What goes through your mind when someone says, "I'm a Christian?"

[xfundy]

I usually expect it to be followed by, "and you're going to hell."

It was once thought to be a sign that the individual saying it would be fair, nonjudgmental, and nice in general. Nowadays, not so much. Thoughts?

[Warpy]

1. I always want to say "You want a medal?"

but I'm usually too busy making sure s/he didn't lift my wallet while I look for the closest exit.

[NV Whino]

2. Run for your life

And don't look back.

[LiberalElite]

3. Unfortunately after a couple decades of the right wing variety -

what goes through my mind is - get away from me.

[madamesilverspurs]

4. Hate to admit it, but

my first thought is: "If you have to announce what your faith is, you're doing it wrong."

I'm fortunate to know quite a few people who actually practice that faith, and none of them finds it necessary to flaunt or otherwise advertise it. Yet they are all highly respected and well liked. Imagine that.

[xfundy]

8. Yes.

But in my experience those are few and far between.

[Hoppy]

49. Teach the words of Christ. If you must, use words.

[raccoon]

107. +100. nt

[tularetom]

5. My hand instinctively reaches into my pocket

To make certain my wallet is still there.

[mindem]

33. Same here.

[prairierose]

6. What goes through my mind is ....

Run, run away as fast as you can......

[Siwsan]

7. If someone has to tell me that. it's usually because their behavior doesn't

And I mean that Christians who walk the Jesus road (love thy neighbor - do onto others - blessed are the peace makers, etc) have no need to identify themselves as anything other than caring human beings. The same goes for any religious affiliation that prioritizes humanity over greed and avarice. And to stem any sputtering, I do not think you have to be religious or even spiritual to be a caring human being.

[cleanhippie]

9. So fucking what.

That's usually what I first think.


YMMV

[House of Roberts]

10. My first impression, given the admission wasn't solicited,

is 'here is a person I can never be myself around'.

[LuvNewcastle]

48. That about sums up my feelings.

[Fumesucker]

11. "You should have let me figure it out"

[xfundy]

12. "They will know we are Christians by our love" seems ineffective anymore.

[Fumesucker]

14. Just put "of money" on the end and you'll have it

Mammon is by far the most powerful and most sincerely worshiped of gods.

[xfundy]

16. YES.

Just the thing that conservatives actually conserve.

[Humanist_Activist]

90. How would you figure it out?

Is there a specific way that Christians act that non-Christians don't act like?

[Fumesucker]

93. Supposedly

[Agnosticsherbet]

13. That they belong to one of the many Chrisian Chruches.

I judge the individual by the individual's actions, not what church he or she is affiliated with. For that, I need more than a statement of belief.

In California, this almost never comes up except for the ones who knock on my door. I tell them to go away.

[xfundy]

15. I've known many who don't even go to church

which doesn't mean they're not, but on the other hand so many who self=identify that way are mean, even cruel to others, quick to say, "goddammit," etc., and don't mind if someone gives them too much change, etc.

[Agnosticsherbet]

19. The majoirty of Chrisitians I have know are just normal people,

I will judge them by their actions, not religious affiliation.

[xfundy]

60. Same here.

If they can just believe without trying to make others live under their religion I have no problem with them.

[HockeyMom]

17. Run

before they start their preaching to you.

[Journeyman]

18. Depends upon the person and the situation . . .

I meet many people who so identify and rarely do they question my lifestyle or that of anyone else. The most unhappy, judgmental individual I've met in the past 20 years was an atheist.

I had occasion to meet a number of Episcopalians lately and they were quite inclusive, encouraging all manner of people to attend. They hate lies and illegal wars of aggression. They feed the poor without requiring anything in return. And when told, as I informed them, that someone is uninterested in their religion or faith, they don't withdraw their friendship. I may find cause to alter my opinion in future days, but I'll hold to this opinion for now. It's what I see in the limited involvement I have.

Something I found years ago: there are arseholes and saints in every walk of life. And no matter where they go, people find the type of people they expect to find.

In his poem, "The People, Yes," Carl Sandburg wrote about a traveller entering a new land who comes upon a farmer standing in his field.

The stranger asks him, "What sort of people live here."

And the farmer asks back, "What sort are they where you're from?"

And the stranger tells of a "lowdown, lying, thieving, gossiping, backbiting lot."

To which the farmer replies, "Well, I guess that's about the kind of folks you'll find around here."

Comes another stranger who enters into the same exchange, but he tells of a "decent, hardworking, law-abiding, friendly lot" who live where he's from.

To which the farmer replies, "Well, I guess that's about the kind of folks you'll find around here."

Abe Lincoln said it best, "Most people are about as happy as they set their minds to be."

[dorkzilla]

38. I've never known an Episcopalian to call him/herself "Christian" unless they're asked

If someone said it without being asked I'd just assume they are a fundie and I'd rundie from the fundie 😂.

Also, the 2 most funloving groups I've known were Buddhist and atheists.

[Yorktown]

20. There are so many varieties of "Christians" that I suspect the label is meaningless

The YEC Evangelical whose belief is mostly that a certain old book is the one eternal true word doesn't share much with the RC mamma whose only real belief is that San Pietro del Gelato will freeze all the evil ones to death (or something to the effect thereof)

[hrmjustin]

21. Depends why they are telling me.

If it is clear they are trying to convert people I get annoyed.

If it comes up in a conversation and say i am as well.

[xfundy]

23. What denomination are you?

Do you go to a church that believes you're going to burn in hell?

[hrmjustin]

25. Episcopalian and in the 18 years i have been a member i have never heard a priest mention

hell.

[xfundy]

30. That makes sense.

Ive known a few Episcopalians and they seem to help others without proselytizing and judging.

[hrmjustin]

31. That is the general way it is supposed to work.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

102. Don't all Christians believe in original sin and substitutionary atonement?

I thought believing in the foundational premises of 1)original sin; and 2)substitutionary atonement were necessary to be a Christian.

and if we are all sinners and Jesus died for our sins, then we can still go to hell. I'm assuming you are not a Universalist or a Unitarian.

[hrmjustin]

105. Well not every Christian believes in every doctrine and rubric.

My view is that Christ's resurrection saves all of humanity.

Original sin is viewed differently by different Christians but in the end all it really means is that as human beings we have the choice to sin or make bad choives.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

109. This means you are a universalist.

You must necessarily accept original sin for Jesus to "save" humanity. That's what substitutionary atonement is. If you did not believe in original sin, there would be no need for Jesus to save humanity from damnation.

You believe, from what you have just said, in 1)Original sin; and 2)Substitutionary atonement for all humanity which makes you a Universalist.

Definition of original sin, from The Free Dictionary: In Christian theology, the condition of sin that marks all humans as a result of Eve's and Adam's first act of disobedience.


Definition of substitutionary atonement from The Free Dictionary:

Technically speaking, substitutionary atonement is the name given to a number of Christian models of the atonement that all regard Jesus as dying as a substitute for others, 'instead of' them. It is thought to be expressed in the Bible in passages such as 'He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness,'[1 Pet. 2:24] and 'For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.'[1 Pet. 3:18] (although other ways of reading passages like this are also offered).[1][2]

[hrmjustin]

110. Yes in reality i tend to believe that Jesus's Death and resurection is a saving act fof us all.

While i do believe there is a entity names Satan i have a hard time believing in hell.

I believe in the extreme mery and love of God.

[TlalocW]

22. Normally the next thing out of their mouth

Is going to be some sort of bigoted or hateful statement which they will attempt to excuse with a scripture.

At which point, I usually make the argument that NOBODY gets their morality from the Bible, especially those who say it's the inerrant word of God. Normally when someone uses the Bible with the old standard of teh gayz =abomination, I don't go down the shellfish route anymore but ask them, "So why aren't you out killing them by stoning?" Fortunately, they start to hem and haw instead of saying, "Hey, you're right!" which is good because I always hit them with, "It's part of the same verse(s) that say gay is bad. You believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God, but you're not following what He's commanded you to do so you've come up with your own morality, just like everyone else on the planet. You just suck at justifying it."

TlalocW

[xfundy]

27. Same with tattoos, cutting the hair on the sides of their head, working or shopping on Sunday

somehow they can claim the bible is true but pick, pick, pick their way through it.

[bvf]

24. When my young family moved to a suburb

of Cleveland in the mid-nineties and were being introduced around, one of our neighbors asked my wife and me point-blank, without any prompting, "What church do you attend?"

We were both thunderstruck by the sheer presumptiveness and arrogance of the question. I don't think we exchanged more than a couple of words with them since.

[xfundy]

28. That's still a common question in the South.

[bvf]

36. As it undoubtedly is up our way.

I haven't seen much indication that things have changed much. Oh, I know that there's been slight incremental improvement attitudinally according to recent studies, and I find that encouraging, but there's a long way to go.

All I can do is hold out hope for the next generation(s), and I do.

[Frustratedlady]

26. My first thought is they must not feel secure in their belief, particularly when they keep

making mention. For instance, people who post item after item re:Christian messages on Facebook. I figure they must feel like they must say it over and over again to convince not only their friends and others, but themselves.

I'm a Christian, but I don't feel I need to bother others with that fact. I feel secure in what I believe, but have quit attending church because of the bigots and hypocrites. I shall return if they ever get over themselves.

[xfundy]

29. There's a lot of that going around.

I have a family member who makes sure everyone knows how christian she is. Fooled most of them, and turned out to be the most vicious, hateful beast I've ever known.

[leftofcool]

32. That they are wearing their Christianity on their shirt sleeve.

It always makes me wonder who they are trying to convince.

[xfundy]

34. - Or what they're trying to screw someone out of.

[bvf]

43. Many years ago, in the late 80s,

I was involved in a union organizing drive with my employer at the time. In an employee meeting with management, I distinctly recall one of my co-workers prefacing a question to the company president with, "As a Christian, I'm basically opposed to conflict..."

My internal reaction was, "WTF? Since when?"

That was my introduction to so-called christians trying to use their faith as a tool. Really disturbed by that.

[xfundy]

44. Ah, yes.

"I'm a christian, so you can obviously trust me."

That was once thought of as the default. They've pretty much strangled that one.

[Historic NY]

35. I don't know why they have to announce it....

its like I'm born again...whats that ?? A do-over.

[AnnieBW]

37. Run the other way!

If someone tells me how much of a Christian they are, they can't be any good.

[Kalidurga]

39. Run

Run run run, at least that is what I do when street preachers are camped out on the sidewalk.

[CentralMass]

40. I usually assume that they are probably cracking walnuts with their arse..

[xfundy]

41. You owe me a keyboard.

[upaloopa]

42. I think, why do I need to know that

I mean who gives a damn
Then I wonder if you are fucking anyone over with your religion

[immoderate]

45. I think: "I better switch to monosyllables."

--imm

[Cartoonist]

46. I feel sad

Because I know that there is little chance that this person has anything new to bring to the conversation.

[xfundy]

50. True. Most of their conversation will be canned.

Just like on wingnut discussion boards - they all say whatever they heard on Faux or Rush, and others chime in with amens.

[TheDebbieDee]

47. My definition of a Christian is:

A person who lives in constant terror of the knowledge that someone, somewhere is having fun and enjoying their life!

[FiveGoodMen]

51. I think "How can you possibly be so fucking stupid?!"

[Maedhros]

54. There are many Christians on this board.

Are they all stupid?

Maybe you should soften your rhetoric.

[FiveGoodMen]

56. The story says

That a perfect God -- who, by most accounts could see the future -- made all people in a way that he could never accept.

Setting aside this craziness, this perfect, loving God decided that all of them should be tortured FOREVER after death for what they could not possibly help. (Don't tell me about free will; if that was real, SOME would make it without salvation.)

Then he arranged to get himself tortured and killed (why?) and then erased all evidence that he was here (save word-of-mouth) and lets people off the hook based on whether they believe THAT story.

No apologies. No softening.

There is NO EXCUSE for believing that.

None.

[Maedhros]

58. You probably don't see your own hubris, but it will bite you on the ass one day.

I used to hold the same thoughts you do, but I moved on. I've been much happier since I did so.

[Silent3]

69. I have a hard time believing you ever held "the same thoughts" as this other poster...

...when you follow up by saying that after somehow giving those thoughts up, you've "been much happier since".

If you ever held similar thoughts it wouldn't likely matter to you what makes you happier or not. If you ever were a real skeptic, you'd consider only what does or does not make sense, what's logical and rational. You wouldn't choose what you believe by thinking about what belief makes you happiest.

I think it's also important to note that this thread isn't merely about people who are technically Christian, or whether you yourself would call them Christians. It's about people who strongly self-identify very specifically with the word "Christian", flat out, with any particular denomination coming second, if at all.

Liberal and/or intellectual non-literalist Christians might not like this, but the fact is that the word Christian has become strongly associated with right-wing Fundamentalist Christianity. There's a whole lot there that's very, very easy to criticize without it taking much hubris to call that bullshit the bullshit that it is.

Even with a bit looser, less literalist interpretation of Christianity, the whole idea of someone "dying for your sins", original sin and substitutional atonement via God sacrificing himself to himself, is more than a bit crazy when you think about it.

[Maedhros]

71. I'm talking about the need to define one's self by what one hates,

and then to hold one's self as an intellectual superior over those who espouse what one hates.

Make's one very bitter.

[FiveGoodMen]

95. As briefly as I can...

I come from a long line of Christians. They generally have high IQs and good educations.

We see each other on Holidays, pass the mashed potatoes, and get along just fine.

I also have friends and even advisers (on non-religious matters, of course) who are Christians and I like them. Some have been a big help in my life.

Even the ones I don't like, I don't hate.

And, of course, I never ask them how they can be so stupid. (The OP asked what we THINK)

Still, they believe that no amount of torture would ever be enough to properly punish me, or you, or themselves, or their children for what utter filthy pieces of shit we all supposedly are.

They want me to believe that I am so evil that infinite suffering is what I deserve...

And you think I'm insensitive for calling them stupid.

[Maedhros]

96. You are projecting your personal experience with a small sub-set of Christians

onto all Christians. This is illogical.

I don't think that you're insensitive, I think that you are boosting your own sense of self-worth by placing others (Christians) beneath you.

[xfundy]

74. "the fact is that the word Christian has become strongly associated with right-wing Fundamentalist[s

My point exactly. Thank you.

I'm amazed that the vast majority of Christians haven't risen up to take back the word and wring the hatred out of it. I find it hard to believe that most agree with what it has become infected with.

[Mariana]

78. Many Christians, regardless of which particular version

they subscribe to, have simply decided that anyone whose interpretation of Christianity they don't like isn't really a Christian. Therefore, they feel no need to "take back the word". They've redefined the word so as to include themselves, and to exclude everyone they don't agree with.

[xfundy]

61. I asked mainly about the word, and how people react when hearing it

not really about the people themselves. As a survivor I understand how most got involved - through childhood indoctrination. A lot of Christians cringe when they hear loudmouth wackjobs define themselves using the word.

I once told someone I was agnostic and she became transfixed. "How can you BE that?!" she asked.

[daleanime]

52. "Where's the door?"

[rock]

53. Not much

The variety of Christians is as varied as there are Christians.

[KT2000]

55. What is that supposed to mean to me?

That is what I want to ask because people of other religions do not announce their religion.
In truth when someone says that to me I want to get away as soon as possible. I do not think positively of the person because either they are going to use their "Christianity" as a means to control the conversation or they have assumed a sense of superiority.
I do not do business with people who advertise their religion with fishes on ads and business cards. I assume I will be ripped off - which has happened too many times.

[xfundy]

68. I once ran into someone who announced their religion.

This was on a trip to San Francisco, and the guy was a panhandler in Union Square. He walked up to me and my friends, said, "Hello, I'm Jewish..." I said "congratulations" and walked on.

I agree about the fish <>< symbol. It's like a sign to be on the lookout, because "everybody knows you can trust a Christian."

[Skittles]

57. conservative asshole

[xfundy]

63. They do often go together.

[sgtbenobo]

59. Christ....

.... I hope this person isn't packing heat.


Carry on.

[xfundy]

62. Very good point, nowadays.

[Nite Owl]

64. I'm so sorry

[xfundy]

65. Why?

It's not your fault. Or IS it?

The word has had its meaning changed thanks to the politicization of it. It's become a word that many people want no part of -- witness church membership declining year over year. Most people just want to be left alone and not be preached at and told over and over and over that they're going to hell.

[Nite Owl]

73. That would be my reaction to

Their announcement.
Kinda sad that they find the need to tell everyone, even strangers.

[PumpkinAle]

66. It's the ones who have the Bibles

prominently displayed on their desks and sign their emails with a Bible verse that have me running for the hills.

[xfundy]

67. I'd bet the verses are about love.

Unless they're replying to someone they hate or disagree with, then they're probably about hell, vengeance or plagues.

[AtheistCrusader]

70. Cover my wallet, and back away slowly while maintaining eye contact.

[on point]

72. He is a delusional fool and anything else said subject to severe scrutiny

[xfundy]

75. That's a valid response. Especially if he's using it to pump some sewage.

[olddots]

76. I glance at my watch and excuse myself explaining

that I'm late for my tuba lesson .

[brewens]

77. If it comes up as soon as I meet someone, I'm thinking, "here we go again!" Where religion is

concerned, I'd say a "don't ask, don't tell" policy would work just fine.

[undergroundpanther]

79. Oh shit...

How am i gonna get away from this nut quick and polite as possible? Hope I can avoid getting triggered.

[nilesobek]

80. New guy at work:

Quoting Bible doggerel while strapped with prison tats that say "redemption," and "revenge." He was explaining to me how prophecy cannot be altered or questioned, even though I didn't question it or even say anything religious. He was talking under his breath today also and making strange hand signs. I dunno, he's a pretty good worker but fresh outta the pen.

[xfundy]

81. He probably caught religion in the pen.

Those can be some of the worst. And some can justify their earlier thoughts with religion. I'd say be careful.

[mr blur]

82. "Well, keep it to yourself, I couldn't care less"

Sadly, they never do.

[Igel]

83. "I wonder what that means?"

So many ideas about what it means to be Xian, what it takes to be a Xian, how one should act (or not act) as a Xian. It lets me know little about doctrines or behavior or attitudes or politics.

It basically expresses affiliation with the phonetic form of a word: "Jesus." It says nothing about the content, the referent and detailed semantics. The word has a lot of referents.

[Warren Stupidity]

84. coincidentally my phone is on silent mode and I get a call.

[xfundy]

89. Demons!

[goldent]

85. Similar to what I think when someone I've met puts out their political

views too quickly. I would rather get to know the person first without religion or politics.

[Rob H.]

86. If it happens in the Bible Belt

it's usually followed by a conversion spiel, so when someone says it I usually think, "...And here comes the sales pitch." It happened to me in the American northwest last year, though, so YMMV.

[LostOne4Ever]

87. I think, "and you are telling us this why?"

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4 color=teal]Christians make up the vast majority of people in America. If you pulled any random person out of a crowd...odds are they are some sort of Christian.

Saying, "I am a Christian" out of the blue or upon meeting someone for the first time is not brave, and does not tell us something unexpected or extra-ordinary about you.

What it comes off to me as is trying to say they are a "REAL" christian. They are serious about their religion where others are not. That they don't care if you are a believer or not and that they are going to inject their faith into every conversation even if it makes you uncomfortable.

Of course, I know that might not always be the case and I still try and be cordial and relate with them, but that is what I think when someone says something like that out of the blue or upon introduction.[/font]

[xfundy]

88. I agree. Though I should probably have worded the Q differently.

As in, "if someone lets you know..." or somesuch. Regardless, the word itself has come to mean the exact opposite of what it once meant. It was a go-to term that someone could be trusted-- like, "go to a policeman" or, "talk to a clergyman." Both have become so twisted as to have lost that meaning and made many want to run in the opposite direction of either.

[Humanist_Activist]

91. Why would Christians be nice, nonjudgmental or fair? I don't expect them to behave any differently..

mostly, from anyone else.

If someone is mentioning that they are a Christian, I'm assuming they are going to try to convert me or challenge something I said. So I'll either ignore them or engage in debate, depending on appropriateness and context.

[Angry Dragon]

92. I need to watch my back

True Christians don't need to advertise

[rexcat]

94. There are some things...

that may be thought but should not be said even to a Christian with a chip on their shoulder. Better to just walk away than get confrontational. That said I would probably call the person a douche and tell them to STFU!

[chassaborga]

97. The word Christian is just another word!

Show me the fruit and I will decide for myself, thank you.
There are Christians and then there are Christians.
What I think that I am and what I do shows others what I really am, BUT, perfect I am not, that's for sure...
I have met quite a few people of different denominations in my life, many acted like Christians even though there were definitely not!
Others who boast that they were, WERE NOT!

Oh by the way 2 of my best friends are atheists and we always get on like a house on fire, I say what I think and they say what they feel, and always parted in peace. Never pushed anybody to even believe, I show them how I act and live, and they can make their own move if they wished.

Charlie

[cpwm17]

98. It figures:

that's what I thought the last time I heard similar words.

One of my neighbors said I should talk to another neighbor, saying that they were good church going people. Well they may have been church going, but they were far from good. I knew to stay out of my yard on Sunday afternoon, at the time they got out of church. The young father was completely selfish and hostile. Fortunately they moved.

The woman who told me about their church going ways is the mother of the low-life scum that has been vandalizing my house and causing other troubles. In the same conversation she complained that the cops would trespass on their property when looking for her son. Her priorities are completely wrong.

[Iggo]

99. "...so you know I'm a better person than a non-christian."

They look so proud.

[raccoon]

111. Exactly! nt

[Marrah_G]

100. It makes me nervous, to be honest

I come from an area of the country where religion isn't generally just blurted out. I am Wiccan, so someone who makes it a point to tell me their religion often end up being the type that are prejudiced against those like myself.

[doc03]

101. I find most people that would make that statement

vote Republican are racist and intolerant of others that don't conform to their values.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

103. It means I am going to avoid this person in the future.

They are going to invite me to their fundy church and I am going to say I have my own church, and they will not understand, because they are so brainwashed they cannot imagine anyone NOT believing exactly the way they do. They probably listen to an uneducated preacher who decided to start his own church to fleece people and have them obey him, who is not affiliated with a mainstream denomination, and certainly not one with educated ministers.

I've been told I was going to hell more than once and I live in a very conservative area with a church on every corner. I'm sick of hearing about Jesus. He hasn't done anything for me that I can tell. Nor does he exist, because I have no evidence for his existence, either now or as a historical figure.

[djean111]

104. I start extricating myself from the encounter. There is no reason to tell me that unless

the person wants to proselytize. Or is using that as cover, as in "I am Christian, BUT.....". Or "I am Christian, so it is okay for me to take advantage of those who are not".
Shorter answer - I think "Uh-oh....."

[MineralMan]

106. For me its, "Show me, then."

[Weefee]

108. Walls go up...

... and I am unlikely to trust them with anything sensitive or task them with anything requiring thought or analysis.

[AlbertCat]

112. Get help!

Now!