Why are many Christians so intolerant of other religions and spiritual paths?

Cliffy

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Nov 19, 2008
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So back to the OP for me.

Actually I find cj44 and Motar very respectful and tolerant of Jesus' teachings. I find them both to be humorous and supportive when debating.

As for the title; Why are so many Christians so intolerant of other religions?

Well it's just like the rest of the population, people are comfortable with what they know. People are comfortable with what they have been instructed to believe. People are comfortable with similar.

Christians are no more intolerant than anyone else. It's just a matter of them attempting to reinforce what they believe allows them to survive in an uncertain world.
I certainly don't agree with you. The OP came out of a discussion on another tread at the request of cj and motar. I can't even remember which thread or what we were discussing.
 

Sal

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Sep 29, 2007
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I certainly don't agree with you. The OP came out of a discussion on another tread at the request of cj and motar. I can't even remember which thread or what we were discussing.
no worries...that has merely been my personal experience
 

gopher

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Jun 26, 2005
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Minnesota: Gopher State
MHz; said:
Joh:12:42:
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him;
but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him,
lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

Are you saying a circumcised Gentile can have more than one Jewish wife???


There is neither Greek nor Jew Galatians 3:28. If you know what Levirate marriage is, then you would know the answer.
 

Walter

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Jan 28, 2007
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Your ignorance of history and reality come to mind. The excesses of those states were not due to a lack of religion, they were attempts to replace the role religion plays with another ideology, which has much in common with the more fundamentalist sorts of religion. The only reason the Christian churches are as tolerant as they are in much of the West is because they haven't the power to be anything else. When they did have the power... well, read up a bit on life in mediaeval Europe, and examine contemporary nations where religion has the power of the state behind it.

And I suppose in your usual way you'll just give me another red one for that rather than trying to form a cogent argument against it.
You're a twit; we're talking of contemporary society.
 

cj44

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Sep 18, 2013
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You're a twit; we're talking of contemporary society.
Walter, I actually agree with Dex to some extent on this. Catholicism, especially during the middle ages enslaved consciences as well as people. Complete power trip. Had nothing to do with Christ or his teachings. Even now, false Christian doctrine makes for gross intolerance. I had a friend who was a member of a cult that couldn't believe my pastor didn't condemn other denominations. She was brainwashed into thinking very specific beliefs (beliefs beyond what scripture teaches) were necessary for salvation.
Certainly, Christianity teaches salvation in Christ alone and perhaps this is why christians are labeled "intolerant". I don't think religions in general are intolerant. It is understood that each religion has a particular belief system that may collide with my beliefs. I don't necessarily conclude that adherents to a particular religion are intolerant. There are differences but I don't take it personally. Even Christ mentioned there may be a bit of backlash concerning his teaching. He knew and warned there would be hostile opposition to his teaching. And, no. He is not suggesting we go fight with our mothers.


“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
 
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Motar

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Jun 18, 2013
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So back to the OP for me. Actually I find cj44 and Motar very respectful and tolerant of Jesus' teachings. I find them both to be humorous and supportive when debating. As for the title; Why are so many Christians so intolerant of other religions? Well it's just like the rest of the population, people are comfortable with what they know. People are comfortable with what they have been instructed to believe. People are comfortable with similar. Christians are no more intolerant than anyone else. It's just a matter of them attempting to reinforce what they believe allows them to survive in an uncertain world.

What a refreshingly considerate and thoughtful contribution to an otherwise provocative and contentious discussion, Sal! Bless you for your genuine and practical tolerance!
 

Count_Lothian

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Apr 6, 2014
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I'm not much of a religion thread "nut" but here goes.
I think any form of intolerance performed by the believer is an expression of their not so solid faith in what ever flavour they are digesting.

A lot of hindus seem to be ok with what ever god or religion you are into.

Quite possibly because they have come to terms with the fact there are many religions, and they really believe that all rivers lead into that one ocean .

Islam teaches there are many prophets and they sure like to point out that Jesus is a great Prophet.

But then the suni's are killing off the shia and vice versa like it's pancake sunday, or tuesday. I never got that right, maybe that explains the rashes.

ok back to the discussion.

rim shot "budda bing"
 

Cliffy

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I think any form of intolerance performed by the believer is an expression of their not so solid faith in what ever flavour they are digesting.
I think that is true about any argument, no matter what the topic is. If a person needs to convince anyone that they are right and the other wrong, to bring someone around to their way of seeing things, I believe is doing so because the foundation of their conviction is quick sand. The truth needs no defense and the truth is relative to the beholder. My truth may differ from another but I will not try to convince anyone that they should change their belief to my way of seeing by telling them that they will burn in hell for eternity if they don't.
 

Motar

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Jun 18, 2013
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I think any form of intolerance by anyone towards other beliefs systems/believers could be construed as defensive, CL.
 

Count_Lothian

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I think any form of intolerance performed by the believer is an expression of their not so solid faith in what ever flavour they are digesting.
I think that any form of intolerance by anyone towards other beliefs systems/believers could be construed as defensive, CL.
I don't get what your trying to say to me about my post.

Could you clarify your statement and i will respond.
 

Motar

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Jun 18, 2013
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I think any form of intolerance performed by the believer is an expression of their not so solid faith in what ever flavour they are digesting. I don't get what your trying to say to me about my post. Could you clarify your statement and i will respond.

Sure, CL. Thanks for your thoughts. You seem to indicate in your post that the intolerant believers ("they") are being self-defensive. In my post, I am observing that this behavior (ideological self-defense) is not exclusive to the believers but is common to (us) all.
 

Dexter Sinister

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Oct 1, 2004
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You're a twit; we're talking of contemporary society.
Ah, another brilliantly cogent response and a fine display of ignorance. You think history has no bearing on why contemporary societies are the way they are? You're not even worth the trouble of knocking down.
 

Twila

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Mar 26, 2003
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I think that is true about any argument, no matter what the topic is. If a person needs to convince anyone that they are right and the other wrong, to bring someone around to their way of seeing things, I believe is doing so because the foundation of their conviction is quick sand. The truth needs no defense and the truth is relative to the beholder. My truth may differ from another but I will not try to convince anyone that they should change their belief to my way of seeing by telling them that they will burn in hell for eternity if they don't.

I wonder if those who do require other to see as they see and believe as they believe are practicing a form of safety in numbers strategy that many animals practice. If you have a big crowd of people behind you than you can't possibly be wrong.
 

cj44

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Sep 18, 2013
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I think MOST people that are engaged in any religion do not even really believe in what they profess. I think there are "pew warmers" in every religion. I think MOST people, regardless of religion, think if they are "good" they are going to heaven (or nirvana or whatever) and if they are "bad" they are going to hell (or substandard reicarnation or whatever). Religion does not have the power to hammer away the false notions of unbelief. Christ's teaching is viewed as intolerant because he doesn't allow for all religions to sleep peacefully in the same bed. It is not - "I'm ok, you're ok". It is "I (Jesus) am the only way to the Father". Words are twisted, prophets thrown under the bus and entire books of scripture will be discounted in an attempt to "prove" Christ did not say such things.

I'm a Christian. I don't march up & down the boulevard with mega phone in hand preaching "You're all going to burn". Now that would be intolerant, eh?
 

Motar

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I wonder if those who do require other to see as they see and believe as they believe are practicing a form of safety in numbers strategy that many animals practice. If you have a big crowd of people behind you than you can't possibly be wrong.

In my experience, Twila, everyone practices ideological safety in numbers. We do so by the actual (people) and virtual (media) company that we keep. We all have an inner social group with whom we interact. We consult certain news outlets that reflect our interests and ideas. We all regularly seek the endorsement and engagement of those who think like us. Ideological intolerance as it is being discussed here is human, not Christian. Everyone does it because ideology is by nature exclusive.
 

Sal

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Sep 29, 2007
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In my experience, Twila, everyone practices ideological safety in numbers. We do so by the actual (people) and virtual (media) company that we keep. We all have an inner social group with whom we interact. We consult certain news outlets that reflect our interests and ideas. We all regularly seek the endorsement and engagement of those who think like us. Ideological intolerance as it is being discussed here is human, not Christian. Everyone does it because ideology is by nature exclusive.
yes I think it is only human

but definitely one can get beyond it if one desires