Question for Christians

@Abstraction I agree, I would do the same but when I created this poll, I had in mind the kind of atheists who are really aggressive and disrespectful towards Christians, I've had my God called the flying spaghetti monster etc multiple times by atheists but I've not really seen many Christians who are as disrespectful.

@Patientlywaiting There are evangelical atheists who take on the attributes of what they don't like about some Christians:
* Lack of respect for others' beliefs
* A form of arrogance that assumes the ignorance of others. I think all beliefs should be held with humility as we are all subject to confirmation bias and the world view of our culture and age.
* Imposing their views on others.

The other end of the spectrum for anyone is:
* Respect others. Act with respect. Treat people with respect.
* Assume people have reasons for the things they think and hold your own beliefs with humility.
* Dialogue without fear. Listen. Assume you might learn from someone else even if their view is different.
The interaction is powerfully different when we do this. I work in overseas aid and I would say one of the biggest things in our work is listening and respect. People who are poor are sometimes amazing.

@Abstraction It seems that Jesus hated religious people =
Matthew 23:23-36 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23%3A23-36&version=MSG

@Patientlywaiting when people start wittering on about the spaghetti monster they are just being totally ignorant

@Diotrephes Yes, but I think the context is a little more nuanced than 'religious people' and a little more complex than 'hate' when you put that statement alongside his interactions with them right through. He was hitting out at the powerful people like we see today in politics and business as much as in religion - putting on a veneer of being noble and good people, misusing their power to exploit, making a big deal out of minor things whilst neglecting justice, fairness, care for the vulnerable, using their power to crush voices for positive change...

@Abstraction The biblical passage deals with religious people.

@Diotrephes I believe it applies to the religious people who are obsessed with rules and regulations, combing through the Bible to find passages to back up their self righteousness and especially those that like to give the impression of being holy at least on the outside - I think in today's world, a good example might be those that are constantly judgemental over gay people and those who have had abortions etc but they ignore teaching on, mercy, faith, love and forgiveness. I've compared that passage to Matthew 7:1-5 too.

@Patientlywaiting The thing is that, according to the fairytale, Christian believers are supposed to be judgmental toward other believers conduct. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (MSG) = "9-13 I wrote you in my earlier letter that you shouldn’t make yourselves at home among the sexually promiscuous. I didn’t mean that you should have nothing at all to do with outsiders of that sort. Or with criminals, whether blue- or white-collar. Or with spiritual phonies, for that matter. You’d have to leave the world entirely to do that! But I am saying that you shouldn’t act as if everything is just fine when a friend who claims to be a Christian is promiscuous or crooked, is flip with God or rude to friends, gets drunk or becomes greedy and predatory. You can’t just go along with this, treating it as acceptable behavior. I’m not responsible for what the outsiders do, but don’t we have some responsibility for those within our community of believers? God decides on the outsiders, but we need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line and, if necessary, clean house."

@Diotrephes
"The biblical passage deals with religious people." And were not his disciples 'religious people'? Did he hate them? No. So he was referring to specific behaviours. This is, I think, a fairly simple distinction.

"Christian believers are supposed to be judgmental toward other believers conduct." No. Another relatively simple issue that you have confused. There is a difference between [u]being judgemental[/u] and making a judgement. If someone makes a dangerous decision when driving, I can [b]judge[/b] that it was a poor decision and that I will not drive like that without [b]being judgemental[/b]. It's not a complicated distinction.

@Abstraction If you are a believer, why do you disagree with the rules, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, established by the founder of your religion?

@Diotrephes if you don't believe in the Bible or God why are you so bothered by it? You have so many aggressive posts for something that in your eyes is a fairytale. Why?

@Patientlywaiting If you believe in it, what are the Ten Commandments and why do you ignore the commandments Jesus gave you?

We can discuss the Koran and the hadiths or the Jewish Babylonian Talmud if you desire.

@Diotrephes you didn't answer my question.

@Diotrephes I'm not going to have a long conversation with you about this. I don't disagree with the bible, I disagree with you:
- "It seems that Jesus hated religious people."
- "Christian believers are supposed to be judgmental toward other believers conduct."
Seriously? I've already explained the clarification, I know my 12 yo grandson would comprehend the distinctions. Please take your agenda elswhere.

@Patientlywaiting That wasn't directed at you!

@Abstraction [quote]There are evangelical atheists who take on the attributes of what they don't like about some Christians ....[/quote]What an excellent reply. Thank you.