Have you ever faced discrimination by Christians?

[Agape93]

Posting a comment or not, click the poll

Yes I have been discriminated against by Christians or i have seen it

No, I haven't been and haven't seen it

Updates

+1 y

If you're going to be an asshat, your comment will be removed and you'll be blocked.

[NamerOfStars]

Oh, yes. The year after I graduated high school, I spent the summer down south volunteering with a charity organization. They'd give us stipend checks to get ourselves by, and we'd go the local grocery store to cash them. And my first real exposure to the cultural differences of the Deep South- between the registers and the door were people who'd attempt to convert you to Christ. At first I was polite about it, but as time passed, I had to give that up. When a stranger walks up, sticks their mere inches from yours, and asks "Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb?", the only rational response is "Yeah, we had the sacrifice at Jimmy's place last night. It was awesome, you should've been there!".

There is a mentality, sadly common among the traditionally religious and the secularly religious alike, that religion is an excuse to stop thinking. I've never understood this mindset, and I've disagreed with it from the moment I first encountered it. By all rights, it should be pushing you to go FURTHER, to explore and reason and *think*, that you might better understand the world, and your place in it. But some people see tribalism not as an unfortunate result of human evolution, but as a desirable inevitability, and base their religious identities around that; they're content to let their gods do their thinking for them, whether those gods be natural, supernatural, or artificial. Since, by their reckoning, I didn't take the offers of those people seriously, they turned on me, and things sometimes got VERY cold towards me down there; if I'd flat-out told them I was Catholic, they'd probably have run me out of town on a rail.

What makes it so odd in this specific case is that Jesus recognized that this would happen. He said "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of me." (Matthew 5:11); aside from not thinking it through, I don't know why so many people could fail to realize that that means "because they follow me and you don't" just as much as "because you follow me and they don't".

[Jamie05rhs]

I sympathize with your story.
But the Bible verse you quoted actually doesn't mean that. It's a nice thought, but it just isn't accurate. We can't twist Scripture to make it mean what we want it to mean.

[NamerOfStars]

@Jamie05rhs I'm not "twisting scripture", I'm quoting it. Since Jesus didn't bother to leave any writings, the words are all we have. So no, it's not inaccurate, unless the words themselves are.

[Jamie05rhs]

But those are the quoted words of Jesus. That's what he said.

[NamerOfStars]

@Jamie05rhs Well, they're a translation of what He said, since he spoke Aramaic and Matthew was written in Hebrew. But yes, that's my point. He didn't say "You're blessed because people will be awful to you because you worship me", He said "You're blessed because people will be awful to because of me". Period. My point is that the first interpretation, while more common, is not what He said.

[Jamie05rhs]

Yeah, but that's what he meant. You need to understand the greater context. Jesus was only popular up until the point where he got arrested. Then everyone turned on him. And he's been attacked ever since. Even after they killed him, they attacked his followers. That's the point of what he was trying to say. Basically, "following me isn't going to be an easy journey."

[NamerOfStars]

@Jamie05rhs @Jamie05rhs Well, no- if that's what He meant, that's what He'd have SAID. If Jesus knew all that was going to happen to Him, He'd've known the necessity of speaking clearly. If not, He'd've had no reason to not specify what exactly He was trying to say. You can't have it both ways.

Further, since He didn't bother to write anything down, all we have to go by is the scriptures themselves. No Jew who knew their own culture wouldn't've made a point of being clear, given how critical a part of that faith religious debate is. And Jesus, being Jesus, DEFINITELY wouldn't've been unfamiliar with it.

[Jamie05rhs]

Read Verse 12 (the following verse). It says: "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Who were the prophets? People speaking on behalf of God. People representing God. Believers. People of faith. That is who Jesus is referring to in Verse 11 because that is who he compares them to in Verse 12. Followers of God.

[NamerOfStars]

@Jamie05rhs Now you're just nitpicking. You've picked a conclusion and are looking for evidence to support it, rather than finding evidence and drawing conclusions from that. If a comparison and a substitution were the same thing, there'd be no difference between a metaphor and a simile. That people are persecuted in the same manner as old prophets doesn't mean only those who share an allegiance with them are persecuted.

And that's ignoring all the FALSE prophets who rightly endured persecution.

[Jamie05rhs]

I already know the conclusion lol. I've been in church my whole life. This is kind of my strong subject, bro. I'm just trying to help you out and educate you here.

[ChrisMaster69]

Yes very much so.

most of it has been indirect discrimination or where I have called them out.

first off being in the military, wow that gets a lot of them going, especially when they pull politics in to it, religion and politics, never far apart. That was just a constant thing, if it was not the left wing anti Semitic Arsehole, it was the religious fuckwit pacifist who just hated everything.

Then it’s attitude towards Gay, bisexual and lesbian, my sister was told she was not welcome to attend church group after she came out as bisexual (at 16), I made the point of going with her and also some friends, eventually after trying the ‘immoral’ bollox they banned is all.

Where I live it’s very much a Catholic and Protestant conflict, with separate schools for each. Dating across the divide was not really accepted, I had a few beatings for dating a Catholic girl lol.

In my extended family, cousins etc it’s a weird mix.

protestants
catholics
mormons
Jehovah’s

It’s amazing how people need a book to be nice to people, then fail at it totally when sexuality etc comes into it.

[r2cute]

I've had people tell i have no morals because im a atheist. i always ask them why they need a book to tell them their morals instead of having their own

[ChrisMaster69]

@r2cute exactly, you would like to think that by 2022 society is sufficiently advanced enough to understand this shit

[Cherry234]

This happened to me on here and I have seen it happen here. The Christians I've met irl are nicer than the people on here. One asshole who posted a question about if you would date a person who has been a sex worker expressed her disgust towards sex workers. She thinks people who are sex workers are going to hell. I told her she shouldn't be judging those people and that they may not necessarily go to hell. That's because she doesn't really know who they are.

She implied I'm going to hell because of the way I think. I was arguing with her about this but she doesn't see how wrong her views are. I told her it's fine if she doesn't want to date a sex worker but it was wrong how she was talking about them. She's too thick-headed to see that. She's a despicable person and a troll. I think she may even be a catfish. There is also another asshole who wants nothing to do with me and said he doesn't tolerate sin in any regard because he's a "child of God."

We were having a conversation about incest and I said it isn't incest for step siblings to date each other. That's when he accused me of being incest. Plus, there was an anon jerk on here a couple of months ago who accused me of going against God's word because I wouldn't send my gay or lesbian child (if I had a child) to Christian conversion therapy. That's because I believe my child shouldn't have to change a fundamental part about him/her self. Sorry for writing such a long rant. I just have a lot to say about this question.

[Ez-Bri-Z]

I mean... LGBT member and staunch supporter, feminist, believe in pro choice, in a poly relationship and agnostic?

Maybe once or twice.

My personal "favorite" though is when certain ones take the extra step of not just saying I'm going to hell, but then include my children in that as well. Those ones earn a special place in my heart.

That being said, I've also met some absolutely wonderful people who are also practicing Christians and I wish them only the best in this world even if they don't personally agree with my marriage.

[Agape93]

*hugs*

[Ez-Bri-Z]

*hug*

[SecretsofKB]

I had this "lovely" little Christian lady on campus when I was in college who "kindly" informed me I'll be spending me very long eternity burning in the fiery lakes of hell because of my preference for vagina...

[Agape93]

The bitch can fuck off. I'm sorry you went through that.

Besides if that was the case, she best be ready too. Judge not lest ye be judged before God the father.

[ChrisMaster69]

@SecretsofKB lol, just noticed your post, I can imagine how it went lol.

It’s amazing how judgmental holier than thou’s can get.

[SecretsofKB]

@Agape93

Yes she can! And I judged the hell out of her back lol

@chrismaster697

Generally, I'm a nice person, or at least I try to be. But I definitely flipped her off that day. I was on my way to chemistry so I was already in a bad mood lol

[ChrisMaster69]

@SecretsofKB I’m not a nice person and I am very protective of my little sis …. So yeah

[SecretsofKB]

@ChrisMaster69

Well sounds like you're a good big brother!

[silvermoon84]

I voted yes, and I’m a Christian who has been discriminated against by other Christians. I’m evangelical Lutheran but I live in NY and I was raised here. We are pretty diverse here in NY as a whole and the local christian community is no different however, with that being said a large portion of Christians around here are Catholics, and I’ve been told more than once that since I’m not Catholic, I’m not really a Christian and therefore am going to hell. Likewise, I’ve also been told to get right with God by other evangelicals because I don’t use the Bible to hurt people, nor am I quick to tell people they’re going to hell.

[DaveJord]

Absolutely, go to a any dating site and you will find ladies saying that want a man who has a relationship with Jesus, and not having one is a deal breaker. That's discrimination my dear good Christian people.

I have also been discriminated against for being a man, and for being white!!! Yup, better believe it! The whole privilege class thing is a inherently racist... if you buy into it. Just saying there are a lot of poor ass white meth heads out there that feel pretty shity about being poor white meth heads.

[Phoenix98]

Nope I am one. I have faced discrimination against people though by none Christians for both my faith, skin colour and personal beliefs.

I've never discriminated against someone though nor would I.

And I just want to say those that have are wrong and are not following the bible or it's teachings like they should be. We're supposed to be taught to not be judgmental or discriminatory. You not believing in God is not a valid reason to discriminate they were in the wrong.

I feel like some Christians forget that what we believe in must be a personal choice it's not something to be forced on others. And that we were all born with free will to for better or worse make our own decisions and choices.

[imsocool1806]

i'm a christian and i think christians face a lot of discrimination by other christians itself because there are so many different denominations and views on rules etc - so i agree with that statement but ofc there are people who are genuine and wouldn't discriminate

[lightbulb27]

not sure what you mean.

I felt disregarded by catholics when I said I was a christian and they wanted to convert me. That's offensive.

I've only seen christians be inclusive, more so than most. But, I've also seen them be arrogant (selfish head strong self righteous, and wrong). They are still humans.

[Agape93]

As in have you experienced or seen Christians discriminate against someone

[lightbulb27]

yes. I think most humans discriminate in some manner.

[lightbulb27]

their leader (Jesus) was as well. If read what he said, he really stirred things up back in the day. Kicking out the money changers from the temple, telling the Jews they were "white washed tombs", eating with women, saving a woman to be stoned. His intent was good. He mostly attacked the heartless religious for their fake rules, for he knew how sick they were... inside. He reached out to the "poor in spirit", those stepped on and discarded, with no hope.

It's the reverse of what you might see in some circles today.

It is not easy being a Christian... it's actually harder for the world is nature. Read what he said, he's right imho. he's talking to the heart (emotion), not a set of rules (logic).

[Shark_61695]

Singing hymns and saying the lord's prayer every morning. I call this discrimination against anyone who isn't a practicing Christian but normal at my primary school. At high school we had to visit church on special occasions and the pervasiveness of Easter and Christmas force themselves anyone who doesn't wish to participate.

If these were any other religions, the entire Christian church (and definitely not the government because of the vast separations of church and state would prohibit them coming down on either side).

[Recurrence]

I grew up as an atheist in a small religious town in Wyoming and I was bullied for it. People wouldn’t really talk to me unless it was to tell me that I’m going to burn in hell, otherwise they didn’t speak to me

[Agape93]

Assholes. Sorry you went through that

[Recurrence]

I blame their parents mostly, they were all just kids. It’s just been hard untangling my socially stunted upbringing, but I’m doing therapy and working on myself

[Agape93]

Good on you

[AmeerX]

Well, there was this one time when I had Christian friends from abraod who wanted to see a church and the Church in my city refused access to us and asked if they were really Christian.
Another time the missionary college displayed the merit list for Muslim students but admitted Christian students with a merit list.
All in all, I don't think it is just a Christian discrimination. It is just that people discriminate even if you are same color and culture regardless of things we do or possess

[Staximus]

This guy I've known for like 30 years from school (who was not really my friend) found out my dad was Jewish one night at the bar a few years back. My dad was not a practicing Jew and not religious, so he raised us to not be religious. Anyways, the guy finds out because one if my friends says "give me a cigarette you Jew bastard" He says "what the fuck? You're a fucking Jew? I didn't even know the whole time? What the fuck?" I said "hey, take it easy man" and he walked back inside. An hour later he comes out of the bar and just randomly interrupts my conversation with "you're a fucking Jew What the fuck?" I had enough of that and pulled out a really big knife and said "hey, that's enough of all that Jew talk" He put his hands up like he didn't want to get shot or something and I said "there, now we can be friends again" and he went back into the bar.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Even Christian-on-Christian discrimination exists. I was born Catholic and I believe this branch of Christianity is the most prejudice of all Christians.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Yes.
Despite attending Mass regularly (although in a perfunctory way), both the priest and a couple of others pearl-clutchers threw quite a fit because me and a few others wore our red handkerchiefs at a war celebration.
They still compare the partisan movement to God-hating Bolsheviks, despite the fact that those same "Bolsheviks" such as my grandfather fought against the Fascists and their German friends that defiled that same exact church.

[StephBelsten]

Yes, but not explicitly. I think in an effort to be "open" and "community oriented" they have to put on smiles and say they accept everyone, but will shun particular people from events or even speaking to them for more than 5 seconds because of childish reasons.

The best Christian's are the ones who don't go to church and just take the bible as metaphors for how to live, not the indisputable words of a higher power

[nachosaresexy]

Yes and so I put them in their place, collect their penis tips, and I'm currently collecting enough till I can impress my future father-in-law.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2018%3A27&version=KJV

[slatyb]

Not so much, but I’ve been in high tech my whole career, and it’s rare to meet anyone religious. The only discrimination I have faced was when I wanted to join the Boy Scouts, which requires a statement of faith (although not necessarily Christian). They still do. The Girl Scouts are more inclusive.

[JosyJosy]

No but I've seen it. Instead of be accepting of others or inviting them they just looked down on others. A bit disappointing to see

[TonyMetal___86]

People can be discriminative whether they are christians or not or to any religion or cult they follow and there are many discriminative atheits out there who are ready to attack you from out of the blue...

It's all in the person miss josy, how a person thinks and the way he was raised and he's surroundings... etc

[JosyJosy]

@TonyMetal___86 exactly, you have these people in every group, good and bad. There will be bad christians, great muslims, bad atheists and the other way around

[TonyMetal___86]

That's true and by the way happy new year miss josy 😊

[JosyJosy]

@TonyMetal___86 Happy new year :*

[Msputiton]

I'm a Christian and i will say we have really amazing members, but unfortunately we have some of the most judgmental people too.

See i refuse to even let them know much bout my personal life, knowing the judgments probably will come

[Pink2000]

Well I’m a Christian and I really don't think I’ve faced discrimination from Christians but I know it happens. I know people who have been turned away at the church doors just because they had on ripped jeans or too many tattoos showing. I personally haven’t faced it but I know it happens.

[WowwGirl]

We live in a Jesus friendly area too.

[TonyMetal___86]

I'm a christian and i haven't faced such things...
We have to learn that not every person claiming that he/she are christians are TRULY christians because a lot of people hides behind religions and cutls just for their own benefits and do not show or care to show the real image of the things that they are following or have faith in!

Personally i'm not a robot, i have my views and my opinions that represents me, i know where to agree and where to disagree...

[globetrotter22]

nowadays it’s more the reverse. But that’s happened all through our history. These new age atheists think they are on to something new but they are not.