AIBU to ask why Christians seem to make everyone so angry?

[Bardette]

Any post involving Christians or the church seem to attract an extra level of venom from some and I wonder why?

[YouTheCat]

Years of persecuting homosexuals/women/anyone vaguely different ought to do it.

[dolphinsandwhales]

Yanbu it seems to be acceptable to criticise Christians but not other religions...I say that as an atheist.

[Sulis]

All tarred with the same brush after people have had bad experiences with particularly judgemental and evangelical Christians?

Christians don't bother me per se, but judgemental evangelical anything annoys me.

[Sulis]

Dolphins - is that maybe because Christianity is seen as the national religion of the UK and we like to think the UK is very progressive and open-minded so are particularly damning of a 'home' religion that often doesn't follow such progressive and open-minded ideas?

[hunreeeal]

I think your thread title is too much of a generalisation. It would be more reasonable to say some Christians make some people angry (including some other Christians!)

Obviously there are sometimes people who just want to stir up trouble instead of debate, but that's not limited to the religious threads IMHO.

As a Christian myself I'm very happy if anyone wants to debate this religion or any other belief or non-belief. It's when things get too dogmatic and not open to debate that there's more to worry about.

[Mintyy]

Don't take it personally Bardette. Bottle feeders, benefits claimants, people with children with adhd, staffy owners, people who don't wear make up, people who have loo brushes, people who don't eat with their children every night, people with twigs in vases etc etc all attract an extra level of venom from some on other threads on Mumsnet.

[YouTheCat]

Tbh I really don't care what someone's religion is, so long as they practise their faith without impacting negatively on other people.

Sadly most religions don't manage that. Most of them don't even manage to follow their own teachings.

[DidoTheDodo]

I'd like to know this too. I think there are plenty of misconceptions flying about, especially regarding homophobia for example. And a misunderstanding of the tenets of the Christian faith - belief in Christ, treating others with justice and love and support for the vulnerable. Christians tend to be judged by the indefensible actions of a few.

[NotAnotherPackedLunchBox]

Controlling admissions to Primary Schools in areas with little or no other school choices, whist only providing a miniscule proportion of the total cost of running the schools.

[hunreeeal]

Most of them don't even manage to follow their own teachings.

Who does though? Who always manages to stick to their own moral code without making mistakes?

[Smilesandpiles]

I hate all religions. All (to me) are pointless and are just a bed time story or urban myth gone wrong. They are all corrupt, bend the rules to suit themselves and think they are above the law and everyone else. It's nothing but a means to control people, just like politics.

[hunreeeal]

There's a huge difference between all Christians worldwide, of all the various denominations, through the past 2000 years, and the tiny number of people responsible for top-level decisions in the C of E. It's good if people define which they're criticising IMO. Not really fair to tar all Christians with the same brush

[YouTheCat]

How about 'forgiveness' and 'tolerance' to start with, hun? Most of the practising Christians I know (though not all) don't even scrape the surface with those two basic teachings.

[msrisotto]

Well Christianity is the country's official faith and they discriminate against others in regards to schooling, marriage etc. These things directly impact everyone's lives so of course, they get angry about it.

[hunreeeal]

That's sad to hear YouTheCat. All I can say is that I'm glad you're aware of what the basic teachings are and that they're being misrepresented.

[Pumpkinpositive]

Perhaps the average mumsnetter has more exposure to Christianity than Islam/Judaism/Hinduism/Jedi-ism et all?

[Viviennemary]

Yes. Christian bashing is very alive and well. And Catholic bashing even worse. I'm a Catholic but no longer attend church. I felt too much of a hypocrite. As I couldn't live up to the teachings.

[squoosh]

Because a lot of people in the UK were brought up in Christian households and feel they're in a position to have an opinion and express those opinions.

[JodieGarberJacob]

Christianity affects me in my daily life (I work in a community school) whereas no other religions do. Hence I get angry with it.

[HairyGrotter]

I was a vicars daughter, CofE. I have experience, knowledge and understanding of religion, specifically CofE, I'm atheist now. I was not born religious, I was brain washed. I take a dim view of religion, mainly due to my experience and knowledge

[DidoTheDodo]

If I say 'I hate all atheists. They are closed minded and judgemental' doesn't that sound rather unreasonable? Is it a case of wanting everyone to think the same as us because that is less threatening?

[HairyGrotter]

Eek, close minded is not something if associate with atheists, more with the religious HTH

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

I kind of agree with you there YouTheCat - I'm particularly angry about homophobia at the moment for personal reasons - those I love and care about have been hugely damaged by society's lack of acceptance and intolerance.

[DidoTheDodo]

I know, hairy, I'mjust using that as an example, trying to use similar language to that often directed at Christians!

[squoosh]

Andrea Williams from Christian Concern was all over the news yesterday squealing her opposition to gay marriage. In my opinion Christians should be very concerned that she's speaking on their behalf.

Awful woman.