Why do people hate Christians so much?

There will be many many different reasons and it will change from person to person what the reason is. For some its probably due to having bad experiences with Christians, others will not like them because of their own religious beliefs, even if those religious beliefs are based on the same foundations. For instance, in some countries why do Catholics and Protestants hate each other so much? They both believe in the same God, their beliefs are almost exactly the same, yet a few differences mean that they are ready to tear out each other’s throats. Personally, I don’t get it.

Some people take offense to the fact that some Christians try and impose their beliefs on everyone else. I know when some have tried to do that to me that it has made me feel really uncomfortable and resent them. And some Christians I have met have gone round cursing other religions, especially mainstream ones. Calling other people’s Gods “fake” is also another reason why some would dislike Christians, even if they don’t go cursing out about it. Lack of respect for other people’s religious beliefs might be another reason. Not all Christians are like that, however.

There are probably many reasons. But why should the Christians care? If they think that there’s is the one true religion, and they are comfortable with themselves and their beliefs, then who cares what other people think.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Catholic - what some would call a Recovering Catholic.

That’s true to some degree. It correlates to my stance on ‘good Christians vs. bad Christians’

Today, the ‘bad Christians’ are more common in the often fundamental Baptist, Pentecostal, & Church Of Christ. They claim to be biblical literalists, but only follow CERTAIN parts of the Bible literally; usually ONLY the parts that sound as if the AGREE with the individual’s PERSONAL beliefs on topics such as: race, other religions, marriage, sex, divorce, homosexuality, etc.

They also often take great pride in speaking ‘on behalf of God’ when they say things such as: “God told me–“ or “God came to me in my sleep–“

Further still, some of them associate all good things in people, be it their thoughts, decisions, actions, emotions; to be GOD’S doing. And all negative thoughts, actions, etc; to be the DEVIL’s doing. As if humanity is in the middle of some eternal power struggle, and we’re at the mercy of the omnipotent wills of light & darkness.

If so… then where does ‘free will’ come into play?

I don’t hate Christians but some of them have an imaginary persecution complex that drives me insane. How they can make up over 85% of the American population and then still claim that they are stifled and mistreated is beyond me.

That I can answer.

1. A lot of people claim to be Christian without knowing what it means to be one. Some of these people do go to church and own a bible (that they’ve never read), but other than that, they’re not religious. Some of them claim to be Christian because their family is, etc. I myself still like to tell people I’m Catholic though I haven’t been to Mass in a while. Therefore, in reality the number of Christians is probably smaller than 85%.

2. In addition, people who associate themselves with a certain religion tend to be more excited about responding to a survey that asks what their religion is. Atheists, agnostics, nihilists, etc. usually don’t bother. Therefore, the number of Christians in this country is still smaller than 85%.

3. Christianity is currently one the most actively bashed religions. It’s kind of bizarre the way people exclusively mock Christians, but not Jews, for believing in their God. Also, remember when they wouldn’t show Mohammad on South Park because they didn’t want to p!ss off the Muslims? Makes you wonder, doesn’t it.

Xiigzag,

Your points #1 & #2 are based on the logical fallacy of “true Christianity.” You don’t get to define who is a “true” Christian and who is not. Therefore, those points are excluded.

As to point #3, the only reason Christianity gets so much attention is because it has been in power for so long and has bullied around everyone else. If this were a Jewish-majority country, Judaism would be more heavily targeted simply because it had greater power.

Nevertheless, none of this addresses the point I was trying to make. Christianity isn’t being persecuted; it’s simply not being given special, illegal privileges anymore. It seems we finally got around to following that pesky Constitution-thing that demands equality for everyone and some believers feel threatened by that fact.

If they want to complain about the loss of special status, fine. But don’t call it persecution. That makes a mockery of all those Christians who are truly putting their lives on the line in foreign countries to spread the Word.

People who have negative experiences at the hands of different religions are more likely to resent them for it. I remember working at a Christian preschool (I was brought up with my mother’s Catholic values, and while my mother was Catholic, she and my dad were open minded and never made me adhere to any religion), and feeling really put off when some of the church approached me and told me I should be thinking about getting married and “settling down”- when I was only 18!

It took a bit of soul seraching, but generally, I don’t have much of a problem with people of different religions if they:

1. Cause no harm to others in the name of their religion
2. Accept me as I am, and understand that even though I may be different to them in colour, education, wealth or religion, it doesn’t necessarily make me a bad person.
3. Don’t try to make me convert to their religion.

Sure, I like hearing about people’s beliefs, but it doesn’t mean I’m ready to convert any time soon.

Remember, that while you have your religion, and are proud of it, you should also remember that many religions tell us that ‘God’ loves us all, no matter what walks of life we are from. You don’t have to like everyone, but you can always accept someone else as they are.

I don’t hate Christians but some of them have an imaginary persecution complex that drives me insane. How they can make up over 85% of the American population and then still claim that they are stifled and mistreated is beyond me.

They should try walking in an atheist’s shoes for a change.

because most christians, well practically every religon, dont really practice what they preach. most people that are really into their religions are just very big hypocrits

Because all religions say that they are RIGHT and everybody else is totally wrong and stupid for not knowing that.

… others who believe fake gods. … Christians speak the truth?

If you listen to what you say and how you say it, you may begin to see a few ugly truths.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am an atheist.

First, anyone who judges other people based on their religion (or lack thereof) is an idiot. Religion isn’t the problem; people are.

As for the reason Christians are disliked, it’s probably because they really enjoy making a big publicity of themselves. Your intention may be good, but seriously now. Stop.

Other than that, there are also a few people who have been disappointed by God - or THEIR idea of God - and have since made it their mission to criticize Christianity every chance they have. These are usually the people who end up reading and studying the Bible more often than they did when they were actually Christian.

okay. I’m a very strong christian.. my dad’s a pastor as is my grandfather, mother, grandmother, greatgrandfather, aunt, uncle.. and so on… I think I know the answer to this question..

Many christians attack people while attemping to bring them closer to God. Therefore they end up pushing them away from God.

I know this has nothing to do with the matter. but Ghandi once said “I love the christian messiah and all that he does; but I hate the christians”

sometimes us christians tend to judge people instead of trying to understand where they’re coming from. Thats our fault.

I think it’s our own fault that people who who aren’t christians tend to attack us.. and we should definitely try to improve our walk with God in that area…

hope I helped…

funmail me so we can talk about this into more depth

We battle not against Flesh and Blood. It’s not that people hate Christians. They hate God. They want to live their life the way they want to. They love their Sin too much and have sold their soul to the devil for a few short years on earth of doing what they want. They don’t like anything to remind them of this fact. They don’t want to be reminded they have sold their soul into Hell for a few pleasures on earth. They want to ignore it and act like it will go away.

captainassassin: If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you read the book “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins- it goes along the lines of what you say with the liberalist Christians only following some parts of the bible. It also looks at parts of the old testiment, and it’s shocking what was condoned “in the name of religion”- the kind of stuff that’d get you thrown in jail. But a good read, nonetheless.

The only reason a Christian has for witnessing to someone is because they care about what will happen to that person, without Christ. So, in effect, they are putting themselves in harms way, for another, and in so doing,prove that they are willing to lay down their life for someone else, the bible says that there is no greater love. It would be much easier on each one, to go their own way, never taking a thought for the other person, but, because they do follow in their saviors footsteps and instructions, they choose to do all within their power to bring salvation to anyone they come in contact with, and in so doing, are hated for it. Jesus gave all he had, and was hated for it…

I dont really no if there is an answer but I agree with most peeps here:

but I believe everyone has there own beliefs and they should not interfere ours

and if my best mate has different beliefs to me I dont mind

I just believe what I believe

XxX

I have wondered this to. I am a christian. I’ve come to think its because deep down in everyone, they know its the only true religion.

oh and we tend to be very hypocritical.