Why is Christianity so negative?

[SullivanZ]

I've been a Christian mostly my entire life. But I can't help but notice the more time passes, how negative and dreary Christianity is. A few points that have led me to this conclusion:

The over-emphasis on sin and the dark side of humanity. If taken to the extreme, it could potentially lead to some problems with one's self image.

The emphasis on death, blood, killing (in the Bible), sacrifices and other morbid things.

The downplay of anything good or positive in this world. Christians often forsake the beauty and goodness that this world has to offer, in hoping for the next.

Hellfire and brimstone teaching. God is always angry and ready to condemn people because "He is just", Christians say.

The arrogance and zeal of being religious. 'If you're not of MY particular brand of Christianity, you are going to hell, or at very least, in serious error and are a heretic.'

The condemnation of having money, of trying to have a good life, of desiring a family, a spouse or trying to do something worthwhile with your life. Dreams, in general, are bad, unless it directly involves the spreading of Christianity, it is taught.

The huge emphasis on suffering, trials and tribulations. No one said life is easy, but why would you intentionally TRY to make your life worse? 'It is foolish to suffer deliberately,' mental health professionals tell us.

The justification of religious violence, genocide, natural disasters (as punishments from God), etc.

Marriage and family is generally downplayed, while celibacy is exalted as a spiritual virtue.

Christians tend to neglect any good in their lives simply for 'spiritual' reasons. This world doesn't matter - ONLY eternity matters.

There's probably more, but that is what comes to me off the top of my head. I'm finding it difficult to really appreciate a faith that is so overtly focused on the negative aspects of life. It really seems like a half-empty religion, when I think about it.

 

[razeontherock]

1) G-d is showing you a better way!
2) There is not Scriptural support for the general mindset you put forward, except to recognize the seriousness of sin; which is where the blood comes in.
3) Regardless of the fact that Scripture itself blows most of your perceived problems out of the water, many here condemn "happy clappy" Churches. Meh.
4) Don't follow them, follow Jesus!
5) The Joy of the Lord is your strength! You know, that stuff that flows out of Love first? That would make it kinda an important Spiritual fruit, methinks ...

 

[Harry3142]

SullivanZ-

It's not Christianity itself that is negative. It's the attempt by some to use Christianity in order to gain for themselves power over others that creates a false negativity. In my decades as a Christian I have seen this used many times.

When have you seen God partrayed as a perpetually angry divinity by someone or some group without their also saying that it is only through accepting their laws and sublaws (which coincidentally benefit their leadership both in power and in wealth) that his wrath can be minimized? A favorite tactic of some churches on the radical fringe is to give lipservice to Christ and his work, only to stress that our salvation is still totally dependent on our keeping laws and commandments.

Of course, these laws and commancmnets either have been written by them through their own 'inspiration' or they have been attached to other laws and commandments as sublaws 'updating' those laws and commandments. However, in either case the end result is more profits for the leadership and total subservience to that leadership's true agenda by any and all who don't want to be excommunicated from that denomination or sect.

In other words, with them the end result desired is not enlightenment of others; it's absolute power for themselves over others. I even had one of their sects tell me that I had to stop reading Scripture and let them tell me what it really says or else I would be a lost soul.

So what you're seeing and reading from some is a sharing of spitirual ideas, but what you're seeing and reading from others is a well-choreographed attempt to 'pull' Christians into their sects where the Christians can be completely subjugated by their leadership and those who would help that leadership accomplish its true purposes.

Remember the old saying:

"Just because a mouse lives in a cookie jar doesn't make it a cookie."

Measure what you see and read by what you know to be in Scripture, and don't be in the least concerned about telling someone that you have rejected his spiel.

 

[New_Wineskin]

There's probably more, but that is what comes to me off the top of my head.

A good tip of the iceberg of the list to be sure .

I'm finding it difficult to really appreciate a faith that is so overtly focused on the negative aspects of life. It really seems like a half-empty religion, when I think about it.

It is a part of the tradition throughout the denominations . Focus on Jesus . Stay away from groups that don't focus on Him . It helps a lot . People like their traditions - don't expect them to change . You can help yourself by staying away from those people who bring you down .

 

[Noxot]

To be honest, this is a very confusing time for most people. But I know God is not the one with faults, it is >me< and the other souls that have the faults. All kinds of human vices I see, going left and going right, going into the fire and going into the water. It appears the only safe place is with God and yet we sometimes are like little lambs who are so very ignorant and follow after what appears to be the Shepherd but is in reality a thief.

I do not want a "religion". O! If only I would love Jesus (He is the Lord after all) with all of my mind, heart, soul and strength. Then I would no longer be in this mess... I see so many chains, and I have so many questions and there are so many opinions and voices.

Would an angel that follows Christ respond with something like "Why do you have such little faith? Do you not know that the time is at hand?"

edit: I feel dark and dreary when I do not abide in the light, however I want to experience reality and if the state I am in is a convoluted one, then I would rather know and feel that rather than put a veil over my eyes and pretend that everything is ok.

 

[martymonster]

That's what happens when You only see the letter instead of the spirit.

The spirit gives life and there is nothing negative about!

 

[Dorothea]

Christ is risen!! Rejoice!!

 

[bbbbbbb]

Christ is risen!! Rejoice!!

Amen. Death is conquered. O Death where is Thy sting? O Grave, where is Thy victory? Thanks be to God who gives us the victory! (I Cor. 15:55-57)

 

[sunlover1]

I've been a Christian mostly my entire life. But I can't help but notice the more time passes, how negative and dreary Christianity is. A few points that have led me to this conclusion:

The over-emphasis on sin and the dark side of humanity. If taken to the extreme, it could potentially lead to some problems with one's self image.

Well as far as "self" image, the most fruitful focus would be who we are in Christ.
We are made in the very image of God.
Yeah, we don't emphasis sin in my church.
Grace is the message, imo.

The emphasis on death, blood, killing (in the Bible), sacrifices and other morbid things.

Man is morbid if not regenerated I guess...

The downplay of anything good or positive in this world. Christians often forsake the beauty and goodness that this world has to offer, in hoping for the next.

Give us a break, we're too sheeplike (nice
way of saying dumb lol) But tbh, the Christian community is really dropping the ball. You're right there.

Hellfire and brimstone teaching. God is always angry and ready to condemn people because "He is just", Christians say.

Good luck with them guys. You want to see some real brotherly love,
tell them the truth of the gospel .. then duck and run lol.

The arrogance and zeal of being religious. 'If you're not of MY particular brand of Christianity, you are going to hell, or at very least, in serious error and are a heretic.'

Same as above, or better yet, just run

The condemnation of having money, of trying to have a good life, of desiring a family, a spouse or trying to do something worthwhile with your life. Dreams, in general, are bad, unless it directly involves the spreading of Christianity, it is taught.

IKR?!
Robot voice:
We do not smile, we are holy, you are bad, you have fun. God is not fun.
There is no time for fun! And God does not want you to have anything.
It would bless you. You may only be blessed by His presence alone!.. or
by sacrifice.. LOL

Too bad so many have a warped view of our Father.

The huge emphasis on suffering, trials and tribulations. No one said life is easy, but why would you intentionally TRY to make your life worse? 'It is foolish to suffer deliberately,' mental health professionals tell us.

Oh yeah, never mind that Jesus went about healing all who
were OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL".. folks will tell ya that God uses the devil
to beat ya down.. humble ya man.
(Last I knew God told US to humble ourselves.
And if humbling us is God's job, why arent we all humble?)

The justification of religious violence, genocide, natural disasters (as punishments from God), etc.

They havent rightly divide the word of truth?

Marriage and family is generally downplayed, while celibacy is exalted as a spiritual virtue.

God loves family. He said that He ordained marriage for the specific purpose
of godly offspring...
AND He did say that it's NOT GOOD for man to be alone.

Christians tend to neglect any good in their lives simply for 'spiritual' reasons. This world doesn't matter - ONLY eternity matters.

There's probably more, but that is what comes to me off the top of my head. I'm finding it difficult to really appreciate a faith that is so overtly focused on the negative aspects of life. It really seems like a half-empty religion, when I think about it.

[/QUOTE]
Keep it real.
But all we can do is what we can do.
So many have not studied as many of
us at GT do.
Out in the rest of the world though, we
have a lot of confusion and Jesus warned
us that it would be so.

 

[Deut 5:29]

Why is Christianity so negative?

It's not. You must not be involved in Jesus' Christiaity.

 

[hedrick]

Let me ask the OP something. Do you think Jesus, as we see him in the Gospels, is negative? I don't. So if you see Christianity that way, maybe that Christians you're hanging out with aren't doing a good job of representing Jesus.

Of course we will never go a perfect job of representing Jesus, but there's no reason to make him look negative.

My experience is completely different than yours, but that's because I grew up in mainline churches, Methodist and Presbyterian. Whatever you may think about them, their priority is to be faithful to Jesus' teachings. We certainly deal with sin, but it's not the consuming priority you talk about. I can pretty much guarantee that if any of the members of my current church read your posting they'd say "huh?"

Even among the more conservative churches, there are plenty that aren't centered on sin and death.

 

[wayseer]

I've been a Christian mostly my entire life. But I can't help but notice the more time passes, how negative and dreary Christianity is.

You could same the same thing about Islam and Judaism.

The over-emphasis on sin and the dark side of humanity. If taken to the extreme, it could potentially lead to some problems with one's self image.

Granted - which is why Buddhism treads the 'Middle' path.

The emphasis on death, blood, killing (in the Bible), sacrifices and other morbid things.

You live in a privileged part of the world and that position is clouding your thinking.

The downplay of anything good or positive in this world. Christians often forsake the beauty and goodness that this world has to offer, in hoping for the next.

I see no theological support for this assumption.

Hellfire and brimstone teaching. God is always angry and ready to condemn people because "He is just", Christians say.

Agreed - but the theist God of the OT is dead. Unfortunately many Christians like to think of themselves as 'one of the elite' and like to see others suffer.

The arrogance and zeal of being religious. 'If you're not of MY particular brand of Christianity, you are going to hell, or at very least, in serious error and are a heretic.'

See above.

The condemnation of having money, of trying to have a good life, of desiring a family, a spouse or trying to do something worthwhile with your life. Dreams, in general, are bad, unless it directly involves the spreading of Christianity, it is taught.

Not by Jesus. Change churches.

The huge emphasis on suffering, trials and tribulations. No one said life is easy, but why would you intentionally TRY to make your life worse? 'It is foolish to suffer deliberately,' mental health professionals tell us.

Mental health professionals and not alway right either. It is good to suffer - it is where we get our humanity from.

The justification of religious violence, genocide, natural disasters (as punishments from God), etc.

As I said, change churches.

Marriage and family is generally downplayed, while celibacy is exalted as a spiritual virtue.

Celibacy does not cause most of the world problems - marriage does.

Christians tend to neglect any good in their lives simply for 'spiritual' reasons. This world doesn't matter - ONLY eternity matters.

Another extreme - see 'Buddhism'.

There's probably more, but that is what comes to me off the top of my head. I'm finding it difficult to really appreciate a faith that is so overtly focused on the negative aspects of life. It really seems like a half-empty religion, when I think about it.

Change faiths.

 

[Kaitlin08]

Sullivan, have you thought about changing faiths?

 

[razeontherock]

the theist God of the OT is dead.

While other parts of the post this is snipped from are fine, this gets a "huh? And excuse me?"

 

[SullivanZ]

Sullivan, have you thought about changing faiths?

Perhaps.

What do you recommend?

 

[Kaitlin08]

Perhaps.

What do you recommend?

I don't think I should recommend anything, and I wouldn't know where to start. I can't tell much about your beliefs from this thread except that you're not a Christian.

 

[SullivanZ]

I don't think I should recommend anything, and I wouldn't know where to start. I can't tell much about your beliefs from this thread except that you're not a Christian.

Excuse me?

I think you'd be wrong. So you might want to try again, or stop entirely with the baseless assumptions, thanks.

You might want to refrain from insulting people on here.

And I think it's against the rules on this forum to question others if they are Christian.

 

[MKJ]

Hmm. I don't find Christianity negative. And I've tended to come from parish churches that did not gloss over the sin aspect of things. But after confession we have the Comforting words:

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him.

COME unto me all that labour and are heavy laden, and 1 will refresh you.

St Matthew 11. 28.​

God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

St John 3. 16.​

Hear also what Saint Paul saith.

This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

1 Timothy 1. 15.​

Hear also what Saint John saith.

If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins.

1 St John 2. 1, 2.​

and at the end of the Eucharist we still sing the Gloria:

GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

I just can't find it a downer.

 

[SullivanZ]

It's not. You must not be involved in Jesus' Christiaity.

Where does that leave the other 90% or so of Christians then?

 

[razeontherock]

Ironically, those numbers are about right. G-d has always had a remnant, usually the tenth ...