Anti-christianity
Anti-christianity seems to be more prevalent in the world with many humans becoming agitated by any kind of 'Bible' talk or laws of standard or morality. Then there are other groups not so familiar in the Western World, but very aggressive elsewhere that seems to target Christ as a leader of downfall for them. Is this noticeable to you or do you think that the world is just antagonistic towards anything that restrains 'idealistic' thinking? Please give references / examples to justify your conclusions.
I think that antiChristianity is becoming very prominent. This is especially evident in the US and Europe, where any hint of christian values or morality is condemned in public discourse.
China and Vietnam are especially anti-religious, but when you get into any culture where one religion predominates, you see that christianity is especially subjected to oppression. For example, even in such enlightened nations as India, christians are persecuted. Russia and Greece, both nominally christian, persecute other, more liberal, forms of christianity. But the worst is reserved for the Islamic world, where christianity is quite literally stamped out. Egypt, which has one of the oldest continuous christian traditions (Coptic) sees some really terrible persecutions. In Saudi Arabia, christians are only allowed to enter for a short time, and then only to work for muslims. Throughout the Muslim world, if anyone converts to christianity, they become subject to the death penalty, even if they convert back to Islam.
In the US, there are frequent attacks against christian values, but never attacks against the same values when they are presented in the format of other, more politically correct, religions (such as Islam). Abortion is one issue where this is especially evident. Whenever someone is opposed to abortion, the assumption is that they are on the "christian right". Never mind that Islam is probably even more strongly opposed to abortion than most christians. The same is true of gay marriages and pornography.
Growing up in a christian home, I have allot of tolerance for christian view points and their arguments. I have however, had the opportunity to see first hand why there is such antichristian sentiment. Keep in mind, that these statement are not to offend, but to enlighten as to purpose and reason. It is not to justify behaviors either.
Generally, christians are not even tolerant of other sects of christianity, and this is something that makes no sense to the rest of us. Why do protestant christians, for the most part believe that catholics and mormons are going to hell? Most do, I know because I once did as well. Catholics believe the same, I know, most of my fathers side of the family is catholic. Mormons don't display that same disdain for different ideals within christianity. If others who believe in Jesus can also be going to hell, then just how intolerant are they? Very in most outsiders views.
Speaking of protestants, christians believe that the Bible is perfect and inerrant and refuse to take other interpretations that outsiders have. Despite the fact that interpretation is different among christians, us outsiders interpretations are always wrong, thus we are wrong and a true discussion never takes place. It is always my way or the highway when it comes to beliefs.
Speaking of Catholics, you must be part of the church to go to heaven. To us outsiders, this seems gestapo and ridiculous. The church that man built is the only way to heaven? We get so tired of hearing that christians are the only ones enlightened.
Speaking of all christians I have ever met in person. Christians believe that there is only one set of morals. I have heard my mother saw that my sister in law, that is a witch, has no morals. That is absurd, everyone has morals, they are just different than yours. My morals exist and are very strong, they just aren't based on the bible.
These particular nuances of the christian faith spark anger towards christians. It gives the idea that not only do christians refuse to accept others outside the faith, but that they refuse to even tolerate others being different than christian. Its not that it may be absolutely true, its just how it appears. There is allot of anti christianity in the world, but allot of it is warranted in my opinion by the behavior of a great amount of christians. No one likes to have someone look down on them like they are not as good as them or like they are going to hell. Somewhere along the line christians stopped caring about souls and decided that it was more important to beat down everyone elses ideals and promote their own. Right or wrong, that is why christians are not a well liked as it may have once been when there is an abundance of christians, or those claiming to be, in this country, including the president.
QUOTE (Nighthawk @ 12-Apr 05, 6:25 PM) |
I think that antiChristianity is becoming very prominent. This is especially evident in the US and Europe, where any hint of christian values or morality is condemned in public discourse. China and Vietnam are especially anti-religious, but when you get into any culture where one religion predominates, you see that christianity is especially subjected to oppression. For example, even in such enlightened nations as India, christians are persecuted. |
Anti-Christianity: The accepted form of bigotry
In the first class of the semester, a Georgetown professor called the crucifixes that hang upon the walls in every classroom "weaknesses that look down upon us." He said this during class, before all his students. No one said a word to him, not even after class. All were silent as Christ was mocked and Christianity denigrated.
Ref. https://www.bcheights.com/news/2005/02/21/O...ry-870818.shtml
Is this treatment of christians any different than the vast array of anti-gay and anti-abortion protests? This was one professor, but then, in the christian community, are not there people who say "God hates fags" and scream at young women getting abortions calling them murderers and sluts? All people are not like this professor and all christians are not mean spirited hate mongers. But holding one man up like this is the same as holding up the "God hates fags" preacher as the standard for christians. Indeed, in all this talk about anti-christianity, no one has mentioned the state of Kansas voting to allow creationism to be taught in public schools. That doesn't seem very anti-christian to me. Many states have pass anti-gay marriage laws, thats not anti-christian at all but completely in line with christian morals. People standing up against christian morals and beliefs does not differ from christians standing up against what they consider immoral. It is never said that christians are persecuting non-christians, but it is said that the world is persecuting christians. To me, this is an obvious double standard as the treatment is two way and equal, its a difference of opinions and beliefs, not persecution. It is not persecution or anti-christian just because we want something you disagree with or because we are willing to take a strong stand against something someone else believes in.
Maybe it is just my own interpretation of present day circumstances, but I find that as many people that you find are hateful towards Christians, I would say that there are roughly an equal amount of people searching for a faith, who are fed up with the way that the world is going.
There seems to be without a doubt in my mind, less morals, more hatred, less tolerance to all humankind, but on the same basis, there are people out there who are trying to stand up for what they believe, and say 'enough is enough'.
We live in a multi cultural society, and we should be mindful of other peoples rights to have their own beliefs, whether we believe in the same beliefs or not.
Not too far from where I used to live, there was a huge housing project, with plenty of violence, drugs, weapons, abortions, and lack of jobs, for years the local little church was empty, the area hit a full time 'low' and suddenly the church was full.
I believe that when things do seem to be full of despair, more people will start searching for a 'reason' or 'purpose' to their lives, and it can become a changing tide, as in where there can be tolerance one minute, and none the next depending on the changing mood of peoples attitudes.
Much of our law and principles have been built on the Bible and God. Today liberals and atheists in legislature are telling us that God has no place in telling us what we should do even though our constitution and principles are built on what God gave us. It is a messed up world we live in. We know how it will all play out according to Revelations and Daniel.