Not All Christians Are Alike
It seems from my perspective only, as I am only speaking for myself, that there are many people who like to debate on Christianity and Christian beliefs no matter what the initial topic was about originally. It seems that many who do this are basing their beliefs about Christianity on what they learned from either one extremely legalistic group known as Jehovah’s Witnesses or from one of the just as extreme fundamentalist sects with similar attitudes.
I would like to point out though that main stream Christianity considers these groups to be cults of Christianity. They have no biblical basis at all for their teachings and add much into the scriptures themselves to support their views. Or, they twist and pull scripture totally out of context and bend it like a pretzel to try and prove their belief. Please do not use these groups, or any like them as your basis for judging all other Christians and Christian churches in the world. They are the exception and not the rule. As our true leader, Jesus Christ, even if you consider him a fictional character, historical figure, Son of God, or God himself, was absolutely nothing in mind, spirit and life like any of the representatives of these groups. Therefore, you are judging him and all his followers alike as being something they absolutely are not. And this is not fair to any of them.
I know for I was one of you at one time. And I did the exact same thing, judging all Christians and Christian beliefs as the same. It has only been in recent years that I have been able to overcome this deep-set bias and untruth. I am not a promoter of religious organizations, as I believe they are the real reason behind the legalism and narrow views in most churches today, as well as behind all the varying and seemingly contradictory views. But the individual Christians and their personal views are to be totally judged as a separate thing altogether. This is a fact I recently learned and I am still trying to remember that this is true on a day-to-day basis. Although I have mostly overcome this habit of making wide generalizations about Christian people, because of my past history with legalistic religions, it is always something I need to be mindful of. Sometimes I do slip up and I am sorry for that. Shedding old habits is a long process sometimes.
That being said, there is quite a variety in Christianity itself. I know as I have personally belonged to or supported in some way during my life all these Christian groups: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, Baptist, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Bible Students, and non – denomination groups as well. All these groups while they have in common faith in Christ, his resurrection and ascension to heaven, and forgiveness of sins by his sacrifice, vary widely in many of their other beliefs and teachings. Some believe in the trinity, some not. Some believe in hellfire, some not. Some believe they are the only truth and you can only get to God thru them, most do not hold this view.
The ones that are the most dogmatic in their views and judgmental of non-believers are usually the legalistic ones. But most of mainstream Christianity is not this way at all, so please do not judge them all as being the same. Just as individuals are different so are the many types of Christians.
To be fair to Christians, even if you believe that they are foolish to believe what they do – they have right to believe it. And you have a right not to. Christianity is not for everyone it is one belief system only. For those of you who strongly object to Christianity as having any basis in truth, do you feel the same way about the Muslims, Hindus, Jews, or any with other belief systems? Why does it upset you that Christians want to believe what they do? Is it because you had such a bad experience with Christianity? I can understand that because I also had such and experience. But I made a personal choice not to blame God or Christianity for it. The blame I put is on the legalistic groups within Christianity and their false teachings. If you made a different choice then that is your right to do so. I am not seeking you out to tell you how wrong you are, am I? Many of these people that some of you put down for being Christians by calling them stupid, guidable, misled, weak-minded, foolish and mocking their God by calling him foul names too, have done much to bring goodness and peace and love into this world.
Many of these same ones when the Tsunami hit donated millions of dollars and lots of their time and efforts for relief that went to believers and non-believers alike. Did they say that this money should only go to those who believe like they do? Maybe a few groups did, but they were the legalistic ones not the mainstream ones. Also these same stupid narrow minded Christians helped in all the major disasters that have hit us in past times and recent times including the hurricane Katrina, did they not? They also are many of the same ones that run shelters, food pantries, hospices, free medical care services, relief centers, and many charitable organizations that help people whether or not they are Christians. I know because many members even of my family have used these services although they are atheists. But this did not stop them from benefiting from the service that these Christians Ministers provided now did it?
Most mainstream Christians realize that to be a Minister for Christ – we are to serve others. And that is why so many of these charities run and supported by Christians are in place. They are the direct result of Christian belief systems everywhere. Now, please don’t think I am saying that only Christians do things like this, as I am not stating that at all. I am just trying to show that there is a lot of good being done by people who some of you absolutely despise for no other reason than that we are Christians. And although you do this and judge us as being somehow “weaker minded” than you, we would still help you if you were in need. And we do it, as a direct result of our faith in action and our desire to do what we believe is right.
So, if you want to know what an individual Christian feels about a certain issue, please ask them and do not think we are all the same. We are a great variety with many different views. We will be happy to tell you our belief and our hope. If you disagree, than that is your right to do so. Just like it is our right to believe what we do. But, if you ask us a question knowing that we are Christians and we give you our perspective as Christians, why do you get upset? You are giving us your perspective, as non-believers aren’t you? And don’t get offended if you show us proof we are wrong but we don’t view it in the same way you do. As some of the proofs you present have no bearing on our faith at all and we are making a personal choice not to throw away all the good of our faith, just because of a few seemingly contradictions that we don’t have an explanation for at the time. And while I believe that open debates can be good, when it escalates to name calling and generalizations, then that is where a line has to be drawn. And I personally believe that there is a point when we Christians need to stop trying to explain ourselves and let it go, as some do not really want a reply, they only want to argue. To each one his own I say.
I hope I was able to explain my personal views in a way that none of you will take as an attack on you personally or my being judgmental or putting you down in any way. This is not my intention at all. I do not think what I am saying here applies to everyone who disagrees with Christianity but the ones it does apply to will know who they are. And I hope I explained it clear and intelligently enough for others to follow my logic. But then again, maybe not, as I am only a foolish Christian.
Peace be with all, Lilly
Article by: Lillian Cruz [email protected]