Hey Gang -

I have been following threads on this post for a few weeks now, and I have posted to various threads with topics from Bigfoot, to the doom of America. I have noticed a trend that I would like to share with people and get their point of view on. I have given this serious thought and I have looked at this very objectively. The trend is this:

It seems as though the Christian Faith is always being attacked in threads where it is a topic, or when it is brought up in other threads. It seems like I could spend every waking hour defending my faith on this website. Why should I have to? It is my belief and I am entitled to it, just like anyone else is entitled to what they believe. We never slam Athiests or Buddhists. We never put down the beliefs of the Hindu or Taoist! We always talk about being "tolerant" on this website, yet when it comes to Christianity it is open season. I have even witnessed some people who claim to be Christians go against the Christian Belief system in order to conform to the masses, or get a point across. Enough of the watering down of a belief system, in order to "see all sides". If you look at the threads, there is always a rebutal or dispute towards anything that even remotely looks like it has to do with Christianity.

You will notice, that true Christians (and I say that because I know some people with ultra extreme and whacked out ideas have posed as Christians on this website and have rubbed people the wrong way), never trash the beliefs of another religion or athiesm. I would no more want to deny you your beliefs as I would want you to deny mine. I am pretty tolerant, and believe I have demonstrated this in my posts. I am opinionated, but I am also respectful. All the Christians try to do in this website is stand up for our beliefs, and the last time I looked, they have every right to do so. Again, I ask, where is the tolerancy, and the "can't we all just get along" mentality?

If you are basing your opinions on a few men, such as Pat Roberts, I would say this to you. Condemning an entire belief system that has been around for thousands of years on one TV evangelist's statements is a little like saying all Germans are evil because of Hitler. Really, let's be civilized and respect each other. We can certainly agree to disagree. I enjoy the enlightening conversations, but this outward slap against the Christian Belief System is getting tiresome.

I am not feeling sensitive (I am not the type), merely making an observation. I am passionate about my beliefs, just like the next person. Maybe it is the threads that I am viewing, or the same people who are against Christianity posting comments, I don't know. But I am calling Double Standard here. Comments?

Sorry - I must be wound up if I spelled Christianity wrong!!

The reason most people here will attack Christianity is because most of the people they are exposed to are the kind you described (ones like Pat Robertson.) People think I hate all Christians because I don't like the religion. This is untrue. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I HATE FUNDAMENTALISTS OF ALL RELIGIONS. I don't like the religion because I disagree with what it preaches. In my opinion, it tells us to praise a being who murders innocents, and punishes you if you don't follow him. It is ridiculous that I should have to follow a book that is around 2000 years old. The one thing I do like is "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." I strongly agree with that.

In short, religion really has nothing to do with the true character of a person. My grandmum is a devout Christian, and she is the nicest person you'll ever meet. Her husband is religious, but he was abusive to her, and is still an asshole. Samurai, you have shown yourself to be a decent person. I wish more Christians were like you.

I think Samurai you should face up to the fact that Christianity has brought untold suffering to men, women and children down the ages. Think about all the religious wars; persecutions and inquisitions that have been done in its name. All those witches and heretics burnt at the stake, women and scientists shut up and books burnt. Christianity beheaded muslims and sent the Jews to the ghetto. Look to any Continent to see what harm has been done by this Religion. You need to open your eyes Samurai.

And you could say that about any religion... All religions have been persecuted; and have persecuted over the ages because of the differences we all have as human beings.

It is comments like yours that led me to create this thread!!!! Have I stepped on your religious beliefs, blackbelt? NO! Nor will I, as I have more respect for you and your belief system, whatever it may be. I know that you are entitled to your beliefs, as I am mine. So you will have to do better than that in explaining the need to trash Christianity.

Actually, it is the ones who took their beliefs too far that caused this. Do not hate an entire religion for the ones who are nutjobs. People get mad when we call Jewish people cheap, or rich, yet they don't get annoyed at profiling Christians as killers.

And I wish more Athiests were like you Angry Jerk. You have shown tolerance and respect more than most on this website. As I have said before, I appreciate your insight and kind words.

The World would be a better place without organized religion. The persecution will stop one day my friend when we have evolved as a species. One day humanity will rid itself of the fear slavery that religion induces. There is no such thing as true religion only cosmic awareness and compassion.

I'm not Athiest. I'm not going to go into my religious beliefs. Look at the Pat Roberston thread, or the mentally insane thread, and you should be able to find it there. It may surprise you a bit.

You're probably right about that, but it's not likely to ever happen.

My bad - thought you told me that once. I will go back and read your posts! Thanks.

That's right, I think I remember now. Satanist, correct?

Many thanks Samurai. I to have noticed an amazing amount christian bashing threads. and I've noticed that alot of people think it's ok to make fun and slander christians, however it's a crime if someone slanders another religion like Islam. I just want to go on the record and say I respect everyone's religion, in fact I'm currently learning alot about hinduisim, it's an interesting religion. and normaly I tend not to like Athiests, because they seem to think themselves above everyone else but angry_jerk seems like a great guy and he's also funny, I read his website often and like him I hate fundis too, Pat robertson is a tard.

Yes, but I do not follow the stereotypes, like sacrificing.

I'm humbled by your complement. :blush2:

BTW, sorry I haven't updated in a long ass time. You see, whenever I go onto Tripod to update my site, my computer freezes. It only does it with certain sites.

Angry Jerk-

I think many people who posts to threads on this website could take a lesson from us. Both, essentially on "opposite sides" of the religious spectrum so to speak, yet respecting each other as human beings. Good show! Actually, I think you said that you believe in Satan and the Antichrist, but are against formal religion. Whatever the case, thanks again for your maturity and ability to be objective to all religious beliefs.

Gaddes -

Well said, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Is it possible for Religion to be objective? It's not like its based on logic or science. We all know that Genesis is a pot of crap after Darwin had his say! We all know that the Bible is full of contradictions. So come on Samurai and admit it.

I applaud your tolerance, Samurai. I could simply say as much and nothing more. However, you have asked for a discussion and I am amicable to giving you one. Considering that Christianity is the largest religion in the world, it is not unusual that it should be the predominate topic of discussion in the religion forum. Christianity is so deeply ingrained in Western Society that it is nearly impossible to discuss anything in Western Society without including some aspect of Christianity. As such, it often finds its way into the Serious Discussion forum as well. Bear in mind, also, that terrorism and other topics concerning Middle Eastern Stability is wrought from diverging religious beliefs among the three religious power houses...Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Topics concerning such serious social issues as abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia, evolution, homosexuality, sexism and racism will also be approached from a religious point of view and will be strenuously...and often intolerantly...argued from specific religious views. As with life in general, few topics in this forum will be free from encroaching religious views.

You will find that where Christianity has been attacked, it is in the religion's intolerance and often condemnation of other religions, abortion, evolution, homosexuality etc...or in support of sexism, racism, religious intolerance, capital punishment, inclusion of church and state, etc. You find that doctrines supporting or condemning such issues are at the core of the dissent...or verbal attack as it appears to you.

You point out "true Christians[...] never trash the beliefs of another religion or athiesm." I am curious as to what 'trash the beliefs' really means? There are currently 1500 plus denominations of Christianity...which one is true? There are at least as many other religious belief systems at odds with Christianity...which one is true? In the previous paragraph, you stated "Enough of the watering down of a belief system, in order to "see all sides"." Is that not indicative of a double standard? That isnt a question of tolerance, that is a question of genuine belief. The fact is that if one truly believes in a religion then anything contrary to that belief system will be perceived as 'wrong', flawed or dangerous. You cant believe any other way and still have genuine belief. Now that brings us to the subject of intolerance.

To be tolerant of other religions, is to respect one's right to believe in it. You are certainly tolerant. However, I think you may misconstrue many of the 'attacks' here on. As I stated earlier, the disagreements largely center around issues. If one's opinion on a certain issue is formed and shaped by their religious views, then that religious view will also be subject to dissent. So you can understand how it is that Christianity...in so far as its doctrines and points of view are concerned...is often the subject of intense debate and dissent. I have not often come across a Buddhist or even a Muslim condemning homosexuality but should I then you can be assured that I would also strenuously argue against their religious point of view or doctrine if such were presented as support for their opinion on the matter.

Hahaha - admit it, right. I have held these beliefs for 33 years, and all of a sudden in a post you want me to admit what I believe to be wrong.

You are correct in one thing, religion cannot be objective, but those people discussing it can be "open-minded" to others beliefs, even if you disagree with them. That is what I mean by being objective (sorry if this in not the correct word), nevertheless, once you understand that everyone is entitled to their beliefs and no one should have the right to "get them to admit it", that is where the respect comes in.

Great posts, want2believe... I guess now that I think about it, you summed up my thoughts in one sentence....

To be tolerant of other religions, is to respect one's right to believe in it.

This is all I am asking. I understand and agree with your other points concering issues of the day, and why Christianity is on the "hot seat", I only wish that the issues of the day could be discussed strictly from a human side, not a religious one.