I am probably going to receive animosity for posting this, but so be it. First off, I'm not trying to judge or condemn anybody. I am merely being honest based upon experience. Sometimes, it hurts to accept the truth, because some truths are inherently harsh and we don't want to accept them (rather, we would like to stay in denial). As the title states Christians have become narrow minded. Now I realize there are two main schools of thought with philosophy in Christianity; liberal and conservative. What I have noticed is this. You have a different school of thought and perspective on Christianity then another Christian does. The person doesn't agree with what you believe and vise versa; as such being the case, there is a great possibility you two will clash.
I have also seen that if a Christian doesn't agree with what you believe they will try to "fix" you; meaning, they'll try to force their view down your throat. Let me say that this comes off as extremely condescending and it makes the other person feel inferior. To me it is very arrogant and the attitude basically implied is "If you don't agree with how I view things, then your view is wrong, and my view is the only one that is good enough". Now of course the person doesn't actually say this, but actions speak louder then words. We don't have a right to judge another person in a condemning way; the sad truth is a majority of the time, whether we mean to or not, we end up doing this. There is judging with constructive criticism, however this can prove to be beneficial; judging in a condemning way can cause a rift, it can cause hurt feelings, and it can make the other person feel inferior. Just because you choose to believe differently and have a different lifestyle, doesn't make it wrong, just different. So what? If it's pleasing to God and you're making sincere effort out of love for God to live for him (and you have pure motives) I see nothing wrong with having a different view.
Another thing that has surprised me is how it is some huge shock to Christians that non believers live a lifestyle that isn't pleasing to God. Well, they live for the world and we live for God; so naturally they're going to dwell in sin and not make an attempt to repent of it. Why? Because they don't see they're anything wrong; they're incapable of responding to conviction from the Holy Spirit because they're not saved. Christians seem to have this idea that it's our job to change them; no it's not our job to fix them. The only job we have is to share the love of Christ to them. True, we are to be salt and light. This however doesn't mean trying to change them because we don't agree with their lifestyle. It's God's job to convict them of their sin, it's God's job to soften their heart and save them, and it's their choice to choose to accept the love of Christ. If we judge them in a condemning way, and say their lifestyle is wrong, they're going to respond with animosity and really be turned off by this kind of attitude Did I claim we're perfect? No, I am well aware of the fact that we're sinners and we screw up on a regular basis. However Jesus said two things I believe would help very much; don't judge or you also will be judged and look at the plank in your own eye before you try to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
I have also noticed that Christians in America have become self absorbed. Whether we want to admit it or not, our culture has influenced us because this "me first" attitude is projected everywhere in America. I've seen so many Christians make the assumption that if they've found the love of their life romantically, are in a career they love, and they have a comfortable lifestyle they enjoy, that they've fulfilled God's will for their life. This isn't necessarily true. That leaves a big possibility that you've fulfilled your purpose for your life, and have fulfilled the desires of your heart. I think it is the minority of Christians who actually choose to pray to God and wait on his timing, and then choose to surrender themselves for his plan for their lives (at least in America). To us, the thought of relinquishing our goals and happiness for fulfilling God's purpose for our lives, we are reluctant to do so. Why? Because humans are inherently selfish. We're not as good as we think we are; Scripture says all of our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Half the time, our motives for serving God are impure; we're just doing so to show off and glorify ourselves. Then Christians try to minimize their actions and refuse to admit they've done anything wrong; instead, we tend to say well look at what so-and-so is doing....that is just as bad, or worse; we blame shift. Why do we do this? Pride. We don't want to admit we've done anything wrong, because that requires exposing our flaws and acknowledging we're not perfect.
One more thing I have noticed is that a Christian becomes romantically involved, and so busy with their own life that the relationships they have with people they claim to love and care about....they just allow them to drift. I'm speaking from experience here. I realize there are priorities and that God comes first and your spouse comes second. However, if you truly love and care about your friends like you say you do, then you'll make time for them and you'll put forth the effort to make sure the relationships don't drift. Relationships matter to God so they should matter to us; also, intimate and authentic fellowship is a theme throughout most of the NT in the Bible. Further, it can end up hurting other people when you do this.
I'm sorry this is so long and I'm not trying to condemn or judge anybody. These are things God has laid on my heart and things that are being more of a hindrance then a help. I believe somehow we should change these things because they're being a hindrance in sharing the love of Christ, and it's hurting the body of Christ as well. In many ways, these problems have created a rift in the body of Christ. I'm just addressing these because keeping them hidden and refusing to acknowledge the problems are existent will only exacerbate things.
I have also seen that if a Christian doesn't agree with what you believe they will try to "fix" you; meaning, they'll try to force their view down your throat. Let me say that this comes off as extremely condescending and it makes the other person feel inferior. To me it is very arrogant and the attitude basically implied is "If you don't agree with how I view things, then your view is wrong, and my view is the only one that is good enough". Now of course the person doesn't actually say this, but actions speak louder then words. We don't have a right to judge another person in a condemning way; the sad truth is a majority of the time, whether we mean to or not, we end up doing this. There is judging with constructive criticism, however this can prove to be beneficial; judging in a condemning way can cause a rift, it can cause hurt feelings, and it can make the other person feel inferior. Just because you choose to believe differently and have a different lifestyle, doesn't make it wrong, just different. So what? If it's pleasing to God and you're making sincere effort out of love for God to live for him (and you have pure motives) I see nothing wrong with having a different view.
Another thing that has surprised me is how it is some huge shock to Christians that non believers live a lifestyle that isn't pleasing to God. Well, they live for the world and we live for God; so naturally they're going to dwell in sin and not make an attempt to repent of it. Why? Because they don't see they're anything wrong; they're incapable of responding to conviction from the Holy Spirit because they're not saved. Christians seem to have this idea that it's our job to change them; no it's not our job to fix them. The only job we have is to share the love of Christ to them. True, we are to be salt and light. This however doesn't mean trying to change them because we don't agree with their lifestyle. It's God's job to convict them of their sin, it's God's job to soften their heart and save them, and it's their choice to choose to accept the love of Christ. If we judge them in a condemning way, and say their lifestyle is wrong, they're going to respond with animosity and really be turned off by this kind of attitude Did I claim we're perfect? No, I am well aware of the fact that we're sinners and we screw up on a regular basis. However Jesus said two things I believe would help very much; don't judge or you also will be judged and look at the plank in your own eye before you try to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
I have also noticed that Christians in America have become self absorbed. Whether we want to admit it or not, our culture has influenced us because this "me first" attitude is projected everywhere in America. I've seen so many Christians make the assumption that if they've found the love of their life romantically, are in a career they love, and they have a comfortable lifestyle they enjoy, that they've fulfilled God's will for their life. This isn't necessarily true. That leaves a big possibility that you've fulfilled your purpose for your life, and have fulfilled the desires of your heart. I think it is the minority of Christians who actually choose to pray to God and wait on his timing, and then choose to surrender themselves for his plan for their lives (at least in America). To us, the thought of relinquishing our goals and happiness for fulfilling God's purpose for our lives, we are reluctant to do so. Why? Because humans are inherently selfish. We're not as good as we think we are; Scripture says all of our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Half the time, our motives for serving God are impure; we're just doing so to show off and glorify ourselves. Then Christians try to minimize their actions and refuse to admit they've done anything wrong; instead, we tend to say well look at what so-and-so is doing....that is just as bad, or worse; we blame shift. Why do we do this? Pride. We don't want to admit we've done anything wrong, because that requires exposing our flaws and acknowledging we're not perfect.
One more thing I have noticed is that a Christian becomes romantically involved, and so busy with their own life that the relationships they have with people they claim to love and care about....they just allow them to drift. I'm speaking from experience here. I realize there are priorities and that God comes first and your spouse comes second. However, if you truly love and care about your friends like you say you do, then you'll make time for them and you'll put forth the effort to make sure the relationships don't drift. Relationships matter to God so they should matter to us; also, intimate and authentic fellowship is a theme throughout most of the NT in the Bible. Further, it can end up hurting other people when you do this.
I'm sorry this is so long and I'm not trying to condemn or judge anybody. These are things God has laid on my heart and things that are being more of a hindrance then a help. I believe somehow we should change these things because they're being a hindrance in sharing the love of Christ, and it's hurting the body of Christ as well. In many ways, these problems have created a rift in the body of Christ. I'm just addressing these because keeping them hidden and refusing to acknowledge the problems are existent will only exacerbate things.
