Why is the world hostile to Christians?

[shadow2k]

Christians are not similiar either.

Stop being such a hypocrit.

Really the only thing you said worth responding to. Christians are similar in that they are all followers of Jesus Christ. They may interpret that in many different ways, but it all revolves around one man.

Christians follow Jesus, in one form or another. There are going to be things that you all interpret in fairly similar ways, and things you interpret differently. Atheists don't have that type of common link. Our shared belief is one of non-existence, and does nothing to mold any of our other values into shared values.

 

[shadow2k]

Hmmm, you inject this into a argument that has neither atheist or christian connotations?

Seems to me you are a direct example of someone who is "hostile" to christians ala the thread title.

Are you trying to make the claim that religous believers are in some way more apt to commit crime? Whats the point you are trying to make here?

It has religious implications. Meaning religious followers do commit crimes.

No, I don't believe religious believers are more (or less) apt to commit crime, or lack morals, or anything of the sort. Why do you insist on trying to put words into my mouth?

I do believe that religion has been responsible for a lot of bad things in this world. But then again, many non-religious people are responsible for those types of things as well. I doubt you'll ever see a REAL number stating which one is more responsible. And who really cares?

If someone is going to be morally corrupt, whether they are religious or not doesn't matter one bit. But believing in God isn't going to suddenly solve someone's moral issues for them. God only helps those who help themselves. I think that's true whether you believe in God or not.

 

[EdCase]

To the OP...
The world is not hostile to Christians. The world is hostile to (predominately) white european (this includes the American ones) Christians with a holier than thou attitude.

 

[MobBoss]

How is he being a hypocrite?
youre acting morally superious to us because you belive in God. Well you know what? Almost every war i can think was caused by a reaigion or a conflict that began with realigion.
Reformation and Prodestant vs. Catholic Wars-This ones a bit too easy
Revolution-Yep. Freedom of Realigion
1812-Caused by revolutinary war, which in turn was caused by realigion
WWI-You got me here.
WWII-Hitlers hatred of the Jew's (he considered himself a chriatiain, btw)
Vietnam and Korea-Caused by Communism, which could be considered a realgion depending on definition.
Gulf Wars/Middle Eastern Conflicts-Yep. Dont need to explain.

Your ignorance is only surpassed by your spelling ability.

He is a hypocrite because he lumps all christians into one neat little pile, while stating that atheists are diverse. The truth of the matter is that christians can be extremely diverse if not just as diverse as any group of atheists.

 

[xyourxmomxcorex]

Spelling has nothing to do with this. Get to the point.

 

[MobBoss]

Really the only thing you said worth responding to. Christians are similar in that they are all followers of Jesus Christ. They may interpret that in many different ways, but it all revolves around one man.

It revolves around one man, just like atheism revolves around the belief there is no god/gods. Yeah, I figured you would avoid commenting on this:

Here is your quote: "Ever hear of the Crusades? Do you know all of the atrocities commited in your God's name? Frankly, I think if he did exist, he'd be embarassed by it. As opposed to your stance that it never happened." Emphasis mine. Now in reading this, I see a directly statement to me that I have had somewhere a stance that the crusades never happened. I dunno...even reading it slower it still sounds to me like I read it correctly.

 

[MobBoss]

It has religious implications. Meaning religious followers do commit crimes.

Never said otherwise.

No, I don't believe religious believers are more (or less) apt to commit crime, or lack morals, or anything of the sort. Why do you insist on trying to put words into my mouth?

Not putting words in your mouth, but asked for a clarification. Which you did.

I do believe that religion has been responsible for a lot of bad things in this world. But then again, many non-religious people are responsible for those types of things as well. I doubt you'll ever see a REAL number stating which one is more responsible. And who really cares?

I would say "people" are responsible for a lot of bad things in this world.

God only helps those who help themselves. I think that's true whether you believe in God or not.

The quote "God only helps those who help themselves" is not in the bible, nor is it a christian saying.

 

[shadow2k]

The quote "God only helps those who help themselves" is not in the bible, nor is it a christian saying.

I realize that. But I'm not Christian, nor do I only believe in things the bible says.

 

[MobBoss]

I realize that. But I'm not Christian, nor do I only believe in things the bible says.

Well, duh, that was kind of obvious I thought.

And are you just going to avoid the crusade thing?

 

[shadow2k]

It revolves around one man, just like atheism revolves around the belief there is no god/gods. Yeah, I figured you would avoid commenting on this:

Christianity revolves around the teachings of one man. Atheist's beliefs do not revolve around any one man's teachings, they typically mold their belief system from any number of different sources.

Thinking that Christians would typically be more similar than Atheists is not that far fetched. If you have a class of kids that learns morals from one teacher, and a class of kids that learns morals on their own...who's views are more likely to be more closely related? The ones being taught the same things, even if they interpret it differently? Or the ones who seek out all sorts of different sources for their beliefs?

Sure, Christians are diverse. But ultimately become related in their beliefs by the mere fact that they have the same teacher (Jesus).

And for the third and final time...

"Ever hear of the Crusades? Do you know all of the atrocities commited in your God's name? Frankly, I think if he did exist, he'd be embarassed by it. As opposed to your stance that it never happened."

he'd be embarrased by it > atrocities commited...
it never happened > atrocities commited

The fact that the atrocities comment is closer in the text to the statement in question is the clue of what it refers to. My poor wording (singular "it" instead of plural (twice actually) is probably the cause for confusion, but even Crusades requires a plural to be used to address it.

Do I really believe you think any of them never happened? Of course not. Just exaggeration for dramatic effect.

Happy?

 

[aneeshm]

Why don't people understand that unlike in the Middle Ages , the Christian world now is too disparate to be painted with the same brush ? You can discuss the merits and demerits of a particular sect of Christianity at a given historical time period ( such as Catholics in the modern world ) , but not the whole all the time .

 

[JoeM]

I think I can summarise the whole issue with this:

Why is the world so hostile to <insert distinct social group here>?

You'll find it's the same reasons as it is for every other group. People are competitive, it's natural.

 

[shadow2k]

Why don't people understand that unlike in the Middle Ages , the Christian world now is too disparate to be painted with the same brush ? You can discuss the merits and demerits of a particular sect of Christianity at a given historical time period ( such as Catholics in the modern world ) , but not the whole all the time .

Does God edit his laws based on the society/times we live in? You could argue this was done in the transition from the OT to the NT, but...other than that?

Jesus' words haven't changed. So why should they be followed differently?

 

[Meleager]

Jesus' words haven't changed. So why should they be followed differently?

Because different people believe his words mean different things.

 

[Zardnaar]

2000 odd years of persecutions more or less sums it up. next 2000 years we can pay em back.

 

[Sidhe]

I'm not hostile to christians! some of my best friends are christians honest: just so long as these guys keep their opinions to themselves and dont go pushing it in my face then I'm fine with them

 

[Azash]

Because people hate being reminded of personal responsibility.

Because no personal responsibility can exist without Christianity?

 

[Heretic_Cata]

How is he being a hypocrite?youre acting morally superious to us because you belive in God. Well you know what? Almost every war i can think was caused by a reaigion or a conflict that began with realigion.Reformation and Prodestant vs. Catholic Wars-This ones a bit too easyRevolution-Yep. Freedom of Realigion1812-Caused by revolutinary war, which in turn was caused by realigionWWI-You got me here.WWII-Hitlers hatred of the Jew's (he considered himself a chriatiain, btw)Vietnam and Korea-Caused by Communism, which could be considered a realgion depending on definition.Gulf Wars/Middle Eastern Conflicts-Yep. Dont need to explain.

Excuse me but from what you just said EVERYONE can see that you have smth against the Catholics, i see no mention of the Orthodox Christians' "EVIL" wars 'cause they were thrown into the same bag...

MobBoss said my conclusion on this "" remark...

He is a hypocrite because he lumps all christians into one neat little pile, while stating that atheists are diverse.

Now to the issue at hand ...

I haven't read all that was said here because there is a post every 5 minutes. But form what i see an EXTREME generalisation tendency in several people , you people must have "caught" this one from some of the atheists that say "all believers are stupid". The same thing is happening here "christians are stupid" (you can add anything bad you want instead of stupid).
From what i saw, a part of the people here are realy outraged at the catholics which are christians, so they are outraged at christians then . But aren't christians human ? Yes they are ... well acording to your enlightening algorithm than means you should be outraged by humans ... this could go on ...

People who generalise suck ... I did it to you know ... when i became an atheists i said : "I don't believe in God - i am an atheist" and i pilled every believer into one big group of people. After a few years i thought that i was upset only with the beliefs of Orthodox Christians (but i am ok with them now ) and so i started searching for other beliefes to call my own... and found : NONE , well not exactly none ... more like "none in particular" or "ALL". So it is more like a belief of my own - ideas from several religions that i think are good.

So, in conclusion "Nothing good will come out of generalising" so stop it (and change the title).

 

[Taliesin]

I haven't really had a problem except meeting a lot of people whose first words to me are something like, "What I don't understand is the Pope! And how can you dare call him the Holy Father?"

Then again, I have yet to venture too far away from Atlanta--but I've met plenty of people who live far enough away from the city to know what you mean.

Some fine exemplary attitudes taken by their president: in official visits to the Vatican, George W. Bush kept addressing John Paul II as "sir":

(in 2001)
Pope: "You were at the Roman Forum yesterday."
Dubya: "Yes sir, it was so beautiful. And this place is beautiful."
Pope: "Popes come here in the summer."
Dubya: "Yes sir, I understand that, and I can see why."

(in 2004)
"I also bring a message from my government that says to you, sir, we will work for human liberty and human dignity, in order to spread peace and compassion. That we appreciate the strong symbol of freedom that you have stood for, and we recognize the power of freedom to change societies and to change the world. And so, sir, we're honored to be here. Perhaps the best way I can express my country's gratitude to you, and our respect to you, is to present to you the Medal of Freedom from America."

And this beauty from dubyaspeak.com, a pair of photos taken at John Paul II's funeral:

 

[JoeM]

...But form what i see an EXTREME generalisation tendency in several people , you people must have "caught" this one from some of the atheists that say "all believers are stupid".
...
People who generalise suck
...

On the other points though, you are right of course