been, probably never will be. Charlatans who preach the "prosperity gospel" are teaching heresy. People fear what they think is Christianity but is in reality another religion devoid of truth.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 Timothy 4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  taburkett,
  I appreciate your citing Scripture, but adding an explanation would help me understand your point.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Matthew 5:11
  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Wish we could leave longer comments. Then maybe he would explain But Matt 5:11 sounds a lot like my life
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  brblogposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Chef, well thought out answer - you covered the main points but as you can see, you might as well be talking to a wall for the responses you get!
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Immoral factions attack the moral standards emphasized in the Bible. Many attempt to sway the moral individual by declaring a false attitude of morality. This is viewed as a harrowed attitude for immoral practice attempting to distribute immoral acts
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  What's immoral is opinion. Don't you see? You think you serve "God", and I think I do "good" and everyone's on the same side of the coin. Just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean I hail "satan"... though we differ on what that even is.
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  Dantex460posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  *stoning gays
  *cannibalizing children
  *slavery
  *the spread of complete lies
  *child abuse (trying to indoctrinate them into a religion by saying obey or burn)
  *changing the bible to suit new laws
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  jstfishinmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The problem with most that argue against the Bible have never taken the time to read it. Searching for points is easy with the internet. Picking and choosing isn't what the Bible is about. God is explained in His Word.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The way of the wicked is strewn with promotion of immoral.
  The path of the righteous beams a moral light for the path to glory.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "Catholicism is not true Christianity. Never has been, probably never will be. " You know glynch1, Catholics say Christians aren't true Catholics. You both are very sure yours is the most right way, and the other groups of your subset are a bit off.
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  Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Christianity has 41 THOUSAND factions! Most, if not all, claim to be the True One, denouncing others, to the point of focusing on specific ones. That alone would scare me!
  P.S. I was in a Christian cult.
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  glynch1posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Lee Tea,
  True Christians are not and do not want to be Roman Catholics. Why would they want to turn from following the truth of the Scriptures to going after an apostate, pseudo-Christian belief system?
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Doc Snowposted 11 years ago
But are they? Or are they afraid of "Christian" ideologues who insist that they, and only they, hold the truth about ultimate reality, and who are entirely qualified as a result to tell everyone else how they should live, and to use the coercive force of (co-opted) governmental power in order to enforce their prescriptions and proscriptions?

In a word, are they really afraid, not of the Christianity characterized by the love and compassion of Jesus, but by the hateful homophobia of the infamous "Westboro Baptist Church", or the absolutism of "Dominionism", a movement the avowed aim of which is to turn the US into a theocracy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominionism
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 Timothy 4:15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Not if they don't hear you because you're speaking irrelevant babble...
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souvikm16posted 11 years ago
I don't think your question should be specific only to Christianity. All religions offer commandments to their disciples. And all religions teaches love and compassion. Now whether people want to believe in them or more importantly follow them, is at their discretion.
One of the basic problems which affects our society today is the gentle yet most powerful virtue of not being patient in life. Patience is indeed a virtue.
Look back 200-300 years. There were non-believers even then, however, they never resorted to such frequent blatant measures of forceful display of their non-belief in religion or commandments. And why was that? That's because people respected each others personal space and values. Society knew what patience is and vehemently believed in the fact that good or bad, everything happens with time and in time.
Look at our society today. Do we really have patience in our lives? We all are in a mad rat race with no visible ends. We want to get rich quickly. We want to get happy quickly. We want make sure our views get dominance irrespective of their consequences. We have forgotten this simple fact that everything happens when they are supposed to happen. That's what all religion across the globe says. Our impatience has caused us to be jealous, narrow-minded and outright crude.
Education in God's doctrine remains the same. It's us who have changed. It's us who have forgotten the way of life. See? Religion or God cannot be imposed on anyone. None of the Gods ever wanted it that way in the first place. All they ever wanted was for everyone to follow the right way of life. And that also includes respecting each others opinions and views without which establishing harmony is next to impossible.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Two to three hundred years ago (the early 1700s and 1800s) most Americans still took a high view of Scripture; we were a biblically literate nation. We sought to win others to Christ because we saw unbiblical religions as false, yet we did not hate.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  What? Have you read any Native or Black American history? What do you mean, we did not hate??? We did then and we still do.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Do you have any evidence of true believers murdering "Indians" and blacks? The true Church sends missionaries to win native Americans and Africans to Christ; it does not murder them.
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  First) define true Christian
  Second) read a history textbook
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  In short, a true Christian is one who has trusted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. Whom do you consider to be "true Christians"? Many historians approach the subject as secular humanists and revisionists; their work is biased, not trustworthy.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 Timothy 6:11 But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
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Shyron E Shenkoposted 11 years ago
I think a lot of people are afraid of what would happen if they begin to believe and then they can't live up to the standards set by the Christian religion.

While I believe in God and that Jesus is the son of God. I am not pushing my religion on anyone else, I haven't that right.

What is wrong in today's society? A. The Love of Money, and the Lust for Power.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  How is telling someone the good news of redemption "pushing my religion on anyone else"? If you truly believe the gospel is the truth, you should want to share this treasure with everyone you know. God has given you the right/responsibility to do so.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
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skperdonposted 11 years ago
What would make you think that people are afraid of the Christian religion?
I don't mean this question in a rude way. I personally have never been shown any negativity on a religious aspect. I have been verbally attacked but not from a religious stand point.
You see, I know for a fact that people dislike certain issues in every religion.
It's like the one we all hear about everyday. Muslims, terrorists, now most people think that all Muslims are terrorists.

But I know that they are not, I have neighbors who are Muslims and they are just like everyone else, peace, love, harmony. These days it hurts and anger them when they see, on the news, the violence that is being perpetrated in the name of Islam.
They don't insist that their women wear the headdress that Muslim women have to wear in those countries.

And they don't try to turn us into Muslims or any of that stuff that goes on in the Middle East, they accept us for who we are and we accept them for who they are.

We all want peace, love, respect, happiness and harmony, so we stay away from the religious issues that hurt each other and forge "the bigger picture" of brotherly love.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Will "peace, love, and harmony" save your Muslim friends? Whatever happened to the truth of the gospel? Perhaps we should learn and believe the gospel first, then we will realize that they are lost without a saving knowledge of Christ.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and ruins those who listen. present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who is not ashamed who correctly handles the truth.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Ok, I will. Jesus is the SUN and we are ALL HEIRS to THIS KINGDOM. He travels with 12 zodiac disciple friends revealing what TRULY IS, PERFORMING MIRACLES and spreading his LIGHT to ALL. Your gospel doesn't hold up to what we are all FREE to SEE!!
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  skperdonposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  There you go speaking like the Muslims in the Middle East are behaving. You wanting everyone to believe in the gospel and the Muslims wanting everyone to believe in the Quran.
  
  Peace, Love and Harmony are the constant truth of our God glynch1,
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  We are engaged in spiritual battle between truth and error. The gospel is the only written revelation of the true God; the Koran is written by a spiritually deceived man. The truth will win in the end.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  2 Timothy 2:19
  Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
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Denmarkguyposted 11 years ago
Personally, I'm not afraid of the Christian religion.

I'm afraid of PEOPLE who call themselves Christians... and go around saying things like "I found the word 'kill' in the Bible, which therefore 'means' that I can kill anyone I don't like in the name of God. Because it says 'kill' in the Bible. Look, it's right there!"

There's nothing wrong with the Bible, or with the lessons of Scripture. There's a LOT wrong with PEOPLE and the way they (mis)INTERPRET Scripture in ways that serve their personal fears, egos and agendas, all "in the name of God." THEY are who scare me. And I feel like God slams his head against the "Cosmic Keyboard" every time one of these eedjits is out there doing heinous things "in the name of God."
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  To which group of "Christians" do you refer? I know of no true Christians who wish to kill (that is, murder) people they don't like.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  If we blame God for the work of the devil, then we must take action as a loyal individual to defeat the devil that has placed those misled individuals into our presence.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1, when ever you use the term "true christian," and deride people for not being such, you are obviously proclaiming yourself as a "true christian." Arrogant.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  jonny-you obviously demand perfection from others, yet attack without provocation. Christians live a righteous life filled with peace through honor, Integrity, and faith. The devil is ever expanding his following. This will destroy the moral society.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Taburkett, you would do well on the stage as a comedian.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I don't see glynch deriding anybody in this comment.. However, your comment is excellent. What gets me irked are the ones who criticize others for doing something then they turn around and do the same thing.
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JimMilesposted 11 years ago
Perhaps fear is warranted when you consider how influential this Christian religion is among the power brokers of the world. One recalls how George W. Bush transformed his administration into a virtual Christian camp meeting, and used religiously-charged language whenever he justified taking the country into his ill-fated wars, the costs of which we are still reckoning. Warranted, when you consider how unlikely it is for a candidate to rise to power in any sphere of government in this country unless they convince enough voters of their Christian credentials.
Fear of Christianity is warranted when you consider just how much scientific evidence must be actively denied in order to hold onto the faith. The ability of a religion to restrict critical thinking, skepticism, and clear scientific reasoning is scary to me, especially when it was so recently that I myself was caught up by the prison-like restrictions of Christianity. The truth is that Christianity has been utterly and decisively debunked, and yet believers will largely never accept this or even know it, since they avoid any kind of argument which puts their sacred faith at risk of being proven false. They make big claims to being all about seeking "truth," but strenuously avoid ever really finding it.
I leave you with these thoughts from John W. Loftus, a former evangelical preacher: "When believers criticize the other faiths they reject, they use reason and science to do so. They assume these other religions have the burden of proof. They assume human not divine authors to their holy book(s). They assume a human not a divine origin to their faiths.... If that's how they reject other faiths then they should apply that same standard to their own. Let reason and science rather than faith be their guide. Assume your own faith has the burden of proof." (http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com)
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  *laughing* - This reminds me of people from any religion who insist that their way is the only right way, and that their definitions are the only right ones. We've got a few of those on here. And yes, the more they insist, the more ungodly they feel.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 101:7
  No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.
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watergeekposted 11 years ago
They're not afraid. They're disgusted with the way so many Christian leaders don't live up to their own ideals.

People are also recognizing that they don't have to go through a preacher, minister, or priest to be close to Source. Jesus always said each of us had access to our own spiritual guidance, so people are finding it now. For that, we don't need churches, although it may be fun to attend for social reasons.

The Unitarian Universalist church I go to, for example, has people from all religious backgrounds attending and supporting each other. We also have a strong social and environmental justice component, where people actually walk their talk in service to the world in some way. And we have a strong music component (classical and folk), which I really like (being a singer on the side).

Not being Christian doesn't mean a person doesn't practice those ideals. In reality, those are the same ideals inherent in all religions - Christian, pagan, Buddhist, Islam, all of them at their core.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Where did Jesus say that each of us has access to our own spiritual guidance? If you refer to "the kingdom of God is within you," you are misinterpreting Him. He was talking to Pharisees--people to whom this saying does not relate.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Are you saying his word is not a Living Word? Most good Christians would disagree with you. There's no reason why anyone should not interpret heaven being within as applying to themselves. He didn't segregate his teachings, but gave them to all.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The verse reads "The kingdom of God is in your midst." Jesus as the King is standing among them, and the Pharisees were not aware of it because they had rejected Him. How can heaven reside within people who hate the King? Interpret in context.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1 How many steps removed from what's happening NOW do you BELIEVE the TRUTH to be? "To know what's happening, you first must know this obscure story then interpret it within the context of another person's story and.." no. You just have to be.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You sound very much like a Pharisee, glynch1
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I have found that folks who cannot refute what the Scriptures say and prove their point with sound evidence resort to ad hominem attacks. If you wish to discuss the text, jonny, I am willing to do so. If you want to attack me, then I will not play.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The Pharisees could not see themselves in the mirror.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 35:20
  They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Here's something interesting - a TED talk from neuroscientist who watched herself having a stroke. She describes a beautiful spiritual experience she had and what caused it. http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_tay … sight.html
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kalinin1158posted 11 years ago
Who says people are afraid of the Christian religion? I'm not afraid of it, I'm simply weary of overly enthusiastic Christians who have a compulsive urge to defend Jesus even when no one is attacking him.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Can you give me an example of such people? Why would they defend Him if no one were attacking Him?
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  peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Maybe the atheist killed in his name, or the gays that are screamed to in the name of him on street corners. Just a couple of quick examples.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I do not know about the murder you reference, but I gather that the screaming you mention refers to the Westboro group. I agree with you; their attitudes and actions are repulsive and hateful. True Christians do not act this way.
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  kalinin1158posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Sure. How about the bogus "war on Christmas"? How about the people standing outside abortion clinics or gay wedding receptions with portraits of Jesus, acting out the hatred he never preached?
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Proverbs 29:2
  When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Most people who stand outside abortion clinics are pleading with the women not to abort their babies. How is this an act of hatred? I abhor any true hatred of people, but stand with those who wish to save the unborn from death.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  So attract and do not detract.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  taburkett your habit of simply quoting verses from the bible is not very enlightening. I suppose your "faith," i.e., belief in magic, says the holy spirit will infuse us readers with enlightenment. I don't think so!
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I just think it is weird. It is like using scripture like a witch. Or those old Vampire movies.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  lol is that what's happening here? Taburkett's posts have become like irrelevant commercials to ignore. "Buy this, buy that - buy into this, buy into that"... You're citing a book that was written by humans, it's as relevant as anyone else's ideas.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Nice comment kalinin1158 but not all abortion protesters are like that. one near where I live and the Christians stand nearby-respectfully away from the clinic pray for both the unborn babies and the girls-even for the ones who go thru with it
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Morality in society provides a positive environment where love abounds. However, current support for immoral acts has led to a highly degraded society. Individual responsibility requires a solid code of moral standards. Truth secures this.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Really? Life is just horrible? You need to go help someone. You will find another who does it everyday. Life does not suck raw eggs. It is beautiful. Or perhaps you cannot see or be part of that?
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Murder on the rise-Aborted babies eyes-someone denies-
  society is degrading-the devil is abound-someone denies-by closing their eyes
  it is a sad day-as evil enters the abode-we can fix it with morals-if everyone morally rode
  the time is come friend
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  When I use my eyes to see my day, I see birds and crickets and quenching rain. No murder, no dead babies do I see - I learn of war, illness, famine from TV. The creator's creation all around me, the devil only distraction from where we be. LOOK!
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Your paranoia about an evil world really is a sickness, I suspect. Utterly distorted view. Keep it to yourself. Just don't drag others down with you. See a doctor.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  the despair of the demonic world has led to compulsive lying we witness everyday
  yet many deny such is happening
  the path of righteousness is the only way to overcome the demon
  united in morals mankind will sustain a moral society.
  where do you stand
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You are welcome to dig your own grave, Taburkett. I prefer to walk this world and experience it's joys, every day, even enjoying the flowers of the grave yard. Thank you.
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  IWrite2008posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Holy Rollers are terrifying, but people in foreign countries are not as receptive to Christian Religion. Also here in the USA there are many people afraid of the Christian Religion.
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  jstfishinmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Jim, that's not exactly what I meant. God knows His people in any denomination. As the Bible says, there will be many that are lost, some of those will be church attenders. The denominational tags will have no effect on God knowing His children.
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  Juno Smithposted 9 years agoin reply to this
  lol you are right
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angryelfposted 11 years ago
Well, I'm not a follower of this religion, therefore i'm not afraid of it either. Nor any other. I'd say in all technicality the only ones who would be afraid of it would be the followers, anyone who was accused of witchcraft at the hands of Christians during the last few thousand years, and the homosexuals or otherwise judged individuals who have suffered from hate crimes that were committed by christians. I'm not afraid of Christians or the religion- I'm afraid of the amount of insults/closed minded remarks that a good number of followers make. If I have to listen to much of it I wind up "face-palming" so hard that I get a concussion. Therefore, I'm scared I might wind up giving myself a cerebral hemorrhage or something haha. Maybe someone got a giggle out of this comment whether they believe in nothing, a god, or a big purple monster who speaks in hashtag phrases and gives birth to chocolate chip cookies. But if one believes in the latter, I'd probably say it's time to visit a rehab center.... but who am I to judge
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  True Christians have committed "hate crimes" against homosexuals? Can you provide an example of such a hate crime?
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  angryelfposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  How can you possibly declare who is and isn't a true Christian, with all respect? Popes were considered true catholics, but committed vulgar acts towards young children... The lines between them blur when it's an opinion in all technicality.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  There are various tests that we cannot get into here. "By their fruits you will know them" is one of them.
  I do not know of one Pope who taught justification by faith alone.
  You lost me in your last sentence. Whose questions are you answering ?
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  angryelfposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  My very point is that you can't say who isn't and is a true follower... It is a matter of opinion. Therefore, you cannot ask an example of a hate crime by true christians. Christians R Christians; whether or not you think they are true is an opinion.
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  Dan Barfieldposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Of course you can say who is a true christian and who isn't! A true Christian not only has and professes a faith in Jesus' teachings - but they also behave in a christian manner. They live by the teachings.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  That simply is not true. Where in the Bible does it tell us to decide who is a true Christian or not. That is a rabbit out of the hat magic trick. You cannot tell me how to act Christian.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Hebrews 6:1
  Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
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Zaiden Jaceposted 11 years ago
I'm pretty sure it's not fear, nor a problem. Everyone has the right to believe in what they choose. You can't realistically expect billions of people to all have your faith. And you can't force it upon them either. One person's faith truly should not concern another. We all have our own path and how we go about living it is in our own right. With or without believing in Jesus.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Jesus said He is the only way to God. If He is God, then all other paths lead to destruction, not to life.
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  Zaiden Jaceposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Well it's nice that you have blind faith. I'm pretty sure plenary of people are living just fine without religion. You can't possibly even know if there is a God for sure. But if there then I think 90% of the world is screwed. Christians included.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I do not have blind faith. I know God exists because He makes Himself known to us through creation. People may be "living just fine without religion," but they do not have the life of God in them. So, in reality, they have nothing worth anything.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Ezekiel 18:21
  “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "Sin" merely means a misperception, and while you think of it as things that don't adhere to what you're taught, I see you're full of them. Take a lesson from experience why don't you?
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  riadmarrakechposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Totally agree with you the God sent to us many messengers and each one has a message must transfered to his people. Then everyone can choose his messenger if he convainct by the requirements of the religion wich want to follow.
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Credence2posted 11 years ago
No one is afraid of Christianity, I am only concerned about 'establishment' and that applies to all religious faiths. The state can neither advocate nor discourage religious activity. With the myriad of religions available, each person must decide within his or her own conscience the appropriate form of worship, if they choose to worship at all. Under Judeo-Christianity, God had said that men were given a free will, if God allows people to make a choice, what right does man have to take this away?

Does anyone have a problem with that?
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I agree with you Credence2.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Proverbs16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
  Psalm106:3 Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!
  1 Corinthians4:20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  True. And that includes those pseudo-Christians who tell other people they're wrong if they're not Christian. They don't know. Only the individuals themselves can know what's right or wrong for their lives.
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  Credence2posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  CroftRoan,taburkett, and watergeek, thanks for sharing your take on my comment!
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1 Timothy 4:6 If you point these things out to brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on truths, faith, and good teaching that you have followed.
  1Timothy5:15Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.
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d.williamposted 11 years ago
I doubt you will leave this comment on here, as you have stated openly you have no desire to hear from me. But here goes.
I know of no one who is afraid of Christianity. But i do know many who object to its dogma. The 'pagan level' you speak of is inappropriate to use as derogatory name calling in reference to anyone who is simply not a Christian.
The history of Christianity, and it origins, is dubious and questionable. Especially when one realizes who started it and why.
The Christian bible was compiled from picking through hundreds of writings to create a religion that was meant to do nothing more than control the (pagans) of the times. It certainly was not ever derived from the "words of God" that Christianity tries to suggest. And oddly enough Christianity denounces the Mormon religion for doing the exact same thing.
The "holiness' of the bible was by the decree of the Roman Government.
Christianity is no more valid than any of the older religions that predated it, or any of the hundreds/thousands of offshoots that followed its inception.
The "education of God's doctrine" is man made. There was never any declaration to humanity made by a supreme Creator, as any of the religions would have us believe.
It may be true that Jesus spoke of love and compassion, but it certainly is not adhered to today by any means.
There is nothing wrong with teaching children the 10 commandments, but teaching them that a supernatural being wrote them in fire on stone slabs is a bit over the top. Especially when there is absolutely no evidence that they ever existed in the first place, except in the wild tales of those who wrote most of the whoppers about religion thousands of years ago.
The other objection to Christianity is that is too pushy, judgmental, and out of touch with reality.
Those "immoral factions" you speak of have the same rights on this planet as do the Christians. And morality is only a judgment made by the pseudo-religious factions who crave to control the lives of others.
Granted this comment will not remain on your question, so i will copy/paste and submit it as a separate article to counter the bigotry, ignorance, and hatred that this question promotes. But have no fear, i will give credit for it to you and this question.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Hopefully it will remain. I think it's quite good.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Ecclesiastes 3:17
  I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.”
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jstfishinmanposted 11 years ago
Do you believe in God or not? If we start with this question, about 50% don't believe in God. The believe in God and the don't believe in God will always be at odds with each other. There is an ebb and flow to this argument, it rises and falls with our current state of affairs.
When it comes to the 50% that believe in God. Which God?, becomes the next question. Only about 19% of people are in a Christian church(Catholic or Protestant) on any given Sunday in the U.S. The numbers are lower in other parts of the world.
In Christianity, we are all sinners, saved by grace. People that look for Christians to be perfect will always find hypocrisy, because Christianity doesn't create perfect people, just forgiven people.
Those that are against God, regardless of religion, will always struggle with those that believe. Those that believe in God, will always struggle with those that don't believe in Their God. And even in the same faiths there are denominations and sects that don't believe the same. All of this causes a lack of trust between believers and non-believers alike.
The fear is always in the un-known. The more we know about each other the less fear will affect us. Openness calms our fears, but we feel safer with our computers than a face to face conversation. And until we can look each other in the eyes, fear prevails.
That is the sad part of our current world, we build cyber relationships with like minded individuals, and never take the time to earnestly talk to those that oppose us. We used to be able to debate. Debate drives out fear and can bring us to common ground and with honest talks. We can also agree to dis-agree and still communicate on other topics, that is also a lost art.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 32:10
  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
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Dan Barfieldposted 11 years ago
I think in general it is not christianity per se that people have an issue - it is so-called 'Christians' acting hypocritically and in a manner quite in opposition to the teachings of their messiah. That bit about he without sin casting the first stone? Remember that? How many stones have people claiming to be Christian cast?

Many.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 40:4
  Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Do you know all these verses by heart, Tabs? Or do you just Google them and find they sound nice? See you in Heaven one day,.....maybe!
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  A Happy Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Right. I am a Christian. I am not holier than thou. I am not self righteous. I am certainly not perfect. I firmly believe that is what many are intimidated and put off by regarding Christianity. Those who conduct themselves as if they are.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I read the bible daily. I research through the writings to find the one most appropriate verse to the situation. Some people believe that memorization is required, I do not. With memorization, the words get turned or lost. Truth is in living them.
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M. T. Dremerposted 11 years ago
Christianity SHOULD be feared because of the power it wields, in much the same way that we should fear a nuclear bomb. Sure, it has the capacity to be completely harmless, but aim it at a target and watch the body count rise. The dominant religion in any given country has the ear of government (sometimes it IS the government) and then we end up with stupid laws like 'don't ask don't tell' or the 'Defense of Marriage Act'. If Christianity really taught love and compassion they wouldn't spend so much of their resources trying to govern the lives of those who don't agree with them.

An individual with a Christian philosophy, who volunteers at a soup kitchen, is a model citizen. But a standing army of Christians who oppress gays, atheists and women, is the last thing this world needs.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Christianity not only teaches "love and compassion" but truth and holiness as well.
  True Christians do not oppress anyone; they offer rational, biblical arguments that "gays, atheists" and radical feminists do not accept and cannot answer.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1 - How is your demonization of other human beings "love and compassion?" Your posts contradict themselves. You've got all these different labels for fellow human beings...those "neighbors" you're supposed to be loving. Missing the obvious?
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  How am I "demonizing" people? The best way to show people you love them is by telling them the truth about God's holiness and their sinfulness. Once they know they are lost, then the love of God comes into play. There is no contradiction. Labels?
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1, it is not your job to "show" other people that they are sinners. YOU are not God. People's sin is between themselves and God. YOU have no say in it. If YOU'RE judging and telling people that they are sinners, you are nothing like Jesus.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Mystic,
  God uses preachers to announce His judgment upon sinners unless they repent. The Holy Spirit convinces people of their sinfulness, but He uses faithful servants to deliver the message. Jesus certainly spoke of man's sinfulness. UR mistaken.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The best way to show people you love them is to tell them how lost they are? Well glynch buddy, I must love you a whole bunch. Btw - sin is nothing more than a misperception of what IS, not how others aren't living the way your idea of god wants.
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Keep telling yourself that glynch1. YOUR delusions are your own. God knows the hearts of all. Your need to feel superior to me and anyone else who disagrees with your delusional views just proves how unlike that which you say you follow. Sorry.
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  Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The best way to show that you love others is for your actions to reflect the love that Christ has for us all. This is not just telling others of their sinfulness. This also means letting your actions in helping them show, not just your words.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You have not included all I said. People must come to know they're lost before they will be open to salvation. If they don't learn they are lost, they will think they are OK. I am not superior to you; I'm trying to tell you what I have in Christ.
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I stated that you have a need to feel superior to me and to anyone else that disagrees with your views not that you literally are superior. U r coming across as judgmental and holier than thou which is often why so many flee from Christianity glynch1
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  My motive has nothing to do with feeling superior to anyone. God has commanded Christians to tell people about the Savior, and that is all I am doing. Show me where you think I'm "coming across as 'holier than thou.' I am no better than anyone else.
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You are exactly right on that, glynch1, you are no better. That was my very point but obviously it was lost to you. Oh well. If you feel the need to point your finger at sinners so be it, that's your ego trip. Self-righteousness is not Christ-like.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I don't see any self-righteousness and finger pointing. We are all born sinners because of the original sin from Adam and Eve.
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  M. T. Dremerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  If a Christian says someone is a sinner going to hell, it's a helpful/loving statement of fact. If an atheist says there are flaws in the bible, it's mean/hurtful. There is a huge double standard here.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Mystic,
  I never stated that I was better than anyone else; I believe you assumed that that was what I meant. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God; I have no righteousness of my own. "Your very point" was not lost to me.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  1Timothy6 11 But you, man of God, flee and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold eternal life as you were called through your confession in the presence of many witnesses.
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  watergeekposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  @MT - You guys have some really odd definitions here. But I guess it's like anything. We all define our worlds in a way that will justify the person we want to be and the life we want to live, whether we justify it with religion or something else.
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Exactly, M.T. Dremer. Christians can say sinners are going to burn in Hell all day long but if someone challenges that assumption (since they can't prove that) we are misunderstanding them about being judgmental and condemning? Hmm, I see
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Moral individuals do not agree with the actions of gays, atheists, and other presentation considered evil in the code of moral standards. These immoral factions should not spend so much time trying to make moral individuals pay for immoral acts.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "These immoral factions should not spend so much time trying to make moral individuals pay for immoral acts." Don't worry, they don't - it's just a pompous person's preoccupation with what others do that makes them uncomfortable.
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  M. T. Dremerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Religion cannot be used as a code for morality as it has proven itself to contradict with modern moral principles. Every bible-follower is picking and choosing which rules to follow.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I agree MTD. There seems to be a great confusion in people's minds when they try to impose "morality." Like when people in Iraq declare anyone with a sexually different orientation evil, then kill them.... which is more immoral? !!!!
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Every immoral individual is picking and choosing what "immoral activity" to declare as moral.
  This has created an immoral society filled with boundless corruption and denigration.
  Immoral dominance is the last thing this world needs.
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  M. T. Dremerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You're missing the point, taburkett; there is no ultimate authority on morality. Not the bible, not god, and not religion. All we have is the consensus of the majority on life, love and happiness. That's all we'll ever have.
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  A Happy Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  M. T. Dremer-Christians fundamentally are not on this same page. I'm certain you understand. I also respect your position. Mine as an open-hearted, and open-minded, Christian, is never to judge. Nor certainly to dismiss.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "This has created an immoral society filled with boundless corruption and denigration." Are you part of the immoral society, taburkett? or do you see your self as "better?" Try the mirror technique before answering with another bible-quote.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The immoral corruption in today's society is composed of individuals who wish to destroy the moral principles delivered through the biblical writings. When one seeks to correct such immoral corruption, they are persecuted by the corrupting forces.
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glynch1posted 11 years ago
God has given all Christians the wonderful responsibility to sow the seed of the gospel, but not to save sinners; only the Lord can regenerate a soul. Having more zeal than wisdom, some immature Christians (who are not necessarily hypocrites) offend unbelievers with their approach to "sharing" the gospel. No matter how insensitive the messenger might be, it does not exempt the unbeliever from his responsibility to believe the message. Jesus, after all, is what the message is all about; it is not about the one delivering it.

Christian truth is not just about "love and morals"; it reveals the substitutionary death of the Son of God on behalf of imperfect, sinful humanity; no one is "loving and moral" enough to merit salvation. If a person has the cure for cancer, he would show incredible hatred toward sufferers if he kept the answer to himself. Likewise, if a person believes that Christ is the only way to heaven, then he would show an astounding lack of love for others if he did not tell them the truth.
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  CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Are you accusing me of being an unbeliever? That's how your comment to me came across.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  What part of my comment makes you think this?
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  CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The part where you say they probably would not have allowed an unbeliever to serve in the church. It wasn't a church. I am a believer. That's why I was serving at the Christian facility.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You have misunderstood my meaning. I said that the organization probably would not have hired an unbeliever, so the mistreatment you allege would not have happened to him or her.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 103:17
  But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Crafty, glynch isn't calling you an unbeliever; he's calling you a liar. Hilarious to me how Christians' crass abrasiveness crashes across all bounds of propriety and civility and yet they cringe at the thought of people avoiding them! Deep delusion.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "God has given all Christians the wonderful responsibility...." another self-interest delusion!
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  When encountering disbelievers, morality must seek to avoid disturbing their immoral thoughts because they become incensed beyond personal control. This leads to eruption of vigorous immoral paganism deemed a rejection of conjecture. Blessed be God.
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Why does it seem like taburkett is answering with MadLibs?
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Amanda Horstposted 11 years ago
Living in a country where the majority of the population espouses itself to Judea/Christian belief, I see the question as irrelevant. I would ask why Christians feel they are persecuted. Taking religious aspects/symbols out of public places is not taking the religion away from its followers. People may focus on the oppression and degradation of the church on humanity, but I don't believe that that is relevant either. In order to affect change on any negative situation, one must transcend the established order and find a better way to share with humanity. Showing fear to fear results in further atrocities.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Ecclesiastes 3:16
  And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The only judgement I see here is those of the Christians. Well that and my notice of your delusions. What if, long ago, satan overtook the church and decided to turn all their followers into mindless babbling idiots, disconnecting them from reality?
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Gabriel Wilsonposted 11 years ago
I think the whole problem is that while we are lead to believe we live in a free world we don't. I have met many people without any religion but they still have belief: belief in the world that they live in and the family that surround them; no judge no jury. Belief in their family and in their love for each other, belief in making their lives their lives.
People don't fear religion they fear the power behind it.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Gabriel, True that! My son Gabriel gets it at 3. That love part is what I know of as God. That religion part is ho hum, boring. We love what is good. We try to shun what is bad. I believe in you. Please believe in yourself.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 111:10
  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
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  Gabriel Wilsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I have belief in myself and am happy with my life. I am a very contented person.
  
  taburkett, I wasn't actually talking about God being the power behind religion, I was talking about people.
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  erorantesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Mr Gabriel, I like your anwser. You are rigt.
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  gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Aptly stated, Gabriel!
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Dr. Haddoxposted 11 years ago
Look at the United States of America, today, and see the problems that we are facing. When I was a child growing up, I used to hear people say that the U.S.A. is a Christian nation. What does a Christian nation look like? How do people in a Christian nation sound like? In my home state the greatest Christians that I knew belonged to the KKK The KKK was started in my home state of Tennessee, by the way. It was Christians that I saw doing the most hating and killing. Hanging people by their necks, even. Why, in the name of God they did all kinds of hateful acts. Now, looking globally, and asking the question, "Why are so many people afraid of the Christian religion?" It is obvious! What people are the most hateful in the world community and doing the most harm to our universe? Why of course, it is Christians. So, yes, rational, peace loving people, the world over, worry about trusting Christians. Why, they will say one thing, and do another.
Christians must practice what they preach. Work on the basics. Look at yourself in the mirror more often. See the hate on your face.
Regards,
Dr. Haddox
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Although I would not doubt that some KKK members are horribly misguided believers, I seriously doubt that many of their members are true believers in Christ. Painting a caricature of Christians as black-hating warmongerers is not constructive.
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  Dan Barfieldposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Peace loving non-Christians are afraid of Christian hypocrisy. You know the saying once burned twice shy? The world has been burned and pillaged in Jesus' name one too many times. Trust is a hard thing to regain when lost so drastically.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Not all Christians are Bible-thumping hypocrites. But the non-Christians who have been exposed to those types of people it is understanding why they are afraid or standoffish to all Christians. I would call the U.S a conglomeration of all religion
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Proverbs 28:1
  The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
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Justsilvieposted 11 years ago
Mahatma Gandhi said it all.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

I have met and I know there are many devout people who do not deserve to be painted with the same brush as those who leave a bad taste in your mouth and headache were they have slammed you with their bible. That group may not be largest, just the loudest.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Definitely not the largest. In fact, they are probably a small minority whose conversions are suspect.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  If I speak of fairness but do not have love for all, I am but a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I am learned with knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. Love thy neighbor as thyself.
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  Justsilvieposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  After reading many of your comments on this thread gentlemen you two really need to look into your own hearts. You seem to be armed with the bible and Christianity and I have had my fill of religious warriors. Peace!
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  When one person tells another person to look inward, it normally means that the teller has faults that lie within. This is due to reversal attrition where the spoken one has utilized their own faulty precepts in formation of their request.
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  Justsilvieposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Taburkett, you can't help yourself can you. I know I have faults and often look inward it's called being human. You just don't seem to realize what you are doing is not bringing people to Christianity but driving them away.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Maybe the problem is centred in narrow-mindedness: limiting "god" to what a person wants him/her/it to be, or to represent. That "god" then limits the believer. The opposite would be infinite potential.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Personal responsibility requires the individual to accept truth about themselves. Some easily achieve this while others deny it constantly. For those who deny, life is always wicked. This leads them to denounce truth regardless of its impact.
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CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years ago
Let me answer your last sentence. What do you think is the problem in today's society?

I can tell you from personal experience. I am weary of those who persecute other people under false understanding of the Bible they are misinterpreting for their own self-serving purposes.

After volunteering at a Christian facility for six months, dedicating my life to it every day without pay, a pastor's wife confronted me while I sat in the quietness of my car reading my Bible. She literally started accusing me of things I had never done or even thought to do. She told me I wasn't living above reproach. Others followed in her footsteps until a mob of people confronted me outside to tell me I was no longer welcome there. Why? Because they got from me what they wanted. I worked for them for free. When the job was done, they dismissed me like yesterday's trash. I felt like I had been put up on a stake at the Salem Witch Trials.

The Bible says don't just be hearers of the Word, be doers also.

I say this with all humbleness. I am a Christian.

But imagine, if this happened to someone who didn't believe. Would this make them run to a Bible and open it for the first time? Or leave wondering why bother?
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You have not provided all the facts of the case--only your side of the story. If these folks had accusations against you, they should have followed Scripture (Matthew 18).
  They probably would not have allowed an unbeliever to serve in the church.
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  CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  They had no accusations against me. They made it up! Sorry you can't see the light!
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I have no trouble seeing the light. Can you not see that you have presented a one-sided story? How can I judge the facts if I have no contribution from the other side?
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  CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Glynch. I didn't ask you to judge me. I answered the question what is the problem in today's society. This was not at a church by the way.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I am first trying to determine if these folks are "persecuting" you "under a false understanding of the Bible" and second, if this example constitutes "the prolem in today's society." Without hearing their side, I cannot agree or disagree with you.
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  CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Well all that really mattered is that it happened to me! It's a good thing I am grounded in my Faith though. I was able to forgive and move on.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "They probably would not have allowed an unbeliever to serve in the church." He prob meant that they would not welcome people of other faiths some places are like that. Dump them and find a new home
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Mark 11:25
  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "A god who is all-knowing and all-powerful and who does not even make sure his creatures understand his intention— could that be a god of goodness? Who allows countless doubts and dubieties to persist, for thousands of years, as though the salvation
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C.V.Rajanposted 11 years ago
The present day mass culture seems to be for freedom without moral commitments. Freedom without sense of responsibility.

Any organized religion insists on following certain codes of morality, self-discipline and belief in the existence of the higher force.

Unfortunately, in Christianity, the tendency to preach with a missionary zeal is very strong. May be it is because of that many people end up attacking Christianity.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  2 Peter 2:10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Not against what you have commented here, Rajan... but maybe that missionary zeal is a manifestation of the inherent need in many humans to worship a Higher Power. That need is then exploited by people with ulterior motives....... just a thought.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The immoral spread with zeal and yet many simply challenge those who seek to distribute morality. The society is rapidly sinking immorally to its lowest depths and yet many do not reject the immoral. This leads to radical advancement of other immoral
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I guess I just realized it. TABurkett scares me. So I figure I now get it. Many Christians scare me.
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jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years ago
Christin has written:

"I don't have a problem with this Jesus fellow, it's a lot of his followers who don't practice the love and compassion they preach that bother me."Well said.

Taburkett, you do not give up, do you? You are one of the followers referred to. You do not know the spiritual needs of others, despite your presumption that you do. Presuming that your position as a christian gives you the right, or even the duty, to pry into others lives and influence them to comply with your beliefs --- this is arrogant. And this is, I suggest, one of the major reasons people reject your religion and you evangelists who preach it.

On the other hand, a simple offer to "help" a person in need of support is the only point where your Jesus would back you. Going out of your way to help, when it's not exactly convenient.... a bit of a bother when you have more important things to do. Helping the ugly, the un-friendly, the nuisance, the drunkard, a person of foreign culture, with a different colour skin, the homosexual, the unmarried mother, the prostitute, the father who has had his child taken away from him. THESE are the "god's children" who deserve your attention. And you must approach each and every one of them with a pure, unconditional heart, if you are to follow your Master. At the same time you are not permitted to stand in judgement of them. That is not your job, but it's a tall task indeed. Especially when your ego wants you to convert them.
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  MysticMoonlightposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Agree! Great points, jonny.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Proverbs 29:16
  When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Who is wicked? No one is wicked. You're delusional. Don't you know God never made any other but a saint?
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Agree Jonny. Christin-not a believer-make a very respectable comment. There are other nonbelievers who like to put Christians down
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Jonny, you preach arrogance, yet say little. I on the other hand operate through empathy to all who are found within my realm. God puts lost souls on a path that crosses mine so that they receive assistance. Love abounds in God's realm through me.
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Disappearingheadposted 11 years ago
People are not afraid of Christianity, and I dare say are not afraid of Christians either, though they have a right to be very worried about fundamentalist Christian influence in politics and the running of a country. Christianity would seek to control what people can do and think although to be fair, not with the same amount of ruthless zeal as Islam.

To say that society is pagan is a bit of a nonsense; it indicates that the questioner doesn't understand the meaning of the term 'pagan'.

The problem with 'lack of education in God's doctrine' is who's interpretation of correct doctrine do we go with? There are 30,000 Christian denominations because they can't agree doctrine. The last thing society needs is the backward teaching of creationism and the anti-homosexual teaching of mainstream churches which demonstrate a stubborn wilful ignorance of science, sexuality, and a clinging to dubious interpretations of flawed biblical translations together with the unthinking mob mentality that goes with it.

What immoral factions? Society is no more immoral that it has been for thousands of years.

Fundamentalist Christians like their Muslim brethren are simply not interested in entertaining any opinion contrary to what they have been taught in Church/Mosque. They insist they have the monopoly on truth and anyone who disagrees is going to hell. I had to laugh at a hub published today by a Christian who says all mainstream Christians are going to destruction because they have believed the lies of Satan that Jesus is God and the trinity is real. I laughed not because of the doctrinal issues but because so many religious types think that lack of belief or believing the wrong things brings hellfire condemnation rather than actions and so they take it upon themselves to correct everyone else beliefs under the complete delusion that they are acting in love and as the the Holy Spirit is directing.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  This is just too harsh. And over generalizing. But too true to. It is hard to be Christian and not tell others how to be Christian. So we slip up. Then we should repent. Love one another is the only acceptable Christian doctrine.
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Agree: Some Christians mistakenly think that God has called them to "bring in the kingdom." Disagree: God is the Creator Who has given commandments about sexuality. Most true Christians agree on the fundamentals. Muslims are not spiritual brethren.
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  Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Glynch you said Muslims are not spiritual. That is a sweeping generalisation, what is your definition of spiritual?
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  glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I said that Muslims are not the spiritual brethren of true Christians. They reject Jesus as God; they do not believe in His substitutionary atonement; they try to earn heaven by doing "good works" so they do not belong to the family of God.
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Glynch, isn't it written that Jesus is the SON of God? Where are you getting the "Jesus is God" bit from?
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Proverbs 29:27
  The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  “Every [Christian] sect is a certificate that God has not plainly revealed His will to man. To each reader the Bible conveys a different meaning."
  
  -Robert G. Ingersoll quoted in The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails (p. 182).
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  glynch1 said: "God is the Creator Who has given commandments about sexuality." I DISAGREE! Individual humans like you, glynch1, determine the "laws" about sexuality.... in order to "lord it" over others. No god involved, except in your own mind.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Wisdom is derived from acceptance of responsibility to righteousness, love, and understanding. This is gained through positive advancement under truthful research. It requires the individual to adhere to moral principles rather than devious ones.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I'll agree that wisdom begins with truth, but not just truthful "research". You have to be honest with yourself to be able to learn from what's happening around you. Wisdom is derived from knowledge, and knowledge only from direct experience.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I have seen it all. A biblicist literalist being a truther. Let me chew on that one. OK -- I admit I cannot get my brain around it. Ouch. Either Faith or what you can discern. Or even have faith in what you discern. But this is too strange.
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  glynch1posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Katie,
  Have you never heard of the Trinity? Jesus is God the Son, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead. He is co-equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
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AUPADHYAYposted 11 years ago
I think, each and every religion has excellent teaching which is capable to make a person immortal if he follows it in actual. No religion teaches to harm the living beings but the human who gets satisfied in causing harm to others does not like the sacred teachings of religions. To accept by heart, the sacred and glorious teachings of the religion and to follow for the welfare of mankind, is the motto of the humanity. In my opinion, there is no reason to feel fear of any of the religion in the world.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You are correct. It is not the religion but evil people that create the fear. Love of thy neighbor is what is taught. But greed and despair cripple the masses who deny this. Jesus Christ provides the way for Christians.
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nightwork4posted 11 years ago
History and the present. if it wasn't for Christianity, gays would not be looked upon as disgusting trolls by some many, freedom would be true and the money given to churches would be spent on helping others instead of trying to control them. History speaks for itself.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Morality is maintained by the individual. When immoral is substituted for this maintenance, society is degraded. When immoral is exposed to children, society degrades exponentially. Truth is-freedom exists-demons destroy-God repairs. Bless Morality.
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dutchman1951posted 11 years ago
the name Religion says it all. Religion is man made not God made, people should be leary of that.
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  A Happy Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Religion is not always inherently about faith in the power of love and compassion.
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  Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I am not always called by faith. Too often I am called by devotion. This thing called "religion" more often than not stands in my way. But Love never obstructs. I am not good. I am sorry. But I try. Sometimes I do not want to believe, so I can sleep.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  How timely - my newest post is on "devotion" - particularly how to use it functionally instead of exhaustingly. Though it's tied to the zodiac, it transcends any one religion: http://leetea.hubpages.com/hub/Virgos-S … e-Devotion
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Psalm 34: 12-14
  12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
  13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
  14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
  Worship God and be delivered into the Holy Realm.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Doing that to my fullest - living in heaven here and now. Your book quips written by someone else really don't hold any weight to my life's lessons. I worship the creator by creating...think about the sense that makes.
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Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago
I may not be a Christian,but I could share what I have found through my experience. Any religion that sets rules of conduct that people have to strive for, because that means that they have to control their actions, makes some people unhappy.

People do not want to be controlled or have a force that is higher than them. People want to be free to do as they please and they do not want to ever get punished. In other words, many people on a subtle or level want to be God.

Now Christianity teaches that if you do not have faith and believe in Jesus and His teachings you will be punished by going to "hell". That does sound scary to most people who do not want to take the time to elevate them selves and develop a higher consciousness. People attack Christian as well as other religious traditions because of guilt, arrogance and ignorance.

Society face the same problem that it has always faced. Arrogance, Lust, Anger, Greed the four gates to hell. When people think that they are the lord of all they survey and their is no force greater than they are, this is the first issue. Lust for material possessions is the second contributing factor contributing to the degradation of society. Greed further makes the situation worse because greed causes people to become inconsiderate to the needs and desires of others. When lust and greed are combined anger is likely to arise because when certain people cannot get their way they get angry, and it is that anger that destroys individuals as well as societies.

In other words unethical economic systems develop and causes pain to those in the society who want to live in peace.

My best suggestion would be to read Bhagavad-Gita as it is written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, it is a very enlightening book.

May God bless you always, good luck in life.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Ok, Sir, Friend... interesting comment, thank you. Looking at 5 words you have used, when applied to human ethics is negative: lust, greed, arrogance, guilt, ignorance. Yet in terms of animal survival instincts can have a positive origin.
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  Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Humans are the most elevated beings on this planet because of their sense of ethics and morals. It is the human beings that have been given the divine consciousness and they should always rise above survival instincts.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The serenity expressed through acceptance of oneself leads to a deeper love for God's children. As brothers and sisters in a moral society the individual discovers a path to a serene peaceful place. Through advancement of knowledge wisdom is found
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I would agree up to a point, but if we cannot see and understand what those instincts are, and how they manifest, then we will not be able to rise above them... Greed, etc., needs to be recognized for what it is. IMHO
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  When something is only evaluated up to a point, truth is never achieved.
  "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
  Aristotle
  "The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal."
  Aristotle
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  So, taburkett, you asked the question, "Why are people afraid...?" Have you found your answer yet? Is the answer in your own writings? Also, are you afraid to tell us who you are?
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Anyone who refuses to have a two-way discussion and instead just keeps reverting to their own agenda is peculiar and irritating. People are frightened of this like they are of a salesman, defensive and on guard against being taken advantage of.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I walk the way of good people and keep to the path of the righteous.
  I lead by example and I present truth always.
  The walk is very easy when one follows the true path of righteousness.
  Truth is always simple to describe because it never winds a lie.
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  Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Hi Jonnycomelately, I think humans have to first understand themselves before they concern themselves with other species.
  Hi Taburkett, what is good to some is not so good for others, I would just keep that in mind.
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JOENOLTposted 11 years ago
People see Christianity as a new way of life. They are addicted to the old way. They are afraid they have to give it up. Their sin is more important to them.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Puritanical and simplistic. No substance to your opinion as I see it. You demonstrate one more reason that people are afraid of christianity.... many practitioners do not present intelligent discussions.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  JOENOLT you are correct. The immoral corruption grows exponentially as the complacent individuals in society cheer them on. These individuals sleepwalk through unawareness of the actual dangers and degradation being harvested.
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Compared to most other religious systems, Christianity is quite new. There is a fear of change in all people that deals completely in survival. In order for new cultures to thrive they must take pieces of the old ways. Christianity is no different.
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sunilkunnoth2012posted 11 years ago
I am not at all afraid and in fact I love the religion and wish to learn more about it. I am Hindu but visit Churches and light candles occasionally. My wife too follows the same practice. The first post I received at my home was some Bible lessons, which were free and I enjoyed it. They gave me a Certificate too. My state Kerala (India) is the land which received Christians first to the Indian soil some centuries back. We have a large concentration of Christians here. I have done a hub on the topic. Christians love peace. There is nothing to fear about the religion.
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  glynch1posted 9 years agoin reply to this
  Lighting candles does not please God; only repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will get you to heaven.
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Angela Kaneposted 11 years ago
People are afraid of the Christian religion for the same reasons they are scared of all religions. Religions are used to control people and start wars. If religion is supposed to make people peaceful and moral, then why are so many fighting because of it.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Moral Christians protect others who cannot protect themselves. Some call this fighting but it is simply a level of protection required to oppose the tyrants that attempt to control others. The USA tyrant politicians control through welfare slavery.
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richardbrown81posted 11 years ago
attack those who believe?
Just as many christians attack those that have beliefs that are inconsistant with thier own; other people, with other beleifs do the same. You can witness it with the christian faith if you want to look. Historically each of the different christian factions was born in blood.

lack of education in God's Doctrine?
how people interpret the bible can be at much at fault as not knowing it. increasingly i hear hate, riddicule, false logic, and slander used to support unethical behavior as God's word.
Personal responsibilty is the lagest cuase: nothing bad that happens to us is our fualt.

immoral faction pressing for equality?
No, its immoral factions fighting to gain even more lawfull superiority.

The Problem With Today's Society

Everything that's always been wrong with our culture. Somethings are a little better, somethings are a little worse.
Personal responsibilty no longer exists: nothing bad that happens to us is our fualt.
Our rights are extremely dangerous and need to be taken away. A society can not exist with rights and no reposibility. The rights need to be taken away to keep people from hurting thems selves and others. This is what is happening.
Draconian Punishment is expected. Punishment is not only the means but also the end. For the most part people believe that once a something bad, always a something bad. If you destroy a person it will... nope just destroy, the sentence is never completed just acted on.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  The lack of personal responsibility to support moral actions has led to the degradation of society. Man can never make immoral equal to moral unless society becomes immoral. Society is growing more immoral each year as demonic activity expands.
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Muhammad Meahposted 11 years ago
Christian religion is not a perfect religion and have not discipline
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Nothing is perfect, but those that follow Jesus Christ are saved.
  James 5:16 For this reason, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Saved from what, taburkett? Precisely, please, no beating about the bush.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  @Muhammad Meah True nobody is perfect
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platinumOwl4posted 11 years ago
If you are speaking of the Christian Religion that has been used to subjugate the world in the name of a God, then, they very well should be. How many cultures have been destroyed in the name of this Christian God/Religion? How many were brutalized in the name of this same god/and religion? How many were taken out of African and enslaved with the okay of the Pope and his Bull? I am afraid just writing.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Then again how may Christians have been persecuted and killed by people of other religions? The same with the cults-such as Jim Jones-that claim to be Christian and have mass suicides? Good comment though
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Humans subjugate, animals subjugate, even nature subjugates, but God does not subjugate. Christian religion like other religions has been used by evil beings to do many bad things. But that does not make the religion bad. My God teaches love for all.
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Brent Nicholsonposted 11 years ago
Most religions, not all, grew from a foundation of morality, kindness and charity. Christianity is the most benevolent movement within written history, also one of the most cruel and diabolical. Most of the worlds charity today is Christian based, conversely so is much of the bigotry and judgement. This is Christianity's conundrum.
Mans interpretation and implementation of a spiritual guide is often sorely lacking. To answer the question clearly, people aren't afraid of the Christian religion, they are afraid of the zealots who profess love of God and Christ while spewing intolerance.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Brent, you imply that bigotry and judgment is rampant in the Christian faith. Yet much of the intolerance stated by Christians reflects intolerance to immoral acts. One cannot truly follow the Christian doctrine if they support immoral activities.
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LandmarkWealthposted 11 years ago
I find that most people who are "afraid" of Christianity, or I would describe them as having a negative outlook on the Christian faith, no little about it. It's always been astounding to me how many people who never go to church think they have this insight into what goes on at local congregations. They have these preconceived notions towards people of faith that is frankly quite often bigoted. It's true that not all Christians follow their teachings. But there is good and bad everywhere. But Christians are among the most charitable groups in the world. In fact Catholic charities is the largest charitable organizations in the world. I can't tell you how helpful they were when my family members were sick and sent to hospice. Most of the demagoguery towards Christianity is just good old fashioned prejudice.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Very well said. it's true about some Christians therefore they assume all Christians are like that
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  LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Thx...I hear all these things about church from people who never go. And then on Sunday, no matter what parish I attend, I always say "why don't I ever see any of this". Usually, neither do ant-Christians. Some people are just easy targets.
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  What about those of us who have actually gone to church? Who have learned the stories and the histories?
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  LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  What about them ??? I am there most Sundays and haven't seen this abundance of hypocrites that some claim to see. All I see are warm, friendly and extremely generous people.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Most (all?) I know who have issues with Christianity were raised Christian/Catholic. I was confirmed, was raised in the church for over 20 years, then left. Not all derive perspective from ignorance or fear. I have experience across the spectrum.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Those who have achieved wisdom through the path of righteousness work as prescribed by the Lord for the goodness of the society.
  Those that question it have not acquired the wisdom but have acquiesced to conformance.
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  LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I know numerous people who were raised agnostic, atheist or totally different faith that never stepped foot into a Christian church and take issue with Christianity. Not sure where you attend. But there is nothing fearful about my parish priest.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  You said it astounded you how many people who never go to church think they have insight into what goes on. I came to also point out there are many who were raised in churches that DO have this insight from direct experience.
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  LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Perhaps some do have a backround raised around faith. But a whole lot don't And many went to church because their parents made them and never paid attention, so they know little about the faith they were raised in. Most couldn't name the stations
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Again, not all derive perspective from ignorance or fear. Some know fully the ways of the church, and still have come to view it unfavorably. Your argument that those who don't understand your faith must be ignorant bigots is inaccurate.
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  LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  What's bigoted is to assume that people only follow the church out of fear and ignorance. I fear nothing about God and still attend mass.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  A skeptic or nonbeliever seldom finds truth within the righteous path because they reject wisdom of the Spirit. Those lacking wisdom of the Spirit do not find rapture of the quality of being morally right. This leads to disjointed negativism.
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Jac-eposted 11 years ago
My personal problem with most religions is that they seem to be so much about punishment. I want to believe in something that doesn't make me feel bad or guilty or ashamed, etc. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of it, though.
I've known religious people (not just Christians) to be very pushy about their beliefs and my beliefs are anybody else's business, so they should just back off and believe what they will.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Welcome to HubPages.
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3amartposted 11 years ago
I honestly don't know anyone that fears the Christian religion. I do know Christians that fear God. I have also met my fair share of Christians that thought my lifelong lack of belief constituted fear of religion.

I do fear politicians that make decisions based on religion. I think many aspects of the Bible are barbaric and people that think hiding behind religion to spread hateful messages, commit atrocious acts against other humans - all because they interpret a Christian God wants it so.

I fear homeschooling parents and schools that allow Creation science to be taught as a fact and any teaching that makes the Bible a science or history book. These kids are growing up with a false sense of history and the basics of science.

Christian claim persecution by non-believers - I find that concept totally laughable. The majority doesn't get discriminated against. Walk a mile in my shoes.

So at the end of the day, I don't fear Christianity at all. I respect someone's right to believe whatever they want, and in fact, I'll fight for it. But I do not remotely respect the Christian (or any) religion and it's constant insertion into my life.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Nice comment but when you mentioned about Creation science I had to laugh because a lot of public schools teach evolution as a fact when it in actuality is a theory. I heard of creation sci but don't know much about it
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  Lukus Leonardposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  I'm really sorry to bring this up to LoisRyan13903, but gravity is a theory.....
  Does that mean it doesnt affect us? A theory is based on evidence of aforementioned gravity. It's hard for me to look at CREATION as science, it disregards evidence.
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IWrite2008posted 11 years ago
Yes, many people are afraid because they do not or they refuse to believe in something that is greater than themselves. God is all around us, the physical being was here, came and spread his teachings, yet most of the people who read about this, deem it as some man trying to make a fortune from innocent people.

To get someone to believe in the Christian religion who does not believe now, will take tons of work, non-believers need proof that GOD and Jesus are real. Without proof, non-believers refuse to believe.

Once Christians join together and we spread the word, tell stories to our children and act in the way GOD wants us to, then and only then will people start to think "oh, maybe he's real".
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  With your logic (telling stories and behaving well equals proof that Jesus is God), why not believe in any of the other thousands of religions out there, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism? You don't understand the word "proof".
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Walk the path of righteousness and those who desire wisdom will follow your example. It does not take much effort when you simply display the way of the Lord. Truth is the easy path because it is not built upon corruption and deceit.
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  LoisRyan13903posted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Bible is all the proof I need
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  God always takes the simplest way. Albert Einstein
  My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind. Albert Einstein
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "My position concerning God is that of an agnostic." Albert Einstein
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "No man can deny the fact that Jesus existed, nor that his sayings are beautiful."
  "No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life."Einstein
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Albert Einstein was also influenced by the world in which he grew up and mature.... to leave his mark, having had a very curious, searching brain. He apparently had his shortcomings, like any human, but was also highly intelligent.
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  JimMilesposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish." Einstein, the agnostic non-Christian.
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  jstfishinmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Einstein has a lot of quotes that can be used on both sides of the GOD argument. For anyone to say how this intellectual viewed God is impossible.
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  Lee Teaposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I like to think maybe all of Einstein's theories were developed trying to figure out what happens to us when we die.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  I like to think Einstein was speaking of the righteousness that is conveyed by those who truly worship in a manner that follows the teachings of Jesus. Humans cannot ascertain the variable elements of the universe, let alone denote their afterlife.
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  Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this
  @JAngel: Yes! "You will know them by their fruit." (Matt 7:15). I cont to ask unbelievers,"What other book has prophesied yrs ago prophecies "seen" in our age i.e. 9/11 as in Is 9/10?" Isn't it coincidental? No one resp just gives excuse(s)!
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Andy McGuireposted 11 years ago
Because of all the crazy shit that comes along with it, from wars to homophobia. Actually, Christianity isn't feared so much as laughed at, or straight up despised.
If there is one clear cut scary religion, it's Islam. They just straight up murder people for even hinting at showing Muhammad's face.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  Evil Individuals campaign under the guise of religion so they can persuade others to follow their evil empire. Those who follow the 10 commandments live through righteous love. Individuals must choose their path. Love is the straight alley.
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  Andy McGuireposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  That may be true (although I've heard peaceful preachers say that "Homosexuals and Jews are God's children, but they're going to Hell when they die.") your question was why is everyone afraid of Christianity and that is the answer.
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  CroftRoanposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  taburkett, since no one is able to have a real debate without you hiding behind the mother's skirt of the Bible. I am done. I won't try to explain that choice is gift to man because you don't want to hear that. Let us live in peace and blessed be.
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  God's children do not run from evil. They work to overcome the evil. Tolerance is provided as long as the evil subsides, but when it expands, it must be overcome once again. Evil does not follow truth so it will never overtake righteousness.
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  jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  "Evil Individuals campaign under the guise of religion so they can persuade others to follow their evil empire. " Does this apply to you, Taburkett? You sound like a wolf in disguise to me.......
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  taburkettposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  as usual - jonnycomelately - you choose to depict someone or something based on a biased opinion rather than the truth. You challenge through a reflection rather than truthful symmetry. Wisdom eludes those who live thru bias because truth is absent.
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  Lukus Leonardposted 8 years agoin reply to this
  I guess Gods children are nowhere to be found in abundance. The ones I know seem to repress or run from evil..
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