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Posted on 12/12/2007 6:27:59 PM PST by jveritas
Christian Bigotry
Although Christianity does have its good points, the exclusive nature of many Christian sects opens the door to Christian bigotry. Christian bigotry is a disgusting and insidious evil. To Christian bigots themselves, their bigotry is usually invisible. It disguises itself as piety and righteousness. But to non-Christians at the receiving end, it is often plain old unadulterated bigotry.
Christian bigotry manifests itself as a holier-than-thou attitude towards non-Christians. The Christian bigot has in her head the idea, “I must be right and you must be wrong, because I’m a Christian and you’re not. After all, only Christians can know God.” The doctrine common among many Christians that you can know God only through the mediation of Christ leads many Christians to think that they have a special connection to God that non-Christians lack, leading them to think that they have God’s special favor and non-Christians don’t. This fuels an elitist attitude that can lead directly to bigotry.
What is bigotry in general, and how is Christian bigotry bigotry? A bigot is someone who derives a sense of superiority from believing that he is a member of some elite group that is superior to other groups. Bigotry is the all-encompassing term for such things as racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. White supremecists, for example, believe that white people are superior to blacks, native Americans, Indians, etc. Some even believe that other races are minions of the devil. Male chauvinists often believe that women can’t think straight or are less intelligent or are more prone to hysteria or whatever. Homophobes think that homosexuals are immoral deviants.
It is worth mentioning that other forms of bigotry often appeal to religion to justify themselves. Anti-semitism is fueled by the belief that Jews killed Jesus. Men may claim superiority over women, because it was Eve who seduced Adam into disobeying God. Homophobes may justify their hatred of homosexuals by finding condemnations of homosexuality in the Bible. So bigotry and religious justification for bigotry often go hand in hand. It should be no surprise then to find the many religious bigots in the world. Among Christians, Christian bigotry is bound to be the most common variety of bigotry. It has a stronger foothold in Christianity than any other kind of bigotry does. In the pulpit, Christians preachers will be more likely to condemn all other kinds of bigotry. There is biblical support for the claim that Jews and Gentiles, blacks and whites, and men and women are all equal in God’s eyes. But preachers are unlikely to tell their congregations that non-Christians can be just as good as Christians, that non-Christians and Christians are equal in God’s eyes. Such “heresy” would probably get a minister booted out of his church.
So it’s common among Christians to believe that Christians are better than other people. This belief can easily lead to bigotry and to prejudicial behavior toward non-Christians. What are the ways that Christian bigotry manifests itself? There is the holier-than-thou attitude that I mentioned previously. There is also a misplaced sense of Christian charity that leads Christians to believe it’s their duty to convince others to become Christians. There is the refusal to recognize the worth of other people’s religious beliefs. There is the belief, manifested in the Crusades, in the Roman conquest of Europe, in the European conquest of America, etc., that it is our mandate from God to Christianize the heathens, even if it means slaughtering them. There is the sentiment among the Christian Right in the U.S.A. that it is our mandate from God to make this a Christian nation. It is all bigotry, and it is all evil.
Of course, there is also Muslim bigotry and other forms of religious bigotry. I focus on Christian bigotry, because it is the most rampant form of religious bigotry in the United States. That makes it the most dangerous. I have faced Muslim bigotry as well, and I deplore it just as much as Christian bigotry. But it is Christian bigotry that people in America need to become most aware of. Christians have much more power in this country than Muslims have.
It is largely because of Christian bigotry that the mission of Freethought Crossroads is so important. If Christians were as tolerant of other religions as the Hindus are, I wouldn’t feel the impetus to explain why Christianity is wrong. I don’t care where people go to church, what Gods they pray to, or what scriptures they draw inspiration from. But I do care when people use their religious beliefs to demonize and scapegoat people who don’t share their beliefs or belong to their group. As long as Christians do this, it will be important to expose their religious beliefs as false.
In closing, I want to say that non-Christians should not practice any bigotry toward Christians. There are many fine Christians who are not religious bigots, and it is important to remember that we can be just as fallible as Christians. Many Christians are good people, and no one is a bad person just for being a Christian. Being a Unitarian Universalist, or a member of any other religion, doesn’t automatically make you morally superior to anyone else. Some Christians are better than some UU’s, and some UU’s are better than some Christians.
http://afgen.com/christian_bigotry.html
And that whole bunch of words means Mormonism is true.....how?
You can't post paragraphs of nothing and escape that.
It tells us that christians practice religious bigotry more than anyone else. It has nothing to do with mormonism.
Sorry but the climate has changed here on FR and I would not count on any changes taking place to find things that will pull folks togather instead of apart!
All of us should look for something good in a talk and build on that!
I really appreciate Joseph Smith and his counsel to those who had this similar problem.
One of the sister’s who was obvious in the right but in the Long run the prophet was able to point out to her that on some level she was responsible for what was said to her.
Because over time something she was doing provoked the other person to become so enrage with her to retaliate!
It is similar what takes place here some one will say something knowing it would provoke the other person, but at the same time the provoker feels they should contain their frustration.
These are hard lessons for the LDS to learn but also we are counsel not to murmur and welcome such situations an opportunity to strength that weakness with in us, sadly the natural man with in some of us is winning many of the battles.
Do unto to others as you would have them do unto you!
You are still practicing what was going on in europe before we established this nation....so that all people could practice their religious faith and not be held up in ridicule.
I disagree. Mitt brought the issue into the open for debate.
He should expect some questioning of the intelligence of a presidential candidate who would believe an angel mysteriously gave a new scripture from tablets that just ‘happened’ to disappear when challenged.
Mormons are great people; I have some Mormon friends.
That does not change the fact I think they are wrong.
Do I tell them that? No; I don’t consider that tactful or productive. But, this is a forum. You debate and discuss issues. Since Mitt invited this debate, I don’t see the issue.
So long as you are not making fun of Freepers who are Mormons, I don’t know why this would be a problem unless you just are afraid of a little debate about a very controversial religion that considers itself “truth restored” based on what they advertise on television.
If they are the truth “restored,” obviously what does that mean — non-Mormons don’t believe the truth.
Do you want a president who believes most of the American people believe a lie and only Mormons have the truth “restored”? I don’t. This is not just an issue of the theology, it is an issue that we are dealing with a group that considers everyone else flat wrong.
If I have to vote for him, I will. But, he is not my choice.
I’m a member of the Mormon church myself. I used to work as a computer programmer in the Church Office Building at 50 South Temple in Salt Lake City for the church. I served a mission. I taught at the MTC in Provo, Utah. I graduated from BYU. I married in the SLC temple. I used to be a Ward Mission Leader. I’ve spent over 4 years as a Counselor in a Branch Presidency or Bishopric. On my 28th birthday I was ordained a High Priest. I’ve been a Clerk in a Stake Presidency. All 9 of my siblings are very active in the church. They’ve all been married in the temple, all have kids who have all been blessed in the church and they’ve all graduated from BYU except the youngest and he’s 21 years old, finishing his 2 year mission at the end of this month and headed back to BYU & certain to head down that same path.
I’m frankly embarassed by those who are whining about any of the scrutiny the church faces. We live in the USA where our unalienable rights to freedom of speech are guaranteed by the Constitution. If people have questions about the church then we should do all we can to get them honest and truthful answers. Just criticizing and belittling them does no good but only backfires. Telling them the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about church history, doctrine, finances and governance will be what will earn the church and its adherents the most trust and respect.
Now I admit that I am no longer active in the LDS church. In 2000 I suddenly started believing that the Book of Mormon is fictional. There is absolutely no evidence at all of any of the peoples mentioned in the Book of Mormon. I spent alot of time trying to rekindle my belief in that book. I researched all the spiritual, scientific and historical arguments from all points of view in trying to understand it as thoroughly as possible. I read, pondered and prayed about it quite fervently for a very long time. I gave up alot personally in relationships and respect for being honest with myself and everyone on this matter. Frankly I find that Book to have too many overtones of racism too deeply ingrained into it and its time for all Mormons who are tolerant to speak out and condemn the parts of that book which are disgustingly racist.
Going through this struggle sure woke me up to alot of deeply ingrained Mormon cultural issues of deep intolerance, closed-mindedness and double-speak. There is alot of good in Mormonism. But there are also alot of problems that IMHO ought to be fixed if its ever going to have a reputation of being an ethical, trustworthy religion. I’m sure what I wrote here will offend some and bring them to weeping, wailing and gnashing of their teeth at me. To those who are offended I pray for rich blessings of peace to come your way.
Geez....Mitt did not bring up this debate. The left has been doing it for months and you and many other freepers around here are gleefully helping them out.
I forgot to add that the democrats are probably laughing their asses off that we have picked up on their religious questioning. They are letting us now eat our own. This debate should be about issues....not religion.
No.
1) Did Jesus rise from the tomb after being killed on the Cross?
2) Do humans have a soul and a spirit ... all humans?
3) Do the Ten Commandments (the Law to govern 'works' of living) express the character of God in that He is not a liar thus 'Thous Shalt Not Bear False Witness'?
4) What made it possible for Jesus to fullfill the Law completely, was it not that His 'Seed', His Spirit, God's Spirit remained within Him during His earthly walk?
5) Can you have the character of God without the Spirit of God dwelling in you?
6) Whom do the scriptures say will transform you by the renewing of your mind ... through a daily walk sensitive to the voice of God?
7) From whence cometh that voice to which a Christian must listen in order to be transformed?
[HINT:
I Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
II Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
III John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
IV Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.]
Who cares....you should keep the presidential debate about issues and not religion. The rats are laughing their asses off that we have picked up on, and expanded, their religious attack.
For those of you who have not seen the Truth Restored ads by the Mormons, check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuGC__XDLd4
This one is about marriage being eternal in Mormon doctrine. Another by this same lady is about the belief that we were in heaven before birth.
But anyway, that is not really the point.
The issue is......the TRUTH RESTORED part.
Mitt belongs to a group that considers everyone else to be corrupt.
Do you WANT a president who believes 90 percent of Americans are corrupt?
I don’t.
Any legitimate questions people might have were answered by Mitt Romney in his address on faith in America:
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Speeches/Faith_In_America
er really...98 or 99 percent actually.
Who cares?... I care, I care for your immortal soul, your spirit. Why?... Because God tells me to. Read the questions and seek an answer in your heart.
Indeed, the Religion Forum can be quite lively - and informative.
I, on the other hand, believe that one can be truthful (whatever that "truth" is according to my own opinion) without being rude or needlessly un-nice (not that that is a word)....but hopefully you get my point.
In my opinion, this is all about a cheap way of attacking Romney....started by the left and gleefully picked up on by freepers as a way of enhancing their candidate and bringing Mitt down. We have playyed right into the hands of the Democrat playbook....really stupid.
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