Respect

[Destructus86]

I’ve been noticing a disturbing trend in recent years and that is of a growing hostility towards Christians in the US. And I don’t mean the loud mouthed hate mongers that stand around with signs or the deceptive political activists who seek only their own agenda forced onto others. It seems the hostility is aimed at Christians as a whole, even the majority who sacrifice their time and money to help others and live selflessly. The more I read the news the more hostility I’ve seen increase. This strong hatred among the general populace has increased each year.

I myself have not experienced this, but it seems those that live on the East Coast have really encounter it quite frequently. I believe as a country that believes in freedom that we should accept all peoples, no matter faith or believe or lifestyle. And by accept I do not mean to say that you must believe what they believe or live how they live. No, acceptance is not a matter of compromising yourself but of a general respect for another human being as all people should have.

The next time you see a crazy person yelling and ranting or even frothing at the mouth as they spout a message fueled by anger remind yourself of one thing: That person does not reflect the whole. But also remind yourself that acceptance is not compromise, it is not a requirement to believe and support their agenda no matter what it may be, it merely means you respect them as a person and that they have made choices you may not agree with but still require the same love, compassion and honor we all deserve as a people.

This goes for any belief and anyone.

 

[Teelie]

Criticism =/= hatred or hostility and I've seen plenty of criticism over the way the most vocal Christians have been opinionating themselves in public. Most of the time it's well-deserved criticism and calling out on hypocritical beliefs, comments or justifications but this is going to turn ugly, quickly and I want no part of that. Christians are the IMO, quickest to declare anything an attack on them, and that's something when there are so many other, genuine issues they could be dealing with.

 

[DarkSentinel]

Tis a two way street indeed. Nice post, Destructus

 

[redhawk23]

There's a difference between questioning the long standing hegemony of the dominant group and needless hostility or prejudice.

 

[Feenix]

I’ve been noticing a disturbing trend in recent years and that is of a growing hostility towards Christians in the US. And I don’t mean the loud mouthed hate mongers that stand around with signs or the deceptive political activists who seek only their own agenda forced onto others. It seems the hostility is aimed at Christians as a whole, even the majority who sacrifice their time and money to help others and live selflessly. The more I read the news the more hostility I’ve seen increase. This strong hatred among the general populace has increased each year.

I myself have not experienced this, but it seems those that live on the East Coast have really encounter it quite frequently. I believe as a country that believes in freedom that we should accept all peoples, no matter faith or believe or lifestyle. And by accept I do not mean to say that you must believe what they believe or live how they live. No, acceptance is not a matter of compromising yourself but of a general respect for another human being as all people should have.

The next time you see a crazy person yelling and ranting or even frothing at the mouth as they spout a message fueled by anger remind yourself of one thing: That person does not reflect the whole. But also remind yourself that acceptance is not compromise, it is not a requirement to believe and support their agenda no matter what it may be, it merely means you respect them as a person and that they have made choices you may not agree with but still require the same love, compassion and honor we all deserve as a people.

This goes for any belief and anyone.

How would someone know who is a Christian unless they spout it off? I've noticed a disturbing trend of the religious running the non-religious out of small towns across the States solely because they don't believe in god (or the "right" god). Gays are bullied to death (either by violence or suicide), Muslims are hated across the board and discriminated against, atheists have a hard time holding any sort of public office, people's businesses are vandalized because their son or daughter doesn't believe in god, kids receive death threats because they don't want to pray before a school assembly or a sporting event, abortion clinics are protested and bombed, funerals are picketed, etc etc.

I like you, Destructus, but I think you're seeing things way too one-sided. Christians have held so much power in the States for so long and they persecuted the non-religious for hundreds of years. I'm glad that people are getting angry now, it means that the times are changing (for the better).

 

[DarkSentinel]

He's talking about mutual respect for one another, not the "hegemony of a dominant group" though. It seems to me that he's just fed up with the petty spitefulness on both sides. And I agree with him.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Respect is not the same as submission. It seems most Christians are angry that all religions are being placed on an equal plane to theirs, instead of Christianity allowed to continue its traditional dominance, as it has in America. They freak out when someone says "happy holidays" rather than "merry christmas." Well sorry bub, times are changing. I'm Jewish, but I don't get incensed if someone doesn't say "happy Hanukkah" lol

Honestly I don't think this is only due to minorities getting larger (although that's a big part of it). It's also a backlash to how much influence Christianity has been used as a political tool the past few decades. Most people don't hate Christians unless Christians start dictating how they should live their lives and pass laws that are hostile towards them. Gays don't like being told they're going to hell for who they choose to marry anymore than you want Sharia law dictating how you should live.

EDIT: I also find a bit of irony in the fact that while you lament people being hostile towards Christians as a whole, you generalize everyone on the east coast as being hostile. Some of the tightest-knit Catholic communities in the world can be found in New England.

 

[NickNitro]

These are the "radical" Christians like OP was trying to point out.

The reason radical Christians are soo well known is because of the media. Morons at FOX News and the hardcore Right Wing party, as well as the infamous Western Baptist Church are a small portion of one of the largest religions in the world. The war on Christmas in more important to them than the war on hunger or poverty. It's these clowns that get hours of media coverage on TV that give a bad name to the normal, everyday Christians. Just like the suicide bombers of Muslim faith give a bad rep to the normal, everyday Muslims.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Having actually been to countries where Christians are persecuted, I really can’t help but roll my eyes at this.

Assuming you live in America, you are the general populace. Most Americans are Christians.

They may not be as outspoken about it as some people on this board, but they go to church (even if only a few times a year), believe in the basic tenants of Christianity, and believe in God.

The only hostility is towards zealotry, like the people who want to force others to pledge to their god in the pledge of allegiance and the people who want to teach creationism in schools even though it is an obvious violation of separation of church and state.

 

[TheBat812]

He's talking about mutual respect for one another, not the "hegemony of a dominant group" though. It seems to me that he's just fed up with the petty spitefulness on both sides. And I agree with him.

I don't know of many widespread incidents of people just attacking Christian views and values for the hell of it. It's usually in reaction to intolerant bigotry displayed by Christians that directly impacts other peoples lives (gay marriage, abortion, etc).

I agree with the sentiment that all should be treated equally as long as their beliefs don't negatively impact lives of others

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Having actually been to countries where Christians are persecuted, I really can’t help but roll my eyes at this.

This. If you want perspective, visit Egypt where Coptic Christians are routinely slaughtered by Islamic extremists. They will tell the OP a thing or two about religious intolerance.

 

[Human Torch]

This forum alone is proof of the intolerance and general disdain Christianity is routinely subjected to.People here have responded to Christians and their cherished beliefs with mockery and arrogant condescension.How is that the "respect" the OP was asking for?

The bottom line is a lot of Christians go about their lives,looking the other way.Smiling through clenched teeth saying to themselves "Oh well,that's just the way it is."

But then there are some of us that say "Hold on a minute.Why should I allow the beliefs I have and hold dear be allowed to be a punchline for people that wouldn't know the Bible if they dropped it on their foot?"And,not being content to just "go along to get along",try to set the record straight.

 

[Warhammer]

If there is one thing I hate, it is smugness/condescension and jokes. Not only is that related to atheists vs Christians (BOTH sides) but also to any other religion, political affiliation/view, or ethical stances as well. It pisses me off beyond words for the simple fact that it's unnecessary. Many people (on these boards or life, in general) blur the lines between a civil argument and rebuke. Does being condescending somehow make a point of view more sound? Like I said, it's unnecessary.

Also, I'll be lenient and give this thread three or four pages before somebody starts some s***.

 

[Feenix]

This forum alone is proof of the intolerance and general disdain Christianity is routinely subjected to.People here have responded to Christians and their cherished beliefs with mockery and arrogant condensation.How is that the "respect" the OP was asking for?

The bottom line is a lot of Christians go about their lives,looking the other way.Smiling through clenched teeth saying to themselves "Oh well,that's just the way it is."

But then there are some of us that say "Hold on a minute.Why should I allow the beliefs I have and hold dear be allowed to be a punchline for people that wouldn't know the Bible if they dropped it on their foot?"And,not being content to just "go along to get along",try to set the record straight.

Welcome to our world. You don't think this was a problem for atheists and people of other beliefs?

I don't see how you can think that fighting for rights and equality means disrespecting your religion. We don't all follow the same one (or even have one), why should that mean we have to follow your traditions? If someone doesn't want to pray before a football game, they shouldn't have to. And when they don't, they shouldn't be bombarded with death threats.

You should extend the courtesy you expect from others to others. You can't expect people to respect your religion when you openly try to discredit theirs. This "mockery" you speak of wouldn't be happening if Christians had just lived their own lives and stopped poking their noses into other people's. This has become an issue because you made it one.

 

[Soapy]

 

[Human Torch]

 

[Black Narcissus]

I thought this thread was about my body of work.

 

[Human Torch]

I thought this thread was about my body of work.

I respect you,Sam.t:

 

[Hal_Jordan]

I've seen this argument far fewer times than the one in the other illustration.

And in this one, no one is actually being oppressed, or having their rights taken away.

 

[Feenix]

Plus, the capitalization is horrible and "principle" is spelled wrong.


It really makes me shake my head at these stupid "scenarios" when the person writing the text on them can't be bothered to capitalize or spell things properly (or write out "your"). This scenario is also ridiculous because the religious person would never act so calm and rational. They wouldn't walk away from this "argument."

Also, Saint Thomas Aquinas was a philosopher, not a scientist. It makes a big difference when we talk about things on a scientific level. His "theories" could never be put in practice, they are just words.

 

[Soapy]

Very few things bother me quite like Christians portraying themselves as some kind of humble underdog who's being oppressed. Especially in the United States of all places. Give me a ****ing break.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

Very few things bother me quite like Christians portraying themselves as some kind of humble underdog who's being oppressed. Especially in the United States of all places. Give me a ****ing break.

Exactly, I read some of he posts in this thread and all I can think of of is this:

[YT]-2XwzmQbuTw[/YT]

 

[Human Torch]

Very few things bother me quite like Christians portraying themselves as some kind of humble underdog who's being oppressed. Especially in the United States of all places. Give me a ****ing break.

You're broad brushing the whole of Christianity due to a small extremist fringe.It goes on all the time.

 

[Thundercrack85]

You're broad brushing the whole of Christianity due to a small extremist fringe.It goes on all the time.

Well you guys are the most outspoken.

If every Christian acted like... I don't know, let's say... my old neighbor, who never made a big deal about it, didn't want to force it on others, and respected other's right to believe what they wanted, etc; this wouldn't be an issue.

But one group ruins it for everyone.

 

[Soapy]

You're broad brushing the whole of Christianity due to a small extremist fringe.It goes on all the time.

Except I'm really not though. I live in a very conservative part of the United States that is obviously full of very religious people. My view of Christians isn't based on the Westboro Baptist Church or how they're portrayed in the Liberal Media™, it's based entirely on the everyday people I've been surrounded by my entire life.