Is Christianity sending out the wrong message?

[naomi24]

I've been reading posts and disputes on this site where Christian people say they will pray for non-believers in the hope of bringing them to the truth. Followers of every religion on earth believe they are following the right path, but who can honestly say which, if any, is correct? They all have faith, and most of them just as strong, if not stronger than many Christians, but not one of them can possibly know for sure whether their path is the right one. Now the question is what if you Christians, who preach to others, have it wrong? To assume superior knowledge and to tell others what they ought to believe is not only rather arrogant, it's taking on a huge responsibility, because at the end of the day, in the grand scheme of things, you might - just might - have it all wrong - and if that's the case, you've possibly led countless people astray. Have you ever considered that?

[Whickerman]

I'm not a Christian - am a practicing animist pagan - but the belief amongst fubdamentalist religions such as Christianity that they must do everything to try save others' souls is a basic tenet of their beliefs. I have no problem with them thinking like that, as that's free will and free speech, so long as they accept that if I say no, then that's my right.
In a similar vein, if I go into town, I strongly object to people preaching on the street. As it's their right to speak, they should hire a hall and leave an open door welcome for everyone. It's my right to live my life unhindered by another's beliefs.
In direct answer to your question, if a Christian truly believes he's helping by praying for others/offering conversion, then he couldn't possibly consider that he might be wrong - his faith will not be questioned.

[wizard69]

Whickerman is right, they couldnt possibly consider that they might be wrong.It never enters their heads that it is THEM that may be decieved.
What really gets my goat is the christians on here (with the possible exeption of Theland) who come out with some of the most sickening vitriolic attacks on me and they end their post by saying that they will pray for me...as if I really desire to be like them!!!
If there is one thing (apart from logic and reason) that would prevent me from becoming a christian, it is the fact that I wouldnt want to spend a minute in their company, let alone an eternity.
Out of all the religious people that I've known over the years, (with a few exeptions) christians are by far the most arrogant, hate filled, nasty, pieces of work.

[Llamatron]

This should help explain everything:

Linky

[Theland]

I am always saddened by the misunderstanding that exists regarding the word, "Christian."
It is used as a broad term to describe so many religions, some of which have brought the term into disrepute.

[luna-tic]

Hello naomi24, As you probably already know I am not connected to any religious following so sorry to butt in.
I don't think it's anyone's right to force their beliefs down peoples ears unless the recipients want to listen.
If those that choose the biblical path think their way is helping themselves then they should keep it, to themselves and meet their holy kin and kind in the establishments built for the purpose.
Having said all that; Without their input we probably wouldn't be having these sort of debates.
It's obvious that in certain cultures, religion is a more predominant part of the natives lives and outwardly display it's applications to one and all but not in a forceful way.
If Christianity or any other belief system if thought by the practitioner that it has or is useful to their life then so be it.

[naomi24]

Thanks for your views everyone.

I don't think we should, tar all Christians with the same brush, and perhaps I should have worded the question differently, so my apologies. My CofE, Roman Catholic and Orthodox friends do their own thing without bothering anyone - but we have some interesting discussions which I enjoy very much. It's the the Born Again Happy Clappies the question was really aimed at, because they are the ones who feel they have superior knowledge to the rest of us - a sort of Hot Line to God - the chosen ones - and they are the most arrogant. They continually tell us that if we don't follow their ways, we will be doomed to hell and constantly bombard us with obscure biblical texts in order to 'prove' their point - as if that proves anything! They arrogantly assume that they're the only people who have a thorough knowledge of the bible, but they're wrong in many instances because I know the bible probably a lot better than most of them - but rather than allow a priest or preacher to impose his views on me and to pick out the bits he likes to teach, I've studied it for myself, which is why I doubt a lot of what it contains.

Just to give you an example, I knew one Born Again Christian who said the only thing that made her unhappy was the fact that her parents would not be admitted into heaven when they died. I asked her why she thought that, and shaking her heard wisely with a look of the utmost gloom upon her features - as is par for the course - she said "Well they're not Born Again, are they, so they're going to go to hell". What appallingly sad minds these people have - and how dare anyone presume to know what is in store and what god will decide - if indeed he does decide?

If any Born Again Christians join this debate, can I ask them not to fill their posts with biblical quotes, but to let us have their personal views - that's if they're not too brainwashed to be able to think objectively

[naomi24]

By the way Llamatron, that's very good. Seems about right.

[Theland]

naomi24 - I'd love to join the debate, but not if my views are annoying to you.

[naomi24]

Ooops - Theland - I'm so sorry if my post was misleading. I think you might have gained the wrong impression. It's not a case of people's views being annoying - I rarely get annoyed because I love debating the subject of religion. It's my favourite topic. It's just that I've noticed that in order to hammer their point home, some people consistently use biblical references which doesn't impress non-believers so is a complete waste of time. It would be more of a debate if Born Again Christians post their own views as opposed to someone elses that they've either been taught or that they've found in a book. That would be far more interesting. I know from your posts that you are Christian, and although I've no idea which church you belong to, I very much look forward to speaking to you - and to anyone else who'd like to join in. As the advert says "It's good to talk!".

[Llamatron]

This is good:

http://unixgirl.com/humor/bible1.html

[naomi24]

Llamatron, thanks for the laugh.

[Theland]

naomi24 - Thank you for your reassuring post. Yes, I'd like to make a contribution to the debate, but it is difficult to even get across what a Christian is.
So many people misunderstand the term, because maybe, the media also misunderstand the term, and apply it to just about everybody, individual or institution, that claims the title.
Therefore, the Crusades and the Inquisition, for example, were perpestrate by, "Christians." They were not.
So, to begin with, this misunderstanding needs to be cleared up.