BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Spirituality Religious Superiority

"Every person of every belief feels that their belief is superior to the rest of them..."

Personally, I disagree with that statement. I don't like general statements and I don't like being corralled into a general statement. Furthermore,people who don't share Christians' theological enthusiasm are NOT GOING TO HELL!!!! I don't think that place even exists. But it's okay that you do. I respect your views, but people who's views differ deserve the same respect from you and other Christians. I've been told by a Christian that he can't respect my views because that would be the same as accepting my ideas. That's bunk. We should be able to get through the day without experiencing religious harassment. And yes, religious harassment is alive and well. One of the Supervisors where I work brought Jesus into his evaluation of one of my peers. She told him that she was very comfortable with her Spiritual beliefs and she didn't like being harassed. He and I have had many debates....nay, arguments about religion. My argument is "leave me alone and don't try to 'save' me" and he continues to tell me how wrong I am and that he'll pray for my soul. I know Christians think it's their earthly mission to save the non-Christians, but for Pete's sake give it rest, already. To quote my very wise husband...."they don't have to accept us, they don't even have to like us...but they have to respect us". I agree with him, and that is the philosophy I try to live by.

I agree Connidee... However Hell does exist. It's located in Michigan. So when someone tells me I am going to hell, I tell them no thanks, already been there. I even have the shirt to prove it ;0)

But as for a religious background.. no Hell does not exist unless you consider the absence of G-d's presence being hell.. then yes, I guess that is hell. But damn-fire and eternity.. NO

Jase,
Exactly! Come to think of it, I've been to Hell, too. Forgot about that. How funny. I'll try to remember that next time I'm being lectured.
Thanks!

Wow! I go away for a few days and then I come back to a pressure cooker like this one, LOL!

OK, I'm going to quote and reply to lots of things here, bear with me!

- Amadeus

It is not our place to determine who goes to heaven/hell - that is a judgement only God can make. But I think sometimes we, as Christians, get over-excited about trying to convince people, and so the judging comes out. I know that I tend to feel very responsible about whether I can get the point across. Because to me on of my "jobs" - my most important one as a Christian, is to try to keep people from a horrible fate that I very much believe in. The entire reason I became a Christian is
because it struck me one day that if I didn't teach my children, and they wound up in Hell - it would be my fault! But it's easy for me to forget that all my job is, is to spread the word; it is God who can save people, not me.

- Sprituality

As to the first question, I can't. And I believe it ties in to the second question... God cannot BE proven, because the entire point is to have faith. Faith is based on not having proof, but believing anyway.

- Jase
Just curios as to why you write "Xtian" instead of "Christian" since that is what we call ourselves.

- Spirituality

Many (if not most) of the time it is more important what we do than what we say. People tend to forget that. We can talk about Jesus and salvation all we want, but if we don't show by our lives that we believe it - by trying to act as much like Jesus as we can - then it's all for nothing, and just maakes us hypocrites. Jesus' main method of getting through to people was by His actions more than His words.

- Jase

I brought this up in another thread, that I read a description of Hell one time that seemed extrememly possible. Going through whatever you would consider to be Hell - but doing it without the comfort of others or hope. Hope to me is one of the most powerful words out there, and that I think is a major component of Hell, that there is none.


WHEW! OK - I think I covered everything, LOL! I'll have to not get behind on this conversation obviously!

habit actually. some people have trouble writing oyt christian. to me it was shorthand that i am used to writing in class

Harmony.. I am a mother also. A Pagan mother. I don't believe that my children are going to hell because they are not Christians, in fact, I don't believe in hell at all. So when a Christian gets in my face and tries to convince me to believe in something I don't it annoys me.

Your belief may be a reality to you, but to me it is just a belief that cannot be proven like any other religious belief. So, why would any Christian feel that they have the right to tell me that my belief is wrong.

It would seem to me that Christians have plenty of other Christians to talk to about their beliefs without having to go out and witness to people who find what they are saying not only offensive, but disrespectful.

I think that is the only thing that really bothers me about some factions of Christians. It is their need to try and force their beliefs on others. Either someone believe or they don't believe. If they don't believe.. leave them alone.

Please do not think that I am directing any of this your way Harmony.. you haven't tried to send me to hell, told me I was Satanic, or told me that I would stand in judgment in front of God.. Thanks.. I really do appreciate that!!

Love and Light..

I think that the problem is not what Christians believe. The problem is that they tell people about hell if they do not believe in Christianity.

cdmohatta is exactly right! Christianity in its purest form is a beautiful, gentle, loving belief. I do believe Jesus was here, but I believe many other prophets (for lack of a better word) were here, too, offering love and light, not fear and condemnation. People mucked it up. Decided that by mutilating a religion many people were beginning to practice they could use fear to their advantage and gain a whole lot of power. I don't think this is what Jesus had in mind. Do you know he did most of his teachings out of doors? He was very in touch with nature, not materialistic junk. He knew what it was all about. My point is that I don't think that being a 'good' person (I know, all things are relative) has to have a title. Christian's do not own the corner market on 'good'. All peoples, no matter what their 'religion' have love and light in their hearts. Harmony, your post was very interesting and well thought out and I appreciate that it didn't take on a condemning tone that some other posters convey. I understand that you, as a Christian feel a responsibility to spread the word. I guess folks who want to hear the word will ask for it. Please don't mistake that statement for not wanting to discuss and share differences. I love hearing about different cultures and beliefs, I just don't like to be 'preached at'. I am nearly everyday where I work. It's difficult having a discussion like this online, 'cuz words cansound so harsh when they're not meant to be.

Christians can surely spread the word with love. That will be more effective.

Jase, thanks for clearing that up!

- Conniedee

Oh, I agree with this! I've made the comment to a friend of mine that's an atheist that many Buddhists act more "Christian" than a lot of Christians do! I love the ideals of the Buddhist religion - it seems to really embrace the spirit of love and compassion; we just differ on the Jesus issue.

I enjoy debates like this, and I hope I never insult anyone - but I do like to put my opinion out there!