Why does it seem the SL population hates Christians?

I recently returned to SL and changed my profile. I deleted all the ramble and props to others I had in there and put one simple line, "I live by the word of our savior, Jesus Christ."

Yes, I am a proud and loyal Christian. About a year ago I renewed my faith and have turned my life around. With that said. I do not push my religion on to others. I do not go into public places and preach of god, all I want to do is hang out and find some nice, fun people.

However, I am bombarded with IMs all the time by those who feel I should know they dont believe in my god. I get many insulting messages and really I pray for those who do such a thing, I refuse to let them offend me and let the enemy win by me reacting.

Why do people get so angry that I mention jesus in my profile? I do not preach to anyone (unless I am at a prayer meeting). God does not beg for you to beleive and neither shall I.

Probably because they feel threatened when reminded of their failings and ultimate destiny by their rejection of Christ. It's easy not to think about these sort of things until someone reminds you of it. Then they lash out - not because it's your fault for reminding them (indirectly), but because of their own stubbornness.

Don't let it get to you. I don't.

Lewis

To the OP: I imagine its a lot to do with the self righteous attitude typified by some of your fellow Christians and perfectly exemplified here by Lewis. Not your fault, I know.

I don't have any problems with most Christians. I was raised Christian, my mother is on the vestry, my father is the organist / choirmaster. Some of my best friends are Christians. I've left the faith I was raised under, due to personal preference.

What I do have a problem with is evangelical brainwashing, and the problems its causing for America as a whole. We currently have a president who actually believes the planet is only 6000 years old, and that's just pathetic. He brags about how he "prays and goes with his gut instinct"; I'm sorry, but the separation of church and state should make him consult his vast wealth of experts and make an informed decision - not a gut-instinct based guess.

On an episode of The Sopranos last week, Tony Soprano is trying to come to grips with the revelation that a member of his gang is actually gay. He is quoted in a conversation with his therapist as saying, "Well, you know, I'm a catholic!" to explain why he can't accept a gay member. Oh, so you're fine with all the murders you do in the name of greed, but boys kissing is a problem? This scene really made me laugh, and explains a lot of the reason I'm not involved in any organized religion.

I also have a problem with an annoying tendency I've seen emerge over the past decade, and its people who start sentences with the phrase, "Well, I'm a Christian, and...". They seem to think it means, "Well, since I clearly have the moral high-ground here...". What they don't realize is that what I'm hearing is, "Well, since I'm arrogant and believe only my beliefs are valid, I'm going to tell you what you should believe, and...". How about just sharing the opinion without that preface?

There are so many different flavors of Christianity that anyone that writes off Christians as a whole is a bigot and a fool. However, accepting anything tagged as Christian with a blank check is just as foolish.

Regards,

-Flip

The world, sadly, is full of haters. While I'm an agnostic (because sociopathy != compatible with organized religion), I respect people for their beliefs.

The world is presently in turmoil with Christianity being seen as a kind of evil (much like Islam is seen). Because the nation's leaders (and a handful of nutcases) use it as a justification and a crutch.

Also. Some people are just freakin' jerks and need to find Jesus. Or at least a ripe smack to the head.

So you're allowed to say what you believe, but Christians aren't? That pretty much sums it all up.

If there wasn't power behind the name of Christ, you wouldn't all be feeling so threatened by it.

I see really offensive stuff on people's profiles all the time, I just ignore it and move on - I don't bother to waste time attacking the person. It's just not worth it.

Remember that the US constitution guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. If you want the right to not believe, then you have to accept that we have the right to believe. I'm not stopping you from not believing, so kindly don't try and stop me from believing.

Lewis

I hardly think that one can jump from "I've had some rude IMs" to "it seems the SL population hates Christians".

Incidentally, you can Abuse Report that sort of thing.

Lewis is a perfect example of my point above, and the kind of Christian that DOES get under my skin. "You're going to hell because you don't believe like I believe", is what he's saying above. That's the same thing the fundamentalist terrorists say quite often as well.

Regards,

-Flip

PS - Obligatory "This will not end well."

I don't have a problem with religion and I actually don't think many SLers do either. But what SLers REALLY REALLY REALLY dislike is when people are judgemental.

I mean take this quote:


And just change it slightly



I don't think going around telling people about their failings as it relates to the rejection of Aimee Weber would endear yourself with residents any more than Christ.

It's not about being religious. It's about being obnoxious.

Religious faith is a very tempting and very easy button for people to push. I really doubt the "population" of SL hates Christianity. That is hardly a fair statement. For repeat offenders, you can report them for harassment.

Hmmm... How about building the until now unknown 10th layer of Dante's Hell in SL? It's filled with endless malls, half-rezzed textures, lag...

To compare me as a Bible believing Christian with someone who goes round in the name of their religion blowing up innocent people is highly offensive, and has been reported.

Perhaps you should use 'secure in their beliefs' to differentiate us from the terrorists.

As for "you're going to hell if you don't believe"... it's clearly what the Bible says, and the truth often hurts.

Lewis

"Probably because they feel threatened when reminded of their failings and ultimate destiny by their rejection of Aimee Weber."

Personally, I live in total fear of this very thing!

Profile descriptions are fabulous. Encourage people to fill them with references to their beliefs and lifestyles. Offending ones clue us in to people that we won't trust and will avoid whenever possible. It does seem strange that people feel compelled to voice their opinions of others' descriptions though. Why go out of your way to tell someone you don't even know that you don't like something about them?

Fate Manor included a chapel with a stained glass window depicting Jesus' baptism. People generally remarked something to the effect that it was pretty but they didn't believe all that God stuff and weren't sure that it was appropriate for Second Life.

The reaction seems more fearful and defensive and hateful.

The difference is that Aimee Weber isn't the saviour of the world.

Lewis

You don't get more 'secure in their beliefs' than a suicide bomber.

just sayin'

I challenge you to prove that. =p

sez u

I am indeed the savior of the world.

If you need proof, I will write "Aimee Weber is the savior of the world" in a book. You can then be assured that everything written in my book is indeed true as it was written by the savior of the world (me, Aimee Weber).

Doesn't hurt me mate - not my truth. But your attitude is quite like theirs, and that's my opinion. Offending you isn't a violation; I didn't attack you. I merely offended you.

Speaking of truth, maybe you can answer these questions I have about some other "truths" directly from the Bible:

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play American football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)

Okay, now I'll wait for the part where you say that doesn't count somehow. Googling for Dr. Laura is such a beautiful thing.

Regards,

-Flip

(Parts of this post brought to you by J. Kent Ashcraft)

I'm offended that you say I'm going to hell. Can I report that? I'm offended by the afro in your forum avatar/pic - can I report that? We're all giving opinions here, and speaking of freedoms, Flip can make any comparison he wants. He wasn't threatening you, he was drawing a small comparison based on words you typed yourself. You are only confirming even moreso Flip's statement about the zealots on their high horses.

I personally don't care what everyone believes but am too displeased and annoyed when people evangelise in my general direction. A profile description is not evangelising though so I understand this thread-poster's complaint.

MM

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Much of the teachings of Christ just makes common sense, it the religious organizations of man and zealots that have given those who follow him a bad name. If more Christians would just accept that they don’t need to force their beliefs on people and instead sought to inspire people by example I think there would be less hostility all around.

So my little shrine to you is not a sign of my pathological, stalkerish behavior?

*breathes a sigh of relief*

As you can't be bothered to come up with your own arguments, I can't be bothered to respond any further than reminding you that Christ came to make the New Covenant, which makes many of the old Jewish laws obsolete.

Lewis

See Ty, people don't have to hate Christians; they're well satisfied perpetrating the judgemental smugness of making fun and preaching toleration. Ha! Jocularity! Jocularity! Hair! Wings! All in good fun.

*walks away slowly from the flame war that the poor OP inadvertantly started*

Sadly, this is rather why I left Christianity to follow my own path. I have nothing personal against the religion itself, but against those who do not THINK about what they so blindly accept. I have issues with those that feel I should accept what they believe as the full truth of the matter.

And to respond to the idea of going to hell if I don't believe in Christ? Well, I don't exactly want to go to your idea of Heaven. For me, that would be Hell. Also, if a person doesn't believe in Christ, what good is it telling them they are going to Hell because of that lack? It's not like they believe in a Hell either.

Can a Christian and a non live together peacefully? Heck, yes. And we can discuss religion too. We both agree to disagree and test each other's beliefs with questions that make us /think/, the keystone to who we are. Our child is getting his grounding in Christianity first, but with the understanding that life isn't limited to one narrow little path that has perilous pitfalls if you don't believe the correct way. I cannot believe ANY God would be so petty, and if Christ and his father are as the stories go, kind and benevolent, then I don't think they'd be that petty either. But that's just personal feelings, not gospel truth.

To the OP: It is very AR'able if someone is being a brat over religion. Feel free to use it. I don't believe in Christ, but I believe in your right to walk your path as you see fit. People hate things they either don't understand or don't agree with.. or in some cases both.