Are Christians too proud?

Originally posted by Digi
Right right, annoying Christians who are trying to save you or whatever are actually doing the "right" thing in their opinion. It's impossible for me to feel angry. Doesn't make it less annoying, of course, but it doesn't incite anger.

Kandy's initial comment was about the context of "I'll pray for you" more than the earnest intent, because it can indeed be snarky. Someone saying, "well, I'll pray for you" when I explain my atheism can be condescending. My great-aunt who prayed every day for months that I'd land a job in my field was nothing but endearing.

The "praying for someone's soul" thing is really confusing to me. I don't know why christians would tell anyone this. Who is qualified to tell what condition a person's soul is in other than themselves? So even if you were going to pray for someone elses soul, telling them is like saying " I'm positive you're screwed at the moment". It's a form of berating someone.

I know a couple of familys that are but that is not everyone.So I am going to say dont judge a book by its cover.

Originally posted by ADarksideJedi
I know a couple of familys that are but that is not everyone.So I am going to say dont judge a book by its cover.

Oh but many people do..

Originally posted by Deja~vu
Well I don't like being told that "I hope God does anything and everythng to you until you come back." It's like saying I hope all hell breaks loose in your life until you see the light again.

That's how I take it. Now if they want to pray good things about me then that's different.

It's my choice to believe as I like. I did believe as they did, but no longer do and everytime something goes wrong, they say, "It's because....." and "just come back to the church and everything will be fine."

I'm the sort of person that believes that there are power in words and energies, so no, I don't like people infringing and condemning me. I don't push myself on them or anyone else. "You don't even believe in god." I said, sure I do ( just not the same kind of thing) But I stopped arguing and just said, yes, yes, yes...blah blah...

okay are we done yet?

You guys seem to have a pretty twisted vision of what it means to pray for someone.

No one who is genuinely praying for you wishes you to come to harm in an attempt to change your mind. Granted, there may be some people who would do that, but that isn't an accurate representation of what it means to pray for someone. That's a minority.

Depends on the person, not the religion.

Originally posted by Digi
Heh.

Christians who are full of themselves are good at getting attention, just as {any group} of people who are full of themselves are good at it. I feel like in any group, this percentage of people roughly corresponds to the number of assholes in society...I doubt it's higher in any one group than another. I'll remain of that mind until I see actual evidence to support otherwise, not just anecdotal observations.

I'm being prayed for, incidentally. I always thank them. I'm sure it's cathartic for the pray-er, however useless it may be in affecting outcomes. It's either to make me Christian again or for me to get a full-time job doing something other than crap jobs. If they want to feel like God had a hand in it when I do get a job (which is a near statistical certainty given enough time and effort, both of which I've contributed), fine by me.

Originally posted by Tha C-Master
Pretty much, you have good people and idiots and every group, no matter race, religion, creed, etc.

And I do hope that more people are doing as Tac said and praying sincerely. IMO it's a personal thing that shouldn't be broadcast like a personal ability to do anything accept make requests.

Pride does taint things that would be considered good if not for it, like people. And like you said that does go for a lot of different groups, but when you narrow the groups down, some of them are more about being better than other people.

In my life I've listened to (cause preachers are everywhere, tv, radio etc...) some very condemning messages from the christian camp. Some (not all) seventh day adventists really feel that anyone who doesn't worship on Saturday is hellbound. The ones that do worship on Saturday are hellbound if they eat pork or shrimp.

That's a lot of people to feel sorry for and better off than if you believe that. That's just one of the many ways people use the Bible to pass judgement on others. I was hoping maybe other people have had better experiences.

From what I've seen out of zealous christians is a lot of advice about what you're doing wrong, even if you're a christian already. God forbid if you were not familiar with christianity! Christianity teaches not to judge anybody. So shouldn't more christians be humble personable people?

That was always my point. Christians are taught not to judge anyone, yet they do. I would always say, it's not my place to judge, it's gods.

Oh, and I was a SDA for a short time, so I know about the Hell bound Sabbath rejecting people that eat pork and heaven forbid that wonderful shell fish.

The statement I made above about all hell breaking loose until I came back was from a SDA member.
I was going to throw bacon at her house .... all over her door. I was going to mold it in 666 ....It is sticky, ya know? lol

Originally posted by Deja~vu
That was always my point. Christians are taught not to judge anyone, yet they do. I would always say, it's not my place to judge, it's gods.

Oh, and I was a SDA for a short time, so I know about the Hell bound Sabbath rejecting people that eat pork and heaven forbid that wonderful shell fish.

The statement I made above about all hell breaking loose until I came back was from a SDA member.
I was going to throw bacon at her house .... all over her door. I was going to mold it in 666 ....It is sticky, ya know? lol

I would've paid to see that.

Oh my, I wish you had done that Debbie.

Originally posted by The MISTER
Do you think there are good people in the KKK? They do mainly profess christianity. Perhaps some are there because of peer pressure. I can see that being a realistic possibility.

Bad example. C-Master's comment allowed for some "bad" in any religious group. Obviously the KKK is part of that, and I doubt anyone would condone their actions.

Originally posted by The MISTER
From what I've seen out of zealous christians is a lot of advice about what you're doing wrong, even if you're a christian already. God forbid if you were not familiar with christianity! Christianity teaches not to judge anybody. So shouldn't more christians be humble personable people?

But plenty are humble. Assholes exist in any cultural group. It's not surprising, nor an indictment of the religion.

Saying that too many proud people exist in religion is, to me, like saying there's too many proud people in life. Which is true, of course, but irrelevant to apply it only to one aspect of society.

I have lots of evil thoughts that I don't act on. 😈

Originally posted by Deja~vu
I have lots of evil thoughts that I don't act on. 😈

Maybe you should start acting on them. 👿 ... and taping it.

Originally posted by The MISTER
I want to know if most Christians that you meet act down to earth or high and mighty. And how has their behavior influenced ( if it has ) you?

In my personal experience, I've met many Christians who poo-pooed my choices and beliefs and pointed out my many hypocrisies...and

I've also met people of other faiths who have done the same, however: I've known Muslims to publicly act quite religious, and then come to our college parties to drink and do other things...so-called Buddhists who have their fair share of vices.

In my personal experience, I've had the displeasure of meeting quite a few Christians (including members of my family) who have poo-pooed my beliefs and choices and pointed out my many hypocrisies...and then gone on to be hypocritical and irreligious in front of me. One of the most widespread and ridiculous, in my experience, has been the use of contraceptives (the Pill, mostly) by Catholics.

That being said, I've met people from other faiths who have done the same: I've hung around with some Muslims who drank with us and did other, more illicit activities...and so-called Buddhists who have their fair share of vices.

I'd say it's more a universal, human thing, being full of pride - or simply being ***holes - as opposed to something you can typecast. It's easier when the group is in the majority, though, like Christians are where I live...

Originally posted by Digi
Oh my, I wish you had done that Debbie.

Bad example. C-Master's comment allowed for some "bad" in any religious group. Obviously the KKK is part of that, and I doubt anyone would condone their actions.

But plenty are humble. Assholes exist in any cultural group. It's not surprising, nor an indictment of the religion.

Saying that too many proud people exist in religion is, to me, like saying there's too many proud people in life. Which is true, of course, but irrelevant to apply it only to one aspect of society.

😂 I was just messing around! most terrorist groups claim some religion.

As strange as this may sound I've found atheists to be far less judgmental. Now you're an atheist so I'm sure you know what I mean. That's something I'd say is positive about that group, even if I don't agree with them 100% They're usually quite down to earth, and respectful of different types of people across the board.

Different groups do contain different personality types though. Do we have to wonder whether or not republicans contain more anti-islam members? Are more black people democrats? Which one is more likely to outlaw/legalize gambling? Certain groups appeal to different personality types I'm wondering if perhaps christians have become a group that appeals to people who think they're better than others.

Originally posted by The MISTER
😂 I was just messing around! most terrorist groups claim some religion.

As strange as this may sound I've found atheists to be far less judgmental. Now you're an atheist so I'm sure you know what I mean. That's something I'd say is positive about that group, even if I don't agree with them 100% They're usually quite down to earth, and respectful of different types of people across the board.

Different groups do contain different personality types though. Do we have to wonder whether or not republicans contain more anti-islam members? Are more black people democrats? Which one is more likely to outlaw/legalize gambling? Certain groups appeal to different personality types I'm wondering if perhaps christians have become a group that appeals to people who think they're better than others.

Well, ok, agreed partially. Republicans are a lot more likely to display xenophobic tendencies, and the other truisms apply as well. You may have a point here. I don't think it would hold true for Christians more than other religions though. Observations are, by their nature, anecdotal, and I don't know that we have the kind of evidence we'd need to begin to build a case for your point.

The atheists I know are d*cks, I'm like the only nice one in the bunch. But they don't bother displaying it to others like they're superior. I'd differentiate between atheists who are such as a result of rebelling against organized religion, and those who left for more personal or intellectual reasons. The former can be as condescending as you'll find, and are often the direct precursor to idiocy like angry youtube videos. The latter group is probably a bit more reasonable.

I always thought intellectual condescension toward other groups was a bit silly. A large portion of what you end up believing is a result of what you're exposed to, not intellect or cognitive ability. Now, condescension toward specific people, that I'm all for. I could make you a list, deplorable idiots to a man. But that's a different discussion.

fdog

Some are. Others aren't. It comes down to the individual, same as with everything.

It really depends on the person.

It's so hard to answer this question. I've writen a responce a few times now and it never seemed right.

In my life, yes, I have had come in contact with many "High and mighty" Christians. As-well as Atheists and Satanists. I've also known a few who are Wiccan but, the ones I know are... humble. (Couldn't think of a better word lol)

Then again I've come across whose who were... quite with their spirtuatilly and very pleasant people.

Also I saw when I was reading the topic about being prayed for. I (who claim no religion) do feel awkward when someone says that to me. I don't get upset or mad. It's just always been awkward. I say thank you and go on my way and it doesn't bug me but, there always an odd feeling i get right after someone says that to me. No matter the context. Maybe it's just the word "Pray" ... Hmm I never actually put alot of though toward why I get that feeling... Odd.

The funny thing is that if you belong to that group, you see everyone as pretty cool and they treat you the same. But once you leave the group then you re out-casted and talked about, looked down on and shunned. And you haven't changed at all, only your belief. You're still the same ol person.

*going to read some of Robert Greenes books* Yep. lol

Originally posted by alltoomany
Oh but many people do..

Yes they do it is easy to do and hard not to do.

Its funny because by their own doctrine they must be judgmental and Proud because it is left in their charge to save "BE FISHERS OF MEN" get the word out so people do not go to Hell. Arogant, close minded, Douchebags. Its all about faith. Again by its definition they cant know that Jesus is God you have to have faith. yet they say He is the only way.