Why are Christians so hard to get along with?

[Satt]

I have been a Christian for several years and I grew up (mostly) in a Christian area. In my adult years I have lived in many non-Christian areas. What I have found is that without exception, when I talk to Christians, they have this mask on at all times. It is really annoying. I can talk to my Satanist, Wiccan, Athiest, etc. friends all day and they are just "real" with me and we can even talk about Christian issues and they are cool about it. When I talk to Christians though, it seems that they always have to have this "front" where they know all the answers and they have to use scriptures to constantly correct you even in casual converstation. It's like I just can't talk to other Christians because they are wound up so tight and get so easilly offended. I do NOT walk on eggshells and I refuse to not be myself. Why does it seem that Christians are so hard to be yourself around and just relax and get along with?

 

[Jakihe]

I think many Christians feel this 'need' to prove their Christianity to others. If we focused on Christ and were real, as you say, we wouldn't feel this need to prove anything.

 

[Ar Cosc]

I think that might be something to do with certain US flavours of christianity. I know I've not really encountered a problem with it most places in Ireland or Scotland, where people generally keep their faith to themselves. It took me several years to find out one of my close friends went to Mass every Saturday, and him the same length of time to find out I was non-religious. (It was actually a conversation on the merits of South Park that brought it all out into the open!)

 

[Jakihe]

Ar Cosc, I think Christians in the UK are not as uptight as those in the states, in general.http://www.christianforums.com/users/265540/

 

[Satt]

Wow, so it sounds like it's more of an American issue then?

 

[underpressure]

I'm from England and as a non-Christian can't say I've had a problem with getting along with Christians in general.

 

[Satt]

I'm from England and as a non-Christian can't say I've had a problem with getting along with Christians in general.

That's my point. I was talking about how it seems to be easy for Christians and non-Christians to get along, but not Christians with each other.

 

[joekilla93]

I have been a music leader and minster for some time, i have noticed that the biggest problem in this is the pride that some one has the word says to be humble and the lord will see you close the one who has pride [cocky] he sees far. It seems to be that this is one of the biggest problems if not the biggest problem in the christian community in the us. something eles that people feel the urge to be that way "up tight" is because the have been religous there entire life and converted later so they are acustumed to living an uptight life.
We also have to recoginze that we are forgiven for the sins passed present and future we forget that sometimes. although that doesn't mean sin it means dont worry if people have a communion with the lord there would be no conterversy in this aspect.

 

[Ar Cosc]

That's my point. I was talking about how it seems to be easy for Christians and non-Christians to get along, but not Christians with each other.

Oh, okay.

It could be because the US is more of a melting pot. I mean, Ireland is 95% Catholic, and Scotland is sort of split between Presbyterian and Irish catholic immigrants, as well as lots of non-religious. There are fairly deep sectarian divides, especially in Northern Ireland, and in Glasgow, between catholics and protestants, and they often do find it very hard to get on:


YouTube - Omagh Bomb - Story Breaking on RTE News, August 1998 - Part I

 

[Jakihe]

That's my point. I was talking about how it seems to be easy for Christians and non-Christians to get along, but not Christians with each other.

I agree because I have seen it (and still do). There seems to be so much conflict between Christians and usually denominations is what causes that, IMO. What do YOU think is the reason?

 

[Eudaimonist]

From what I can tell, when people dedicate themselves to the mission of proselytizing others, the face one presents to the world is optimized for that task. One becomes a salesperson for the Lord.

And the face one presents to others in one's church will also be designed to reinforce community approval.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Rudolph Hucker]

I have lived and worked in 15 countries, with folks of all religions and non-religions.

I never realised there could be such a problem until I met American Protestant missionaries in Brazil in 1983. It was only then that a whole new world of intolerance, bigotry, dogmatism and literalist fundamentalism was revealed.

Oddly, I do not have the same experience when I visit USA, which is very frequent.

 

[Mobiosity]

I have been a Christian for several years and I grew up (mostly) in a Christian area. In my adult years I have lived in many non-Christian areas. What I have found is that without exception, when I talk to Christians, they have this mask on at all times. It is really annoying. I can talk to my Satanist, Wiccan, Athiest, etc. friends all day and they are just "real" with me and we can even talk about Christian issues and they are cool about it. When I talk to Christians though, it seems that they always have to have this "front" where they know all the answers and they have to use scriptures to constantly correct you even in casual converstation. It's like I just can't talk to other Christians because they are wound up so tight and get so easilly offended. I do NOT walk on eggshells and I refuse to not be myself. Why does it seem that Christians are so hard to be yourself around and just relax and get along with?

In which part of the country are these masked Christians? I've not run into that, at all.

PS
Ewww, why would you want to be friends with a Satanist?

 

[Exiledoomsayer]

PS
Ewww, why would you want to be friends with a Satanist?

I don't think that word means what you think it means.

 

[Mobiosity]

I don't think that word means what you think it means.

I certainly hope not. My asumption is that a Satanist worships Satan and all the stuff on the "dark side".

 

[Jakihe]

I don't think that word means what you think it means.

Which word, satanist?
We are safe to guess it is someone who doesn't worship Jesus Christ.

 

[contango]

There are fairly deep sectarian divides, especially in Northern Ireland, and in Glasgow, between catholics and protestants, and they often do find it very hard to get on:/quote]

Which is somewhat ironic, given what Jesus told us:

John 13:34-35 NKJV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

It is remarkable (and more than a little sad) how the people who claim to follow Jesus so readily ignore this command he gave us.

 

[Exiledoomsayer]

Which word, satanist?
We are safe to guess it is someone who doesn't worship Jesus Christ.

Yes that would be fairly safe to assume. However it also does not have to mean worshipping satan.

Granted you could have a fullblown satan worshipper sacrificing goats to the dark lord.

People who do not let religious rules bother them and instead enjoy the pleasures of life can also be satanists. Which does not involve any particular worship or rituals.

Thats a really nutshelled explaination though.

 

[Beechwell]

This peculiarity of some American Christians is something I noticed as well. Although that's mostly with folks on the internet. None of the Americans I know personally is so hung up about it - and at least some of them are Christians. Certainly people behave differently on the internet, but I think the number of 'radical' Christians even in the US is actually less than boards such as this suggest. Still, the difference is noticable.

I think the way the bible is treated plays an important part in the distinction. I recently read an article by a German theologican claiming that the idea of the verbal inspiration of the bible (i.e. every word is directly Gods and must be followed) was developed in the US in the late 1800s and mostly remained a North American phenomenon. European theology at least seems to view the divine inspiration of the bible differently, with a stronger focus on acts of Jesus Christ himself. A German katholic bishoph (?) recently said that "some people should worry less about the words of the bible, and more about its spirit", or something to that effect.

I also think the difference has a lot to do with the history of Europe vs the NA colonies. In the US (and Canada I suppose) religious groups could for a long time pretty much live on their own, with no need to bother about other religious views. Thus they took their own views more and more for granted.
In Europe on the other hand, people had to learn to deal with differing beliefs far more, and at least after the Thirty Years War learn to get along with different denomination. Things like proselytizing were out of the question when your religious denomination was determined by your local lord. And to this that Christian proselytizing is practically non-existant in Europe (afaik).

 

[Jakihe]

People who do not let religious rules bother them and instead enjoy the pleasures of life can also be satanists. Which does not involve any particular worship or rituals.

Thats a really nutshelled explaination though.

You are right.