Anti Christian Bias on this Website

[ZorCrow]

I am a Christian, and I know that the SOME/A LOT of folks who are on this board are Wiccans. I know our faiths are in opposition.

But why does it seem that so many comments that have nothing to do with Christians are attributed to Christians? Such as Mike Savage, he's not a Christian, he's a Secular Jew who doesn't believe in organized religion.

I respect everyone's right to disagree, but I don't target Wiccans and take one comment by one wiccan as reflecting all Wiccans. I believe Wiccans have a right to shape America, so do Christians.

Just becuase someone is a Conservative, doesn't mean they are a Christian, and just because someone is a passionate believer of the Christian faith that is not reason to start saying, "Bible Thumper." How about I start calling folks names? But that's childish and immature.

Freedom of speech works both ways, those who hate Christians and Christian Faith have a right to speak, but so do those who are proud Christians as well. In America we can bash the bible and bash those who believe in it, but let a Christian make a statement affirming it and he is a "right wing bible thumping wacko."

The hypocrisy of humanity never ceases to amaze me. . .

Thoughts?

[Jessica Hamby]

alright.... I realize this was triggered more or less by my comment in the Madonna thread... If i offended you or ANYONE else on the board... that was not my intention and i apologize....

I have nothing against christians. In FACT... I am one... a very VERY relaxed and liberal one at that... but one none the less. I simply expressed my displeasure at president Bush and this new wave of Christianity... I dont like being made to feel guilty for being a competitive careering seeking woman or for asking QUESTIONS that are difficult to answer about religion and logical contridictions. I wasnt trying to lump all christians together with the insane overdoing-it christians [id est bible-thumping]. I think its wonderful that someone has faith to lean back on when they have no answers and I think it takes a LOT of courage to blindly trust something they cant see when the ice gets thin... but i dont like it when people chastise others with religious beliefs that arent shared-- or even when they chide their own with it.... i believe everyone should be allowed to express themselves and view religion in their own way... and people who feel strongly about their faith are more than free to... as long as they dont force it on others.

[Jill Monroe]

if there is an "anit christian bias" in this country...i think it was further underscored by this last election. The "Bible belt" and evangelical christians have too much power in this country.

there is no room for people of other faiths and spirituality for representation.

Christians, HISTORICALLY have had this "our way or the high way mentality"...and the brainwashing that takes place among the vast majority of members in various christian deomniations across the country is astounding...there's a whole slew of issues that could be addressed....

"denominations" for example.....how does it become a question of "which denomination is the true faith?"....WHO should determine it..or better yet, WHY should any mortal man be charged with the power TO determine such a thing?

MANY "Christians" are legalistic and judgemental....and when secular persons or persons of other faiths fight back against the repressive, condemning front of christianity and DEMAND freedom of religion and expression and every other right the constituion guarantees us...then some of these "Christians" scream that we are "anti christian".

I personally am ANTI RELIGION. being spiritual, having a path of faith and belief in a high power or whatever else..i feel that should be a private thing between you and those who share your view...and NOT something that should be pushed the way people try to push christianity. A person should be allowed to find their OWN path of spirituality in their own way. there are plenty of good people in this world with strong moral fiber that are not christians. some are wiccan, some are muslim, some are even atheist.

Some of the greatest tragedies in history...the wars faught , the persecution of women during "the burning times" and again in the 13 colonies of america during the Salem witch trials...these and many other things were ALL perpetrated by Christians....so its kind of hard to believe that "Christians" are helpless victims in the minority in this country when HISTORY itself prooves otherwise. Not to mention this last election we just had.

[MorningStar]

To be honest I think every member of organised religion has to EXPECT and TAKE any anti-religious bias from different sources. Many people have an issue with the hypocracy of religion not just on the christian scale, but on a global scale. As Farrah said, I believe in spirituality and tolerance, not hiding behind a book of 'laws' to allow prejudice and persecution. With THAT said, I think it's natural that since many people consider christianity to be the biggest anti-spiritual religion of this type, it's natural to assume that there are going to be negative comments. As adults we should take this. I once was a christian until I learned more and realised that, well, it's not for me. But when I WAS a Christian, it didn't bother me when people insulted my catholic religion - because that's a natural state of the world. Are we no longer allowed to express opinions?

[Caroline Forbes]

What I think ZorCrow is saying (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the Christians should be allowed to express their opinion too, not automatically wrong because they are Christian.

:)

[Jill Monroe]

What I think ZorCrow is saying (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the Christians should be allowed to express their opinion too, not automatically wrong because they are Christian.

:)

im not suggesting that they NOT be allowed to. i was pointing out (in addition to that) that many christians promote their "opinion" as the end all/be all FACT and that if you do not fall in line with their opinion of how something should be done, or how you should live...then you are a "godless sinner, who will burn in hell" and whatever else they might deem you. THAT is what happens more often than not. Look at what some pro-lifer's[most of whom claim to be "christian" and doing the "Lord's work'] do at abortion clinics...killing the doctors, bombing the clinics, harrasing the employees and patients...and all because of the OPINION that "abortion is murder".....so i guess then a GREAT way to stop what you deem to be "murder" is by MURDERING DOCTORS and harming others? but i digress.

I am not suggesting that Christians shouldnt be allowed to speak their minds..but WHY do the majority of them have to try to FORCE their mindset on ALL of us?

[DonDaddyD]

(Note: This is why I tend to avoid most discussions about Religion and Faith. However everyone is entitled to there view, beliefs and should have a say).

Over here in England people do assume that most religious people are Christians but this assumption is mainly due to the range and scope of Christianity. This generalisation isn't right but unfortunately due to human nature and our need to draw familiarity from our experiences we do generalise. Christianity influences a lot of things and most people around the world are Christian therefore when someone says they are religious most usually assume Christian.

(It's like if someone said they were from a minority a person can't really be faulted for thinking black if they are drawing from the experience that most of the people they have met from a minority are usually black. Yes we should all be a bit more open-minded and wiser to the world but we can only perceive the world around us.)

That for me explains why most attribute most religious views/discussions to Christianity. In no way am I saying it is right, as Christianity and its followers do come under some bad press for things they haven't claimed to say or believe in.

I have to agree with Spellbinder that many Christians (ALL the ones I have met) see their beliefs ‘as the be all and end all’ and that if we don't live to their regime then we will burn in hell. The trouble I think is that many are over zealous within their beliefs I personally don't like the way many factions of Christianity (such as the New Church of... that was founded in 2005) tries to place it's followers over above their fellow man. For me this has lead to some insensitive encounters with family members.

When I say insensitive I mean I was told my friend who died at 20 was going to hell because he wasn't Christian. Maybe this person isn't a 'bible thumper' in as much as she doesn't go door to door trying to gather as many followers as she can. But surely when someone believes that a view is the 'be all and end all' that is a form of 'bible thumping' especially if they believe that they are ‘saved’ and others (who don’t follow their views) are not. It is subtle ‘bible thumping’ because they try and leave no alternative, there is only their view.

I believe that everyone has a right to speak and believe in whatever they so choose but it aggravates me that some RELIGIONS can be so dismissive to any other thoughts, theories and beliefs.

[Caroline Forbes]

im not suggesting that they NOT be allowed to. i was pointing out (in addition to that) that many christians promote their "opinion" as the end all/be all FACT and that if you do not fall in line with their opinion of how something should be done, or how you should live...then you are a "godless sinner, who will burn in hell" and whatever else they might deem you. THAT is what happens more often than not. Look at what some pro-lifer's[most of whom claim to be "christian" and doing the "Lord's work'] do at abortion clinics...killing the doctors, bombing the clinics, harrasing the employees and patients...and all because of the OPINION that "abortion is murder".....so i guess then a GREAT way to stop what you deem to be "murder" is by MURDERING DOCTORS and harming others? but i digress.

I am not suggesting that Christians shouldnt be allowed to speak their minds..but WHY do the majority of them have to try to FORCE their mindset on ALL of us?
See I think that is the very problem. When people lump all Christians into the "raving maniac" category. I don't think MOST Christians are that way at all.

[DonDaddyD]

I know that was a reply to Spellbinder but 'raving maniac' is an extreme term used for the really over zealous of religious types. Obviously not all people are raving maniacs. Though you cannot possibly deny that many Religions present their views from a be all and end all perspective.

I think what Farrah is saying/asking is that although all are allowed their belifes why is it that the alternative - not following said religious belifes - is such an extreme evil? 'If you don't follow the bible/Koran etc then you'll go to hell.'

And my question is why am I constantly asked to go to church? If I want to give my heart to any faith then it will be my decision.

In that way religion is forced on people and any form of suggestion (no matter how subtle) that 'my religion is better than yours', 'my religion allows me passage to heaven' or my religion will make you live a better life.' Is a form of bible thumping and forcing views on another.

In my humble opinion.

[Caroline Forbes]

My point was just that not all, or I would say even most, Christians are "bible thumpers", so to categorize all Christians as being that way is stereotyping. The same if I said all atheists/Wiccans/non-Christians were amoral devil worshippers (just making a point, I'm not really saying that - don't yell at me lol) ;)

:)

[DonDaddyD]

Ah I'm not yelling I just got various strong reservations.:lec: - This smilie is so cute!

It's just I really don't care for the whole need to persuade people to go to church. I find this comes in various forms andranges on a scale, on one side of the scale are those who chant in the middle of a road cluching his bible, and the other those who appears to be your friend who tells you 'come it, it won't hurt'. Not all Christians do try to persuade people to join their religion but for me the minute they do it becomes 'Bible Thumping'

[Caroline Forbes]

See I've never tried to convince someone else to go to church lol :D

[DonDaddyD]

Then consider your index finger in good health as it hasn't been injured by the constant thumping of it against a really good book.

Do you see my point though? Or am I presenting myself completely anti-religious?

[Caroline Forbes]

No I understand what you're saying - I find people who try and go all religious on you annoying as well. I was just saying that you can't always generalize like that :)

[DonDaddyD]

I will never say that all people are 'this or that' but a majority of people can be one way or the other. In my own experiences Christians do tend to get people to join their religion and this for me appears to be a majority because it is always christians and no other religion . But then in other religions you are born into and don't get a choice, which I feel is more exterme

Generalisation isn't right but unfortunately due to human nature and our need to draw familiarity from our experiences we do generalise.

(It's like if someone said they were from a minority a person can't really be faulted for thinking black if they are drawing from the experience that most of the people they have met from a minority are usually black. Yes we should all be a bit more open-minded and wiser to the world but we can only perceive the world around us.)

I was always taught that where generalisation is wrong is when that generalisation is forced upon a person and is of a derogative nature.

[Jill Monroe]

No I understand what you're saying - I find people who try and go all religious on you annoying as well. I was just saying that you can't always generalize like that :)

i am definately not generalizing. i grew up in that kind of envrionment (pentacosal christians) and i've seen how "zealous" some of those folks can get. BUT i still stand by my experience that more often than not, "MANY" devout christians DO try to pass their opinions/beliefs off as the END ALL/BE ALL and that anyone who does not fall in line with that is "without salvation" and "going to hell" etc.

I'm only making my statement based on my personal experience , what i've seen and recalling a couple of articles i've read that stuck in my mind. not EVERY SINGLE person who is a christian that i've interacted with has offended me with thier religious zealousness....but a fair amount of them have....HERE where i live and even some who have come across on television or in articles with regards to the abortion issue etc.

There's definately a contradiction in america..where many christians CLAIM to be oppressed and repressed...and yet it was those same evangelical christians that turned the tide of this election..they countered the strongest youth vote turnout that we've seen in decades and gave Bush another term in office....they are also responsible for this "neo conservative" movement that is sweeping across the country. So i find it hard to sympathize with the idea that "christians are the victim of anti christian bias".

[Caroline Forbes]

But see even there - you talk about their effect on the election like they don't deserve to have a vote as much as everyone else does...

[Jill Monroe]

But see even there - you talk about their effect on the election like they don't deserve to have a vote as much as everyone else does...

noo Vil. im saying that HOW can some christians CLAIM to be oppressed or the victim of anti christian bias when their influence is felt all through politics...MORE than ever before? if ANYTHING....its the rest of us (non christians of other faiths) who are now being oppressed as the "religious right" continues to further its agenda through the political landscape and totally negates the ideas, and feelings of other peoples and faiths.

EVERYONE deserves a voice...NOT just christians...but EVERYONE and the government should NOT be so tainted by religious influence....Seperation of Church and State.

[DonDaddyD]

I don't get that impression I get the impression that Farrah is saying that Christians claim to have no voice yet apparantly having one of the strongest influences within your country.

Edit: - We posted at the same time and said the samething lol. Therefore I'm leaving this topic as Spellbinder seems :worry: to be speaking for both of us lol

(Note I really don't want it to seem like I'm kissing ass here it's just that in this case we seem to share the same view ) :shrug: