Christophobia

[JGG]

Christophobia is the irrational fear, or dislike of Christianity, or Christians. It has been labelled as a growing problem in the United States, and I for one admit the possibility that I am a Christophobe (more on the "fear of" side, than "dislike of"), although I wonder about whether or not this is truly irrational.

Here are two articles which either directly, or indirectly deal with Christophobia:

http://www.alternet.org/story/36640/?comments

http://www.chp.ca/arc-CHP-Communique/communique_11_31.htm

Discuss...

 

[TuxThePenguin]

If you fear a creep toward theocracy is it irrational?

Personally I know a lot of christians most of them are wonderful people but I also see 'faith based initiatives' 'abstenance only sex ed' and ACE which worries me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_Christian_Education


Maybe ACE deserves its own thread.

 

[Pinp]

Remember, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean the AREN'T out to get you.

 

[vitodabona]

Christophobia is the irrational fear, or dislike of Christianity, or Christians. It has been labelled as a growing problem in the United States, and I for one admit the possibility that I am a Christophobe (more on the "fear of" side, than "dislike of"), although I wonder about whether or not this is truly irrational.

Here are two articles which either directly, or indirectly deal with Christophobia:

http://www.alternet.org/story/36640/?comments

http://www.chp.ca/arc-CHP-Communique/communique_11_31.htm

Discuss...

These heretics (Used to remind people of US and European history) forgot why they came to this country in the first place, and why we have a secular government. Anyone trying to make there unyielding inflexible ideology the law of the land is someone to fear and revile.

 

[JGG]

This is why Jefferson wrote: "The roots of the tree of liberty need to be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants alike." This brand of Christian heretic (Used to remind people of US and European history) forgot why they came to this country in the first place, and why we have a secular government.

I should mention that one of the articles/essays is Canadian. Not as thought that makes any difference, but just a heads-up.

Anyone else want to comment?

 

[vitodabona]

I should mention that one of the articles/essays is Canadian. Not as thought that makes any difference, but just a heads-up.

Anyone else want to comment?

Sorry, I should have mentioned I was commenting on the first article.

 

[marblehead]

Anyone else want to comment?

Just that I'm probably a Christophobe too, and I don't think it's irrational.

 

[vitodabona]

double post

 

[vitodabona]

I think a more appropriate term for what is describe in the article would be Zealotaphobe.

btw: sorry for the multiple posts, the brain is a little fried right now (long day at work).

 

[JGG]

I think a more appropriate term for what is describe in the article would be Zealotaphobe.

btw: sorry for the multiple posts, the brain is a little fried right now (long day at work).

Perhaps. But as this is the term used in one of the essays, I decided to use Christophobe for the sake of consistancy.

I note only one person without an atheist, or humanist icon has responded. Any "believers" want to comment?

 

[FadingWhispers3]

I don't think it's irrational, at least not in America.

 

[Isis-Astoroth]

A lot of people seem to find fancy words to explain things they don't like so as somehow to exclude themselves from reality. Calling someone a Christophobe simply because they dislike Christianity doesn't mean that the reasons for the dislike are lessened.

 

[KarateCowboy]

Perhaps. But as this is the term used in one of the essays, I decided to use Christophobe for the sake of consistancy.

I note only one person without an atheist, or humanist icon has responded. Any "believers" want to comment?

So Christophobes have an irrational fear of theocracy? I think they're real.

On the whole Christian nationalist thing, I think it's a little naive. The day after the Bill of Rights was passed both houses of Congress passed a recommendation for a speech where President Washington designated Thanksgiving Day a national day of prayer and thanks to "Almighty God our Creator". He started the speech with "WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits . . . " and ended it with "In the Year of Our Lord". The was a proclomation passed by Congress, so I think it's safe to say that this nation was not meant to bar religious principles from influencing the decisions of our lawmakers.

 

[CSmrw]

I am a Christophobe in much the same way I am a Fireophobe. If controlled fire has many uses and probably got us where we are today, but when you see a whole bunch of people walking toward your house with torches and gas cans you may want to go ahead and fear a bit. If you don't you are kind of a dunce.

 

[tocis]

...I wonder about whether or not this is truly irrational.

Depends on what christianity one means.

Christianity can mean "try to be kind to one another, and drop in at church every now and then before your pastor starts wondering whether you're still alive"... like here in Germany.

It can also mean "Hate and persecute everyone who doesn't subscribe to the exact same interpretation of a bronze-age book of myths and legends, up to and including outright murder of the unbelievers"... examples are people like "reverend" phelps.

Fear of the first christianity is a bit exaggerated if you ask me. About the second... count me on your side too if you fear this taking over!

 

[bammertheblue]

I have a (very rational) fear of people treating me like dirt when they find out I'm not a Christian. (Yes, this has happened).
For example, this old gem, although obviously not aimed directly at me, has always really made me angry:

"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God."
[SIZE=-1]- George Bush, to a AA reporter Robert I. Sherman in August 27,1987, while serving as vice-president and running for President.[/SIZE]

I don't have a fear of Christians themselves, at least not the nice, normal, non-zealous ones.

 

[NothingButTheBlood]

It's a shame you can't round us all up and kill us so you can feel better about yourselves and your life.

 

[bammertheblue]

It's a shame you can't round us all up and kill us so you can feel better about yourselves and your life.

Yeah, because saying you don't like being treated like crap by SOME Christians (no one here has said ALL Christians) is exactly the same as wanting to kill all Christians. Exactly the same. I can see where you got that idea.

[/sarcasm]

 

[faster_jackrabbit]

I fear a theocracy more than christians fear hell. Come to think of it, a theocracy would be hell.

 

[TheUJKiller]

Personally I can understand why so many people have these fears. Afterall, Christians can tend to impose their beliefs on all people. We ask our governments and politicians to change laws and change things to suit what we want or need without considering others. We consider something indecent or immoral and immediately condemn any who don't follow our same belief system.

Christians can have a strong tendency to judge others and to impose on others. We ignore the lessons of Jesus and the Bible and instead follow a twisted group-think method of "saving everyone" but we never consider the fact that when we're going out and imposing our beliefs on others that we're forcing our opinions onto others in an unsolicited manner. We (and obviously I'm generalizing, but I've seen these things happen) hand out pamphlets telling people they're going to go to hell if they don't live the right type of life when instead we should just offer up the positive impacts God has had on our life when asked for our thoughts and opinions. We condemn movies, plays, and other arts as being tools of the devil, but at the same time we expect freedom of religion. How are others not entitled to have those same freedoms in their own beliefs? We can become so immersed in our own beliefs that we don't even realize we have become an oppressor to others. It's a do as I say, not as I do type of message we send to everyone.