Why do Christians get evasive, defensive or angry when faced with difficult questions

[abysmul]

I notice that when I ask some of the difficult questions, Christians tend to get evasive, defensive or angry. Why is this?

I think you described humans, not one specific subset.

 

[Zanting]

Because they're human[/i]?

 

[Zanting]

I think you described humans, not one specific subset.

Exactly

 

[bhsmte]

I notice that when I ask some of the difficult questions, Christians tend to get evasive, defensive or angry. Why is this?

As a general rule, faith beliefs are developed and are protected, because they are an important part of a person's psyche and the belief provides comfort, amongst other things.

In many people, when this faith belief is challenged with pointed questions, it can pose a serious risk, because doubt can then come into the picture, in regards to something that is very important to them.

We call this "cognitive dissonance" and it is unpleasant. When a person is experiencing cognitive dissonance, you are almost certain to see; denial, confirmation bias and selective reasoning exhibited, as the powerful defense mechanisms utilized to protect the faith belief.

 

[ToddNotTodd]

I'm being civil, if you don't like me don't engage me, I'm going to be myself doc.

Here's a tip, if everyone is saying you aren't being civil but you think you are...

...you're not being civil.

 

[razzelflabben]

I notice that when I ask some of the difficult questions, Christians tend to get evasive, defensive or angry. Why is this?

because they don't 1. study to show themselves approved, workmen that don't need to be ashamed and 2. they don't trust the indwelling HS to answer through them, by giving them the words to say as HE teaches them all things.

 

[Colter]

Here's a tip, if everyone is saying you aren't being civil but you think you are...

...you're not being civil.

Chief critic ToddNotTodd, not everyone is, just the resident antagonist/atheist and the oversensitive anti-evangelicals, half hearted people who try to whitewash Jesus to get rid of the hard sayings, recreating him in their own washy washy image.

 

[bhsmte]

Chief critic ToddNotTodd, not everyone is, just the resident antagonist/atheist and the oversensitive anti-evangelicals, half hearted people who try to whitewash Jesus to get rid of the hard sayings, recreating him in their own washy washy image.

For the record, I have noticed several people make comments about your demeanor.

From your responses, I would expect you to keep denying the same though.

 

[Colter]

I know. You're just being your "sarcastic" self.



This is another example of what I was talking about earlier. To some believers, the very act of questioning itself raises suspicions about the sincerity of the questioner; suspicions sufficient enough to merit a comparison to Satan himself no less. When a Christian perceives that being questioned by a nonbeliever is akin to Eve being questioned by that "crafty beast," he might react defensively or angrily. Case in point.

I've had enough interaction with you to know what you believe, it's not a matter of suspicion or misunderstanding. In my theology, Lucifer also lost faith in the unseen Father, he also then set out to undermine the faith of others....but he was civil about it.

 

[bhsmte]

I've had enough interaction with you to know what you believe, it's not a matter of suspicion or misunderstanding. In my theology, Lucifer also lost faith in the unseen Father, he also then set out to undermine the faith of others....but he was civil about it.

When words don't match with one's actions, credibility tends to decline.

 

[Colter]

For the record, I have noticed several people make comments about your demeanor.

From your responses, I would expect you to keep denying the same though.

Yes, atheist, who get off mocking the faith of Christians all dressed up as "intellectual stimulation" don't like having their doctrines of death challenged, and a guy who is the spokesman for some people at his office. Have you not noticed that I'm not seeking your good opinion of me?

 

[Ana the Ist]

But there is absolutely nothing wrong with sincere questioning or even sincere doubts. I talk with sincere people all the time, I just think your mind is already made up based on many things you yourself have stated.

So in other words...

It's ok to have questions as long as at the end of the day you believe?

 

[Hammster]

MOD HAT ON






MOD HAT OFF

 

[bhsmte]

Yes, atheist, who get off mocking the faith of Christians all dressed up as "intellectual stimulation" don't like having their doctrines of death challenged, and a guy who is the spokesman for some people at his office. Have you not noticed that I'm not seeking your good opinion of me?

The content of your posts on this board stand on their own. There is no way around that.

 

[ToddNotTodd]

Have you not noticed that I'm not seeking your good opinion of me?

Your problem lies in the fact that you're posting on a public forum, where anyone can see. The attitude in your posts can cause harm. Do you care about that?

 

[faroukfarouk]

I notice that when I ask some of the difficult questions, Christians tend to get evasive, defensive or angry. Why is this?

Who created you?

 

[intrastate108]

I notice that when I ask some of the difficult questions, Christians tend to get evasive, defensive or angry. Why is this?

This is not a characteristic that is exclusive to Christians, it is one that afflicts the vast majority of humanity which operates from the negative mind.

There are 3 functional minds, the negative, positive and neutral.

The negative is the fastest acting of the 3 and responsible for protecting, defending and of course...reacting.

That in a nutshell is that current state of the human condition, protective, defensive and reactive. Even now, as humans read this post, paradigms are being challenged and the gears of the negative mind are kicking in to question the validity of what I am writing.

As you transition through a lifetime of experiences, you attach to some experiences and avoid others so attachments and aversions shape your identity and when that identity is challenged or questioned the negative mind kicks in and works to preserve, protect and defend that identity regardless of it being false or neurotic and if you are really obnoxious, you react upon that subconscious impulse and get angry or go into aversion or whatever coping mechanism that has been integrated.

There is no reality, the mind creates it.

 

[bhsmte]

Who created you?

His parents?

 

[dysert]

Obviously it's easier to just make claim, upon claim, upon claim, and never have to answer criticism or skepticism, than to have to answer a question and have to justify and support that claim.

Unfortunately, the dialog inevitably crumbles because the Christian is expected to justify his/her position to the satisfaction of the questioner. If the questioner is an atheist, there will never be satisfaction. And, to support the claim, the questioner demands physical evidence which doesn't exist (or if it does exist, it's interpreted totally differently by the two parties).

 

[ToddNotTodd]

Unfortunately, the dialog inevitably crumbles because the Christian is expected to justify his/her position to the satisfaction of the questioner.

The necessity of justifying your position seems to be the way all human interaction occurs.