I am damn sick and tired of hearing Pagans,witches and other non believers or athiests complain about Christians and Christianity. This complaining includes, but is not limited to...."Christians are mindless fools who follow the lies of the church......." or, "There is no such thing as a true or good Christian because none of them are living as devoted followers of Christ......" or, "Christian churches are organizations of greedy, dishonest fools......" or, "Christianity is a close-minded system of beliefs and those who follow it are also close-minded....." etc., etc.

Blah, blah. Why must they constantly try to prove to the world how "stupid" Christianity is?

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.....
On the topic of money and offerings in church and within Christian organizations....I hate to break the news to everyone who complains about this, but every organization needs money. Churches of all types take up offerings to pay for maintenance and upkeep of the church, which usually includes paying someone to clean and remodel, paying for electric, gas, and other utilities, paying for any dinners or special gatherings, paying the pastor for his work (yes, pastors get paid because many of them consider preaching their full-time job), paying to support missionaries or mission groups that travel, give to various charities, and the list goes on. Are Pagans really aware of what it takes to keep a church financially sound? Apparently not. Yes, there are greedy Christians out there, yes, there are churches and organizations that just want your money, etc. Look around, there are "bad" people everywhere. What dumbass can't see that, yes, the world is full of greed and dishonesty? But the majority of Christian churches just want to take care of their church in a fair and honest way. That's what the offering is for. When a church asks for an offering for "God," this simply means give some money to help keep God's house a nice place for everyone to visit. See? Is that difficult to understand? How can an organization function without money? It can't.

Yes, I know there have been idiots who, while posing as Christians, lied to the public and stole money from everyone who donated to them. There still are idiots like this. Why hold this against all Christians? If you do, you're a jackass.

You're Not a Devoted Christian
Many of them say it. They are Pagans or something else, (or at least non-Christians) yet they seem to be authorities on who is a devout Christian and who is not. Pagans know how every Christian thinks, how they pray, what their true motives are? No, they don't. Mr. Joe Christian down the street got caught speeding....holy crap, a Christian broke the law! "He isn't a 'real' Christian!" My ass. I'll tell you what he isn't.....he isn't a perfect human being. Know why he's not a perfect human being? Because no such being exists. Christians disobey their God's teachings at times, Christians make mistakes, they might even break the law sometimes. They might cuss now and then, they might not "do unto others" now and again, they might covet their neighbor's car.....or wife, they might forget to pray before bedtime, they might punch someone out for acting like a jerk instead of turning the other cheek.....they're human. The difference between a Christian human and a non-Christian human is that the Christian's general attitude will be to do his or her best to follow Christ's teachings, to do his or her best to live how Christ might intend. For some, their best isn't that great. For others, their best means being damn near perfect. But being imperfect, breaking a rule here and there, being a little "bad" once in a while....it happens to Christians and non-Christians alike. It's human nature. This does not mean a person is not a devoted Christian.

Phobia
Why are Pagans and athiests so offended by Christian organizations- almost afraid of them to the point that they create paranoid theories about them, even create little "mottos" about Christianity that they think are so clever and insightful? Ever heard of homophobia? You know, how people say that certain straight folks are afraid of gays, thinking the gay lifestyle will "rub off" if they get to close? Usually, homophobia includes verbal attacks against gays, creating paranoid theories about them, displaced anger and unnecessary hatred toward them. Hmmm. Well, I think a lot of Pagans have "Christophobia." All these Pagans with their meaningless hatred (they say they don't hate, only disagree, but I think it's bullshit), paranoid theories, all their little mottos about how stupid Christians are....I think they are afraid. Afraid that if they try to be nice, try to understand, and try to be open-minded with Christians, some Christian ideas might rub off. And how uncool would that be for a hard-core, greenman loving, goddess worshipping, athame-wielding Pagan to actually have nice things to say about Christianity? What would everyone think? To actually shut your pie hole and stop verablly bashing Christians.....well, that would be almost un-Pagan!

Well, some Christians don't like us! They say we are going to hell! -So I guess that means all us non-Christians should act like immature asses and create ideas about how stupid Christianity is, right?

Oh no, there are people in the world who give Chrisitanity a bad name. Oh no, the Christian religion doesn't suit you or your lifestyle. So freaking what? Just because you think Christianity is stupid, this doesn't make it so. If you don't like Christianity, don't like the way Christian churches conduct themselves, don't like Christian political views, moral views, and just generally don't like the religion....isn't that why you are a non-Christian? So.....why can't that fact speak for itself?
And if you think I'm stupid for complaining about this topic, then feel free to clicky clicky on your back button and find something else to read.
By the way- another peeve I will mention- "Xian." I hate when Pagans spell Christian this way. Morons.

Yes, anyone is free to be "Christophobic" if they want. Just seems there are more important causes to devote our time to.

Thank you, thank you very much.

thats a lot of blah blah. don't think its massaman but could be a cut and paste job......anyway, go tote your wares elseware. we're all stocked up on the lord's minions here.

1. this should be in religion

2. aren't you doing the same thing to pagan people as you are complaining they do to you?

3. was this your point in joining the forum, to just whine and cry of the injustices to the christian dogma?

4. this could be fun to keep an eye on

A persecuted Christian, eh?

I'd say "the medicine Christians have been dishing out for centuries isn't all that tasty, is it?", but truth be told, I don't really care.

Although those quotes are harsh, some of them do have germs of truth to them. For example, any other religion besides Christianity, is going to think that Christians are following "lies"-otherwise wouldn't they be Christians? Also, a lot of Christians are hypocritical, condemning others-even though that is against God's wishes according to the bible. Christian churches have, in the past, been notoriously greed and dishonest.

Also, Christianity is a close-minded belief system-as are most belief systems. That doesn't mean it's necessarily bad however. In fact most of these quotes don't reflect on individual Christians. It's how you follow your belief, not the belief you follow, that is important IMO.

What do you mean "posing as Christians"? Just because they do something you do not like, doesn't give you the authority to strip their religion away from them. Anyone who generalizes, says "all people are this" or "all people are that" is committing bigotry (I'm sure there are some exceptions though). We are all different, although a few of us accept similar beliefs.

Perhaps you could give us examples of Pagans and Atheists who are offended by specific Christian organizations. I'm an atheist and I'm offended by a few organizations, some religious and some not, but I'm not offended on the basis of that organizations religion. I'm offended because that organization does something offensive.

Sort of like "hate the sin, love the sinner", eh?

It's extremely ironic that you are upset with generalizations about Christianity, yet YOU are generalizing yourself!

No, it would be moronic if you actually thought Pagans invented the term.

*grumbles* blanket generalizations BAD!

jeesy creesy, not everyone views christians as mindless jerks.

although...when you get down into the bible belt it can get a bit scary with the bible thumpers stringing up people who cross them (no pun intended) by the neck.

i'd string you up star, just not by the throat.

*throws raisins*

pervert.

I refuse to read any post that's longer than 8 words. I'm sure you're just another stupid christian anyway.

As a Pagan/Wiccan I figured I'd throw in my 2 cents......for what it's worth.


As for me hating or being phobic about Christians.....not true. If anything they hate ME......and anyone else that doesn't follow their line about Jesus saving you and all that stuff. I love my parents, my kids, and my friends; pay my taxes and work......does that make me a bad person? No. According to the Christian folks it still does, though--just because Christ isn't "in my life". Nice, huh?

And, as for the Church needing money: I can see that. But if Christ is in your heart, your mind and your soul, what's he doing in your wallet? Can't you have someplace (besides a fancy building and all those trappings) where you can do "church stuff" without all the overhead? Christ did that....with the clothes on His back and the good welfare of others. See? Problem solved. Your house=little overhead. Winchester Cathedral=BIG overhead.

I don't refer to Christians as being "Xtians"......it sounds too "Xtina" to me...or more Science Fiction, actually. What's next? "The Religion that belongs to Christ"? Sheesh! And also as for thinking how Christians pray, think, etc., I was raised Roman Catholic, so I have a good working of it. I became "fallen" when I wanted to have more of a say in a Church that views women as the Silent Majority, and won't let you do much, if anything. THAT'S why I left.

So no, I DON'T hate Christians. If I did, I'd hate my parents, my siblings, extended family, and folks I don't know.......and THAT would be ignorant.

Again, my 2 cents.

I hate everyone equally

I read half of that post then got bored and decided that whoever posted this should really have posted this on the religion forum so I could display my complete uninterest in there instead of in general...

Oh and by the way. I think that christian's who don't display prejudice or hypocracy to be "good christians" Christians that follow a belief in order to display their hatred for people who are gay or whatever are hypocrites hiding behind a book of contadiction....

*Yawns*

ahhh!!!!!!!! itz christ!!!!!!! awe, poor man has a splinter in his ass

I have to agree with Metagion here. My experience is that it's far more apt to be a christian that is ripping on me for being an atheist than the other way around. Know what? Are you a christian? FINE! Do you believe in your God? GREAT! BUT, don't come to me witnessing and for the love of all that matters to you..don't tell me to have a blessed day when you leave a message on my voice mail. Keep your religion to yourself and I will keep my lack of religion to myself.

Thank you and please drive through...

Here's what I hate. INTOLERANT PEOPLE.

That word can describe almost anyone who won't live and let live.

Want to be a pagan ? Good for you. Want to be a christian? Fine and dandy, but the Pagan won't preach to the christian or damn them to the fires of hell for not following their dogma.

UHOH!

Look, it's this simple. People will believe what they damned well want to! So if you're a christian, I'm happy for you. Whatever floats your little play Titanic is all hunky dory with me, but don't tell me I'm going to hell, or limbo, or some equally unpleasent place where I'm not supposed to be all comfy when I pop my clogs.

Please don't preach. Don't quote your 'good book', don't play missionary and go convert people in far off places who have no clue what christians are, or what they believe in.

See that's the difference between christians and most other belief systems. Christians have to convert others, it's part of their religion. Other faiths who follow that same practice I have no time for either. Sure you can all do what's you wants, and that's fabulous, I'm oh so, happy for you. BUT keep it in your prayer book, and don't shake it at me. I'm not buying.

Whilst I'm on a rant by way of reply to initial ranter, let's pick up on another point made. Bad christians. Yep they exist, shock, horror, shock.

So what? These bad christians are made examples of so often because there's so many of them. And the christian faith quite often excuses these bad christians, pats them on the head and says: Oh it's ok, not everyone's perfect. There are thousands of examples, and I won't go on about this ad infinitum. Suffice to say, that there's lots of christians around. Lots of bad ones in that mass, and lots of excuses why they're so many.

Stop making excuses, get over your ethical, moral, or spiritual problems, and go believe whatever you want to. Keep it to yourself, and the world will be a happier place.

Stop whining, stop pointing fingers, and making faces. And for the love of your God, do stop ranting about it. I'm sure he's not amused, his son doesn't care, the holy spirit can't travel down network cabling, and the internet is a bed of sin anyway.

Rant over.

Protocol.

PS!

I have GOT to say this. F'ing christians and their love of money. Pass the collection plate, give us so much money, you can have a brick in the floor of the yard, or we'll put you're name on a placque, or we'll send you a hundred prayers...

Yeah that's right. Love of money, and not one christian stands up publicly and says OH MY GOD, look at those faux christians demanding money!

Yeah you all want to point fingers at pagans and heathens, and go convert, and talk about the evils of the world, and the second coming, blah, blah de blah, but not one of you takes a stance and goes cleaning house do you?

NO. You start whining about the injustices of the rest of the world, and who does and does not believe, and why that's good or bad, dependent on what you feel like in the morning when you wakes up.

Give me a break. Wah, wah, please someone pass that baby the rattle, they've thrown it out of the pram again.

You want someone to preach to? Go preach to those in the public eye, demanding money with menaces. Those who openly and daily make a mockery of your faith. Those who sleep on silken sheets, and eat from golden plates. Surround themselves with bishops, and arch bishops, own art collections that cost hundreds of millions. Yes I am referring to the dying would be anti-christ (Religious pun intended) Mr How much money you got, and how many kids you having for my God POPE.

Jesus wept! (Apparently) That guy can't bite the bullet fast enough for me.

You want to rant? You want to say how unfair it is that people don't like christians, or poke fun, or make a fool out of christians, or whatever else that is bad for christians, and good for the rest of the world?

Start by cleaning your act up, and playing the part that your saviour died for, and then maybe you'll set a good example to be followed. Until then, you're preaching to the choir, and the choir went home hours ago.

I'm still Protocol, and you've probably burst into flame. Good for you.

Whoa.......

Hell ya, Protocol! You said it, and you said it straight to the point!