I come across and have met many Christians who seem so closed and even afraid of those who are not Christians. I am wondering why. (I am not asking this question to offend anyone or to start a war of words. I am merely asking so that I understand people better. I believe "understanding" one another is the only way to get along better with people who are obviously different from you.) So thank you in advance for not blasting me, but for giving me some good insight. Thanks!
136499
Well, I'm not one of those Christians, so I can't really speak for them. If you have sensed that they fear you, I don't get it. I do know some Christians that feel they should disassociate themselves with non-Christians just because they don't have anything in common if they don't even believe in the same God. Also, many families want their kids to be close to other Christians because being around people who believe differently can open up issues that they feel would not come up if they only hang out with Christians. However, only hanging out with kids who go to church won't necessarily keep your kids from sin. Where do you think I learned all of my dirty jokes? (Christian School!) I think, though, that we need to accept those who feel they should be separate....as long as they are the ones to leave the public area instead of them trying to keep others who are different out. Did that make any sense?
108920
Because they cannot grasp the concept that people are different!  I guess they think the 'shock' of telling up we are going to hell might bring us back 'to the fold'.  What they DON'T realize is that <GASP> they are just solidifying our position and driving us AWAY from what they think is right.  They don't seem to be able to grasp that they are being rude and in some cases ( READ THAT BEFORE YOU FLAME I SAID SOME!) out and out ignorant about things.  They also seriously think they are being kind and nice when they are being about as lovable as a rabid pitbull who hasn't eaten for a month!  Then THEY get offended whe we question christianity!  Ergh...  The funny thing is, as a group from answers here on this site, that the most enlightened and tolerant groups are the ones outside islam or christianity.  They seem to be more tolerant and understand.  Also, or so it seems, the best read of all of them.  It does seem they are the ones that have read the tomes with an open mind of other relgions in their search for their belief.
70597
haha I asked the same question but about fundalmental christians.  For someone trying to figure out my own sprituality I find both sides rather annoying and superfical.  I think the reason both Atheists and Fundalmentals are on here so much is because their point of view is very simple to give a easy answer.  Beleive and don't question for the fundalmentals and don't beleive at all for the Atheists.  To answer many of the deep questions posted on here a lot of thought has to go into those answers.  Even with lots of thought, a good answer is hard to communicate.  Whole books have been written to answer some of these questions.  So it only appears to be narrow minded people in the population but in fact its just easier for them to give their narrow minded answers because to them everything is black and white
593435
Well, as a christian who doesn't try to tell others what to believe and how to live I would guess their problems are with the christians who do act that way. Alot of christians think they are doing good by talking about their beliefs but what they are doing is pushing those non christians away.
4445
I am also a Christian and the reason they do is because they're scared. To believe in god is to much for them. And that would mean not going to heaven they would want that. So for them it's easier to just believe that there is no god just a heaven. And that they are going there. E-mail me it would be cool to finally have another believer to talk to. Oh yeah don't listen to this "Skeptic Man".
154583
I must tell you that it saddens me to hear that your experiences with Christianity have left you disenchanted with the whole thing. As a "christian" I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to you for any thing that anyone who calls themselves a christian has done to hurt or anger you.\n  I would like to say that i agree with one of the other posts in the fact that not everyone who calls themselves christian truly knows Jesus Christ.  You see "Christianity" has become just another religion where we humans try to reach God on our own terms.  That's where all the "bible thumping" comes from.  Jesus is Gods attempt to reach us humans through His love, unfortunately most Christians never fully experience His love and therefore can never love themselves.  They think that by being super zealous for the laws that God has set for us, and "taking a stand" for what they believe that they will some how please god more.  The bible teaches that we can do nothing to please God, outside of having a relationship with His son Jesus Christ.\n\nI would be honored to share with you how you can truly experience Gods love if you want.\n\n\np.s.  I didn't get the stamp of approval from my church or minister but that's OK cause I AM one of the ministers!:)\n\ncrazy that one of us guys would read something that challenged Christianity huh?  Hope i am up to the challenge
622147
Because to some christians, they are afraid if they look into other ideas that they might discover that they are wrong or need to change.  It is far easier to for some to just follow the cultural norm, follow what everybody else is doing instead of discovering real truth on their own.  There is a difference between feeling something is true and knowing 100% without a shadow of a doubt it is true.  by following christianity blindly without investigating they don't have to deal with family members or friends being upset or stirred up.  People are afraid of what they do not understand, like how many christians say pagans worship satan, when in fact they do not.   I have known christians who won't even remotely associate with "non-believers" when in their scriptures it says for them to make disciples and tell everyone about Jesus; but conversation goes both ways; so heaven forbid for a "non-believer" to question or say something back-that is where in some instances the hate and narrow-mindededness comes in.
422791
Well unfortunately we are bashed by so many christians that we just assume all are the same. I know many christians who have had sex with the same sex. I went onto your section here on yahoo and wow, I thought we were hated. There is so much hate and anger there that it makes it hard for some to even want to be in a religion.
644480
You did have a question, yes? \nI'm sorry you ran into some of the Christians that are still learning. Proves we're all human, doesn't it. Everyone continues to learn to not only talk the talk, but ti walk the walk. Some find it more difficult than others. Best thing to do when someone upsets you as badly as the Christians you're referring to, pray that the Lord will guide their ways. Don't condemn them.
201648
Have to love christians - follow god or you will suffer for eternity. Please, give us a break with all of your religious crap. Nothing like trying to scare people into believeing something.
254274
I can't tell you exactly why that is. I am a Christian, and when I say Christian I mean I am a born again believer in Christ, and I see it in my church a lot. I don't think i do it tho. Most of us are taught to deffend our religion. I guess some of us just take it too far. Others just don't know how to handle it. If you want to ask some questions I would like to answer them. I don't get deffensive real easily like a lot of others do. I have a lot of friends that have different beliefs than me so I'm used to being around different religions and lifestyles. But like I said if you have questions and want answers I can't promise u that I would know all of them but I could answer as many as possible from a biblical standpoint.
607593
I think it's wrong to generalize about an entire group.  However, I hear where you are coming from with people being too pushy when it comes to their religion, politics, whatever it may be.  Like any other religious group there are going to be fanatics and those individuals that try to push their views on you.  It's unfortunate that some people make others want to stay away.  I thought like you a while back, but then I came to realize that it's not Christians as a group, it is people that use religious texts to fit what they believe.  People that use their own interpretations and then attempt to preach them to everyone.  Again though, it's unfair to generalize.
157389
I reckon that it's only the people you KNOW are christian that are like this. The LOUD christians who shout about their faith like it's some sort of medal to be proud of.\n\nThe quiet, humble Christians (and I'm now using the capital "C") have a personal relationship with God and don't need to shout out about it. They do exist, and you probably meet them every day, you just don't recognise them as Christian. But you might know them by their actions, rather than their words.
247358
Josh, I can understand your reaction and plea. It's sort of like having a bunch of mosquitos buggin' you and you can't get away from them, and you don't have any "RAID". Religious arguments are useless. Many Christians are trying to do God's work for him, rather than just focusing on their own walk with God, and letting God do his own work. They get pushy in their zeal to get everybody "saved". Some of them mean well, but some are really not mentally or spiritually well, and they'll give RELIGIOUS answers to everthing, including NON RELIGIOUS questions. I know that you can delete your own answer to a question, but sometimes I think it would be a good idea if people asking a question could delete answers that offended them. That way the pushy ones (and other people who give offensive answers)would get their answers deleted quite often, and they would soon learn that what they were doing wasn't appreciated and wasn't doing any good. And it would filter the answers for other readers who want to read relevant answers and cast a vote etc. You might want to suggest that to Yahoo. By the way, I am a Christian too.
446833
I can't answer your question fully, but as a Christian I can try to answer some of it.  I can only answer for myself as well.  It's very hard to answer for the majority when everyone has their own take on Christianity and how to act.  I only tell people because I want to see them in heaven and I believe the way is through Jesus Christ.  I don't demand my own way and I respect other's views.  I have a very, very good friend who is an athiest and I respect him and he respects me.  I still talk to him about God and we banter back and forth, but respect each other.  For the majority, I truly believe Christians just want to help others and bring as many people to Christ as possible for the sake of saving them, NOT for their own personal benefits.  You'll get many answers.  This is an age-old question.  I'm not afraid, I just care a lot.  Good luck to finding your answers.
565950
Perhaps they are angry because they feel like they are not part of the inheritance and resent your confidence that you are. It's not good to judge others but it is natural  I guess, in the fallen world. I have moments of doubt too. It's not easy to love your enemy, especially when you don't want any enemies. If they say you are ignorant, remember, judge not for as you judge you will be judged. Remember also that wisdom appears foolish to a fool. It is not our place to convert. Maybe that has to do with the resentment. I don't know, but I think your delicate manner is a good example of kindness in the face of adversity. You are tolerant and in my opinion a good embassador for Christianity, if you are a Christian. Oh, and YES!,  you do make sense.
265938
Nope, not just you.  People are getting crazy!  It terrifies me to see these scary, force-feeding, frenzied christians (generally at their most scary when evangelising), but you've just got to remember that that was never what God wanted and seek a personal relationship with him and your saviour Jesus Christ - the people that do it wrong don't have to be the be all and end all - be your own Christian!