Why do some Christians act so hostile toward questions?

[Shiloh Raven]

It seems like often when doubters/agnostics/atheists present questions or problems to Christians, some get hostile. They say that they're trying to spread deceit, that they aren't true Christians, that doubting is dangerous, that they'll go to hell, etc.

Why do many seem so afraid to question their faith and threaten or guilt-trip those who do? The truth doesn't hide from questioning. If Christians are so confident of the Truth, why do they rebuke others for honestly questioning?

I have met some Christians who were not hostile when I asked questions, but I have met some who became cocky, spouting off scripture as if that would change anything. One of their favorite verses to hide behind was 1 Corinthians 2:14.

 

[JD16]

The bible makes the case that God is omniscient, all knowing. If that is true, then God knew before he created Adam and Eve (according to the creation story) that they would fall. He also knew he would punish them and punish the rest of mankind too.

Which really makes no sense for a omniscient creator to create imperfect beings, knowing that they would sin, and then punish the rest of mankind for it.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

Atheists can be dogmatic too though. Some of them think they have found the truth. "there is no God."

 

[Galatea]

That wouldn't be fair now would it? to punish someone because of the actions of others, regardless of what one might have done, the fact remains that you or any individual is not guilty until the crime has been committed....What you mention is collective guilt, and only brutal societies like North Korea practice it.

Alright, let's say that Adam and Eve sinned and had children. People the Earth. The salient question you must ask yourself is "Am I a sinner?". If you don't believe you are a sinner by nature and by choice- well Jesus isn't for you. He said He didn't come to the righteous. He came for sinners, he said He "came to call sinners to repentance".

 

[JD16]

Atheists can be dogmatic too though. Some of them think they have found the truth. "there is no God."

There are some like that I agree, but many are open to the possibility of a God or Gods,...just that the we don't see any reason/evidence for one at the current moment. Should it change in future, we are more then happy to reevaluate our position.

 

[Shiloh Raven]

Atheists can be dogmatic too though. Some of them think they have found the truth. "there is no God."

Well, I am not an atheist, because I believe in the Creator. I just no longer accept the Christian version of God or believe that the Christian path is the only spiritual path to God and the only spiritual truth.

 

[~Anastasia~]

At the risk of derailing the OP, the Christian faith does not actually teach that God punishes people for Adam's sin ... though some denominations might teach this, and growing misperceptions in the West's overly juridical interpretations seem to say this.

But even Catholics (the original Western Christians) say that we don't inherit guilt from Adam (the Catechism is usually explained that way by catechists.).


Adam, and as a result all mankind, came under the curse of death (we all die a physical death) because in sinning, Adam deliberately separated himself from the Source of Life. God said, "in the day you eat if it, you shall surely die". He did NOT say, "in the day you eat of it, I'm going to kill you." It's not God's punishment of sin. It's more akin to saying "in the day you drink poison, you're going to die".

But I don't want to derail the thread.

See, I WISH atheists or believers would ASK. There, I'm back on topic.

 

[JD16]

Alright, let's say that Adam and Eve sinned and had children. People the Earth. The salient question you must ask yourself is "Am I a sinner?". If you don't believe you are a sinner by nature and by choice- well Jesus isn't for you. He said He didn't come to the righteous. He came for sinners, he said He "came to call sinners to repentance".

I am more then willing to face the consequences of my own actions, what I find injust is inheriting the transgressions of my predecessors...that is the issue.

 

[Galatea]

I am more then willing to face the consequences of my own actions, what I find injust is inheriting the transgressions of my predecessors...that is the issue.

Don't worry about your predecessors. You have stated you want justice, not mercy. Then Jesus is not for you. He came for the sick, not the well. If you feel no need of a Saviour, then that is that. It is only people who recognize they need saving from something who will accept the Saviour.

If you want to be judged based on your good deeds in life, then you will be. Personally, I would rather take mercy than justice- but I know I am a sinner.

 

[Saucy]

You're not punished because of Adam's sin. When you get to Heaven, you'll have to account for your own. You made the choices that you did, as did I.

It's like a parent-child relationship. Do you hate your kid? NO! Do you let them learn things for themselves? Endure potentially painful experiences to help them grow and become better people? While things might not seem that fair to the kid, the parent knows what they're doing. God's not a sadistic being looking to get off on torture. He's not a cosmic killjoy trying to take away our fun.

If humans listened to God, here's how the world would be different:
-no STDs
-no murders
-no thefts
-no hunger
-no homelessness
-no single parents
-no obesity
-we'd get along better
-no racism

and on and on it goes. The world would be a much better place. I was raped as a young kid. Was that God doing it to me or was there some sick individual who committed that crime? I blame the individual. God gave us all free will and the freedom to make our own choices, so to act like it's God's fault if you get punished for something you did, because it's all in writing.

 

[JD16]

Don't worry about your predecessors. You have stated you want justice, not mercy. Then Jesus is not for you. He came for the sick, not the well. If you feel no need of a Saviour, then that is that. It is only people who recognize they need saving from something who will accept the Saviour.

If you want to be judged based on your good deeds in life, then you will be. Personally, I would rather take mercy than justice- but I know I am a sinner.

I understand where you are coming from, but it seems like you don't get my point. If I have 'sin' and should there be a God, all fine and dandy, I pay for my own transgressions. But if I was born with sin (original sin) ...that is inheriting the sins of my predecessors. It has nothing to do with accepting a saviour....

 

[Shiloh Raven]

I am more then willing to face the consequences of my own actions, what I find injust is inheriting the transgressions of my predecessors...that is the issue.

Another issue is being predestined and cursed to eternal damnation before I am even born (Calvinist version) or if I do not choose the Christian path to salvation, then I am told I will be eternally damned and separated from God, who is said to be loving and just (evangelical version). It is difficult to know which way is the 'truth' when they both claim to be the truth.

 

[Galatea]

I understand where you are coming from, but it seems like you don't get my point. If I have 'sin' and should there be a God, all fine and dandy, I pay for my own transgressions. But if I was born with sin (original sin) ...that is inheriting the sins of my predecessors. It has nothing to do with accepting a saviour....

Do you sin by choice?

 

[JD16]

Do you sin by choice?

I don't believe in sin as the definition of sin is a transgression against a deity, and as an Atheist, its obvious that I lack a belief in one. Am I perfect? Of course not, far from it. But whenever I fail, I learn from it and correct what I've done wrong, be it against someone, or society. But I don't see how is this addressing the concept of original sin, which is what I'm talking about...

 

[Galatea]

I don't believe in sin as the definition of sin is a transgression against a deity, and as an Atheist, its obvious that I lack a belief in one. Am I perfect, of course not, far from it. But whenever I fail, I learn from it and correct what I've done wrong, be it against someone, or society. But I don't see how is this addressing the concept of original sin, which is what I'm talking about...

So, if you don't believe in sin- why worry about original sin?

 

[JD16]

So, if you don't believe in sin- why worry about original sin?

I am able to discuss issues without accepting it as facts, I just find the concept unjust and would like to hear the opinions of others on this issue...

 

[Saucy]

I don't believe in sin as the definition of sin is a transgression against a deity, and as an Atheist, its obvious that I lack a belief in one. Am I perfect, of course not, far from it. But whenever I fail, I learn from it and correct what I've done wrong, be it against someone, or society. But I don't see how is this addressing the concept of original sin, which is what I'm talking about...

This is exactly the point though. We are called to admit mistakes and correct behavior.

 

[zippy2006]

I am more then willing to face the consequences of my own actions, what I find injust is inheriting the transgressions of my predecessors...that is the issue.

Original Sin is not the inheritance of transgressions, but the inheritance of a state of weakness. St. Augustine did seem to teach the inheritance of transgressions, but neither the Catholic nor Orthodox Church affirmed that part of his teaching. There may be certain Protestant bodies that hold such a thing.

 

[Galatea]

I am able to discuss issue without accepting it as facts, I just find the concept unjust and would like to hear the opinions of others on this issue...

I misunderstood. I thought you were worried about being a sinner by nature.

 

[Ygrene Imref]

Perhaps this~~~> Why do I face the consequences of Adam’s sin when I did not eat the fruit? and this~~~> If we are born in sin, how is it fair for God to judge us for our sin?

Then, if true (which I am inclined to believe,) why do people continue to have children knowing they will be at base "fallen"? Why do people bring them under the same curse without considering that/those people may be damned to hell?

I don't get that.