I was actually inspired to write this because of another blog I read recently. I'm going to take it in a bit of a different direction, though:
I, myself, am Christian, but do not believe in different denominations. I believe that Christianity is about following the teachings of Jesus Christ, and I think there is a lot of "our way is better" bullshit in religion today. Denominations are like the cliques of religion. Even people following the same belief system must argue with one another because they think that their way is the only way.
The thing that agitates me the most though is how a lot of people who do call themselves Christians don't act like it. It is one thing to stand up for your beliefs and announce your faith, everyone should do that; but by doing so, you are held to certain expectations, not only by the world, but most importantly, by God. I can not stand to watch someone say they're Christian and then go judging and condemning everyone around them because they are "sinning." Okay, last time I checked, we are ALL sinners...but that is between ourselves and God.
nd although as a Christian, I disagree with certain things, that doesn't mean that I am going to go around telling everyone what they're doing wrong. I think the biggest issue with this today is the debate on homosexuality. I do not condone homosexuality, and I personally don't agree with it. But that is my personal belief, and I would never judge anyone or make anyone feel inferior for being gay. It is not my plae to judge anyone; that is between that perosn and God only. I believe that as a Christian (and just as a decent human being in general) that it is my responsibility to care for people for being themselves, not for what they do or what they believe in. I believe in making everyone's time here on this planet the best it can possibly be. They are responsible for answering to God for their sins, and that is their personal business. And this is not just about people who are gay, I simply used that as an example. This goes for anything that people do or believe in.
I believe that the main reason so many people stray away from Christianity or say that they've had "a bad experience" with it is because of the people they have encountered. I absolutely can not stand when people say they are Christian and act completely barbaric. The people that walk up to someone and say "I'm a Christian" and then proceed to tell that person that everything they do is a sin and that they are going hell are only hurting the image of Christianity. One of the main points of being a Christian is to not judge or condemn people...that is God's job, not ours!
It is unfortunate that Christianity continues to develop a less than desirable reputation, but that is because of it's so-called followers that only want to say they are Christian so they can act better than everyone else.
I encourage everyone to decide for themselves...the REAL Christian belief is to love everyone and NOT go around judging everybody. There are still people out there that do it the right way and who will not preach to you. There is a time and place for everyone to talk about religion when they are ready. But you can't force it on anyone.
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That is why many Christians have the reputation of being hypocrites. I will use the issues of gays as well. People will go around talking about how much they hate the gays, homosexuals, and so forth. They will rant and rave how they are destroying society and true marriage and so forth. YET, Christians are supposed to hate the sin but LOVE the sinner. I think being an anti-gay Christian isn't very loving at all. Sins are equal in God's eyes anyway so how are they different than any other sinner.
It's funny how Christians are willing to shine limelight on the fact that gay marriage is destroying the "sanctity" of marriage, yet don't shed that same light on those who get divorced left and right or cheat on their spouse.
I agree with you 100 percent on that. It really is upsetting to see people making others feel inferior because of their lifestyle. Nobody has to agree with it, but (and ESPECIALLY if you are a Christian) as human beings, we should support one another instead of throwing stones.
Life's hard enough as it is. And I don't think God approves of his followers placing judgement on others. That's His job, not ours.
"Say something that you know they might attack you for." - Linkin Park
i loved your post. i feel that i am one of those "straying christians" and just as you said, its because of the people that give christianity a bad name. the people who preach and judge and dont act christian whatsoever, but have the most to say about what being a good christian is. i 100% agree with your statement: "But that is my personal belief, and I would never judge anyone or make anyone feel inferior for being gay. It is not my plae to judge anyone; that is between that perosn and God only. I believe that as a Christian (and just as a decent human being in general) that it is my responsibility to care for people for being themselves, not for what they do or what they believe in."
Thanks for your response.
I hope that since you feel that you are straying away from Christianity, that you can find the happy medium with it that I have, because once you are able to look past a lot of the negativity created by its "followers" you can gain a lot of great faith from it. So hopefully you will be able to stand strong as yourself and maybe give Christianity the good name it used to have.
"Say something that you know they might attack you for." - Linkin Park
People leave the christian religion for a great many reasons. Some of us left because we had an unreconcilable philosophical objection to some of the basic tenets of the religion.
I have blogged on my reasons for leaving the faith before:
Why I can't be a christian.
percivale
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"Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici." ~ V.
Of course my statements and observations are not the only factor in why people leave Christianity, and other religions as well...
This is just what I feel most strongly about and what I have noticed personally. I have talked to a lot of different people over the years, and the majority of them who are no longer Christians say it is because they had previous bad experiences with the people who call themselves Christians or with the church, etc. I just think it is sad that Christianity has developed such a wrong reputation over the years, which does have a lot to do with its "followers."
"Say something that you know they might attack you for." - Linkin Park
> I have talked to a lot of different people over
> the years, and the majority of them who are no
> longer Christians say it is because they had
> previous bad experiences with the people who
> call themselves Christians or with the church, etc.
I don't doubt that a bad experience with other christians is often the beginning of many ex-christian's disaffectation with their former religion, but in my experience it seems that bad experiences alone tend merely to turn sectarian christians into non-denominational--apathetic perhaps,but still undeniably christian--theists. Those who actually take the further step out of the faith entirely, and into another or even into none at all seem to me to be expressing a more (if you will pardon the pun) fundamental disagreement with the core beliefs and philosophies behind the christian religion.
> I just think it is sad that Christianity has
> developed such a wrong reputation over
> the years, which does have a lot to do with
> its "followers."
Actually, that reputation has everything to do with the followers of christianity, who have a long history of en masse support for some of the most inhumane periods in Western History. From the fires of the Inquisition to the ignorant bigotry and of the modern Religious Right; from the Divine Right of Kings to mass movement among modern fundamentalist to undermine the Separation of Church and State in this country; your religion is definitely its own worst public relations agent.
percivale
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"Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici." ~ V.
Whether or not it's the only reason, it's typically the reason people give for leaving the Christian religion. I think a lot of it does have to do with a fundamental disagreement with the things they were taught, at least. This goes double for the ones who see the hypocrisies in their own church's council.
I like the way a friend of mine put her feelings about Christianity: "I love the man [Jesus], but hate the fan club."
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
I think it's sad that many people stray from Christianity because they think Christians are too jugdemental and not accepting enough. I know that as Christians we are supposed to "love our neighbor" and not judge so these people who feel like they had a bad experiance must have had too many encounters with not very "good" christians.
vee