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It's inspired by the Muslim thread. I'm aware many people have problems with Christians and it was a groping attempt to figure which general direction those problems come from. Although the option of having no problems is here and at the atheist one.
The two are worded a bit differently, but I meant to make them basically equivalent. As I'm Catholic possibly there is a bias in the two that I don't detect, meaning maybe I'm making problems people have with Christians sound more unreasonable or petty, but I did the best I could to avoid that.
Overall I have no problems with Christians and for the vast majority I would say to continue as they are.
For the small number, I have issues with, my simple answer is for them to do exactly what they are asking us Muslims to do.
I also wish they would accept the fact we are not a centrally organised religion, we have no ordained clergy and no church leaders in the sense Christianity has leaders. No one person or group speaks for all Muslims. for them to understand what all Muslims believe they only need to understand our 5 pillars of Faith and 7 Fundementals of Islam. Anything else any of us express is personal opinion or culture, not Islam.
What I am about to say does not apply to all Christians, but these are things that I would like done differently by the Christians who do them.
1) Would let homosexuals get married and quit making gays feel bad about themselves.
2) Would quit trying to force Creationism/Intelligent Design into our children's classrooms.
3) Would encourage their kids to use protection if they are going to engage in sex.
4) Would be open to voting for a non-religious candidate if they were best for the job.
5) Would not re-write American history.
6) Would recognize that non-Christians can be very moral and lovely people.
Yeah, that about covers it for me as well.
I'd add that I didn't put down "never mix faith and politics" because I do believe that faith can be a great addition to politics, when it encourages the believer to be kinder, more compassionate, and to work for justice. However when it takes on a more compulsory tone, and attempts to determine who can marry who, what we're read or watch on TV, and how our kids are taught science and history... ehhh, not so much.
I wish they were more like Miss Blue or the Quakers. Accepting, tolerant and moderate. I have no issue with anyone believing in a deity and will extend respect to those believers I feel are respectful of others. Too often I see Christians who are bigoted, intolerant and disrespectful to people who do not believe as they do. If you disapprove of Homosexuality, fine don't be Gay. If you disapprove of Atheists, then nobody is forcing you to become one.
Do not preach .Do not judge ( I thought the judging was to be done by God) and stop treating other religions/denominations/atheists as pariahs. Do not mix religion with politics and social policies. Stop imposing your beliefs on people in the public arena of life.
If nothing else all this holier than thou attitude tends to be a real turn off so if the aim is to invite people to the "truth" ( as percevied by them) then this is completely counter intuitive and has completely the opposite effect.
Most Christians I know in Europe are far more balanced than many of their American counterparts and it makes socialising with them and befriending them a lot easier. You can respect someone who respects you. It is very hard to have any semblance of respect for people who despise you and tell you , you are going to burn in hell or will be "sorry" when Jesus comes back down to earth.
Accept that being a good person is what counts, that your actions are what make you a worthwhile individual not your religious beliefs ( or lack thereof) . Accept that being a Christian does not make you superior to a Muslim , Buddhist, Animist or Atheist.
If all Christians were like the Quakers I believe our world would be a better place. For all of us including Atheists. To me they are the epitome of social activism borne out of desire for social justice for ALL, their belief an introspective thing, they are tolerant, open minded and INCLUSIVE. Exclusion to me is the opposite of Christianity as it should be but sadly seems too often to be its reality.
I will never understand how someone can believe in a deity but I have no issues with it as long as the respect is mutual. Respect has to be a two way street.
As long as someone is not harming others or themselves, let them be. We have enough serious issues in the world to address ( poverty, social exclusion ,lack of access to healthcare and education for billions, environmental destruction, famine, war, violence, human trafficking,etc...) so why this obession with making me a convert.
If God exists he/she is big enough to deal with the wrong-doers and to to judge them as they should be. Leave the judging to this supernatural being and start living among the community and treat others as you would like to be treated. With respect and dignity.
The biggest issue I have is that 99.9% of Christians completely ignore the most important commandment Jesus ever spoke: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
Jesus didn't say only love the neighbor, who is a Christian and thinks like you do...he said LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR...which is EVERYONE, no matter their race, creed, color, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. We are all brothers and sisters in this ONE & connected life of God. If one really wants people to take them seriously...if one truly wants others to have what you have...then one has to actually live the life ones prophet espouses. It's difficult, to say the least, to want to follow someone into a religion who doesn't actually do what the religion teaches...it just makes one to look extremely fanatical and foolish.
I wish they were more like Miss Blue or the Quakers. Accepting, tolerant and moderate. I have no issue with anyone believing in a deity and will extend respect to those believers I feel are respectful of others. Too often I see Christians who are bigoted, intolerant and disrespectful to people who do not believe as they do. If you disapprove of Homosexuality, fine don't be Gay. If you disapprove of Atheists, then nobody is forcing you to become one.
Do not preach .Do not judge ( I thought the judging was to be done by God) and stop treating other religions/denominations/atheists as pariahs. Do not mix religion with politics and social policies. Stop imposing your beliefs on people in the public arena of life.
If nothing else all this holier than thou attitude tends to be a real turn off so if the aim is to invite people to the "truth" ( as percevied by them) then this is completely counter intuitive and has completely the opposite effect.
Most Christians I know in Europe are far more balanced than many of their American counterparts and it makes socialising with them and befriending them a lot easier. You can respect someone who respects you. It is very hard to have any semblance of respect for people who despise you and tell you , you are going to burn in hell or will be "sorry" when Jesus comes back down to earth.
Accept that being a good person is what counts, that your actions are what make you a worthwhile individual not your religious beliefs ( or lack thereof) . Accept that being a Christian does not make you superior to a Muslim , Buddhist, Animist or Atheist.
If all Christians were like the Quakers I believe our world would be a better place. For all of us including Atheists. To me they are the epitome of social activism borne out of desire for social justice for ALL, their belief an introspective thing, they are tolerant, open minded and INCLUSIVE. Exclusion to me is the opposite of Christianity as it should be but sadly seems too often to be its reality.
I will never understand how someone can believe in a deity but I have no issues with it as long as the respect is mutual. Respect has to be a two way street.
As long as someone is not harming others or themselves, let them be. We have enough serious issues in the world to address ( poverty, social exclusion ,lack of access to healthcare and education for billions, environmental destruction, famine, war, violence, human trafficking,etc...) so why this obession with making me a convert.
If God exists he/she is big enough to deal with the wrong-doers and to to judge them as they should be. Leave the judging to this supernatural being and start living among the community and treat others as you would like to be treated. With respect and dignity.
Mooseketeer, I could not have said it better myself. Your words in bold print pretty much summarizes it all. To get respect, you have to give respect.
What I am about to say does not apply to all Christians, but these are things that I would like done differently by the Christians who do them.
1) Would let homosexuals get married and quit making gays feel bad about themselves.
2) Would quit trying to force Creationism/Intelligent Design into our children's classrooms.
3) Would encourage their kids to use protection if they are going to engage in sex.
4) Would be open to voting for a non-religious candidate if they were best for the job.
5) Would not re-write American history.
6) Would recognize that non-Christians can be very moral and lovely people.
All this - and I also wish they would stop threatening me with burning forever in Hell. It's just not a nice thing to say to someone and frankly, I'm sick of hearing it!
"They should abandon or 'be liberated from' Christianity" was meant to cover that view. I may not have expressed it right or clearly enough in that option.
Not just Christians but all religions. If there was a creator(doubtful) it has long since moved on to other things and doesn't give two ships about what we do or think.
What I am about to say does not apply to all Christians, but these are things that I would like done differently by the Christians who do them.
1) Would let homosexuals get married and quit making gays feel bad about themselves.
2) Would quit trying to force Creationism/Intelligent Design into our children's classrooms.
3) Would encourage their kids to use protection if they are going to engage in sex.
4) Would be open to voting for a non-religious candidate if they were best for the job.
5) Would not re-write American history.
6) Would recognize that non-Christians can be very moral and lovely people.
I also take issue with the ones who come to my door to give me something I didn't ask for, then argue with me about how I do things in my own home.
Most Christians I've met are fine, but like Hueffenhardt said, it's just those squeaky wheels.
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