Stereotyping Christians

[Gilligan]

This is not directed only to atheists, but also to Deists, Jews, Agnostics, Wiccans, etc.

I feel it is unfair for people to steretype all Christians as being like Fred Phelps, Jimmy Bakker, Ted Haggard, Catholic priests molesting children. Have you noticed that bad news always gets the attention? How often do you hear of the MILLIONS of Christians who don't behave this way? Stereotyping like this is equivelant to lumping all atheists in with Michael Newdow, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, or Joseph Stalin, which would also be wrong.

[Violet]

You mean HUNDREDS of millions, right? I agree that it is silly to stereotype all Christians as being anything more than Christians... just as I would say about about any group.

But most Christians do in fact hold similar beliefs (anti-homosexual, anti-abortion, etc.) because of their religion.

[Gilligan]

You mean HUNDREDS of millions, right? I agree that it is silly to stereotype all Christians as being anything more than Christians... just as I would say about about any group.

But most Christians do in fact hold similar beliefs (anti-homosexual, anti-abortion, etc.) because of their religion.

Yes, we are against homosexuality and abortion, but not the person. I am disgusted with the way Fred Phelps carries signs saying "God Hates Fags", and with abortion clinic bombers. The vast MAJORITY of Christians do not condone this behavior.

[Violet]

I understand that... but it should be noted that they share the same ideals... but to a less extremist extent :S

[Tails Turrosaki]

I stereotype Theists into three groups:

Idiotheists
Smartheists
Increditheists

Those people you named aren't Theists at all, probably. They were probably looking for a way to get to the children. But if they were/are Theists, then they shall be idiotheists.
I don't stereotype ALL Christians into one group whole; just into 3 groups that define them well. ;3

[Ace Otana]

"God Hates Fags"

That is one little contradiction I see more than any other. "God hates fags" and yet god is supposedly all loving? He is either one or the other. He can't be all loving and be hateful at the same time. It's contradictory.

With that aside, I have no problem with any theist or their beliefs. Just as longs they don't go around shoving it down people's throats or threaterning hell or calling people immoral based on pure belief or using violence on others to get their point across. If they can avoid being a total arse then I can quite easily live with them in peace. Don't mind people's beliefs, just as long as they are unharmful and not bothering anyone.

Also, people do good and bad regardless of what belief or not. It's called being human.

[Gilligan]

I just thought I would point this out because Christians are unfairly labelled hypocrites as a group..

[Tiberius]

You hate homosexuality, you hate the person. Sorry, but saying "we hate the sin, but love the person" just comes across as you trying to get out of a corner created by you having horrible beliefs in the first place.

If there is one thing worse than Fred Phelps and his gang, it is Christians who lie and deceive by trying to appear friendly, only to hide their true intentions (in this case sexual "correction" therapy).

Don't hate homosexuality, don't hate abortion. If you don't want gay marriage...don't get one! If you don't want an abortion...don't get one! But just because you don't want one, that doesn't mean you have any right deciding on whether other people should or not. Equality is for all, and it extends to marriage and whether women want to have a baby or not.

[Gilligan]

"God Hates Fags"

That is one little contradiction I see more than any other. "God hates fags" and yet god is supposedly all loving? He is either one or the other. He can't be all loving and be hateful at the same time. It's contradictory.

With that aside, I have no problem with any theist or their beliefs. Just as longs they don't go around shoving it down people's throats or threaterning hell or calling people immoral based on pure belief or using violence on others to get their point across. If they can avoid being a total arse then I can quite easily live with them in peace. Don't mind people's beliefs, just as long as they are unharmful and not bothering anyone.

Also, people do good and bad regardless of what belief or not. It's called being human.

God loves everyone, but not the sin, that is why Phelps's sign is false and hateful.

[Ace Otana]

God loves everyone, but not the sin, that is why Phelps's sign is false.

Ah the "hate the sin, love the sinner" thing.
If that were true, then how comes I here often that generally good moral people who don't believe in gods existence end up in hell? Seems a tad harsh for an all loving god.