Can bigots be Christians?

christianmarine said:

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.

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I think the second most important thing to know is that God loves everyone, equally. All men, women, children, equally. The third most important thing to know is that God hates all sin equally. All liars, blasphemers, adulterers, idol worshipers, murderers, etc. So we're all on an even level here.

So what is the first, most important thing? That would be Jesus. Christians are no different from all of the rest of humanity when it comes to living a blameless life, except that we confess Jesus as the Savior. Because we confess Jesus as the Savior, we will be saved from our sins. We'll still have to come face to face with all of the things we did in the open, or in the darkness (where we thought nobody would know). Jesus blood will protect us from the condemnation that follows though, and only Jesus blood. Nothing else. When we accept Jesus, and repent of our sins, we accept God's mercy. Without confessing Jesus as our Savior, God's mercy is not ours.

See Romans chapters 9&10 for further info on that. You will read that God will deny the Israelites (His Chosen People from the OT) if they do not accept Christ. How much of a chance do the rest of us have if we deny Him?

God bless you and may you choose wisely, and from the heart.

"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."


What I see is a tendency to judge other people on the grounds that it is a Christian's job to 'correct' other people when they stray off the path, but without attention to the parts of the bible that warn us not to judge other people. 'lest we be judged'. It seems that often there is no room for the other person's opinion if it is different from that of the 'judge/helper'

Ros

rosalind110 said:

"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."


What I see is a tendency to judge other people on the grounds that it is a Christian's job to 'correct' other people when they stray off the path, but without attention to the parts of the bible that warn us not to judge other people. 'lest we be judged'. It seems that often there is no room for the other person's opinion if it is different from that of the 'judge/helper'

Ros

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BINGO

"Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you." Matthew 7:1-2

I prefer goats to sheep myself, so much more intelligent!

I think alot of conservative christians are bigots. And I go by this definition. And I have to admit that probably a bigot myself.

A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from their own. The origin of the word in English dates back to at least 1598, via Middle French, and started with the sense of religious hypocrite, especially a woman. Today, it is considered a synonym of narrow-minded.

Bigot is often used as pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to his or her prejudices even when these prejudices are challenged or proven to be false, often engaging these prejudices in a rude and intolerant manner. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology, like racism, religion, nationalism, and homophobia.

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christianmarine said:

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.

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I decided to think about this topic a bit more and make another post. I didn't feel that my first post was up to my standards of posting. Whatever that means. No really, I felt that I hadn't given the question ALL of my consideration. So here is what I have come up with since:


Well my friend, I guess that all depends on what you consider to be a bigot, for it is my belief that what we humans consider sin re:bigotry, may not always be seen as such in God's eyes. To abuse a person, and I mean real abuse, is most definitely sinful. We should never put our hands on, or plot to harm (in a physical or social manner) another human being, and that should go without saying. When you look at it that way, color, sex, etc., are non-issues. We must get down to the core of what is being acted out. Violence against another person, and/or a plot to cause harm to another, is sinful no matter what race, what sex, or what sexual orientation a person is.

Now from an amusing spin: If a person such as myself says this, there is somehow more power to it, than if a totally white person says it? Why? Because I'm a mix of several races, including jewish (mazel tov!), scandanavian (i could give you a sveedish massage yah?), and island dark (think african american, but with palm trees, blue drinks with little pink umbrellas, and caribbean music ), so I should understand bigotry, right? However, if a darker skinned person of african descent should step forward and make a comment, then they would be seen as having more power regarding this issue than I, and completely over the whites. Why is that? From my perspective, it's because many people believe that to experience true bigotry one must be dark skinned. I'd like to put an end to this stereotype because I disagree with it. I've been on the receiving end of bigotry from both colors. Whites have been on the receiving end of bigotry from people my color, or darker. Asians have been on the receiving end from persons of all colors. Indians (from india) have been on the receiving end of bigotry from their own people (and from all others). Ever been to india? The social class divisions are VERY prevailing. The odd thing is that even when they move to another country, the USA for example, these divisions remain. I have had indian friends where one has refused to associate with the other, because the other's family was poorer and the wealthier one saw it as demeaning to take part in social activities together. That was here in the USA. Interesting isn't it?

So here you bring forth bigotry against homosexuals. Well, I tell you what, I don't think it's bigotry to speak out about what God's word says in regards to homosexuality. I stand firm in that. HOWEVER... (big however) when we set aside a homosexual person, in an attempt to belittle them, mock them, or harm them in any way (socially, or physically, emotionally), then I believe we are sinning against them and against God. This is not the same as saying "God's word says that homosexuality is wrong." There's nothing sinful about claiming that. There is something wrong with shouting "you're going to hell because you're homosexual!!!!" at them, however. If a person is going to be separated from God for all eternity, it will be because they have rejected Jesus Christ. I believe that some homosexuals have accepted Jesus Christ, though they continue to live a homosexual lifestyle, which God's word says is an unholy. Stop..... wait..... listen, please. Before you judge them, consider this: I believe that the majority of Christians, though they accept Jesus as their Savior, are still living in sin. We're jealous, we're envious, we're gossipers, we're liars, we're thieves (how many of us waste away company time on here just because we think we deserve a little fun? isn't that dishonest?), we're adulterers, we're fornicators, we're disrespectful to our parents, etc. Is our sin any less detestable to God than the sin of having sex with a same sex partner? No, it is not.

1 Cor. 6:7-11, "7Already, indeed, then, there is altogether a fault among you, that ye have judgments with one another; wherefore do ye not rather suffer injustice? wherefore be ye not rather defrauded?


8but ye -- ye do injustice, and ye defraud, and these -- brethren!

9have ye not known that the unrighteous the reign of God shall not inherit? be not led astray; neither whoremongers, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor sodomites,

10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, the reign of God shall inherit. 11And certain of you were these! but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were declared righteous, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God." (YLT)

So to set aside a homosexual and condemn them to hell because of their choice (sorry folks, I believe it's choice... but this isn't the topic to discuss that. make another one if you want) is a huge error. We all make choices every day that SHOULD separate us from God for all eternity. It is God's mercy, through our acceptance of Jesus Christ that will give us another chance, but the key is to have faith, and to have a willing heart to live as Jesus instructed us to do. (love one another as I have loved you, do unto others as you would have them do unto you). I'd say the same to homosexuals who have accepted Christ. If you're not loving your fellow Christians, and doing unto ALL persons as you would have them do unto you, then you're not living for Christ. Stop the animosity, and reach out in love. Ask forgiveness daily for your sins (all of us, not just homosexuals) and if you think you haven't committed any, then ask God to search your heart and convict you in the spirit to help you remember which ones need to be forgiven. We should all do that. I should do that. I do, do that. If I didn't, I'd forget some of the wretched things I've done.


I saw Billy Graham on Larry King a while back. Some of my fellow Christians may not care for Billy Graham, that's ok. I do. He was talking to Larry about how he had almost passed away not so long ago. He was in the hospital, and very ill, and he had told God that he was ready to go. He said, as he felt himself departing from this life, suddenly there was an awareness of sin that he had not been repentant of, and he had to spend quite some time praying and asking forgiveness. He said he hovered in between life and death, being aware of these sins he had committed, and asking forgiveness, so that he could be forgiven before he went before God. I have to ask, if Billy Graham, one of the most God loving humans I have ever seen, felt convicted of sin, as he lay there dying, what kind of chance do you and I have? I tell you what, just the knowledge of that made me bow my head and ask forgiveness, hoping to remember the things I have told myself were just little boo-boos, and not really sin.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I pray blessings over my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I ask for God's love to guide us in our interaction with one another, and in our repentance before Him. I pray for hearts to soften, and minds to accept the realness of God and His mercy, for all those non-believers who read here. I ask that all who pray, would pray for me, that I may not pass through this life, with sins I have clung to, believing they were not wrong.

I'm a bigot.

It seems to be that bigots are welcome on CF, which really sucks!

Adiya I have a question for you and i know its off topic but if somone was outside and you say them eating a 6 foot sub would you tell them that they are a glutton and that they are going to hell.

Spinrad said:

I'm a bigot.

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Wecome to the club.

Hey, when I hear someone claim to be above all that I start looking for green blood and pointy ears. We may think we are Spock, but we are just a bunch of McKoys.

Toboe said:

Adiya I have a question for you and i know its off topic but if somone was outside and you say them eating a 6 foot sub would you tell them that they are a glutton and that they are going to hell.

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Go back and read my post and you'll find your answer.


If that's too much for you though, then I GUESS I could be persuaded to answer you here too.

If somebody was eating a 6 foot sub outside of my home, I'd ask them for a bite.

Would I ask a homosexual for a bite? No. I'm not into same sex.

Would I tell the 6 foot sub eater that they were a glutton? Only if they asked me what God would think of them eating like that every day.

Would I tell a homosexual that homosexuality is a sin? Only if they asked me what God would think of them partaking in homosexual acts every day.

Would I tell a guy who kicked his dog every day that kicking your dog is a sin? Yes... I'd also be tempted to kick him in return.

Would I be sinning in doing such a thing? By calling him out on his sin, no. By kicking him back? Yes.

I'm hungry. Anybody got a 6 foot sub sandwich handy?

Spinrad said:

We may think we are Spock, but we are just a bunch of McKoys.

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Thems fight'n words. I love McKoy! Blankit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a miracle worker! I'd rather be McKoy than Spock anyday. Spocks eyebrows were a little too tweezed for my taste.

I used to go to high school with a girl that tweezed her eyebrows like that. I always felt that she would spock-lock me when I least expected it. She was fun though. I hope her eyebrows have grown in since then.

Thanks for the answer.

Of course they can... hopefully they will be convicted of their sin and learn at the least it is sinful to be a bigot and hopefully strive to overcome it.

When I was a kid one of the women in our church asked my mother for help overcoming the prejudices she had. She wanted to learn to be able to be welcoming to be people who weren't "white" in our church. She acknowledged her prejudices were wrong and wanted to overcome them, she asked my mom to hold her accountable. I thought her incredibly faithful AND brave .. our family was notoriously impatient with prejudices.. she certainly asked the right person. She never completely overcome her stereotypes they were imbedded deeply thanks to her upbringing.. but she learned not to react with prejudice..and developed several good friendships with some VERY understanding women of a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

I honestly question the faith of someone who is unrepentant in their bigotry... but I guess God has to deal with them...

christianmarine said:

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.

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You mean like the attitude some liberal Christians take with one's that are more conservative or "fundies" as they are called. I guess the answer is yes. Bigotry works in all directions. Unfortunatley Christ doesn't cure sin. That's why I can't wait for Heaven. It will be nice to actually not have to sin anymore.

christianmarine said:

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.

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Believe it or not, bigots can be Christians. I know many of them. They love Jesus with all their hearts, but they are sadly blinded to the pain and suffering that they cause those that they dislike because of their ignorance. We need to learn to forgive as Jesus forgave.

CF says homosexuality is a sin and as such, Christians cannot be bigots against sin in any form. IMAO, this is highly debateable, but out of respect for CF I will not enter that arena right now.

I used to be homophobic in the worst way until my ex-wife said something that the Holy Spirit used to cause a deep and present conviction in my life. I searched the Bible for just ONE example of where Jesus practiced Bigotry. I looked and searched and looked some more...not only was that not there, but the exact opposite was there. I choose to follow Jesus' actions over peoples' Biblical interpretation skills.