Christianity's Image Problem

[All Else Failed]

Christianity's Image Problem - TIME

 

[Peter Parka]

"Kinnaman says non-Christians' biggest complaints about the faith are not immediately theological: Jesus and the Bible get relatively good marks. Rather, he sees resentment as focused on perceived Christian attitudes. Nine out of ten outsiders found Christians too "anti-homosexual," and nearly as many perceived it as "hypocritical" and "judgmental." Seventy-five percent found it "too involved in politics.""

Yup, the're some of my biggest problems with Christianity too. Speaking percifically about one particular religion though, my biggest problem with it is how much blood it has had and continues to have on its hands due to it's rules, in Africa, which perpetuate the problem of AIDS.

 

[GraceAbounds]

Christianity is "hypocritical — saying one thing doing another," was, in fact, shared by 52% of Christians of the same age.

The Bible says one thing, people do another.

I can believe in honesty, but this does not mean I've never lied. Does this make me a hypocrite? First I have to look at if I truly understand all that honesty entails. We need to make sure I truly know what I believe in. (Being a Christian is a growing process that takes many years of learning. One doesn't just read the Bible over night and understand it all.) Next we need to determine if when I lie (always wrong) if there was a higher moral there (like say protecting someones life). Am I still a hypocrite for lying, yet believing in honesty? Some may still say yes. I say no.

One of the problem with people that don't want to be judged is that they themselves judge others as well. Guess what? We all do to a certain extent. Pot meet kettle. Most people in society judge Christians because of their expectation that they must behave perfectly since they are seen to have taken some type of higher moral ground (how dare them snobs). Yet one of the whole premises to being a Christian is realizing that, guess what - you aren't perfect. (Thank God for Christ and His grace - no pun intended here - LOL)

Many other religions/philosophies have morals and values as their groundwork as well. People that are trying to follow whatever religion/philosophies they choose are not going to be perfect at following those guidelines either and if they say they are they are lying. None of us follow a list of rules perfectly.

Some may hear a religious person call an action as wrong per God's Word, but they will still love the person. The old saying 'hate the sin, not the sinner' comes into play.

Anyway I am babbling now. But for the most part, I agree with the article, however I don't see it as anything needed to be done about it. If people read God's Word for themselves instead of having it spoon fed to them by others - well as the saying goes - If one truly seeks God, they will find Him.

 

[Peter Parka]

Good reply, Grace. I guess it's more the religion itself and its leaders that I have the biggest problem with, not so much the followers though some of them are arrogant SOBs about their religion. And its not just Christianity I have a problem with, it's pretty much all religion generally.
I realise that we can all be intollerant of others at times but I've never seen it manifested with such hatred as religion, especially in all the wars it's started. The secterian battles in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants is truly shocking and I guess I find that hypocritical in the extreme because it is because of their beliefs which are supposed to be perfectly manifest in Jesus who I seriously couldn't see killing innocent people, man, woman and child indescriminately simply because they had a different way of following him.

 

[GraceAbounds]

Good reply, Grace. I guess it's more the religion itself and its leaders that I have the biggest problem with, not so much the followers though some of them are arrogant SOBs about their religion.

I agree

I realise that we can all be intollerant of others at times but I've never seen it manifested with such hatred as religion, especially in all the wars it's started.

There are always going to be moral standards/ways of living/etc. that people are going to disagree on and be willing to give their life for. We can call it religion, philosophy, political beliefs, a way of life, etc. Getting rid of religion will not make hate or wars go away. Most religion/philosophies/etc. encourage love, not hate. But like I said - it's man that screws it up and the different outlooks that clash and then add to that our incredible knack for being petty.

The secterian battles in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants is truly shocking and I guess I find that hypocritical in the extreme because it is because of their beliefs which are supposed to be perfectly manifest in Jesus who I seriously couldn't see killing innocent people, man, woman and child indescriminately simply because they had a different way of following him.

Yes it is sad, they are just ripping the body of Christ apart, but then I believe we all are. There is no imitating Him. I love Him to death and I suck at it. Sometimes I get little knicks of getting it right. It defiantly is a lifelong process.

 

[Boomer]

I dont believe there should be religion at all. I think you should believe and have a relationship with the lord. I see religion as a way to manipulate the faith of the weak minded. (no offence Grace)

 

[Silious950]

I agree with Boomer.

 

[Boomer]

I agree with Boomer.

Yeah! If we can get 3 more people to agree with us, then we can morph and create the mega-zord! :willy_nilly::clap

 

[GraceAbounds]

I dont believe there should be religion at all. I think you should believe and have a relationship with the lord. I see religion as a way to manipulate the faith of the weak minded. (no offence Grace)

I actually agree to an extent. Religion kills. I too believe in a relationship with the Lord over man made religion. At the same time there is no getting around some sort of man-made community as we need to worship, learn, support, and sharpen one another.

 

[Boomer]

Yo Grace, someone try to sharpen me, im gonna pop'em in kissuh.

 

[GraceAbounds]

It just means to help each other learn you goof. LOL!

 

[Peter Parka]

I slightly disagree. If you believe in God, where better to appreciate him that out in nature far away from other stuff where you can appreciate his creation, rather than some dusty old church?

 

[All Else Failed]

church is simply a man made institution. you don't have to go to church to be a "good christian".

 

[GraceAbounds]

The church is the body of Christ - it is the people. It is not a building. And nature is a great way to commune with God.

 

[Boomer]

church is simply a man made institution. you don't have to go to church to be a "good christian".

Yeah say that shit to people in my home town. :smiley24:

 

[Silious950]

I agree with Grace that nature is a great way to be closer to God. I know that when I went to Yosemite that I defiantly felt a spiritual connection, so much it made me cry amazingly.

 

[All Else Failed]

Thats just the recognition of grandeur.

 

[Silious950]

I'm sorry I'm not that good with words, grandeur is?

 

[Boomer]

Google is our friend! : )