I’ve only read the Bible about eight times and although I can cite scriptures to defend or denounce just about anything I want to, from war to women being subservient to men, the clearest messages I find are of love, compassion, and warnings against judging other men.  As harshly as you judge others, so shall you be judged and the judgment of mankind is to be done by God alone.\n\nThrowing Jesus’ teachings of tolerance back in his face, why do Christians call people names and use scriptures to alienate people who disagree with them when the Bible strictly forbids this? Isn’t this hypocritical?
131084
Of course it is...but that's inevitable given your earlier point about using the bible to justify just about anything.\n\nI am sure Hitler could have found good cause to use the bible to justify his actions had he not been an atheist.
544725
You are absolutely correct! This is an issue, not just on yahoo answers, but  within the Christian faith PERIOD. \n"We" tend to forget that we are human and "ALL" fall short of His glory, but not of His grace." Therefore, our opinions, based off our experiences and education are not always the final say; the WORD OF GOD is the only thing that is without error and considered the TRUTH.\n\nFurthermore, some opinions are on the tippy toes of judgement and we all know what the bible says about that; \n\nMatthew 7:3\n"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?\n\nBottom line, this is an area that ALL Christians need to mature in. Because, when you get on a roll with a bunch of Jesus jargon, catchy christian cliches, and holy-rolly talk; that you can't back up with scripture, you "weaken your witness" and do the opposite of what God intends for you to do, by way of his word;\n\n                                     Galatians 6\n\n"Doing Good to All" \n\n 1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load. \n 6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. \n\n 7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.\n\n\nNow THAT is the word, from the bible, WITHOUT my opinion or any alterations! :   )  be blessed!
285040
I have found some answers to be shockingly intolerant -- particularly when it comes to the Muslim faith, you seem to get a lot of so-called believers spouting off hate-filled nonsense.\n\nBut if you're just talking about people expressing a belief that they sincerely have ... it starts to walk a finer line then, doesn't it? One of the things I find I differ the most with mainstream Christians on is that I don't believe that the Bible is a literal history book. I believe much of it is metaphorical, meant to be read in a way to discern the essence of and ways of God. It is not meant to be read as literally the history of the Earth. I suppose that makes my belief "intolerant" of those who believe in the literal Bible because I refuse to give up what I believe and turn to what they believe. But I am respectful of others' views; I don't tell them they're ignorant. I respectfully present my argument and move on. \n\nSo I think the problem is more a lack of respect than a lack of "tolerance." Tolerance by its very nature really implies giving up your personal views to conform to a whole, which is the antithesis of many people's faith. I also find many folks on here to be quite sanctimonious, which is quite funny to me. I'm no angel, and I can admit it, but I try to live the good life. I wouldn't dream of coming on here and preaching to others in cyberspace how much better I am than them, and I would never presume to know who will and won't be going to a warmer clime when they shuffle off this mortal coil. That's really not for me to decide or even speculate on, yet I see so many Christians "playing God" round here for lack of a better term.  sheesh.
407596
As a Christian I would like to answer your question by saying...\n\nThere is not justification.  God alone is judge... as well as Savior\n\nYou just can't judge a person by the category they fall under.  Each interpersonal relationship makes a difference, wouldn't you think?\n\nAnd even though I've been called ignorant, despicable, stupid, and a few other negative things today by some folks here on Yahoo Answers (gosh, could that be considered 'being slandered'), I want you to know that I love you all.  \n\nBy the way, I don't think I've ever met any of the folks who have said those negative things about me and other Christians.  I wonder how it is they stamp those labels on my head without ever having met me.  You really ought to get to know me more before you call me those things.  You know... I'm feeling rather JUDGED right now, and not by any Christians.  :)  That's ok though, because Jesus told me not to take up any offenses.
139987
I personally agree with much of what you are saying. The bible was written by many different men, and is missing parts that were in it many y&#92;centuries ago. We have the English version (thanks to Henry VIII0, and that is a translated version from thee original Hebrew, Arab and Greek. It is therefore, in my opinion, ridiculous to take it literally. I also believe in God but not in the bible, per say. I believe in the golden rule and being a good person but do not allow myself to be bullied into certain behavior and beliefs by the church out of fear.\nBelieve whatever you want, in the end you have to live with yourself, and should therefore be true to yourself. Who cares what anyone else thinks? Many of the people who would "bash you" for not believing in creationism are just narrow minded people who believe what they were brought up to believe and never questioned any of it.
204997
Yeah! i agree with you 100% and a lot of them that i've talked to claim that it doesn't "SPECIFICALY" say that its wrong in the bible and uhhh hello! Leviticus 18:22, "Do not lie with another man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." So my advice would be attack them with their own source of their job, the bible and god, also im pretty sure god wouldn't have song of solomon in the bible with a man and a woman instead of two men or two women. I mean c'mon people use some common sense! Like there was this gay guy and his bf that wanted to come to our youth group and we obiously had no prob. w/ it except it was really wierd and he claimed there was nothing wrong with it! HOW DARE HIM! i tried to not get upset and be respectful because its the devil whispering in his ear and ya don't fight fire with fire\n\n\n\n\nGod made adam and eve not adam and steve... lol sry, cheesy :)
79734
Because most Christians are hypocrites. There's also a part in there that says women are "unclean" during their period and lists directions to sleep in your own bed without your husband and to go sacrifice an animal at the end to cleanse yourself. One of the many reasons I'm no longer a Christian...  When I asked people in my church "what gives?" with this verse and all the woman-bashing in the bible, they say "oh, we dont do that anymore", yet they still use this book as a form of worship. They still go around preaching about the "good book". Ironically, these are the first people to go around calling other people hypocrites. It's a messed up world. What can I say?
447928
You are right.  There are a lot of things recorded in the Bible that make us cringe.  I am not going to make excuses for it (like "oh well that was God's law back then.")  Slavery is wrong.  It was wrong then and it's wrong now.  Period.  \n\nFirst, you have to understand what the Bible is.  It's a collection of writings -- some of which were passed down orally for centuries before ever being written down -- all different kinds of writings.  Each book is different; written for a different purpose.  Do you really think that all Christians believe every word in the Bible is a direct dictate of God?  Okay, some Bible fundamentalists do, but not all of us.  It's the difference between being dictated by God and inspired by God.  "Inspired" is not quite so dogmatic.  \n\nThis particular verse, I believe, is a record from when Moses and the Israelites were in the desert.  It records the early development of the modern concept of the rule of law.  At the time, most tribes had kings, and kings were the law.  Under Moses, the Israelites developed consistent laws and the concepts of legal interpretations and precedents.  This is what you are reading.  While most Christians see the ten commandments as revelation from God, most Bible scholars don't see the long list of rules and penalties as divine revelation in the same sense.  \n\nThat's why religious leaders study the Bible throughout their lives.  They try to understand its wisdom -- its beauty -- and they take what is best and make that their way of life.  \n\nJesus was a real master at this.  His famous summary of the ten commandments into two actually came from the Old Testament:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.  \n\nThis is the foundation of Christianity.  What a beautiful faith.  What a wonderful way to live your life.  This is why I am a Christian.  I do not let a handful of inconsistent verses from 3500 years ago rob me of what keeps me connected to God and to my neighbor and fulfills my life.\n\nBest of luck in your search for Truth.
334619
Under "sources" is an interesting article on Christians and Homosexuality (it brings up some interesting points and answers your question in a more educated way than I could, having never read the big'ol'bible).\n\nIt starts out:"When Christians pour their judgment on homosexual men and women, they do nothing less than make a mockery of their own savior, Jesus Christ. The grace they are willing to accept as followers of Christ is suddenly not good enough to extend to those they find offensive. It's a double standard, based not in biblical truth but in fear and the desire for control. To understand this, we must understand what Christians believe, and how their beliefs are being subverted from living in love to the canonizing of condemnation...."
441041
I really don't get that one at all, I think that "those people" that you speak of will use anything to justify their hate.  I personally disagree, but then I am in the twenty-first century, not the friggin dark ages.\nI am a Christian, by do not think it is my place to pass judgment on others, tell them how to live their lives.  I am also heterosexual, and I can testify to this, I did not choose to be this way, it is how God made me.  I cannot control what "turns me on".  I also believe that you can justify ANYTHING by picking apart the Bible, and that is BS.   God is love, not hate and competition.  Peace be with you.
309793
I Agree,...To Answer Your Question...One Main Reason Is What Jesus Warned Christians About..."And Ye Shall Be Hated Of All Men For My Sake: But He That Endureth To The End Shall Be Saved" (Matt. 10: 22)....This Is Being Proven Over & Over Again!...This Is Why Christians Are The Most Hated Above All Other Religions.....So Expect Folks To CONDEMN ALL CHRISTIANS!!!....
413633
no, you are absolutely right!  unfortunately, there are those who like to "use" the Bible (out of context, and re-translated to suit their agenda) to justify their hatred.  \nI was always taught that God created and loves us all, and that He makes no mistakes.  and Christianity is about love and acceptance.
180434
In my opinion, from personal experience, having grown up in a christian church before following a wiccan path, the majority of christians have proven to be THE most judgemental, condeming, hypocritical, stone throwing and unmerciful lot I have ever encountered. While they preach the bible it would seem they forget an important thing, do not judge lest ye be judged and save judgement day for the almighty father. Love thy neighbor as thyself, love unconditionally, and he without sin may cast the first stone. We are all sinners, as only the christ is pure, so there is none who may cast the stone but they do it all the time with the excuse that the bible says...forgetting they are not to judge but should love. While I understand it is hard to love everyone then running a close second is tolerance. But tolerance is seldom seen in this religious sect as well, no wander I left christianity. I have met several gay people, and they are open, loving and have immense hearts, the christians could learn a thing or two from them if they would open the passages of their narrow minds and turn their negative gloomy outlook into a postive acceptance.
82585
You are being judgemental and harsh about Christains when you say that.  You are judging all Christians because of a few, who you don't even know are real Christians, or who may not fully understand Christianity yet.\n\nNeed a nice Christian answer that's biblical?  Plenty of us can do that without being harsh, but sometimes the truth is harsh.  The Bible says on judement day that all those who are not saved will be cast into a lake of fire along with Satan.
623731
I would be curious to see what your friend thinks of this scripture from 1 Corinthians 5:12-14...\n\nFor what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”\n\nShe is wrong. Yes. But you are also wrong for basing your salvation on what other people say or do. This will be no excuse in the last day. We must base our self examination with CHRIST as our standard. And without God's grace and mercy, we would all lose, wouldn't we?\n\nYoda Green - I suppose you are an example of the non-judgmental?
281861
Sadly it is a bit like that, let's try to keep it peaceful. My god is big enough to fight his own fights, it is his place to judge not ours, the bible teaches to accept all people and to pray for the lost whatever their beliefs. Anyone on here who wants to spread hate, you are not talking for your God but for your own hate.
304318
Interesting, that is what you call "keeping the scripture in context." See, I have asked allot of questions about why Paul said woman must "be silent, an are not allowed to teach or have authority over man."\n\n1 Cor 11:6-7,1 Cor 14:34,1 Tim 2:12\n\nAnd I got answers telling me I am taking it out of context, strangely, when the same question gets asked about gays, they quickly condemn gays to hell without looking at the "context" of the phrase or scripture. It seems you can justify any kind of in-tolerance with the bible when you take it "out of context". \n\nPersonally i think the book is full of hypocrisy and bias, but that is just me...