What can we Christians do to restore the good name of our religion?
It seems like every day the “Christian” name is being used in more un-Christian ways. By doing so, the average non-Christian is starting to think that the average Christian is not a very good person at all.
In fact, I have personally talked to people on here who think that Christians support the abortion clinic bombings and child molestations by priests.
What can we do to restore the view the rest of the world has on Christians? You say it does not matter what other people think of us, but I say that it is much easier to convert people to your faith if they have a positive mindset about it.
I want the typical non-Christian to hear the word “Christian”, and think of someone who gives to the poor, is very humble, never judges or condemns others, who helps you rather than try to convert you, and is NOT ignorant of science (I know it is a small issue, but that really bugs me!)
What can we do to make the Christian religion shine once more?
Comments (46)
Spend more time acting like Christ and less time acting like Jerry Fallwell.
Following the teachings of Christ would be a good way to start.
That’s a great point.
As an atheist, I would say you’ve named all of the major things that upset me about Christianity. I wish more were like you.
Write an abridged bible, cutting out the bad/outdated things in favor of those lessons which are applicable and positive for everyone.
Write a Bible which contains only messages which you would consider “Christian”.
Not all non-Christians view Christians as evil and wrong-doers. There are some of us who do our best to see exactly what you listed as desirable.
A star for you.
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Just live our lives that way and stop evangelizing so much.
The church is open to anyone to join. Many lost souls join as a last result. The become too involved too quickly before they fully understand Jesus word.
Start over on a NEW planet???
its supose to end this way…we can’t stop whats coming
its enevitable….
continue to be faithful to Christ and win the race…
You could start by just shutting up and stop shutting out science. Down through the ages Christianity has been punked by science (Gallileo most prominent example). Seriously, you need to just shut up and listen sometimes…
You wouldn’t get punked as often…
Make the right choices.
I do not think this is really possible. As you stated in a previous post, there are over a billion Christians living good lives and just going about their day in peace. But these are dismissed for the handful of salacious stories or problems caused by those who claim Christ yet act differently then their claim. The purpose of Satan is to lie and deceive, and he will do so as long as the Lord tarries. We simply preach the word and allow God to be God and save those whom He will.
Ath
Christian fundamentalists have hijacked the term Christian to mean them exclusively.
I get irritated that people use the term “Christian” here and not specify that they mean the fundies.
How to get some respect t back? I have no idea since the evangelicals are so loud and obnoxious.
Basically, try to minimise the hypocrisy in our lives (as it is exceptionally difficult not to have moments of hypocrisy), start living out Christ’s teachings… and admit our failings as Christians, rather than disguising or denying them both to ourselves and others.
The thing i’ve experienced irritating non-christians most is those who stand on their soap-box and condemn others.
Portray a view of yourself as someone who is, of course, fallible, but striving towards perfection, and that should be the first step towards stopping this derogatory view of Christianity, which, understandably, so many people have.
I think also trying to understand why people do not have the same views as you is an important part of sharing your own views with them. So many Christians I know cannot comprehend why someone would not believe in God, and never question their own religion – i think asking legitimate questions has value in strengthening faith.
As well, not picking and choosing the parts of the ideas of your religion which you like is important – many people choose to take issue with other people doihng certain things – for example, gay people getting married – and ignore what is wrong with themselves, and what is un-Biblical about their own lives. Everyone does it to an extent, but just being aware about the fact you may do it is helpful. Kind of the whole “don’t ignore the plank in your own eye whilst pointing out the speck in your neighbour’s” situation.
Those are just for starters but… i think it is a start.
I think you’re on my wavelength, thouggh that might be flattering myself – I’m glad there are christians like you on here, though. I struggle with trying to give others a positive view of something that is important to me, and i so many peoople, including myself, have to actually work now to rid people’s perceptions of us as outdated and morally corrupt in that we omit our own sins from our judgement.
So basically…good question…and i guess we just have to pray that we can help change this
by quitting with the good christian act and being a good christian. a lot of christians have a bad rap for not acting in a “christly way”. did it not occur to you that it matters not whether people think you are good or not as long as you are good?
Live as Jesus lived
It would only take a nudge, really, to restore Christianity to the paganism from whence it sprang. And “paganism,” at least insofar as that implies “nature worship,” is a much more rational and meaningful religion than Christianity ever was.
I’m sorry, but I don’t buy the “let’s just get back to what Jesus taught” rap. I’ve actually studied the Gospels, as many Christians evidently have not, and all the aspects of Christianity that I find morally and spiritually objectionable – above all the salvationist theology – are there in the “red letter” words of the composite character “Jesus.” It’s “believe in me or burn in Hell forever” – which is NOT morality, not spirituality, but crude superstition and psychopathy. I can’t even blame “Paul” for this, as many do, because Paul really IS doctrinally in line with Jesus on all important points.
We can stop condemning others (and each other!) – that’s a big one. I think if all Christians followed your last paragraph, it would be a huge help to how we are viewed.
unless u can tear down the catholic church and start from scratch, i dont dont think anyone can make it shine again. the level of corruption in the church is at an all time high. sorry for being so pessemistic.
your question is as irrelevant as your screen name is a lie.
“Once more?”
When were Christians ever particularly humble? Maybe for a few years when persecuted by Rome, but I think from 376 AD onward, you guys have been in the driver’s seat.
Great Question.
As a former Christian, I think that, living like Christ lived would be the primary thing, that Christians could do to restore the reputation of Christianity.
One of the biggest problems I have with Christianity, is that it claims to be something that it really is not.
Christianity claims to be charitable, but in reality is not with its large expensive churches.
Christianity claims to be spiritual but is getting more political every day.
Christianity claims to be loving, but is full of people willing to accept eternal torture of their own family members.
Christianity claims to be good for society, but then creates a conspiracy belief in its followers that causes them to reject science as a great plot to weaken their faith.
Christianity, claims to be good for mankind but actually teaches its followers that mankind is evil and is out to get them and that the world will degrade to the point of requiring destruction at the hands of God.
It seems to me that Jesus was more about breaking down religious tendencies and helping people, I may be wrong about Jesus, but am not about the majority of Christians.
First step would be to stop the advertising and marketing efforts. In this world, where we have TV, satellites, the Internet, etc., anybody who is curious about Christianity can find it easily. We have all heard so much about it that those who are interested already know….those who are not, are tired of hearing about it.
Second step, stop giving unsolicited advice. If somebody asks for your opinion or help, that’s fine. But if they did not ask you what to do about (being pregnant, being gay, etc.), don’t push yourself in.
Many Christian organizations are already doing a great job helping people in need and comforting people. Keep up the good work with that! (It’s the only reason why I’m not totally anti-Christianity: I know that some Christian people/organizations are loving and generous.)
nothing, christianity should be destroyed in a way that would forever eliminate its existence from memory.
It’s quite simple. Leave everyone else alone.
Let gays get married. If you believe they’re going to hell, you making their marriage illegal isn’t going to stop them. They’re going to be gay whether you like it or not. And if they are destined for hell, it’s not your job to send them there. It’s is your god who will decide that. YOUR job is to not be gay, and not practice their “sinful” ways. (I’m speaking in Christian terms here. There is nothing evil about gays… just playing the role.)
Don’t try to run the government. That’s not your concern. It’s your god’s concern.
Even if this country turned completely atheist, and Christians were thrown to the lions for believing in their god, Christianity does NOT teach that you should overthrow the lion-tamers and take over their government.
Christians should be meek, humble, and kind. And they should also turn the other cheek.
If Christians would actually do that, some people might actually start to like them.
But instead, most Christians behave exactly the opposite of this, claiming to speak for god, and be “god’s warriors” etc.
That’s the only reason people hate Christians today. Otherwise, we really could give a rat’s ass what you people believe.
The Bible is not a cohesive document, factually, historically, or morally. At least Jesus managed to have the NT added on, like the “Don’t ever do any of this at home” disclaimer on Jackass. Still, Jesus wasn’t perfect. I have an idea! How about all you Christians just quit carrying the baggage of your ingnorant predecessors and unite in atheistic humanism?
One thing many christians need to do is offer god’s word to people but not suffocate them if they refuse to accept it. We also need to stop picking and choosing parts out of the bible to condone or ignore. We need to follow all that is commanded by god not just most of it. Two good examples of this is premarital sex and homosexuality. We are not here to judge those that do partake in such sins, but they cannot call themselves a true christian if they don’t repent and stop doing those things.
You have, with the voicing of the need to restore the honour and standing of Christianity, advanced steps toward that goal. It is that easy. The value and repute of each nation, religion, creed and class falls on the shoulders of each individual of those same said groups.
We are all ambassadors of whichever religion or creed we emerge from, postive pride in ones own identity gives a sense of purpose to the persons contained therein.
Be Blessed
Be Loved.,
Probably nothing. As is evident by most of these answers, too many people believe that everyone falls into the small minority of extremists and extreme actions that you see on the news.
Its like the reverse of what we are seeing with the Muslim faith right now, everyone bends over backwards to ensure that everyone knows that its only a very small minorty of muslims that would be willing to carry out a suicide bombing (duh), but when it comes to Christians, all the wack jobs that show up on the news must represent the entire faith.
Unfortunatly, I don’t know that there is anything that can be done to change it. Individuals just have to continue to do good things, speak out against the things that they extremists are doing, and have thick skin.
You can’t Christianity is a religion of racism bigotry oppression and hatred.
Convert, and become perfect.
Psa 19:7 The Laws of Yahweh are perfect, converting the whole person: the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making the simple wise.
“I want the typical non-Christian to hear the word “Christian”, and think of someone who gives to the poor, is very humble, never judges or condemns others, who helps you rather than try to convert you, and is NOT ignorant of science (I know it is a small issue, but that really bugs me!)”
Hmm, all of those things can be done without the name of religion wrapped around it. Do those things because they are right and not because some book told you or for fear of eternal torture or reward of heaven.
One of the biggest problems is religions (tend) to attract the least inquisitive among us. Having a bunch of parrotts that haven’t even read the book they preach seems to be the average Christian. My Mom considers herself Christian but hasn’t read the bible, doesn’t believe much of it other than she loves Jesus and thinks he’s a God. Lets face it, most use it in name only like it’s a race of people, hmmmm that sounds familiar. Almost everyone I know calls themself a Christian, but NONE of them have actually read the entire Bible. They also won’t talk about their beliefs because that can’t substantiate any reason for belief other than because they feel it’s right.
The book itself describes a child like God with anger management issues. Why anyone would feel this character is worthy of worship is beyond my comprehension. How about you either kill the adulterers or quit pretending the book is a message from God.
Practice what we preach. Do the hard thing and put others before us. Do not just give the Lord lip service—-worship him like he said he wanted to be worshiped and not like what we want to be “entertained” by. In doing this he will give us the graces to do the hard thing and empty ourselves of ourselves so we may be filled with him.
I think you’ve got a great point, but it only can be meaningful when you look at it through the eyes of a mature Christian. It is easy for you and others to admit that members of our own family aren’t setting the best example. And I fully agree. There are some here who do not set a good example and really only serve as a bad example.
Although your statements make sense on the surface, you must realize that not all Christians are mature in their faith, studies, or walk with the Lord. Even I fall short at times. That is the great thing about being a Christian. We CAN stumble, we CAN admit it, we CAN strive to be better. We can also exhort our brothers and sisters in Christ to follow in the footsteps of those we know will arrive at the intended destination.
What can we do? Not put the light under a bushel.
As a non-believer, here is a nice little word of advice to all you christians out there.
Begin first of all by living what you say you believe. Quit squabbling amongt each other, living hypocritically and sinning as much as you want with this god will forgive me anyway attitude so I never really have to change a thing I do.
The message in the bible isn’t a bad one. The problem lies in the fact that most christians have never even read there bible, you cant even agree on what it says, and then you pick and chose what parts of it you want to believe and which parts you want to totally and completely ignore.
If you did the things you were suppose to, like give to the poor, be humble stopped playing gods, judging and
condemning people a lot more people would be more willing to listen to what you have to say when it comes to your religion.
Then many of you act as if you have never read a science book.
We should try to be what Christians OUGHT to be– followers of Christ. We should try to live Christ-like lives. Jesus, no matter how mean/rude someone was, was always kind and forgiving and humble. We should strive to be loving to our fellow man.
Love the sinner, hate the sin.
They say that we are sometimes the only Bible that some will ever see…….. We as Christians need to be very conscious how we act talk and speak. The old saying actions speak louder than words. Judgment first starts at the house of God, Lets please start judging who we are and how we portray Jesus.
I am ashamed of myself, and vow to do better in 2008, regarding using a gentle answer to sharp mocking tounges.
Do we truly love atheist “as ourselves”?
Would we be so bluntly honest and critical of our selves?? If we hurt our own feelings this way, it is NOT a good thing.
I understand the concept of a slap on the face as “tough love” in a crisis, for a hysterical person, so they can stop, and re-think.
But these YA unbelievers are very practiced “evangelists” (sophists perhaps), with very “thick” skin (and heads). Their risking hell is not a crisis in their minds.
A slap will NOT “snap them out of it”; rather it seems inappropriate! So let’s be nice to them, like we should, and “turn the other cheek” at least 77 x 7 times!
Are we not behaving like them??? Lets behave like adults!!!
The people on here who say they think that Christians support the abortion clinic bombings and child molestations by priests, are pulling your leg. Jesus our Lord was sinless. They cannot honestly believe such hateful actions are “Christian”, or that we condone it, any more than they condone atheist “sins”.
Never give up on anybody. The eyes of love are spiritual eyes. Favouring the passions! Destroying reason! And turning everything topsy-turvy.
Empathy is the off-spring of loving others as ourselves. Could a greater miracle ever take place, than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?
Love works miracles every day. Weakening the strong, and strengthening the weak. Making fools of the wise, and wise men of fools!
Giving us “new price tags” in valuing the importance of things, matterial and spiritual. It is a true miracle when a man finally sees himself as his own main opposition.
I think it was Shakespeare, but maybe it is in the bible. I have read “Unto you own self be true.” We have the tendency to believe one way, and act in another. We are too easily influenced, and swayed by peers.
Sometimes it is for the sake of fitting in, other times, it is embarrassment, or fear of being judged or labeled.
Shame on all mankind for being unkind.
We should never allow our own inclinations to be subjected to being taunted or tainted by someone else’s opinion. We should stand steadfast. If they cannot accept us as we are, then are they worth worrying about?
One of the simple little miracles of being “Born Again” (see John 3) is that the Holy Spirit gives us the amazing ability to really be true to ourselves, by being faithful to God’s kingdom, our ultimate home.
All REAL pleasure comes, miraculously, from doing God’s Will. This is because not doing it is a denial of your real self. Denial of you self results in illusions. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day.
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you
That is the easiest question to answer that has ever been ask. God give the answer many years ago. 11Chronicles 7:14. “If My people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Keep in mine God said (“My People”) who are the Christians of all nations, races, creeds, and colors.
Yes follow Christ’s example and I agree with a lot of what you said– if someone is supporting something that goes against God, they are not living a christian life- they are not even following God.
But as far as witnessing to others, what did Jesus do? He witnessed, He was the greatest example of all teaching His disciples to go and be “fishers of men”
If we were to just sit back and do good works but NEVER share His gospel with others, what would that make us? Is it about good works? No- those come with our faith in Christ- What does Ephesians 2:8 say? “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and it is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”
We need to continually be sharing the LOVE of Christ, sharing His gospel IN LOVE- and not badgering people to believe, we have NO power in making others belive, we simply share the gospel and move on- praying that the Lord will open the eyes and hearts of many. Live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in us who are saved (Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:2)
But we must all get rid of pride, and humble ourselves before the Lord daily. It is HIM we want to bring glory to, not ourselves. He is the one who deserves all the glory!
Beautifully said.
I turned away from religion for precisely those reasons.
I didn’t want to identify with people who condemned others.
I also felt very afraid to be myself because it started to be that if I didn’t condemn others I was kicked out anyway.
Truly a Blessing to see this question asked in this way as well.
If only we all could see it from this light.
Brightest Blessings
Angi
Christianity has a good name, its Jesus.
People will hate us, as they hated Jesus.
There will never be a perfect christian, all we can do is what we have been doing, try to be more like the Messiah…
Seek the respect of the Lord, not men…right?
Become more vocal. Get your church to contact newspapers and such, and denounce the churchs that hate and abuse the name of our Lord as Un-Christian. Hold service projects of love and charity in your community. Preach the gospel of love and tolerance. Every single person who shows the love of Christ will improve the way we are seen by the world.
Also, most importantly, preach to those that call themselves Christian, and then claim hate as their guide. Teach them the meaning of Christ’s words, show them the error of their ways and bring them to be true Christians.
Christianity never started off on the right (truthful) foot in the first place – and ever since then, went from bad to worse.
Christians placing their complete faith in their religion – and avoiding using their common sense illustrate this.
See the British documentary “Did Jesus Die?” – and also
http://www.tjresearch.info/overview.htm
The truth (facts) have been so bent out of shape – that truth itself has become a conspiracy – ie. we accept the conspiracy against truth all the time, such that when the truth (accurate events) are presented – they are seen as weird, strange, mad, etc etc… and so the truth is rejected straight away – without investigation.
Good moral values are not part of any religion – it is all part of our common sense and etiquette towards each other.
You do not murder and kill your neighbor for example.
Countries who do this to each other (eg. Iraq and Iran, Pakistan and India, etc etc) have to face up to this…
The Answer is LOVE. (it is always the answer).
Make unconditional LOVE the focus of every pulpit.
Understand what unconditonal LOVE really means.
It means to LOVE everyone, EVERYONE unconditonally. Yes, even the “worst people” you can think of. Even those that disagree with you, and your beliefs – LOVE them just the same. Even that person that cuts you off in traffic after you have had a bad day at work!
When I first started on this path of training myself to have unconditional LOVE for everyone, I used to sit in front of the TV at news time and send LOVE (a gold light) around all those perpetrators that have done things that we consider as “bad”. Not easy at first, but the brain accepts the change gradually.
Now if a thought that is not in align with the path I am on sneeks in, a little warning flag goes up in my brain, and I then send them LOVE.
You say you couldn’t do it? Well, has the way you have been doing it worked? Is the world a safe place free of crime and danger in the streets at night?
We absolutely create the situation around us, and I choose to create a world where we LOVE one another, realise we are all one, understand that if I criticise you I am critisizing myself (just as if I critisized my hand for doing something that I created with instructions from my brain). What you do and say every moment creates (literally) what happens around you and to you.
Realise there are many paths to GOD, and none of them are “wrong”, or any more “right” than another.
With the large numbers of Christians and their love for GOD I find their power is perhaps being wasted. Imagine if all religious leaders asked first at every meeting for all of you to sit quietly, close your eyes and send LOVE to surround the Earth as a white light (LOVE at a high vibration), what effect that would have on the world! One billion people doing this – it would take just days to change the world!!!
And the about the same time to change the view of others that they may have about Christians
Angie, you are a “peacemaker!” A star for you.
LOVE, Peace and Light,
peacefromken.
A great way to start would be to look after your own house first by starting christian groups that picket groups trying to force others into molds that they not only create but ignore in their own lifestyles . Go after people like televangelists and presidents with the same passion that your groups have been going after us . Many Christian groups have a dark ages mentality towards people who don’t worship their concept of god as a Anti-theists I have lost several jobs due to small minded supervisors and for that very reason I like to work for myself instead of someone who might suspect at anytime that I am not a christian and terminate me . Think it doesn’t happen because it is not a christian thing to do ? Think again atheist numbers are growing steadily and very soon will out number any other belief system fortunately for Christians atheists tend to much better morals than they do . We do not need fear to tell us what is right we look in the mirror instead . If I couldn’t do that I would have a beard to my ankles as I have been shaving Evey day of my life since I was 12 years old . I am almost 50 now and intend to keep being able to look in that mirror I don’t have the ability to go to church say god I am sorry I screwed all those people over this week in order to go out and do it again .Taking responsibility for your actions comes with not believing in a god . Would that Christians take that same responsibility instead of blaming god for their own actions .