Why is Christianity so negative?

[SullivanZ]

You could same the same thing about Islam and Judaism.

I don't think Judaism is dark or negative.

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

True.

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

I don't think that excuses any of the things I listed in our places, however.

I see no theological support for this assumption.

Regardless, it is still commonly taught by Christians.

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.

Hmm.

See above.



Not by Jesus. Change churches.

I agree.

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

I disagree. Suffering is a negative thing.

As I said, change churches.

I am no longer a member of any church organization at this moment.

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

I don't agree there.

Another extreme - see 'Buddhism'.

Yes.

Change faiths.

To what?

 

[SullivanZ]

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

How ironic...

Maybe this is God's tithe then?

 

[razeontherock]

Bingo!

 

[Kaitlin08]

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.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Your beliefs right now just aren't Christian; it seems clear that you have a lot of important doubts.

 

[Kaitlin08]

I don't think Judaism is dark or negative.

To what?

But a lot of the things you mentioned in the OP are related to the Old Testament. You brought up death, blood, killing, zeal, and religious violence.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Your beliefs right now just aren't Christian; it seems clear that you have a lot of important doubts.

No doubts allowed when one is in Jesus

Matthew 21:21 Jesus answering said to them "verily I am saying to ye, if ever ye may be having Faith and no ye may be doubting/diakriqhte <1252> (5686),
not only the of the fig-tree ye shall be doing, but even-ever to this, the Mountain, ye may saying 'be being lifted up! and be being cast! into the sea' it shall be becoming"
[Galatian 4:24,25/Hebrew 12:18/Revelation 8:8]

Blue Letter Bible - Lexicon
Strong's Number G1252 matches the Greek &#948;&#953;&#945;&#954;&#961;&#8055;&#957;&#969; (diakrin&#333, which occurs 24 times in 18 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

 

[Jase]

But a lot of the things you mentioned in the OP are related to the Old Testament. You brought up death, blood, killing, zeal, and religious violence.

Most Jews don't take the Bible as literal as most Christians do. Yes, there was a lot of killing in the OT, because that's how those cultures acted back then. But Jews are more concerned about the here and now then the future, and they don't have that evil fire and brimstone eternal torment doctrine.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Originally Posted by Kaitlin08 But a lot of the things you mentioned in the OP are related to the Old Testament. You brought up death, blood, killing, zeal, and religious violence.

Most Jews don't take the Bible as literal as most Christians do. Yes, there was a lot of killing in the OT, because that's how those cultures acted back then. But Jews are more concerned about the here and now then the future, and they don't have that evil fire and brimstone eternal torment doctrine.

Most non-Christian Jews do not read the NT/NC of the Bible either

http://www.awitness.org/bible.html

Genocide and resurrection. Holy war as political propaganda on the pages of the Bible
Genocide and resurrection

Holy War as political propaganda in the Bible

 

[sunlover1]

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

Amen.

To what?

To just following where God leads you.
I live in an area of the country where the question is NEVER,
"are you a Christian" but always, "Hi, what church do you go
to?" There is literally at least one church on every corner.
And from what I have seen of churchianity it's as you describe.
But that's not CHRISianity... that's CHURCHianity...

If you look at Jesus (GOd) through the Scriptures ,
through the "mirror'(Jms 1) ... and it doesnt resemble
what you're seeing in the churches, watch and wait on God.
He'll send you to that place He has prepared for you!

Then a bit further down in James it shows what REALLY pleases God:
(side note is my own commentary)
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein
on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
(SN: you CAN deceive yourself.. and Some religion is worthless)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look
after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being
polluted by the world.

God has put His spirit in you,
has given you gifts and skills
to use in the body and can
and will direct you to that
very place He has JUST
for you. And it will be just
like Heaven!!!

 

[cubinity]

Christianity is so negative because we make it a higher priority to be "right" then to be effective.

 

[sunlover1]

Christianity is so negative because we make it a higher priority to be "right" then to be effective.

I think that's more prevalent here than IRL though,
don't you? I mean, I never have these debates with my
friends neighbors or relatives in real life lol.
They'd look at me and laugh

I thik that IRL, it's so negative because we try to "clean
people up" ... Rather than showing them the love of God
we show them a peek at it and then start working on
getting them all polished up lol.
(Like a catch em, clean em and cook em type of thing)
We really are pathetic when we do that!

 

[cubinity]

I think that's more prevalent here than IRL though,
don't you? I mean, I never have these debates with my
friends neighbors or relatives in real life lol.
They'd look at me and laugh

I thik that IRL, it's so negative because we try to "clean
people up" ... Rather than showing them the love of God
we show them a peek at it and then start working on
getting them all polished up lol.
(Like a catch em, clean em and cook em type of thing)
We really are pathetic when we do that!

You've got great friends and family, apparently.
I find CF way more tolerant and far less negative than the people in my real life.

 

[razeontherock]

I thik that IRL, it's so negative because we try to "clean
people up" ... Rather than showing them the love of God
we show them a peek at it and then start working on
getting them all polished up lol.
(Like a catch em, clean em and cook em type of thing)
We really are pathetic when we do that!

You sound like my first Pastor now. You'd better watch it, you know how women aren't supposed to preach

 

[Gnarwhal]

It's true, Christianity can definitely be negative. I've felt both sides of it. I know some Christians who lift up the bible higher than the one the bible lifts up. I know Christians who are so concerned about the notches on their spiritual belt that they utterly fail to take an active role in alleviating the pain and suffering in the world.

Although I will say, when I journeyed outside our comfortable borders here in America is when I saw some seriously authentic Christians. Especially in developing nations. That's pretty cliché, I know, but I've gotten to meet some folks abroad that live a wholly different yet entirely correct (IMO) Christianity. I came home feeling like I met more Christians outside this "Christian" nation than inside of it.

So that's all to say that I think if you're experiencing "negativity" within our faith, it's largely our culture I would guess. Which is no less sad and disappointing.

 

[Jase]

It's true, Christianity can definitely be negative. I've felt both sides of it. I know some Christians who lift up the bible higher than the one the bible lifts up. I know Christians who are so concerned about the notches on their spiritual belt that they utterly fail to take an active role in alleviating the pain and suffering in the world.

Although I will say, when I journeyed outside our comfortable borders here in America is when I saw some seriously authentic Christians. Especially in developing nations. That's pretty cliché, I know, but I've gotten to meet some folks abroad that live a wholly different yet entirely correct (IMO) Christianity. I came home feeling like I met more Christians outside this "Christian" nation than inside of it.

So that's all to say that I think if you're experiencing "negativity" within our faith, it's largely our culture I would guess. Which is no less sad and disappointing.

Unfortunately I agree with this notion (although I haven't had as much interaction outside this country). I believe the development of the fundamentalist movement over the last 100 years is largely the reason that Christianity is so frustrating in this country. Christians seem more concerned with attacking evolution, gays, and liberals, and exalting the Bible to idol status, than behaving like Christ. This is far less common outside the US since no other predominantly Christian nations have fundamentalism to our degree.

 

[Rick Otto]

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

Churchianity is negative, not Christanity.
A lot of Churchians say & actualy think they are being Christian.

 

[danipa68]

I think you should focus on Jesus' words and not others views of it. I have learned it's all about the relationship with Jesus Christ and His word. Spend time with Him and you will feel and hear His glory and positives He wants for your life.

 

[SullivanZ]

Unfortunately I agree with this notion (although I haven't had as much interaction outside this country). I believe the development of the fundamentalist movement over the last 100 years is largely the reason that Christianity is so frustrating in this country. Christians seem more concerned with attacking evolution, gays, and liberals, and exalting the Bible to idol status, than behaving like Christ. This is far less common outside the US since no other predominantly Christian nations have fundamentalism to our degree.

I completely agree!

 

[SullivanZ]

Churchianity is negative, not Christanity.
A lot of Churchians say & actualy think they are being Christian.

The problem is, however, when these Churchians or whatever you want to call them are standing up and proclaiming to represent the face of Christianity to the world, and everyone else. How else can we respond to their claims?

It's not as easy as just saying "They're not "true" Christians."

 

[SullivanZ]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Your beliefs right now just aren't Christian; it seems clear that you have a lot of important doubts.

How are my beliefs "not Christian"?

I have doubts simply because none of these negative aspects of this religion appeal to me. I'm not like that, so I don't think it's right for me. I feel that it simply pulls me down and doesn't resonate with who I am.