Please don't be rude and state your opinion respectfully. I like to see what people have to say about this question. I like the diversity of answers here. So far most people have been respectful except for one person who was being rude so I deleted his answer. I have no patience and tolerance for rude people.
A true Christian doesn't discriminate against people. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Scripture is replete with warnings about false prophets and to examine those claiming to be of God.
““Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” Matthew 7:6 ESV Here scripture tells us not to discuss the Holy things of God with unbelievers. Notice Jesus calls them pigs.
““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20 ESV In the above Jesus warns about false prophets.
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 3:8-10 ESV
Here John the Baptist preaches about repentance and stats that all trees that don’t bear good fruit are cast into the fire, trees being a metaphor for people and fire a metaphor for hell.
What do these have in common? Discrimination. We are called to inspect fruit (evidence that one is born again). How can one do so without discriminating at a some point?
Now is the time to cry out to the Lord and repent and believe in him as your savior and obey him as your Lord and repent of your sins: for those reading this who have not done so and desire the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life.
Raised Catholic and believe in God and his teachings, but I don't let everything the church teaches shape my opinion of others. I keep them in mind, but I do everything in my power to be civil and not discriminate against anybody. If they have views that go against the church and the teachings, I don't hate them and I don't try to change their minds and act like a fanatical zealot to those who oppose my beliefs.
I feel that what the church teaches with the bible should be used as a foundation of morality and guiding compass to those it reaches. You have free will to act as you do and accept responsibility to pay for sinful actions and behavior in the end.
So let's use examples here. Gay marriage and abortion. I have no issues with gay marriage despite the sanctity of marriage being between man and woman being taught. I hate abortion and don't feel children should pay the price because of something they had no control over, however, I can make certain exceptions to it be it that the child is one of rape or incest or being a direct threat to the mother while carrying it. In my extreme view I see abortion as murder and convenience for most people because a child is an inconvenience to them and their lifestyle, but does that make them terrible people? No. They just made a decision I personally didn't like and disagreed with. Which is not a good measure to one's whole character. It is a begrudging thing I have to deal with because it is a choice.
However, the best way to keep myself grounded is to have the agree to disagree mindset if differences arise. Something a lot of people can't seem to do because it seems everyone is focused on winning an argument or determined to demean or hurt the other. Not worth the energy or time at the end of the day. No one will agree on everything because we are human and this falls back to free will and choice.
I feel like a true Christian would treat people kindly whether or not they agree with that person’s beliefs or lack thereof.
The concept of “discrimination” complicates things though because it implies that all things should be accepted.
If something is spoken against in the bible and a Christian follows the words of the bible, then there will be things that people do, which the Christian doesn’t agree with, approve of, or accept.
Whether that’s considered to be discrimination or not is up to interpretation. It really depends on how “discrimination” is being defined.
As a religious person, especially one of an Abrahamic religion, they generally believe that God is the judge, jury and executioner, plus there’s more emphasis on caring for people than judging and hurting them (I’m assuming, I’ve never read the bible or any religious book but it’s a fair enough assumption that religion is something nice) - there’s just no point in discrimination, even if the bible says that only Christians will get to heaven or encourages evangelism, because every religion believes themselves to be the right one anyways
"As a religious person, especially one of an Abrahamic religion..." im extremely curious which Abrahamic religion you're talking about. The Torah, the Bible and the Quran all have clear instructions to discriminate or discern or judge others.
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Eh don't agree nor disagree. Religion to me is something that was created with a solo purpose to discriminate anyone that did not line up with such views, therefore a person truly following a religion would do so. In the bible the Judaic God himself discriminates against anyone who does not worship him to points of pure dictatorship. Which then one would say well yeah he created us all so he can dictate our lives how he see's fit which I just say yeah sure lol.
But for the argument sake of how one may want to join a religion because they thinks it spreads peace which is funny but alas some think it. Then yes there religious ways should stick to that to truly be correct to what they want to follow. Therefore a true religious person if they see that as "morally good" should lack in discrimination if wanting to be a good person.
Also No-True-Scotsman Fallacy it's funny how many people use this wrong. They don't see how something can be both correct but a generalisation, compared to Scotsman which is purely just in the wrong. It's like you could say a real bear will attack a human in the wild. Now there is reasoning for it won't but one is not gonna sit there and go that's a Fallacy because it's a generalisation or rule that is kinda true it's pointless to argue ageist it.
How this one relates to religion and saying No true Christian. I think I will just let other's try figure that one out, I could say but honestly it would be one big long winded answer and this already all is. Safe to say a lot of people are using this Fallacy wrong tho.
Nobody has the right to define somebody else's faith or what's in their heart. We can use discernment, but we cannot be partial or discriminate. Only god is the judge of that. Also- If a Christian discriminates, then that doesn't mean he/she isn't true to his/her faith. It means that they are struggling with sin. All Christians do. I can be quite arrogant at times. I watch porn at times. That doesn't mean I'm not a true christian. It means I'm struggling, and trying to be better.
Romans 7:14-17 Describes this struggle well...
So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
Romans 2:1-2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
That's a good question. My first instinct is to agree, but reading some of the other responses I'd have to say it depends what you mean by a "true Christian." And also how you intend to use the word "discriminate".
"Definition of discriminate transitive verb
1a: to mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of Depth perception may be defined as the ability to appreciate or discriminate the third dimension … — H. G. Armstrong b: DISTINGUISH, DIFFERENTIATE discriminate hundreds of colors 2: to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences : to recognize or identify as separate and distinct discriminate right from wrong especially : to distinguish from another like object discriminate the individual voices in the choir intransitive verb
1a: to make a distinction discriminate among historical sources discriminates between literary fiction and popular fiction b: to use good judgment 2: to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit discriminate in favor of your friends discriminate against a certain nationality" - courtesy of Merriam-Webster https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminate
Be careful using man's words to define this. Jesus passes down judgment. Over thinking it is the gift of knowledge given to you. A gift we have paid for but don't want.
@LightOfTruth Well in Matthew 7:6 Jesus does say: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." - New International Version
As a Christian I disagree. We discriminate in who we date and marry as per the scriptures. However it doesn't say we can't be courteous to our fellow man. But there are verses that say you can't be married to someone who is not also Christian for instance. It says to not take a promiscuous person as your spouse as well. It also says no same sex relations. by the way lets not confuse this into meaning you are called to hate gay people because thats not the case. Simply not partaking in homosexual sex, etc. It is also in scripture that life starts at conception so abortion is off the table. Therefore we are also barred from dating people who are pro choice. Common misconceptions are that you cannot marry outside your race but this is not true at all and never mentioned in the bible. Its all about the person's faith and belief.
Yep miss cherry i agree and i already answered her question and made lots of comments there...
A true christian would no discriminate others but still have his/her opinion without hurting the others...
If jesus gaves us the freedom of choice than who are we to judge and discriminate others but we are humans and we aren't perfect, sometimes we make mistakes and we repent and we always try our best to become better people...
It's not only about christians cause people from all religions and cults makes mistakes and might become discriminative, so it's all up to us and the way we think and act towards the others!
We all have sins but some people are more pure or haven't made sins as much as others...
Like i said that we aren't perfect, the only person who have no sins is Jesus "god"...
Sometimes the way we think in our heads and the things that comes up to our minds are considered sin even if we didn't do them in real life, we are always put into tests and the better person you become the more the evil will attack you and try to mess up with your mind but always stay strong and be a good person because in the end of the day it's you who choose your path and it's you who decides if you want to be a great person or not...
315 opinions shared on Religion & Spirituality topic.
I think people have problems distinguishing between being a Christian and being Christ-Like.
A Christian is a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Being Christ-Like is emulating the life of Christ. Jesus forgave the people who beat Him with a whip. He forgave those who made Him wear a crown of thorns and pelted Him with stones and rocks. He forgave those who nailed Him to the cross and tortured Him for hours.
It is hard to follow the path of Christ. And while we all know what Christ would do in the face of discrimination, I think it is wrong to talk about being a true Christian beyond being a Believer. Too many of us, including myself, make the wrong decision. But we are still Christians.
Well I would think that you would be right but that's not the case anymore it doesn't matter which denomination that you're under it seems like those people do it the worst and they were Hypocrites when they do it because a lot of them do bad things in their private life and go to church for one reason and one reason only and that is to get forgiveness for what they do each and every day or week in their private life it seems like more and more church people are becoming hypocrites and it's really sad thing to witness. I let people be who they want to be as long as it's not hurting anybody that I know or myself they are who they are and I just look at them as if they don't know any better or maybe they do but they're trying to fool everybody I just let them stay the fool they are
I guess. It depends on what you mean. It is too vague. They should love all people. It would probably fall under what people mean by "discriminate" and all of the endless scenarios someone may say that is "discrimination".
It says for believers to "not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" basically... do not marry an unbeliever. The couple should be "united" and "one" and they should be teaching their kids the same thing... not differing at a core level and teaching their kids opposing views.
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Being a Christian does not make a person perfect, and ALL Christians are flawed human beings. It seems to be quite popular to laugh at Christians because they sometime fail in large and obvious ways, but real Christians are not better, nor do they pretend to be better, than anyone else.
My church is filled with sinners, including the guy in the pulpit.
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Disagree. That's a No-True-Scotsman Fallacy. The defining characteristic of a 'christian' is that they accept the claim that christianity is true. What parts specifically they obey, ignore or deny are irrelevant. You or a christian who you happen to not like, are no more of an authority on which of you is a christian than the other one. You can't just change the definition of 'christian' to suit you.
Plus, I would argue that discriminating christians are following the bible better than those who do not. The bible is not a tolerant book.
"What parts specifically they obey, ignore or deny are irrelevant." Irrelevant? Just the opposite in fact. In order to be a Christian there are certain things you have to believe, and if you do not then you're not a Christian.
@Gal67 Yes - the thing you have to believe is 'Does the christian god exist'. Everything else is optional. For any extra criteria you try to add, I'll find you a christian who disagrees. And that's exactly the point I made originally.
The 'No True Scotsman Fallacy' isn't one that I recognise. It isn't fallacious to say that "this is what Christians (or some other group of people) believe, and one of the requirements to being a member of this group is that you believe the same". Christians believe in the divinity of Christ, the resurrection, the existence of the supernatural, objective morality, the existence of objective reality, the linear nature of time, causality, judgement and doing what's right, among other things. You don't need to take my word for it, just ask the next one you come across.
@Gal67 "It isn't fallacious to say that "this is what Christians (or some other group of people) believe, and one of the requirements to being a member of this group is that you believe the same"." Correct. But that requirement is accepting the christian god as true. There's nothing in that definition about judging or not judging other people. There is a specific criteria for being a christian, and you don't get to move the goalposts just to exclude people who would disagree over minor parts of that belief. Is everyone who doesn't follow christianity /exactly/ the same way you do a fake christian? If another christian told me you were a fake christian... how would you counter them?
"Christians believe in [...], the resurrection, the existence of the supernatural, objective morality, the existence of objective reality, the linear nature of time, causality, judgement and doing what's right, among other things. You don't need to take my word for it, just ask the next one you come across." All of that is just plain wrong. Those things are common christian beliefs, sure. But they aren't the defining characteristic. Ask some other christians.
A true Christian MUST discriminate against people. Numerous examples exist where it states you must treat people different depending on whether they are Christian or not.
1. Only marry a fellow Christian. Meaning being discriminating in your romantic relationships.
2. Christ has come to bring the sword amongst family. So you should discriminate even your own family if they are wicked.
Just two examples but there's a lot of explicit verses about how we are to judge other people which leaves us to discriminate against certain people at certain times.
@LightOfTruth if you read the Bible then you would clearly see "the rules" to discriminate against certain groups of people in certain ways. Have you read the Bible? And if you have, do you believe the Bible is both true and good?
@LightOfTruth from the article a point im specifically familiar with "Those who quote Matthew 7:1 as evidence that Christians should never judge need to read the context of that verse. Yes, Jesus says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged," but he goes on to say, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
In other words, don't apply a double-standard and judge someone for a sin you're equally, or even more guilty, of committing. Instead, Jesus says, "first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." So the solution isn't to refrain from judging; it's to fix yourself so you can help fix others."
I think your missing the point of the statement. Don't judge or you will be judges in the same manner. It's supposed to be a thought provoking ah ha moment kind of saying. Or maybe this will. more more sense. Dont play in the street, when you play in the street here are some things that can heppen. Remember translations are not 100% and Sentence structure has changed.
@LightOfTruth and you are only cherry picking the first sentence. Whats your commentary on the rest of the passage? Conveniently you left it off. Context is key.
Many confuse discrimination with separating ourselves from the world. We are instructed to love others as God loved us, by sending Jesus to die for our sins. We also are instructed to hate the things that God hates and are made clear in the pages of the scriptures. So the way some live life and the actions they take are to be avoided, but we love everyone because it is not the person we hate, and God wishes all to be saved. This is why Jesus said to go forth and teach others. Our lives depend on it.
As an Ex-Christian/Former Christian... whatever. I completely agree. This is one of the reasons I am no longer Christian. The bible states many times that you should act as such, but the followers act completely opposite. (The ones I've come across.) Didn't make sense to me, so it gave me another reason out of hundreds to convert to omnism.
I totally understand this and I see where you are coming from. At some point I almost gave up on being Christian, due to the fact that I was in a bad Christian environment. It is truly sad that Christians are not seeing this. We are losing Christians, while we preach about gaining them. Sometimes, it is hard to reach out to people, and we wonder why…😞
No. The ideal Christian wouldn't discriminate but we can see in the scripture examples of very holy men, prophets who were prejudiced. God tried to change their view but the fact they were that way didn't make them not be the other stuff.
I guess it's similar to talking about if a true Christian would eat junk food or not. The thing is that usually the people who claim to be perfect/better are simply hiding their faults.
Where in scripture does it say that? I’m highly skeptical already. You said God “tried” to change their view. As if God attempted to do something and failed.
@Exterminatore You have heard of free will, right? This means that God does not force people to believe something... he can force them to perform actions if he chooses to. An example is the story of the prophet Jonah. Read it.
Though I agree I'd argue that a Christian should meet everybody with love he can still disagree with other people on certain topics. Just because I'm a Christian I don't need to love any lifestyle on this planet. For me tolerating that other people have a different mindset and a different way of living doesn't that I have to support that. For me there's no contradiction in meeting with love besides that.
Stop sugarcoating it. Me being transgender isn't a mindset, lifestyle, or way of living. It's what I am, what God made me, and it's not something you're entitled to disagree with. I'm literally just a person. It's a shame you feel the need to tolerate me. You feel the need to tolerate me not because I smell bad or talk too much or have a shitty attitude. But because I exist.
Have some dignity. I don't care how you feel about me I care about you pretending that I'm doing something that you have to tolerate. Just say you don't like LGBT people. Be a man, grow some balls, stand up for what you yourself and what you believe and shout to the world "I DON'T LIKE FAGS AND TRANNIES. THEYRE NASTY AND SICK PERVERTS AND THEYRE GOING TO HELL. I TOLERATE THEM TRYING TO EXIST BUT I DONT LIKE IT AND WOULD PREFER THAT THEY didn't EXIST"
@ElizaPam Actually, God made you a man. That's just a fact. I understand that you don't feel comfortable being a man and you don't want to be one, and I sympathize with your feelings. But that doesn't take away from the fact of what God made you.
(by the way, I think you're a nice person and I have nothing against you.)
@ElizaPam No, I have never said that trannys and fags are going to hell because I neither know nor decide that. I´m not entitled to decide your life choices for most because I don´t know you. I tolerate that you made decisions for your life that I didn´t but also never had to make. It´s your interpretation that I don´t want you and other trans-people not exist. I´ve never said I just meant that I don´t feel the need to actively love other people´s choice of living, meaning I just live my life differently. Guess what I can also argue God made me that way to question what other people say about life. I don´t hate you or any other participant of LGBQt+, but I´m living my life differently I won´t go to or celebrate CD. I don´t have much a problem with LGBQT+ and I don´t hate the community. The main problem I have is that every now and then a new gender or orientation comes up arguing they always have been there but they felt the need to point them being there. Which raises the question why he can´t define each other firstly and mostly as humans. I´ve never defined myself by my sexuality but people are concerning that.
There are many people calling themselves Christians who discriminate.
And when religious people turn to us to alter our perceptions instead of turning to those who discriminate to alter their behavior it shows a complete lack of faith in the effectiveness of their faith - as though they are fully aware there's no reason anyone should actually be taking all of this seriously and are further fully aware that their religion's authenticity relies entirely on the perception of authenticity.
as a true Christian, you would be against same sex marriage, homosexual acts, other religions (only Christians go to haven so how discriminatory is that?), you are taught that there is only one god and all the others are wrong? etc etc etc.
to be honest i do find it a bit wrong. its one thing to say follow me, but another to say if you dont you will go to hell. what about all the good people in other religions?
I have never meet a religious person that hasn't discriminated people. It's in their blood. We are better then them, we believe the right thing, they are sinners, the Bible is full of judgements and whoever that doesn't follow that alignment is looked down on. How is that not discrimination?
I agree, but... Christians are the same as other people - sinners, and therefore, imperfect. The difference is we've accepted the forgiveness of Jesus.
There are a LOT of Christians who may show signs of discrimination, and MANY other sinful habits, regardless of their race. In general, though, you're correct. Christians, for the most part, won't discriminate.
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