Mass suicide in Kenya. Is it time to hold Christianity accountable?

Question

So far they've dug up 14 mass graves out of 60 and they're expecting to find over 150 suicide victims. Survivors are refusing food and water because the church has told them it's the only way to reach heaven because world is ending soon.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65374093.amp

Now it's easy to dismiss this as an isolated cult but I say it's time we held all Christians responsible. You've only got to look at certain members on here who regularly post about submitting to gods will (I won't name them) to see how Christians worldwide contribute to reinforcing a mindset of total submission to God.

This makes people vulnerable to being convinced to kill themselves or do terrible things. Just as Andrew Tate is indirectly responsible for wife beatings and rape, I believe that anyone who pushes religion is indirectly responsible for mass killings like this.

When people are persuaded to kill themselves to meet Jesus that's murder, not and all who push religion share the guilt.

Do you agree?

Leapfrog00 · Accepted Answer

Many wars throughout history started because of Christianity. People are always preaching, saying God is the only higher power. Is he though? Are we 100% sure? In a place called Fatima, in the early 1900s, their citizens turned on their government because catholic was taking control, and people were getting sick and tired of being told who or what they should believe in.

No one should force the word of God on anybody, let alone kill them if they're not a believer. This world makes me sick. As much as we'd like to believe everything in the bible is true, we just don't know. That book has been translated so many times, and plus, what they don't tell you is some of those religions have cut out sections of the bible during translation because they didn't agree with some of it.

How messed up is that? I'm a bit of a history nut and every once in a while when I'm doing research, I come across something on religion. None of those religious agree with one another. Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentacostal, Morman, and those are just a few protestants.

Sure enough though, I'm a sinner if I point stuff like this out. I would never put down someone else religion, but when you're giving someone facts, you're the enemy when they don't want to hear the truth. Just like with all the sections of the bible cut out because they didn't agree with it. People only want to hear the truth that has sections cut out. And if you say anything, suddenly, you're bashing religion, and really all you're doing is looking at it from a philosophical view.

Makeushiver · Accepted Answer

it's long past time. Martin Luther has a start when he complained that so many relics from the supposedly form the historical Jesus to be accountable. There are somethings that take the fairy tale out of it./ My favorite is in the original translation- from Aramaic to Greek describing events they had a choice of nouns for Mary. The two words were either Greek for young girl OR virgin. No idea why they went w/ fairytale tale choice. After the Greeks it was Roman - by far and away, Paul? Saul. Citizens of Rome were much more believable of another Roman instead of a Jew from some corner if their empire where it was punishment to be sent there by Rome. They stopped by a couple of times to burn the temple of Jerusalem down but aside from that... There were hundreds of people like Jesus wandering around Palestine with 'mystery or cult' types. Christianity was smart enough to schedule their high holy days (holidays) on the winter solstice- a time pagans were already celebrating because they had coaxed the sun to come back which made it very easy to tell everyone that they were celebrating Christmas. In the spring where fertility- plants growing and animals mating etc.-changed the name given by pagans to a time they were again, celebrating. Both were considerable blessings since they didn''t know for sure what caused it. Weren't standing on ceremony when it came to naming the event as long as the earth became fertile again so the Christians called it Easter.' Don't you just hate people who need to pontificate on &on but don't even address the question asked?

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

I don't believe the Christian tradition or worship is mandatory, but I believe the quest to obey bible ideas is the way to live a correct moral life. I view the whole bible as metaphor because I do not believe your supposed to offer a lamb at the temple every time you sin. I read this idea on a Jewish website about why you have to go beyond a literal understanding - if the bible was literal - nobody on earth would be able to obey it. Like people would be cutting off their body parts or killing others. But its not literal to me.

Siri137 · Accepted Answer

Each and every one of us is responsible for our own lives, and we're all free to do with it as we please (even end it). Blaming ALL Christians for something like this makes as much sense as blaming all Russians for the recent actions of Putin and his rotten government. We have free will; more people should realise that and learn how to use it responsibly.

molonski2 · Answer

Your questions are getting far too indepth ! 5555

If Christianity was held to account for all of its failings , death , molestation , rape , kiddie fiddling , it would almost certainly have to be banned , which wouldn't work because it would drive the ever faithful underground.

My own small experience as a kid , as an outside Catholic , from the football field , though to first confession ( people talk about anxiety , thats sheer anxiety and fear , made up a few things you didn't even do ) , I remember the clinical smell , the utter utter fear in my stomach , be a small target , all this stuff. These people are supposed to be pillars of society ! In reality they are child moloestors and criminals , all in the name of God , but what is it really about? Control , power.

Some very sick individuals call themselves Christian.

TonyV · Answer

They aren't responsible for other religions, like which ever one died for the whole "72 virgins" thing, that's not on Christianity. Don't get me wrong I don't support any religion but that being said you can't blame every thing on Christianity.

Also Andrew tate is not responsible for all wife beaters, abusive relationships have existed long before he was born. He may have influenced some weak minded men but 1 that wasn't his message, the dude sucks but don't gaslight him, and 2 like I said he didn't tell anyone to beat women, he more was telling guys not to be simps.

Lionman95 · Answer

No because what happens in Kenya is a misuse of scripture. No where in the Bible does it say that you can gain your way into heaven. In fact the main point of Christianity is that no one can do that.
We live in a world where people are easy to be manipulated in believing anything.
The problem with especially modern social media is that those people that attract crowds are pushed by the algorithm no matter if what they say is right or wrong.
That people are vulnerable is rather a problem of the common trend to say that every voice has to be heard since otherwise there wouldn´t be a freedom of speeche.

mstbooblover · Answer

Don't you think it's a little too easy to put the fault on Christianism, rather than on human stupidity? There's probably in the kind of cases you describe a nasty mix of misunderstandings: anxiety (very human), fear of real life, stupidity, fanatism, manipulations on behalf of some crazy mental leaders, circumstances, etc.

The leaders carry the biggest part of guilt because they took advantage of ignorant people looking in some way for mental comfort; and what stupid reasons? This happens far more all over the world due to the activity of some sects, like "Le Temple du Soleil" if I'm not mistaken.

Sad stories anyway, and remember that no religion encourages suicide, considering it a bad sin.

EpicSnail · Answer

I feel like your framing is a bit exaggerated. I do think religion should be subjected to FAR more criticism, because fundamentally, it amounts to lying.

If you write a book called Harry Potter, and people read it and enjoy it, that is fine.

If you write a book called Harry Potter, and people read it, and you tell them it is a true story and the highest moral authority on how you should live your life, and that disbelieving it is immoral, then you are a manipulative monster.

Pretty much every religion does this.

But people do need community and meaning and rituals, so it's complicated.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

I would check that idea of blaming all for the actions of a few. Blanket policies are some bullshit. Plus... what if we do that for all the other groups of people. As much as I'd like to see all woke people get punished... it's just not correct. I mean... we going to do that for Islam? Naw man... just drop that idea. It wouldn't work or be fair at the end of things.

sage2021 · Answer

Well, I don't know where you live but in America 🇺🇸 people are after killing off white people, especially middle aged one's.
So, if people are going to kill you because you are a white christian, you're going to die either way right?
You have mass Graves, which is very sad.
In America 🇺🇸 our government lost 85,000 migrant children after they crossed the border into America. 🤷🏼‍♀️

jshm2 · Answer

Don't be silly. By your logic, should all of Wales be held responsible for the Welsh forced adoptions?  People can be coerced to do all sorts, but ultimately it's their burden to bear.

DJB72 · Answer

I can safely say if you think mass suicide is what Christianity is all about you probably went to the wrong church.

It's like saying all Welsh people shag sheep. I know at least two or three who don't.

African "christianity" often has elements of local pagan beliefs mixed in. After 20 years in Africa I've realised it's worse in European countries as it's less obvious. But you can't hold the entire Faith accountable for the acts of extremists.

Mansearching · Answer

Christianity is not responsible. Its the people who brainwash. Just like that David Koresh and the guy who worshiped the hail pop comet. Plus that Scientology guy, they believe that they can rape their wives. That's why the guy who played Hyde was kicked off the Ranch on Net-flix. people need use their brains, following Jesus is not the problem.

Anonymous · Answer

a very poor quality question. who are you trying to blame... beside the one starving who believed. he could be like me and not accept everything. it is the one choosing who alone is responsible. if i murder i can't blame the guy who sent me.

also christ and book never instructed to starve so can't blame idea nor most christians who did not teach it. such a question exhibited a prejudice to even attach unrelated stains on their opponent.

Reorx · Answer

In other words you believe you have the right to dictate & want to know how many agree? Some people simply put are just dumb but your suggestion is to hold an entire group accountable for what a few do? Should we do the same for other groups too or us this just for Christians in particular?

OlderAndWiser · Answer

No, I don't agree. Do we hold all Muslims accountable for the actions of extremists? Do I blame you for my brother-in-law (from London) being a total arse?

ADFSDF1996 · Answer

Ah the hypocrisy, why not hold all anti theists accountable for the atrocities committed by communist regimes around the world?

RealMarek · Answer

This is analogous to saying that all atheists are personally responsible for the killings committed by atheist regimes like the USSR or China.

helva · Answer

Christianity is not responsible. The leader of the sect is.

BCRanger10 · Answer

In what way are all Christians responsible for this?

inhua · Answer

there's no proof to anything you're claiming. it's all conjecture

Somebody12 · Answer

That is not the fundementals of christianity it says nowhere in the bible to starve yourself because the world is ending thats a cultist veiw

Legendarylegacy13 · Answer

I just think people are idiots. And it takes a idiot to lesson to a idiot . So their are expected to be 150 idiots

Dargil · Answer

Right after we hold Islam accountable for mass murders.

Anonymous · Answer

Religion is a sickness.

JustinTheGreat · Answer

Christianity has caused more harm than good throughout history. It’s a cult.

AngryCarl2 · Answer

Well the Good News International Church clearly isn't Christian, so your understandable anger is misdirected.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Lots of fakes in the church. Even standing in a pulpit and giving a sermon doesn't make the preacher a Christian.

Iron_Man · Answer

This has nothing to do with being a Christian. I know you’re a comedian, but don’t play around with this kind of stuff.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

That whole region is a lost cause. They need to just recolonize it

gorydetails · Answer

I'd take your own advice and dismiss it as an isolated cult.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

How many people have Muslims killed in the last 48 hours?

collie22 · Answer

That would be Satan's plan

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

You are incredibly stupid.

Anonymous · Answer

What a small mind you have.

Keishio · Answer

Couldn't agree less

Alex8736 · Answer

what about Allah?

Anonymous · Answer

Nope.

Mass suicide in Kenya. Is it time to hold Christianity accountable?

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