Christian or bigot?

[billscouser]

My brother is a Christian and believes that atheists, jews, moslems, hindus and homosexuals are damned to hell. He also believes that homosexuality is a sin equal to murder. I understood that Christianity is about tolerance, forgiveness and loving others. I would be interested to hear from other Christians how his beliefs fit in.

[boxtops]

It was also the case that whoever was the invader and pillager (or peaceful takeover) sought to inflict their own religious beliefs on the conquered people, with the arrogant assumption that those people's beliefs were primitive and couldn't possibly be worth following if they were to save their souls.

[EngTeach]

Not sure about the "equal to murder" part. As Lutheran, we don't grade our sins. Sin is sin. It is one of the things I grapple with as a Christian: Being taught that all non-believers in Christ will go to hell. I also have a number of homosexual friends and according to the teachings of my church, that too is a sin. I have no answers.My one friend who is gay was raised by a VERY strict Born Again Christian mother. She sent him to "get straight" camps and such. He tried to kill himself as a teen. Their relationship is very strained. Christian or not, I could not torture my child that way.

I also have been taught tolerance and understanding. Most of all, as an individual, I have taken away from my upbringing is the respect of others. I question my faith and the teachings of my church. This is encouraged and I often get the "Bible says so" answer. However, I am not a sheep and have my own relationship with God/Christ.

Some people are very militant and intolerant. This is not the way I behave, nor have I been taught that behavior by the church.

[Crackheadfred]

I believe most were Christian.

[Canary42]

I wonder what billscouser's brother thinks of Buddhists (not mentioned in his list of the damned) - one of the gentlest religious groups around IMO.

[Crackheadfred]

But in other countries the leaders are Muslim, Buddist, Sikh, Jewish etc...

[billscouser]

In answer to Canary42 I have not asked him specificaly about buddhists. However, I imagine he would damn them to hell as well, as his philosophy is that only those that take the bible literally and spend all there time praying to God are damned to hell. This seems to be regardless of other conduct. Our mother was a very good, loving person who helped others and was totally selfless. She was not a Christian so my brother believes she is rotting in hell.

[Crackheadfred]

Sorry bill I've just realized we've swayed your thread of point.

[naomi24]

The sort of Christian you're talking about believes that everyone, except people who think like him, will go to hell - and you'll find that belief isn't confined to his particular brand of religion.

[ummmm]

My Mum is 'born again' as is my cousin, my Aunt, My Nan (not that she remembers) My other Aunt (who sadly died in a bike accident) and my Sister (who pretends to be but is a horrible person to the core)

My Mother always taught me to be tolerant and understanding...to never judge unless you've walked in their shoes, everyone is equal in Gods eyes, Live and let live, treat others as you want to be treated, always be kind, honest and caring....

I live by everything she taught me...and still do.

She lost her way....I never did :-(

[ummmm]

Not true Wyz....so not true...I've tears in my eyes now. Religion is not all bad..

[WaldoMcFroog]

The problem with the idea that being homosexual is a sin equal to murder is that it is Biblically accurate.

The Bible postulates a whole host of sins and says that the penalty is the same for all of them. In fact, I know of a few Christians (evangelical types) who would argue that not only are homosexuality and murder sins worthy of death, but to even look at someone lustfully is the same as adultery (and thus worthy of death) and that to bear hate towards someone is the same as actually murdering them (and thus worthy of death) and can support this claims with scripture.

The fact that this is clearly preposterous on a number of levels (not least that lusting after someone is considered by God to be a crime no better or worse than genocide) is neither here nor there. The fact that most Christians understand that this is clearly preposterous and don't believe it matters not a jot either. They *can* support these claims Biblically.

[ummmm]

I meant your Dad Wyz....If there is an afterworld your Dad would be in it. That's what I believe.

My Mum has always believed in God but wasn't actively religious when we were little. She was a Protestant and Dad was a Catholic. It was my Dad who took us to mass etc...

She taught us well growing up...and I think she did a pretty good job. She was a kind, loving, patient Mother. Then she found God and became born again. Slowly over the years she's rejected me. Not outwardly, she's lovely when I see her, but she just doesn't bother with us anymore as she's too busy with the church.

The turning point for me was just after my Dad died (they split when I was 8) I was sitting at the kitchen table crying my heart out and she walked past my house. The kids were in the living room watching telly....she waved at them...but not once did she knock on my door, phone me or anything to check I was ok...I wasn't ok. It was then that I realised her belief in God meant much more to her than her feelings for me.

And that's not the worst of it.

My Uncle...who use to live with us when were kids, a beautiful person who looked after us, died in his sleep. I phoned my Mum to tell her...she was upset and all that. Two days after he died my Dad was told he had 6 months to live (brothers). After that phone call I didn't hear or see her again until my Dads funeral....7 months later.

I have issues with that...

Contact me on FB whenever you want Wyz.....

[naomi24]

My bible-thumping, God fearing (literally), Baptist friend cries to me regularly because her son is gay, and someone from her church told that's just as bad as being a paedophile. She is totally and utterly convinced that he is going to hell, and nothing I can say will dissuade her. Idiots!!

[ummmm]

It's shocking Naomi....

My Mum is not that bad though....

[jomifl]

If like 'eng teach' you find yourself questioning your religion then get out. Religion is based on blind obedience and unquestioning faith. When you are an adult you can leave. I have knowm people who have gone to church unquestioningly all their life without really knowing why...very strange.