What if not Christian? (relocation, move, live)

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by Skipstone

This is a board designed for helping people decide where to live, but some of the comments here bash Christians and have nothing whatsoever to do with helping anyone.

Accusations are being made strongly implying that Christians in general are intolerant.

I have to ask who is really intolerant here? Who has a snobbish or pushy attitude?

I don't think this thread is helping anyone in terms of what this board is really about.

Well, some of us have encountered quite a bit of Christian intolerance.....it exists....it's silly to pretend it doesn't. How common is it? Well, it depends on your viewpoint. There is another thread on this board that also deals with the topic....it's worth reading both.

I've not seen any posts that just bash Christianity....I have seen those that equate alternative religions with cults, but none that say that Christianity is a bad thing across the board. Acknowledging problems and issues is not the same as bashing.

[Skipstone]

Well, some of us have encountered quite a bit of Christian intolerance.....it exists....it's silly to pretend it doesn't. How common is it? Well, it depends on your viewpoint.

Well, some Christians have encountered quite a bit of intolerance from people of other persuasions as well. All people are human afterall. No one group is more perfect than another.

I think there is a great deal of stereotyping of Christians on this thread that is unnecessary and damaging. If people think this thread is helping Christians understand their situation better, think again. Sadly, the impression this thread is giving is one of bigotry and it serves to separate rather than to unite.

I'm originally from the South, but have lived in many different parts of the country the past two decades. I've lived in areas with lower populations of Christians that have much higher numbers of other persuasions. I've been in the "faith" minority before and I know what it feels like.

I was once in a special interest group where most of the people held to different belief systems. They initiated questioning me about my beliefs and when I said I'm a Christian - I was ostracized and gossiped about for the rest of the time I was with the group. I never once shared my faith with them by asking them to visit a church, to read a Bible or do anything else. They simply did not like me because I was a Christian.

People are human and make judgements no matter what persuasion they hold to. We're seeing it on this thread in many of the posts.

I'll answer the question the person who started this thread asked:

If someone of a different persuasion moves to any place on the earth where there are differences, then the new person moving is wise to respect the differences of others and expect that some people may feel uncomfortable at first. Some will be welcoming while others won't be. Some will have prejudices and others won't. But if the newcomer appreciates others as he himself hopes to be appreciated - he will draw others closer. It's that way throughout the world.

So folks, we can rangle and make a snit about how nasty Christians are and imply it's really tough for people moving in, but the truth is that humans are humans and no one group or region has the market on kindness towards others.

To imply that all conservative fundamentalist Christians or what have you - are judgemental is simply unfair stereotyping. Christians live all over America and throughout the world. They enjoy other people. My church has lots of black folks attending and last week a black man was given the podium to speak about Martin Luther King. And RaleighRob - we're some of those nasty fundamentalists who don't like differences, right?

My experience has been that people of any persuasion can be judgmental.

Want evidence of that? Here's an interesting piece written by a Jewish rabbi on the subject: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=53748

All this thread is doing is to divide people on this board and stereotype people unfairly.

It's going on and on and on like a bad soap opera, but some people enjoy soaps.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by Skipstone

I think there is a great deal of stereotyping of Christians on this thread that is unnecessary and damaging. If people think this thread is helping Christians understand their situation better, think again. .

Funny...but I've seen people sharing their experiences.

Originally Posted by Skipstone

I'm originally from the South, but have lived in many different parts of the country the past two decades. I've lived in areas with lower populations of Christians that have much higher numbers of other persuasions. I've been in the "faith" minority before and I know what it feels like.

I am sure as a Christian used to being in the majority that was a new experience for you...welcome to the club...it's not always pretty. But I do like how you can turn that common ground into something against non-Christians.

Originally Posted by Skipstone

I was once in a special interest group where most of the people held to different belief systems. They initiated questioning me about my beliefs and when I said I'm a Christian - I was ostracized and gossiped about for the rest of the time I was with the group.

Yes, other folks of other religions can be just as judgemental. It's human nature. but you know, if you keep encountering folks that think you are intolerant...maybe you should look at your behavior. Sorry, but being a Christian doesn't make you automatically a 'good person' and there is no reason for you to expect to be treated as such.

In fact, due the experience many of us have had, being a Christian is a cause for caution. (No one wants to hit their head on the wall time and time again with no resolution.) Maybe you should ask yourself what is going on within your belief system is causing this opinion to be common place? (And please, don't blame 'Satan' - it's a non-answer and very cliche.)

I am sorry, but I don't mention my religious beliefs to anyone unless there is a reason to (as in this thread)....but I've learned time and time again if one of the first things out of some one's mouth is what religion the are part of....there isn't much room for anyone else to have a different viewpoint.

Originally Posted by Skipstone

If someone of a different persuasion moves to any place on the earth where there are differences, then the new person moving is wise to respect the differences of others and expect that some people may feel uncomfortable at first. But if the newcomer appreciates others as he himself hopes to be appreciated - he will draw others closer. It's that way throughout the world.

LOL...a newcomer to the area can have the best attitude in the world towards all others, but if others in the neighborhood are screaming bigots against anyone that doesn't attend their church...then all the great and welcoming attitude isn't going to do them a darn bit of good. We've been there, done that.

Originally Posted by Skipstone

So folks, we can rangle and make a snit about how nasty Christians are and imply it's really tough for people moving in, but the truth is that humans are humans and no one group or region has the market on kindness towards others.

When there are Christian churches are every street corner, when every politician proclaims how Christians they are, when even criminals on trial say they are good Christians to get mercy - all the while claiming they are the bastion of morality and love towards others, well it does make it hard to swallow when that don't hold the same beliefs as this group are vilified as evil and immoral.

Originally Posted by Skipstone

To imply that all conservative fundamentalist Christians or what have you - are judgemental is simply unfair stereotyping. Christians live all over America and throughout the world.

It's only unfair if if there is nothing to back up the statements.

Originally Posted by Skipstone

They enjoy other people. My church has lots of black folks attending and last week a black man was given the podium to speak about Martin Luther King. And RaleighRob - we're some of those nasty fundamentalists who don't like differences, right?

So you invite African Americans Christians once a year to speak and this makes you tolerant? Notice, they already have the same religious beliefs as your (Christian) no matter their race. It's non-sequitur. Talk about having a Muslim, Buddhist or Jewish person show up on your church podium....then you may be on to something.

Originally Posted by Skipstone

All this thread is doing is to divide people on this board and stereotype people unfairly.

Then again, some of us view it as being honest about our experience, even though some (note the use of the word 'some' not all) Christians take all honest criticism as 'bashing' and seek to silence it.

Originally Posted by Skipstone

It's going on and on and on like a bad soap opera, but some people enjoy soaps.

Et tu? Pot, meet Kettle.

[spunky1]

Originally Posted by Skipstone

This is a board designed for helping people decide where to live, but some of the comments here bash Christians and have nothing whatsoever to do with helping anyone.

Accusations are being made strongly implying that Christians in general are intolerant.

I have to ask who is really intolerant here? Who has a snobbish or pushy attitude?

I don't think this thread is helping anyone in terms of what this board is really about.

I agree completelyl, I can't believe this particular thread is still going. Somebody needs to put it to rest, and quick! Interesting, that if the intolerance you speak of was directed at any group besides Christians, it would not be tolerated and the ones with this attitudes would be called out. This thread is way off topic regarding whether non christians are accepted in NC, and if that would assist someone in deciding to relocate there. I think it is fairly obvious that they are certainly welcome, hey we do still live in the U.S. I think some folks just enjoy stiring up controversy. . .

[Ms.Charlotte]

I agree! I thought the thread was going in a more civil direction, but I was wrong. Some people just want to paint an ugly picture. No amount of discussion is going to change their views.

Desdemona, you say if people keep calling Christians intolerant, maybe we should look at our own behavior. Likewise, if you keep being treated so horribly, in ways most cannot relate to (people screaming on your front lawn??) perhaps you should examine your attitudes about Christianity and how you may be coming across to people.

Remember, you thought a fish sticker on a store window was offensive.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by Ms.Charlotte

I agree! I thought the thread was going in a more civil direction, but I was wrong. Some people just want to paint an ugly picture. No amount of discussion is going to change their views.

Desdemona, you say if people keep calling Christians intolerant, maybe we should look at our own behavior. Likewise, if you keep being treated so horribly, in ways most cannot relate to (people screaming on your front lawn??) perhaps you should examine your attitudes about Christianity and how you may be coming across to people.

Remember, you thought a fish sticker on a store window was offensive.

I never thought a fish sticker was offensive. Please review that other thread. It does however point to a mindset that isn't common in any other areas.

And remember I have plenty of friends that are Christian...but even they have to admit that there is intolerance in many cases to towards non-Christians within their community. (And the woman screaming on my frount lawn - I had never spoken to her before that day....she talked to one other family that I choose not to have any dealings with in the neighborhood (for a variety of reasons, religon not even entering my mind (their oldest boy is a bully and drug dealer was the biggest one) - and she freaked out when they told her I was non-Christian...that was the extent of my exchange with her.)

In this thread someone made a comment if there is room for alternative religions it is the same as negative cults (even though 3 of their 4 examples were actually Christian offshoots!) Why can't that attitude be addressed?

[Ms.Charlotte]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

I believe that to....but you have to be prepared to hear other people say (for example) that they still believe the Jews killed Jesus and not to use Jewish owned businesses. (Many Christian owned companies advertise the fact and use and ichthus, (that little fish symbol) on their store windows and cars.

So, "that little fish symbol" in your opinion, is a sign of intolerance and bigotry. You yourself used it as an example to say that Christians boycott Jewish businesses.

I can bet my life you're not nearly as offended when a gay business owner displays a rainbow in his or her window? Does that mean he or she won't do business with a heterosexual? Of course not! But Christians, oh no, we must not be proud of who we are! Let's hide the fact lest we offend an atheist!

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by Ms.Charlotte

So, "that little fish symbol" in your opinion, is a sign of intolerance and bigotry. You yourself used it as an example to say that Christians boycott Jewish businesses.

I can bet my life you're not nearly as offended when a gay business owner displays a rainbow in his or her window? Does that mean he or she won't do business with a heterosexual? Of course not! But Christians, oh no, we must not be proud of who we are! Let's hide the fact lest we offend an atheist!

You are misreading what I wrote (purposefully or not, I hope not), or I wrote it unclearly. I apologize if the later is the case.

I was not drawing the conclusion that Christians use the ichthus to say they won't do business with Jews (not sure how you came to believe that), but as an example of how Christians do advertise their religion as part of their businesses, which is unheard of for the many other areas.

This was mentioned in the context (great 'proof texting though) of how someone would know what religion a business owner was.

Heck, where I get my nails done is heavily advertises itself as a 'Christian company'. I like the man who does my nails so I go there. (Other then the ichthus in the window and a mention on their website, they also don't have other religious tracts that I've noticed around....I might not go if they really pushed it heavily on others.)

And to be honest, you Rainbow flag analogy breaks down...because it wouldn't be those business owners that would refuse to do business with others different then they are, but it would be certain others that would refuse to do business with them!

[Ms.Charlotte]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

And to be honest, you Rainbow flag analogy breaks down...because it wouldn't be those business owners that would refuse to do business with others different then they are, but it would be certain others that would refuse to do business with them!

Spin it any way you'd like. My comment is to say this. The rainbow flag is displayed for a reason. To show that a gay clientele is warmly accepted. The ichthus is displayed for the same reason. To show that Christians are warmly accepted. Nothing more, nothing less.

If a person chose not to do business with a gay business owner, a Jewish business owner, or a Christian business owner-well that's just a shame any way you look at it.

You have your views and nothing I, or anyone else says will change that. There is good and bad everywhere and I pray that you meet more "good" in the future.

All the best to you.

[Teressah]

Originally Posted by Skipstone

This is a board designed for helping people decide where to live, but some of the comments here bash Christians and have nothing whatsoever to do with helping anyone.

Accusations are being made strongly implying that Christians in general are intolerant.

I have to ask who is really intolerant here? Who has a snobbish or pushy attitude?

I don't think this thread is helping anyone in terms of what this board is really about.

That's funny, I haven't seen that at all.

This board has helped me greatly. If I thought there was a lot of ignorance and intolerance towards other religions besides Christianity I wouldn't, couldn't move to that place, and I thank everyone on this board for being honest.