Can bigots be Christians?

[Yusuf Evans]

As a Christian today, I see so much bigotry from those who claim to be Christians. I see persecution of homosexuals, of other religions, and of course, those that serve in the military. My question is this. Are you really a loving Christian when you demonize people this way? WDJD? I'm of the understanding that Christ would never have taken the stance I've seen so many called Christians take. Let me know what you think.

 

[christalee4]

I am glad to see I am not the only who is sometimes troubled by this. I think you are going to get a lot of flak on how bigotry is defined and against which group it refers to.

To answer your basic question, yes, Christians can be ferocious bigots, but I would hope it's more the way one was brought up, and not sanctioned by how one interprets the Bible. I have met regular church going Christians in some areas of the south, who were upstanding citizens of their community, and who used the N-word to refer to black people. I have also met Christians who used to feel that way, but who have since changed their way of thinking, because they feel it is against God's desire to hate people in that way.

I have a feeling that some people will say that bigotry only applies to people of a different race, and not against homosexuals, or others of different religions. Maybe I'm wrong, but that is the impression I get.

I salute you, ChristianMarine, for bringing up this topic!

 

[katautumn]

*applauds Christianmarine*

 

[Dragons87]

S'true what you say. I admit that I am a private bigot to many things.

But unfortunately, in my view, bigotry is inevitable. Am I being a bigot by saying that? Lol.

 

[jayem]

Almost anyone can call themselves a Christian. As do those repulsive Christian Identity crackpots. Who defines Christianity?

 

[12345678and9]

As a Christian today, I see so much bigotry from those who claim to be Christians. I see persecution of homosexuals, of other religions, and of course, those that serve in the military. My question is this. Are you really a loving Christian when you demonize people this way? WDJD? I'm of the understanding that Christ would never have taken the stance I've seen so many called Christians take. Let me know what you think.

I agree with you. Jesus told people the truth of who they were and of the sins they were commiting. I feel that christians should do the same with an understanding and loving approach, not one with the attitude that christians are better than others. That is the exact opposite of what Jesus taught.

 

[Jebediah]

A new heart with new desires includes letting go your old prejudices and biases. The good Samaritan tale is given in response to the question of "who is my neighbor?" and shows clearly no differences based in the human world matter to the eyes of Christ. We are commanded, not urged, not suggested, commanded to love and serve. Period.

Pray for deliverance from bigotry just like any other sin. Sin is "inevitable" for us, you're right. But, conveniently, God gave us a solution for that problem...Jesus.

 

[Superpants]

some would say that bigots are required to be christians. remember the kkk?

 

[Portgus]

I would have to agree, bigotry is problem within the Christian ranks. As is Hypocrisy... I feel more than a few Christians need a big serving of mumble pie. But to be fair, Christians are far from the worst offenders, but the inescapable fact it, Christians should know better.

 

[12345678and9]

Some christians do not know any better because of what their church or pastor teaches. They do not take the time to see what Christ really says.

 

[If Not For Grace]

All Christians (including myself) are sinners...

So yes I suppose so, were not the disciples guilty of bigotry against the gentiles?

 

[Athene]

some would say that bigots are required to be christians. remember the kkk?

No, I don't think so.

 

[tgg]

Hi,

I despise Christians who think and behave this way. They obviously do not know Christ, or the things he taught. Sadly there is no commandment in the Bible that says "thou shalt not persecute".

I am a Christian, and I for one do not go around demonising homosexuals, or believe in depriving people like nudists and naturists of their social rights because Christ never did those things himself.

One of these days these so-called Christians you mention will have to account for all their thoughts and deeds.


tgg

As a Christian today, I see so much bigotry from those who claim to be Christians. I see persecution of homosexuals, of other religions, and of course, those that serve in the military. My question is this. Are you really a loving Christian when you demonize people this way? WDJD? I'm of the understanding that Christ would never have taken the stance I've seen so many called Christians take. Let me know what you think.

 

[Superpants]

No, I don't think so.

do you deny that prejudiced organizations exist that require that their members be christians? because it is historical fact that the kkk required that its members be christians. i did not mean to imply that all christians are bigots.

 

[Jacob4Jesus]

I find it sad that anyone would have to feel the need to be a biggot. It's sad, but that's all I can really say about that. I have grown up around biggots, most notably my father. The man who professed to be a Christian, but would call me names insinuating that I was gay at the age of 9, just because I hadn't yet expressed any interest in girls. At the age of NINE, mind you. My dad was constantly telling jokes about blacks, most that I have blocked from my mind. Is it any wonder that I dropped Christianity at a young age, because he was my model for a Christian.

Luckily, as I got older, I realized that people shouldn't be like that. I found Christ again on my own. I do wish Christians all knew better, but I like to think the majority of us do.

 

[Dragons87]

I don't know about you guys, but I consider myself to be pretty multi-cultural. It scares me in a way whenever I'm adapting to a new, GLOBAL, environment (like now, moving away from home to university), and one tends to stick with one old's values for some notions of security and stability.

I think bigotry is a natural response to environmental changes, which is happening BIG right now because of globalisation. The solution, I see, is two-fold. The first is secular: to learn, and the second, Christian value: to love.

 

[outlaw]

As a Christian today, I see so much bigotry from those who claim to be Christians. I see persecution of homosexuals, of other religions, and of course, those that serve in the military. My question is this. Are you really a loving Christian when you demonize people this way? WDJD? I'm of the understanding that Christ would never have taken the stance I've seen so many called Christians take. Let me know what you think.

Can bigots be Christians? Yes.



One of the biggest constants I have seen from bigots is the denial that what they are doing is wrong in any way. Bigots do not see their actions as hate or as immoral but rather as a response to what they perceive as infringements on their world view and as such perfectly justified. The individuals at the receiving end of their hate as seen as not just different but as “trouble makers” people who dare to challenge them and their perception of superiority. The justification usually involves their religious views and there is the steadfast belief that God is on their side, one will often hear how God has ordained certain things and it is the duty of the bigot to maintain that order. Bigots can find and interpret scripture to support them and their “just cause” and will denounce any who dare to disagree with their personal interpretations.



Further, and strangely enough, bigots see their denouements and rhetoric as loving” in that those who they perceive as “inferior” (socially interior, racially inferior, spiritually inferior) need to be educated about their status. Good blacks are ones who do not seek to better themselves, who do not cause trouble, who remain submissive and deferential. Bad blacks (uppity n****** defy) stereotypes, who seek an equal place at the table of society, who become better educated, better informed and obtain personal and societal influence. Good homosexuals are ones who hide who they are or even pretend to be heterosexual; good homosexuals do not fight back when physically or verbally attacked. Bad homosexuals (militant F@ggots) are honest and do not hide, bad homosexuals fight for equal rights, bad homosexuals refuse to be ashamed of being honest. God Jews stay n their ghettos or move to Israel “where they belong”, they provide services on demand and once they have been useful they go back to being invisible. Bad Jews (Kikes) broadcast their presence by their appearance, bad Jews make people remember the holocaust and argue with those who claim the holocaust never happened. Good women are servants to their husbands, they do not complain about infidelity, they do not complain about physical or emotional abuse, they do not protect their children form abuse. Bad women (feminazis) speak up, they contradict the men in their family, they divorce men who were just asserting their husbandly prerogatives. And so on and so on

 

[Mariette]

Some christians do not know any better because of what their church or pastor teaches. They do not take the time to see what Christ really says.

Yes! There was one church I went to for Christmas Eve service a few years ago. I had to bite my tongue so hard it bled. I am a very tolerant person. I stand up for the underdog all the time and I say things that many of my fellow Christians sometimes don't like. But I do it because I feel that it's right.

What made me bite my tongue so hard? The pastor. The PASTOR who was whinning and complaining that on his recent trip to Florida he saw no nativity scenes on the lawns. Just fake snowmen and reindeer. He whinned about how if someone doesnt celebrate Christmas as a CHRISTIAN holiday, then they should not recieve time off, and should be made to go to work. With total ignorance he put his faith and his beliefs ahead of anyone elses, despite the fact that several spiritualities celebrate a December holiday. (Winter Solstice, some Chinese traditions, Hannukah, Kwanzaa etc). And his worshippers seemingly blindly agreed. Yelling "Amen" and clapping..

Sometimes it's not the fault of the Christians themselves, but the type of Pastor/Minister/Priest they go to. And, they (the ministers etc) are the ones who will be judged the harshest. Because THEY are supposed to lead the people..and that night I feel that that man failed in doing so in a Christian manner, in a way that Jesus would've been happy about.

Unfortunately, as the years progress and I get older there's not a day goes by that I feel at least a small amount of guilt for saying "Yes, I believe in Jesus". From things I see on the news, to things I hear other Christians say, to things I read on forums across the web. It's unfortunate..

 

[outlaw]

Yes! There was one church I went to for Christmas Eve service a few years ago. I had to bite my tongue so hard it bled. I am a very tolerant person. I stand up for the underdog all the time and I say things that many of my fellow Christians sometimes don't like. But I do it because I feel that it's right.

What made me bite my tongue so hard? The pastor. The PASTOR who was whinning and complaining that on his recent trip to Florida he saw no nativity scenes on the lawns. Just fake snowmen and reindeer. He whinned about how if someone doesnt celebrate Christmas as a CHRISTIAN holiday, then they should not recieve time off, and should be made to go to work. With total ignorance he put his faith and his beliefs ahead of anyone elses, despite the fact that several spiritualities celebrate a December holiday. (Winter Solstice, some Chinese traditions, Hannukah, Kwanzaa etc). And his worshippers seemingly blindly agreed. Yelling "Amen" and clapping..

Sometimes it's not the fault of the Christians themselves, but the type of Pastor/Minister/Priest they go to. And, they (the ministers etc) are the ones who will be judged the harshest. Because THEY are supposed to lead the people..and that night I feel that that man failed in doing so in a Christian manner, in a way that Jesus would've been happy about.

Unfortunately, as the years progress and I get older there's not a day goes by that I feel at least a small amount of guilt for saying "Yes, I believe in Jesus". From things I see on the news, to things I hear other Christians say, to things I read on forums across the web. It's unfortunate..

Did you get up and leave the service that was bothering you so much?



Did you inform the pastor of your feelings?



Do you still attend services at this church?

 

[12345678and9]

Yes! There was one church I went to for Christmas Eve service a few years ago. I had to bite my tongue so hard it bled. I am a very tolerant person. I stand up for the underdog all the time and I say things that many of my fellow Christians sometimes don't like. But I do it because I feel that it's right.

What made me bite my tongue so hard? The pastor. The PASTOR who was whinning and complaining that on his recent trip to Florida he saw no nativity scenes on the lawns. Just fake snowmen and reindeer. He whinned about how if someone doesnt celebrate Christmas as a CHRISTIAN holiday, then they should not recieve time off, and should be made to go to work. With total ignorance he put his faith and his beliefs ahead of anyone elses, despite the fact that several spiritualities celebrate a December holiday. (Winter Solstice, some Chinese traditions, Hannukah, Kwanzaa etc). And his worshippers seemingly blindly agreed. Yelling "Amen" and clapping..

Sometimes it's not the fault of the Christians themselves, but the type of Pastor/Minister/Priest they go to. And, they (the ministers etc) are the ones who will be judged the harshest. Because THEY are supposed to lead the people..and that night I feel that that man failed in doing so in a Christian manner, in a way that Jesus would've been happy about.

Unfortunately, as the years progress and I get older there's not a day goes by that I feel at least a small amount of guilt for saying "Yes, I believe in Jesus". From things I see on the news, to things I hear other Christians say, to things I read on forums across the web. It's unfortunate..

You should feel no guilt. That is what they want you to do. Jesus told us if we proclaimed Him before men, He would proclaim us to God.