I know, I know another religion topic.

I am actually going through this right as of now. I've had 3 Christian friends I had to drop because of how they treated me so I thought I'd bring this topic up.

Why do most Christians have to argue with you on your beliefs no matter if your Christian or non-Christian. I mean...I had a friend of mine well actually 3 of them drop my friendship because I didn't believe exactly what they believed when it came to being a Christian. I told one person that I believe there IS a possiblity of evolution and he freaked out on me BIG TIME and stopped talking to me, another person freaked out on me because I said everyone has there own interpretations of what the Bible means to them or what God lays on there hearts...while another person got mad because they felt that if I disrespect them I am disrespecting "THEIR" God.

It just makes me so mad...why can't people just respect eachother and realize that everyone has there own beliefs in things. And when it comes to Christianity, as long as the person loves God isn't that should be what counts rather if they have the same beliefs or not. I mean for instance, I love God, I believe in Jeus and all of that, I read my Bible but I don't attend church and I don't believe, cussing unless using God's name in vain is wrong, I don't believe sex before marriage is wrong, anytime there is an argument I use my own thoughts and opinions I don't open up a chapter in the Bible and say: "Because, the Bible says right here!".

I just don't understand why people get so mad just because your beliefs are different then theirs?????

Firstly, I think it's inaccurate to lump all Christians into the same category. I know those friends of mine who follow Christianity aren't quite so rigid in the exercise of their beliefs.

Secondly, intolerance is simply a symptom of our society. It's also known as variety. The spice of life?

There will always be those who simply refuse to view certain matters in a way which is not their way. And there will always be those who fail to understand this. When it comes to religion, I am open to being preached at; I just take it with a pinch of salt. Any extremist can come at me and tell me I will go to hell for not believing in God/Allah/Buddha etc etc, and I will sit and listen. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and you are entitled to argue. I just choose my moments.

Essentially, people are split into the camp which will never shift, never budge on an issue, and then those who will.

I am not really putting people into groups when I say Christians I mean: Catholic and all of them. I am referring to people who actually do this..not all Christians and not all people. I am a Christian myself. I just don't think it's right to judge or drop someone's friendship because there interpretation of the Bible is different then yours.

Right, you don't think it's right to exclude on the basis of a different opinion, just they don't think it's right to preserve the friendship of an individual who's interpretation differs from their own. Isn't it just two sides of the same coin?

I believe both ways go the same way yes. And I am not one to judge the person and stop being there friend because there an atheist or whatever. I have many friends including a boyfriend who doesn't believe in God or the Bible but I don't judge them for that.

Again, that's your right. And it's their to behave in a way which is contrary to your beliefs (of the non-religious variety). Losing friends are always difficult, especially when you don't percieve there to be any genuine substance to the ending, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles and sometimes, it is the simple though hard to reconcile, act of accepting.

It's especially hard when the friend has been your friend for 13 years.

This is why I have no real morals and I am not religious.

I wouldn't say I'm religious...I hate that word! I believe in God, I love God, I pray, I read my Bible....but I stay away from the church and the religious scene...I do not talk about God all over my profile and I don't use him in everyday life. But I do see myself as a Christian because I do try to live by what the Bible says is wrong and right. I mean if you look at my profile the only christian-like thing on there is my religion title which is: Christian-Other and a blog I posted called: "gods love.letter" which I posted cause I thought it was nicely written and liked it...it was actually in letter form from verses in the Bible.

Oh and a couple Christian bands mentioned under "music" lol

If you don't go to church nor participate in religious events, then you're missing out on oportunities to debate your views on Christianity with your fellow people. Church is not only a place of worship, but also a meeting place and as such it does provide a good chance for an interesting discussion to happen.

I don't need church to know what God wants, to worship him, for him to love me or to learn about God. I went to church for almost 2 years and it never did me any good, it was full of hypocrits and judgemental Christians and it forced me down the wrong path. And I good debates online and in person...I do not need a religious event for that.

So you're jeopardizing your salvation because of the character of other people?

Define "forced down the wrong path", please.

The church I attended was telling me who I should date and not date and a lot of other things I wish not to get into.

Something still seems to not work well with this picture, though.

There are differences in how people perceive Christianity, thus the different sects, but the core values are generally the same. What kind of community did you belong to?

Catholic, Protestant, etc..

I "was" a Christian and attended a non-Denominational church called College Park. I would say based on my beliefs I was a Protestant.

It's kind of a strange incident, at least assuming we're talking about an average Christian community and that the discussions you mentioned in the opening post took place under average conditions (no yelling, ideas were well presented, etc...).

Of course there are some concepts that under a Christian point of view can't be accepted, and that make cause digress, and in some cases hostility. However, the incident you portrait is quite extreme in its consequences.

I only got shunned from Church after performing an office and asking people to rip the Old testament and Saul's letters from the bible; of course, myself being the first to follow the example.

Don't embellish the story. I'm sure you've had your share of faults that you're disinclined to express.

Why did you do or want them to do that?

QUOTE(Heath21 @ Jan 19 2007, 4:57 AM)

I know, I know another religion topic.

I am actually going through this right as of now. I've had 3 Christian friends I had to drop because of how they treated me so I thought I'd bring this topic up.

Why do most Christians have to argue with you on your beliefs no matter if your Christian or non-Christian. I mean...I had a friend of mine well actually 3 of them drop my friendship because I didn't believe exactly what they believed when it came to being a Christian. I told one person that I believe there IS a possiblity of evolution and he freaked out on me BIG TIME and stopped talking to me, another person freaked out on me because I said everyone has there own interpretations of what the Bible means to them or what God lays on there hearts...while another person got mad because they felt that if I disrespect them I am disrespecting "THEIR" God.

It just makes me so mad...why can't people just respect eachother and realize that everyone has there own beliefs in things. And when it comes to Christianity, as long as the person loves God isn't that should be what counts rather if they have the same beliefs or not. I mean for instance, I love God, I believe in Jeus and all of that, I read my Bible but I don't attend church and I don't believe, cussing unless using God's name in vain is wrong, I don't believe sex before marriage is wrong, anytime there is an argument I use my own thoughts and opinions I don't open up a chapter in the Bible and say: "Because, the Bible says right here!".

I just don't understand why people get so mad just because your beliefs are different then theirs?????

You said commetns about your three Christian friends more than once.
I hate when people do this. You can't jusde all Christian by some of them. Agnostic people get offended when people judge them without hearing their reasoning & so do Christians. All "religions" have people who try to shove their beliefs down your mouth, that's just how people are. But honestly, it is inconsiderate to put all Christian into the same group as your friends when you don't know them personally. That would be like me saying you are a bad person because you do not worship Christ with all of your heart. It's wrong.
Also, you said that you get mad when people don't respect your beliefs...you reliaze by judging people your not disrespecting not only our beliefs but our personally as well. GEt your facts straight.

QUOTE(Heath21 @ Jan 21 2007, 4:16 PM)

I wouldn't say I'm religious...I hate that word! I believe in God, I love God, I pray, I read my Bible....but I stay away from the church and the religious scene...I do not talk about God all over my profile and I don't use him in everyday life. But I do see myself as a Christian because I do try to live by what the Bible says is wrong and right. I mean if you look at my profile the only christian-like thing on there is my religion title which is: Christian-Other and a blog I posted called: "gods love.letter" which I posted cause I thought it was nicely written and liked it...it was actually in letter form from verses in the Bible.

Oh and a couple Christian bands mentioned under "music" lol

Also, here you contridict yourself. In other random posts on this fourm, you have said that you were agnostic. You can't be agnostic & Christian at the same time sweetie. Plus, I am getting the vibe that you aren't really educated in the subject. I get the feeling that you're only agnostic[if you haven't changed back yet ]because of the fad.

First of all, I am not judging anyone and I never said all Christians do this. Actually, read my post before you accuse.



I USED to be a Christian and when I wrote this topic I was one but I changed my beliefs...I am Agnostic now not Christian and no my reason isn't fad its because I was confused and didn't know what to believe in plus I was being told what I should believe in. Now, I'm going off my own opinions and I am Agnostic. I am unsure if God truly exists but I don't rule him out.

QUOTE(Heath21 @ Feb 7 2007, 6:50 PM)

First of all, I am not judging anyone and I never said all Christians do this. Actually, read my post before you accuse.
I USED to be a Christian and when I wrote this topic I was one but I changed my beliefs...I am Agnostic now not Christian and no my reason isn't fad its because I was confused and didn't know what to believe in plus I was being told what I should believe in. Now, I'm going off my own opinions and I am Agnostic. I am unsure if God truly exists but I don't rule him out.

I did read your post & all of the ones before mine. I never post anything without reading everything. =]
Ah, I see. You switch over fast, huh.
You see, the church you attended wasfull of snobbish people who told you what to believe, therefore you judge every other Christian of being the same way. One of my mother's friends was the exact same way before she started attending our church family. She thought everyone at church would judge her because they had before. She came to our church for a celebration & she brought her kids. WE welcomed her, although she was a mess. We helped her get on her feet, we didn't judge her, we helped her with her family, & we made a new friend, as well as a fellow Christian. She is doing way better now & she doesn't judge anyone anymore. I wear blue jeans to church every single week. They treat me just the same as if I were Bill Gates & I walked into the church & sat down on the very first pue. Do not base your relgious options on one church that was judgemental & rude. People do that so many times & it is such a mistake. But...who am I to tell you what to believe if you refuse to try other churches. Eh, what can one do?

I know not everyone is like that but a big percentage are.

QUOTE(Heath21 @ Feb 7 2007, 7:15 PM)

I know not everyone is like that but a big percentage are.

Not really.