why are christians so closed minded judgemental and hateful? Does it bother them that Im a Pagan and they?
606250
People fear what they do not understand. also, half of these people go to someone who may interpret the bible as such. If a priest/bishop, whatever tells you that only Xtians are going to heaven, are you're one then you believe it. If they also say everyone else is going to burn in hell, then you feel better about yourself, and believe it, while putting the uknown factors down. Pagans are awesome, and don't worry if hell actually exists (which he out so much enphasis on, yet don't even know if its there) you're probably not going to go there anyway.
724225
If you truly want to know why good loving people sometimes get angry with Christians you actually need to listen to what they are saying. You need to try to understand how what you are doing is making them feel.\n\n It hurts your feelings when someone pokes fun or makes disparaging comments about what you believe in. You know it does. People’s beliefs are precious to them, just as yours are precious to you. Simply thinking or saying but my beliefs are right and theirs are wrong does not help. In fact it is always seen as arrogant and often comes off making the one saying it sound like a fool.\n\nPeople believe in what makes sense to them from their perspective, even if it makes no sense logically when it is looked at from any other perspective. Look around you at the great diversity the creator has given us to experience in this life. See the colorful and ever changing panorama that we have here to experience within. If this shows us any one thing about our creator, it makes it apparent that He/She loves this idea of diversity. If you look at any aspect of life, trees, birds, languages, or even sunsets you see an almost dizzying array of possibilities. This life we have been given by our Father/Mother God is a veritable feast of diversity from which we may chose what pleases us. \n\nSuch is the gift this life we have been given. Why is it so hard to imagine that our creator’s obvious love for diversity would not extend to the way his children expressed their love for him? If it seemed appropriate to have thousands of types of insects, birds, trees and sunsets etc. how likely is it that She would have suddenly become so narrow minded when it came to ways to express ones faith. Think about it. Just for a moment forget what you have been told over and over about their being only one correct way to approach God. Would this God who so obviously thrives on diversity even want that?  When viewed from this perspective it makes one wonder about the source of the my-way or the highway idea of god. Sounds a lot more like ego bound narrow-minded human control issues than the work of our God who seems to have made diversity his trademark.\n\nThere is only one God; He/She has had many names. After all should we expect people who speak different languages to all call God by the same name? This would hardly seem to be a logical expectation. Jesus told us to love our neighbor, not to judge our neighbor or try to fix our neighbor, Only to love them. We are hardly being loving when we are insulting the way they express their love for our creator by telling them we have a better way. This can only make us seen like an arrogant know it all. The obvious consequence being our comments will hurt their feelings and they will say or do something to return the insult.\n\nIf we want our faith to grow we need to stop going around singing “MY Gods better than your God “. We need to shut up about their beliefs and start teaching by example. If we have learned anything about loving our neighbors like Jesus asked us to, it will show. People will be drawn to this loving belief system and want to know more about it. This is what being a Christian means. Anything else is just being an arrogant know it all.\n\nLove and blessings\ndon
959909
You are a hate-filled ingoramus!\n\nI'll bet you're a Christian too.\n\nGood luck with all that.
1019623
No comment.  Don't even get me started.\n\nOkay, fine, you got me started.  (deep breath)  I am a totally strong Christian, but I don't think that being a Christian is being part of the "religion of Christianity".  Being a Christian is having a relationship with God, with Jesus.  Being a Christian means you have asked Jesus to forgive your sins, to wash them away, and He has.  Other people who don't believe what Christians believe decide to, as you put it, "bash" Christians, because they think what Christians believe is absurd, offensive, outrageous.  And they hear bad things about Christians from the media and from other people like themselves.  They might even realize that they're sinners, but don't want to face that fact.  There are lots of reasons.  It's very sad that others can be so rude to Christians.  We have the same trouble and controversy with George W. Bush.  Many people hate him, others love him, others are neutral.  I personally like him a lot, even if he isn't the best president, but that's a different story.\n\nOne of the previous answerers said that Christians "bash" other religions.  For me, that's not true.  I don't "bash" other religions, though I don't agree with them.  Some "Christians" may do that, but they aren't asking them the question, "WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)?"  Jesus would not bash other religions.  As Christians, we don't necessarily AGREE with those other religions, but we should never ever "bash" them.  We need to be more understanding and open and kind, so that we don't scare others off from the start.  Giving their ideas and beliefs a chance is the first step.  The next step is showing them our beliefs, and hoping and praying that they will understand/believe.  I hate it when bad, shallow Christians do stupid things, and then all Christians are portrayed that way.  No, no, so many Christians are better than that.  I mean, we aren't better than non-Christians, that's not what I'm saying.  I'm just saying that we're portrayed in a way that is worse than the way that most of us are really like.  I love the bumper sticker that says "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven", because that is totally a true statement.  Every human is imperfect with tons of faults, but the difference with Christians is that they have been saved, forgiven.  That's the big difference.\n\nI hope this helps!  And stay strong in Christ, my brother!
974027
i feel that the two religions you have pointed out use scare tactics ,,,just as they have always done ,,,,,,making you feel like your worthless and that you will be in some sort of eternal hell if you do not believe LIKE tham ,,,,why people fall for this is beyond me .......i went to many churches as a young person and always left with a bad taste in my mouth ,,,,instead of teaching love ,tolerance ,compassion ,instead of teaching forgiveness all they seem to do is judge and go around in there own little world and think they are RIGHT.but do they live up to the ideals set down by Jesus ?????NO ! \nmuslims have there problems too and some of them [not all of course}actually are so filled with disdain for anyone outside their relgion well ,,,,,,you get the idea .,,,,,,\nthe desire to be RIGHT and then turn it around like they are doing you a favor by expounding there beliefs is pretty gruesome if you ask me ......\npound pound pound /brainwashing -------------------thank goodness i chose to keep an open mind and not go around insisiting people believe like me .........or making them feel sorry or afraid for the way they believe ------------------------------\ni am a spiritualist ,,i  do believe in a  higher spirit ,but my God loves and does not hate or judge ,,,,,,,,
90852
I feel like someone has to represent a pagan/neo-pagan/wiccan voice, since we're so left out of the ususal discourse.  There are a lot of weird myths about witchcraft on yahoo answers that I try to answer, I like to think I'm educating people about something they may know nothing about.  Some people are looking for a path, and I would like them to know that Neo-paganism is real and open to them, even if they don't choose it.\n\nAlso, I feel really good about where I am spiritually, so I like to take advantage of that and pass a little on to others.  \n\nI also, on occasion, like to play poke the fundie.  I know it's kinda rude, but damn, there are some crazy people here, and sometimes it is fun to antagonize them and sit back and laugh.
712877
Don't give up, I have found that your questions are very good and not one-sided. They make us think. I am a Christian and you give me things to think about. It actually helps me to be more open minded which I sometimes struggle with because I do see so much hate on here. I don't think it is the religion on its own. What society sees is only the bad side of religion and harps on that constantly. It doesn't show the good side at all.
464067
dont push it under their nose just live your life to the pagan ethics . they arent that different to the regular religions . why is it so important that you are accepted by any one . if it what is in your heart and your mind then you only need to worry about being true to yourself.\nblessed be
1142309
i agree. I ask christians questions and they give me hateful remarks. Its as though they have no incentive to be nice because Jesus saved them from being respectful to other people.  and what about turn the other cheeck? when i was a christian i thought they were held to higher standards, i was dead wrong. I left because of the hypocracy and ignorance.
1090032
Yes. Some people believe that when someone openly says they are a Christian, it means you are judgemental of those who aren't.
331771
The thing about being a Pagan is that you don't have to follow any traditions. I am a pagan because I am an individualist, and follow my heart.  I have been considered a solitary practitioner.  I read and learn about everything, and just try to enjoy life.   I don't feel comfortable with any strict practice... it smacks too muchy of Catholicism to me... I suffered enough under that.
543295
I am a practicing Pagan.  \n\nThere is nothing wrong with Christians, I have some great friends that are wonderful Christians.  Everyone has the right to worship as they see fit, it is called free will, and one of our rights as Americans.  \n\nJust remember that what you put out you get back, so if you feel that Christians are stupid to believe in their theologies, then you will only get back in your life people that believe you are stupid for believing what you do.
1014050
Even when I was a Pagan, I knew the Bible pretty well. I still studied it out of interest. I found it was an interesting book, and I loved the poetry aspect of it all. Of course as a Pagan, I did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God.  ( I've since turned my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ and Have a much deeper understanding of the Bible)\n\nI do understand, why the "Christians Only" thing, although I read many questions.\nIn the Beginning, when I first started on yahoo answers, I quickly learnt that many people like to bash religions on here, and people post gross, hateful and negitive things in Christian questions for no reason. I guess I've learnt to expect it on here.\n\nIf you put a question out like  " Christians, what is your favourite verse in the Bible".  Many christians will answer with genuine answers. Non-christians will answer aswell with some great heartfelt answers too.  Unfortunately some non-christians will post rude comments that have nothing to do with the question. Sexuial comments, religion bashing,off topic remarks, disrespectful posts.\nIf you leave a question open to "Whats you favourite verse in the Bible, it seems to be a magnet for even more nasty comments.\nSo I guess I can see why people post  " Christians only" \nBut I'm sure they mean " Christians Only, or Respectful people that wont bash their religion"\n\nOh and my favourite Psalm is...Psalm 19 1-9\n\nThe heavens declare the glory of God; \n the skies proclaim the work of his hands. \n Day after day they pour forth speech; \n night after night they display knowledge. \n There is no speech or language \n where their voice is not heard.
1020134
im kinda curious why you keep on saying "you" instead of "they". you are pretty quick to point the finger here when really, your doing the same thing you accuse these other people for doing.  what makes all of your labeling and judgement on these people ok, but their labeling and judgement not ok?  now dont get me wrong, i think it gets pretty annoying when some christians feels they are higher and mightier than everyone else and in turn, they are so eager to cast the first stone and call out everything they feel is wrong.  i am a christian and always find myself quite a bit embarrassed when other christians, or self-presumed christians embarrass the faith, like in the example you gave.\n\nthis is just on a side note, but im thinking you have had a fair share of encounters with believers about religious topics.  and im guessing they all turned from peaceful conversation into heated debate which only adds fuel to your fire on not getting along with christians and  you viewing them in a negative way.  (this may  not be true, dont worry, in a way im not even directing this towards you,  i just have a few atheist friends with this problem so i thought id share this idea in hopes that it might open someones eyes who reads  this)  so think of yourself here.  and look  back on a specific argument you had.  i can  almost garuntee that you were so  quick not to accept whatever the believer had to say, just because of the  pride  in which you hold in being an atheist.  this allows for negativity to come into play and inevitable frustration on both ends causing for harsh words and you not accepting christians even more than before.\n\nthe christian idea is to spread the word  of God and show people how great the lord's love is and how it can change your life and especially your death.  christians do not aim at upsetting people and making them feel bad by pointing out everything that they do wrong.  christians know the love of god and want to show that to everyone, so they try to show you what you are doing wrong in the eyes of god and they  are wanting to help you turn from that.  you may even be the nicest person ever; youre caring, considerate, and just an overall good person.  the mistake that people make who are like this is that they believe they will enter the gates of heaven just for their deeds.  it clearly  states in the bible that salvation and the ticket to heaven is through jesus christ, and jesus christ only.  it even says no man's deeds will give  him  permission into heaven.\n\ni  realize i  got a bit off  topic here and i apologize,  i guess i just got a little caried away.\n\nanyway, i just ask that you dont label all christians just because there are one or two quacks that youve run into.  things like the example you brought up is really just embarrassing and ridiculous.
49162
Other religions are bashed all the time, don't feel singled out.  It is true that christians are bashed alot, but that is because the general public feels that christians are the most repressive of other religions.  Pagans(so called heathens), Afgani's religion ( so called towl heads), even buddists catch crud.  Most especially pagans, even over christians.  So don't feel bad, and don't feel like it's only christians, everyone else gets it too, even in movies.  The best way to be, is a accepting, caring, good christian, and not let it get to you.  Everyone has free speach, even people you don't want to listen to, and freedom of religion applies to all religion, so get used to it.
1118150
As a christian... sometimes other christians come at you with the wrong approach which can cause some problems.  But don't hate because they are just trying to share they're joy that christianity has brought them.  it's up to you if you want to see what it is all about or not, and when you say no thanks they sometimes can get confused and defensive which is wrong.
479555
I really hope you are asking this because of genuine desire to know the answer. Here is my opinion.\nI am a Christian. I love God, Jesus, etc. I pray all day and try to be a compassionate and caring person. However, I do not, condemn people for disagreeing with my belief.\nI embrace my imperfection knowing I, like every other person on the planet, make mistakes. Plenty of them.When someone asks me a question or advice, I offer heartfelt council and advice HUMAN TO HUMAN.\n\n  What I have noticed in life and on this Yahoo thing is that there are a lot of self-ritous (sp?). Read a few of the posts above. Some ignoramous wrote that Christians are not self-ritous, they just know right from wrong. That statement is the definition of self-ritous. (sorry for the spelling) Over and over I see these so-called Christians Judging people so harshly. I dont remember our savior behaving like that.\nOver and over, I see these quotes from the bible.\nQuotes about the wrath of God against these people asking simple questions. That is not only  Not Christian behavior, it is just plain rude.\n My mom says "it's not what you say, it's how you saw it."\nIf you don't agree with someone, maybe you could say something compassionate and from the heart rather than tell the person how vile and disgusting you and the Lord think they are. Maybe telling a berson they will burn with the devil isn't very Christian.\n  To be Christian is supposed to mean "Christ-like" from what I was lead to believe. I don't remember the parts of the Bible where Jesus insulted people and told them they are going to burn. Even if he did, I'm sure he did it in a kind and caring way. Not mean and judgemental.\n\nWhen Muslim's act like that and pull the "you are wrong, our God is the right God" thing, we call them Terrorists.\nWe  Christians need to remember that.\n\n I am interested in many religions because we all have a lot to learn from eachother. And respect that others believe differently than we do. They are not wrong or stupid or have less faith than a Christian. Just be a little nicer.