I am confused by American christians

[Astonished]

Never been to Europe to know what it's like, but here in the US we have a very large variety of Christians, of all types. Ultra liberal Christians, ultra conservative Christians, Christians who are complete A-holes, Christians who are amazing people, Christians who try to shove their beliefs down your throat, Christians who live and let live... etc etc. You get the point. We come in all shapes and sizes over here. Of course, it's the extreme ones that you hear about because they're the ones making a scene.

I would submit that any good aspects of them are nothing to do with their god-beliefs. If they were, they are to be avoided at all costs because they're of the 'if I didn't believe there was anything wrong with murder, I'd do it all the time' sort of moral non-contemplators. Basically their rejection of actual theology in favor of secular moral values is the only thing really keeping them from being the worst sort of peeps. No sense giving credit where it's not due.

[tjakey]

Some of the people I love most in the world are deeply dedicated Christians. Some of the see Trump as a moral outrage and one family is deliberately setting up their lives so that they can "escape" the US on very short notice and without having to pass through any choke point like airports or boarder crossings.

Others, who are friends of mine, are equally devoted Christians, voted for the Turd in Chief, and see him as god's gift to "save" America. Oddly enough, my feeling is that the two groups despise each other's ideology more than either one of them despises atheism. Yet each can, and does, find a defense for their views in the bible and in Christian history. (Catholics seem to have a more nuanced view of the bible than protestants.)

Though my sympathies are with the former, I suspect the latter are a better reflection of "true" christianity. At its core the bible (and christian history) are authoritarian, judgmental, and violent; an accurate reflection of the christian god. After all, this god will torture anyone, regardless of how good or evil they might be, simply because that person didn't bow down in worship. Worship the god and it doesn't really matter what kind of life one led, heaven awaits. (Again, the catholics see to have a slightly more nuanced view; the life one leads matters, so long as it includes sacraments and tithes. One can still be a thief and a child rapists and expect heaven as a reward, so long as one partakes in the magic of communion.)

Which is going the long way around to saying that American Christians worshiping at the feet of Trump are a pretty accurate reflection of the religion. They don't surprise me at all. In is the christians who stand in opposition to everything that Trump stands for who are the surprise.

[downbeatplumb]

Being British the Christians around me, though few, seem to be overall a rather harmless bunch, mostly good intentioned who keep themselves to themselves, help the needy and champion causes that actually benefit people generally.

This is the sort of Christian that I don't mind, I think they are wrong but they aren't much trouble.

Now this seems to be the opposite of American Christians who blaze around trying to be the biggest arseholes they can be. (they have to a certain extent spread this over here but only in tiny patches).

What gives?

Why is being a huge dick part of the Christian US agenda?

It isn't for most US Christians. Just seems that way to you because you hang out here where every article about bad Christian behavior gets posted.

I do have access to other media. Have you seen American Christians?

[Atheist73]

Christians are the most narcissistic, pride filled people we have in this country. I am not surprised though. They actually believe their is some god out there in space that has specially chosen them from the foundation of the world to be his elect children. It's strange that they claim to follow jesus and wear bracelets that say wwjd, and yet they never do anything jesus commands; i.e. don't judge others. When it came to whether or not to judge someone, jesus' righteous judgement was that christians should not judge others. So what do these lip service cult members do?? They judge everyone at every chance they get. Hypocrites.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Christians are the most narcissistic, pride filled people we have in this country. I am not surprised though. They actually believe their is some god out there in space that has specially chosen them from the foundation of the world to be his elect children. It's strange that they claim to follow jesus and wear bracelets that say wwjd, and yet they never do anything jesus commands; i.e. don't judge others. When it came to whether or not to judge someone, jesus' righteous judgement was that christians should not judge others. So what do these lip service cult members do?? They judge everyone at every chance they get. Hypocrites.

Yeshua wasn't a Christian, he was a Jew who followed Jewish religious practices.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Christians are the most narcissistic, pride filled people we have in this country. I am not surprised though. They actually believe their is some god out there in space that has specially chosen them from the foundation of the world to be his elect children. It's strange that they claim to follow jesus and wear bracelets that say wwjd, and yet they never do anything jesus commands; i.e. don't judge others. When it came to whether or not to judge someone, jesus' righteous judgement was that christians should not judge others. So what do these lip service cult members do?? They judge everyone at every chance they get. Hypocrites.

Yeshua wasn't a Christian, he was a Jew who followed Jewish religious practices.

"I am not here to change the laws, but to enforce them!" 

That's an exact quote from some guy who wasn't even born at the time but managed to get his words taken as gospel.

[Minimalist]

Yeshua wasn't a Christian, he was a Jew who followed Jewish religious practices.

FTFY.

[drfuzzy]

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I swear, you do more to make atheists feel good about their unbelief (and probably getting believers to question their faith) then anything I can think of right now.  You're the perfect example of the poisoning of the American christian well.

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So where is the coverage of the thousands my home congregation has personally saved from vensualia?

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Where are the stories of the churches who have spent millions after the movie stars left Haiti? Can you name some of the embedded church groups who are helping to rebuild that nation?

You can name a single person out of the millions who give their lives to helping others...

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Now name me a christian who hates fags. 

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out of the maybe 100s that actively do hate gay people everyone of you can produce a name.

Why is that? if not for a one sided anti-church media?

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What's vensualia?  A new type of heresy?  A venereal disease?
Pence hates fags.  
I could probably do a google search and come up with a thousand high-profile names to add to his (Nashville Statement would be a start) but it would be a waste of time.
That means I would have to respond to Dripshit.  Cleaning toilets with a Q-Tip is more fun.

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Christians are the most narcissistic, pride filled people we have in this country. I am not surprised though. They actually believe their is some god out there in space that has specially chosen them from the foundation of the world to be his elect children. It's strange that they claim to follow jesus and wear bracelets that say wwjd, and yet they never do anything jesus commands; i.e. don't judge others. When it came to whether or not to judge someone, jesus' righteous judgement was that christians should not judge others. So what do these lip service cult members do?? They judge everyone at every chance they get. Hypocrites.

I sit through some worship services and actually listen sometimes.  It's all about what god's going to do for ME and asking god to do stuff for ME and asking god to talk to ME how I'M going to sit at Jesus' right hand and how all those evil people over there AREN'T.  And then they brag about being humble through Christ.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Drich, Westboro Baptist.

[vorlon13]

All the Mormons this week