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

Dexter Sinister

Unspecified Specialist
Oct 1, 2004
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No, it doesn't. You have the choice of not listening.

Again, their personal experience with God does not effect you in any way. Not unless YOU insert yourself into it, like you do on thses forums.
It's not that simple. I live in a society that consists mostly of believers of some degree, and appears to be governed by some pretty serious believers, and it DOES affect the nature of that society, the nature of public policy and debate, the kinds of issues people think are important, and the kinds of compromises people will accept. It's just wrong to think that the beliefs of the people around you can't affect you.
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
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Social experiments have proven that subconciously this is not the case. The various Asch experiments prove that a person alone will conform to even the absurd to avoid standing out.

That's an interesting conclusion since it would imply that whatever belief system one has been raised with would prevail. Yet people become atheist, I am no longer a Christian, a friend who was raised without religion is now a bible follower. In the corporate world people become whistle blowers. All of the above separates those individuals from the "norm" of the group.

this is so dead on to what I was attempting pitifully to say in my other thread...low income whites who didn't go to college and actually NEED minimum wage, health care etc are all Republican...it is mind blowing at how easily people are manipulated away from what would benefit them...it is unethical. It is despicable.

Are we any closer to an answer than we were 700 posts ago?
some might be...are you asking or implying it's stupid to discuss it?

___________________________________________________________________

I had a discussion last night with a friend which gave me a clearer understanding on how bible followers think. To her it is non negotiable and quite clear...one reads the bible all of it and follows the 10 commandments from OT and Jesus' instruction (NT) and one is saved. It is quite clear she said.... it goes A, B, C, D. There is no room for anything else. It is the right way. It is black and white.

Satan is real and alive in the world and he does evil deeds through people. The world is an evil place mostly ruled by Satan

She knows I am not a Christian but see,s to no problem with our friendship since we have know each other for many years.

I gained an understanding last night (finally) about why people who believe in the way she does must go to church on Sundays and must have a very strong Bible fellowship group. Our society is no longer little isolated pockets where people can wrap themselves into their own little like minded groups as once could have easily been done. It would be hard to maintain that belief system while being bombarded with the ways of the world. (Controlled of course by Satan)

Funny thing though she loves my positive nature and my innate belief in the goodness and care of the universe. She has no clue where it comes from as I do not share my process with her. There would be no point and it likely would fill her with fear.
 

Motar

Council Member
Jun 18, 2013
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Funny thing though she loves my positive nature and my innate belief in the goodness and care of the universe. She has no clue where it comes from as I do not share my process with her. There would be no point and it likely would fill her with fear.

Scare us, Sal : ) I would be interested in hearing your process.
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
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Scare us, Sal : ) I would be interested in hearing your process.
lol I do believe most here have heard it ad nauseam...so for those...warning...skip post

essentially Motar I believe we come from home to here as a choice...we are energy/souls who become human not humans who acquire a soul

because we chose to be here and have chosen much about our life prior to our arrival, there is no blaming our higher power for pain or suffering, nor any need to explain such in the world in general

we are a part of all...no less, no greater

our role here is an opportunity to grow and expand...best way to do so is to always choose (according to our ability to reason of course and we are not all equal that way)...to always choose to move toward right and light, and good..love, helping, supporting etc..anything positive begets positive....thought is power and brings back to it as well; negative out = negative back, positive out = positive back

bad and good is subjective as per our understanding and also our level.

there is always help around us, everything can be used as a guide or measure of how well we are doing, everything that happens is like a message

there is a god, a force, we can tap that energy as we are that energy

that's a quick summation Motar :)

are ya scared yet... :p
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
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lol I do believe most here have heard it ad nauseam...so for those...warning...skip post

essentially Motar I believe we come from home to here as a choice...we are energy/souls who become human not humans who acquire a soul

because we chose to be here and have chosen much about our life prior to our arrival, there is no blaming our higher power for pain or suffering, nor any need to explain such in the world in general

we are a part of all...no less, no greater

our role here is an opportunity to grow and expand...best way to do so is to always choose (according to our ability to reason of course and we are not all equal that way)...to always choose to move toward right and light, and good..love, helping, supporting etc..anything positive begets positive....thought is power and brings back to it as well; negative out = negative back, positive out = positive back

bad and good is subjective as per our understanding and also our level.

there is always help around us, everything can be used as a guide or measure of how well we are doing, everything that happens is like a message

there is a god, a force, we can tap that energy as we are that energy

that's a quick summation Motar :)

are ya scared yet... :p

I doubt it, but you do realize you are going to hell. Motar and CJ should be right in here to let you know you are, plus the why's and wherefores.
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
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I doubt it, but you do realize you are going to hell. Motar and CJ should be right in here to let you know you are, plus the why's and wherefores.
lol, I know, I am not saved but...it's all good...I'm pretty sure god loves me... :D
 

Twila

Nanah Potato
Mar 26, 2003
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That's an interesting conclusion since it would imply that whatever belief system one has been raised with would prevail. Yet people become atheist, I am no longer a Christian, a friend who was raised without religion is now a bible follower. In the corporate world people become whistle blowers. All of the above separates those individuals from the "norm" of the group.

I should have stated "most people" or "usually" Cause there's one in every crowd. Even the Asch Experiment there was a girl who refused to "follow suit" Maybe the difference in these people is that this girl knew the answers to the questions being asked and that even though everyone was answering incorrectly, she KNEW.

Maybe for whistle blower, it's cause they KNOW what's right.

Sal, your belief system as described here sounds very Wiccan. Or a sect there of.
 
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Motar

Council Member
Jun 18, 2013
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essentially Motar I believe we come from home to here as a choice...we are energy/souls who become human not humans who acquire a soul because we chose to be here and have chosen much about our life prior to our arrival, there is no blaming our higher power for pain or suffering, nor any need to explain such in the world in general we are a part of all...no less, no greater our role here is an opportunity to grow and expand...best way to do so is to always choose (according to our ability to reason of course and we are not all equal that way)...to always choose to move toward right and light, and good..love, helping, supporting etc..anything positive begets positive....thought is power and brings back to it as well; negative out = negative back, positive out = positive back bad and good is subjective as per our understanding and also our level. there is always help around us, everything can be used as a guide or measure of how well we are doing, everything that happens is like a message there is a god, a force, we can tap that energy as we are that energy that's a quick summation Motar :) are ya scared yet... :p

I'm in my happy place. I'm in my happy place : )

My process is pretty simple, Sal. "Look up. Look out. Look down." In creation, in people and in the written record I experince the infinite Wisdom, Love and Power behind them.
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
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I should have stated "most people" or "usually" Cause there's on in every crowd. Even the Asch Experiment there was a girl who refused to "follow suit" Maybe the difference in these people is that this girl knew the answers to the questions being asked and that even though everyone was answering incorrectly, she KNEW.

Maybe for whistle blower, it's cause they KNOW what's right.

Sal, your belief system as described here sounds very Wiccan. Or a sect there of.
funny you should say Wiccan...I have a few friends that are Wiccan... and they say I have Wiccan like tendencies, and my Christian friends think I am a closet Christian... I'm really not into all of the spell stuff, it's too religious for me...I just march to my own little orchestra...

I'm in my happy place. I'm in my happy place : )

My process is pretty simple, Sal. "Look up. Look out. Look down." In creation, in people and in the written record I experince the infinite Wisdom, Love and Power behind them.
yeah that's pretty much a great way to put it, can't disagree with anything there

in general my experience with everything has always been ...look for differences and a reason to fear and you will find them, look for similarities and a reason to trust and a place to be together and that's what happens
 

cj44

Electoral Member
Sep 18, 2013
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I doubt it, but you do realize you are going to hell. Motar and CJ should be right in here to let you know you are, plus the why's and wherefores.
Gerry. Gerry. Gerry.
You are an extraordinary creature.
 

Motar

Council Member
Jun 18, 2013
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am I wrong? She doesn't follow the Bible and she doesn't recognize Christ as her saviour. Tell me I am wrong.

Christ is the only One who is qualified to make such a determination, Gerry. i will leave that with Him.
 

Count_Lothian

Time Out
Apr 6, 2014
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Quote: Originally Posted by Count_Lothian
You can't get upset with someone's understanding of God.
Sure you can, it depends what that understanding moves them to do.

Looking a little further down your post line in this thread you bring up an interesting point which I would like to address.

If you cherry pick my point and omit what else I said in that sentence, my post ends up serving you well.

But it is unfair to my initial point to cherry pick it for your view and agenda, in getting your point across in the thread, at the cost of my point entirely.

here is the full sentence

You can't get upset with someone's understanding of God for all the masters agree you cannot know God.

Now the point I wanted to make is that in all the origins of our major religions when it comes to defining God , they simply don't.
God the Father is little vague as to what this god is. Once you give any description to God it becomes a small g god.

Islam teaches to the point it is blasphemy ,to describe just what God is ,and descends into the concept of what god's intentions are in regards to creating Satan. Why "Descends to" ? Simply put it is just that ,which is bolstering my view that once you define or connote it turns God into a god.

Buddha just totally ignored any comment on God the creator in a society completely based on God the creator.
Even the caste system under which laws were made in India is to do with God.

So Dexter Sinister, omitting the latter part of my sentence might serve you well in the following post , but it deranges any view I was trying to make. Which seems to be lost on you , but maybe not. That would be jumping to conclusions as to why you just "glommed "over my post for your intentions.

That out of the way. I just realized that I do get touchy at being misquoted.

It's not that simple. I live in a society that consists mostly of believers of some degree, and appears to be governed by some pretty serious believers, and it DOES affect the nature of that society, the nature of public policy and debate, the kinds of issues people think are important, and the kinds of compromises people will accept. It's just wrong to think that the beliefs of the people around you can't affect you.

This is an excellent piece. Being new to this whole medium it's a joy for me to actually engage in something that I've considered important to me.

It's shocking that in this day and age we are governed by people who profess to be Evangelical Christians in order to get voted in in certain areas of our country.
They bring intellectual barbarism to the table of parliment and every descion they make has the underbelly of their belief system.

Is that intolerant of me? Is it wrong for me to watch as our governments decide to toss in a few people wearing headdresses sitting in parliament and then mock the traditions of our para military with the infusion of headdresses.

Hey look at me I sound like I'm intolerant !!!

Why should religion change the look to my iconic Mountie or Toronto police constable on patrol.

Where's that Marois broad when you need her. lol...

For years we had sodomy laws on the books due to barbaric antiquated religious belief .

have a look at this from Wikipedia

and i shall rest my case and thank Dexter sinister for bringing it up.

Canada

Main article: LGBT rights in Canada
Before 1859, Canada relied on British law to prosecute sodomy. In 1859, Canada repatriated its buggery law in the Consolidated Statutes of Canada as an offence punishable by death. Buggery remained punishable by death until 1869. A broader law targeting all homosexual male sexual activity ("gross indecency") was passed in 1892, as part of a larger update to the criminal law. Changes to the criminal code in 1948 and 1961 were used to brand gay men as "criminal sexual psychopaths" and "dangerous sexual offenders." These labels provided for indeterminate prison sentences. Most famously, George Klippert, a homosexual, was labelled a dangerous sexual offender and sentenced to life in prison, a sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. He was released in 1971.
Canadian law now permits **** sex by consenting parties above the age of 18, provided no more than two people are present.[16] The bill repealing Canada's sodomy laws was the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1968-69 (Bill C-150), which received royal assent on June 27, 1969. The bill had been introduced in the House of Commons by Pierre Trudeau,[17] who famously stated that "there's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation".[18] In the 1995 Court of Appeal for Ontario case R. v. M. (C.), the judges ruled that the relevant section (section 159) of the Criminal Code of Canada violated section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms when one or both of the partners are 16 to 18 years of age;[19] this has not been tried in court again.
A similar decision was made by the Quebec Court of Appeal in the 1998 case R. v. Roy.[20]



 

cj44

Electoral Member
Sep 18, 2013
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am I wrong? She doesn't follow the Bible and she doesn't recognize Christ as her saviour. Tell me I am wrong.
Gerry,
I'd rather not be the devil's handyman. Why are you his secretary? You rather like to fight and roll about kicking up dirt and manure. I have no desire to wade through your doctrinal obscurities and delusions.
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
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Christ is the only One who is qualified to make such a determination, Gerry. i will leave that with Him.

Gerry,
I'd rather not be the devil's handyman. Why are you his secretary? You rather like to fight and roll about kicking up dirt and manure. I have no desire to wade through your doctrinal obscurities and delusions.


Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. The Bible states what get's ya to heaven and what get's you to hell. Right? Both of you have stated that the entire Bible is THE word of God. Right? So are you both now going to stir the mud and back peddle?



and cj, in other words, you're not williing to back up YOUR BS. How did it go in Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Oh yes....."Run away, run away".
 

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
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Gerry,
I'd rather not be the devil's handyman. Why are you his secretary? You rather like to fight and roll about kicking up dirt and manure. I have no desire to wade through your doctrinal obscurities and delusions.
Actually, he was not dealing in obscurities or (his) delusions. It is doctrine that no one is saved except by faith in Christ. Is that not true? So those who do not have that faith are lost. Is that not true? You are the one muddying the waters with an personal attack on gerry's integrity.
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
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and as far as I'm concerned, any of those that read the Bible as being true, word for word, and completely the word of God, is already the Devils helper. Difference between me and the Bible thumpers, I don't believe anyone will go to "Hell" for being "wrong" while on this earth.
 

cj44

Electoral Member
Sep 18, 2013
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Actually, he was not dealing in obscurities or (his) delusions. It is doctrine that no one is saved except by faith in Christ. Is that not true? So those who do not have that faith are lost. Is that not true? You are the one muddying the waters with an personal attack on gerry's integrity.
Cliffy,
Given Gerry's temperament, methinks he is looking for me to condemn specific persons. If he wants to discuss theology, I am glad to respond. However, his intent is to spread poison and shred souls. He wishes for me or Motar to take the bait and remove God from His throne. He waits with drool running down his forearms in hopes we will issue the edict - perhaps we will provide a burning scroll of damnation listing all persons we judge to be hell bound!
 
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