Why are some Christians so mean

United States
November 29, 2008 8:58pm CST
I am not saying that no one else is mean, but I am a Christian and have experienced some really deep church hurt. People are going to be people no matter what religion they choose. Has anyone else ever experienced hurt by people in their religion? Maybe it hurts so bad because when we join something, we have this idea that the people are perfect. Maybe them letting us down is to just remind us that we are human beings in the flesh and we ALL have faults and sometimes our faults can hurt people.
8 people like this
17 responses
@kassdaw (591)
• United States
30 Nov 08
The problem isn't Christians in general, it's all religions. There will always be people who claim to follow their faith even when their faith states to accept others as they are. To place hurt onto others for any reason is to go against faith. We have all experienced pain and hurt from others we thing believe the same as us but one little difference and they turn on us. I am not a religious person though I love to study it. So I can step back and look at it as a whole with no emotional attachment to the actual beliefs. End result, religion and religious followers will always be hurt and pained by their own. Not everyone in every religion is bad but there are many. There is no way around it. Happy Saturday
3 people like this
@eddie72 (37)
• China
30 Nov 08
I wonder what hurt your religion so deep in detail.I'm not a Christian and have no other religion.It's such a curious world that people fillful with belives.But in my opinion that everything should deserve respect first.
2 people like this
• United States
3 Dec 08
Eddie, that's how I feel. I mean if someone doesn't believe what you believe, then that's cool. Be secure in who you are and what you believe because truth be told, we all believe that what we believe is the TRUTH, lol! It's like mac'n cheese. Everybody thinks that they or someone they know makes it the BEST! It's the same dish, made in different ways....hope that made sense. Most who believe in a God are simply striving to be closer to Him, no matter what their religion are....we all want to live properous and peaceful lives full of love and compassion with our families....though we go to diff religions, we all want the same thing, just go about getting it in different ways.
• China
7 Dec 08
Yeah,you're right.Whatever God we believe in or not,we just wanna life more peaceful and companionate.If everybody all perform so mean to each other,there must be a crazy world.
@shooie (4984)
• United States
1 Dec 08
People will be people no matter what religion they are in or not in. We as humans seem to strike out from time to time. It sn't a good trait thats for sure. Yes I have been hurt by people I have went to church with. But have decided I need to move on and let the hurts heal and not really talk about it because the more you discuss it the longer it takes to heal and you just get bitter. And as humans we talk about them and that makes us no better than the ones that hurt us.
@shooie (4984)
• United States
3 Dec 08
yay sometimes we don;t realize or we forget. I was always told satan can't read your heart or your thoughts but if we speak it. So if we are not happy or someone has annoyed us. Well we talk about it because it is human nature but we for get by doing so we plant bad seeds. He makes them grow
• United States
30 Nov 08
not all who claim to be followers of christ are read Matthew 7:22-23
2 people like this
1 Dec 08
Some people think that their religion is the only way to be saved or to go to heaven, they even judge people who are not believers. I have chatted an online friend, when we are chatting he always talk about the bible and sometimes says that if I will not join or become a member of the religion where he is in to I will not be saved. Sometimes he is saying to my other friends, if you will not stop eating pork you will go to hell. I am just fed up with these kind of people who are judging others like this.
• Hyderabad, India
3 Dec 08
Absolutely.
• United States
3 Dec 08
that's a form of witchcraft....it comes to place fear and ultimatoms (spelled that wrong) in order to force people to do what they want them to do. Don't be fooled.
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
30 Nov 08
Unfortunately with all the division in the church, it sometimes depends what kind of church you are going to. It took me a long time to decide what type of church to go to because of differences in doctrine and differences in worship style and differences in politics. Also sometimes a few people can ruin it for the whole crowd, with things like gossip. I finally decided on a Mennonite Church and I really don't think that I'll be facing any problems with people being mean or gossip! Mennonites are awesome!
2 people like this
• United States
30 Nov 08
What is the Mennonite Church about? Forgive my ignorance.
3 people like this
• United States
30 Nov 08
Actually there are different kind of mennonites, many today are less strict. But they do have an emphasis on simple living. And peacebuilding! Here is a good website about what mennonites are: http://www.thirdway.com/menno
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
30 Nov 08
Well, you will find mean people out there, and unfortunately when you choose to be a Christian, in your Church as well. Most of the time these people never STOP to think what they are saying, and often go around hurting anyone never noticing until one day something comes back to haunt them, or they often end up being hurt as well. No, unfortunately Christians are human and many times will forget to stop and think sometimes before responding. All we can do, is learn to live and forgive, and Pray for them as well.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I don't know why people do it but I know what you mean. People forget that God said love everybody. I don't know why people forget that I wish that they would remember.
• United States
3 Dec 08
crip I found out that we (cause I was one...and still am getting it right) are not able to love as God did because we must first love ourselves. So many people are not happy with themselves. If you can not love you, it is impossible for you to really love God and thus attain His level of love for all people.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
1 Dec 08
Hi lov, While it is true that many who call themselves Christians can be very mean, and I've encountered my share of them, I have also found some of the best people in the Christian church. Christians are supposed to be followers of Christ, and I think that the sermon on the mount should be required daily reading for all who would call themselves Christians. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@carinio98 (2929)
• Philippines
30 Nov 08
i notice it too even here at mylot you will notice that some christian are very mean... its just that they believe that they are nice and right to any word or any thing they do.... and you are wrong for him/her.... like they have there own pride of being a christian....
1 person likes this
@carinio98 (2929)
• Philippines
3 Dec 08
it depends on people. some are using there belief to lure people or some scumming people for there own good. it is depends on who you are and what you are.... it is not general it is depends on what do you believe is right... like now you do at my reply on you.... im not telling this as i have no respect for any other... im here to tell what i experience about the christians as they say. im not telling here.... hey you... and you... you... you.... sorry if i make you angry with my words.......
• United States
3 Dec 08
I am a Christian and I am proud to be one.... If I were a Muslim, I would be proud...If I were Jewish or a Buddhist, I would still be proud...If I were a Pagan or Wiccan, I would be proud. We should be proud of who we have chosen to be, but we don't have to force feed it to people because truth be told....if our beliefs are as great as we say and think they are, people will notice the fruits of what we practice in our lives and come join us on their own.
1 person likes this
@lisa0502 (1724)
• Canada
30 Nov 08
I can understand where you are comming from. I have had some experiences with the christian churches that sure do not make me want to go there. So I do not go to them. I would like to think that most people do not try to hurt people that they are supposed to care about. But I found that this is not the case with christians. They are more hurtful than those who are not.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Dec 08
lisa, don't ever let people drive you away from the church. I walked out one day because of someone and I vowed to NEVER do that again. Those people are your sandpaper. Truth be told, most are not mean or evil. Some don't realize that they are....and the vast majority, depending on where are are just messed up and need some help. That's why we go to church, to gain strength...some of us mess up because we are nice and we go to make friends and we seek approval...in my experience, that is where you get hurt. The bible says fail not to assemble yourselves...pray and ask God to lead you where He wants you to be...where the ministry is nourishing and enrichment is there...some place that you can be edified in...He answered my prayer and will answer yours as well.
@wahmivy (776)
• Philippines
30 Nov 08
It is a sad reality that many people who claim to be Christians behave in a non-Christ-like manner. I suppose it's mainly because we're all of us works in progress. Perhaps it would be a good idea to keep in mind when others hurt us that none of us are perfect yet. This way, when we know that we are just as capable of hurting, it would be easier to forgive. However, if you're looking for a church that will help you grow (remember no church is perfect in its congregation), try to find one where you can feel genuine fellowship among the members. Hope this helps. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Nov 08
Yes people are imperfect but if theres a real problem they need to be confronted in a nice open manner. Perferrably you might not want to do this in front of the whole crowd...lol..you know if you are at church and its just starting ^^; In other words try to settle it quietly. If they continue their behavior talk to your pastor/minister...yada yada ^^.
1 person likes this
@ANW517 (30)
• United States
27 Dec 08
No one's perfect. Maybe they're going through hard times. Remember, church is an organization and all organizations have problems.
• United States
29 Dec 08
I definitely agree with this!!!! But so many times we are given the short end of the stick....we are humans like every one else
• United States
30 Nov 08
I think that alot of christains know where to hit you. It's because in a church setting you are suposed to open yourself up and give of yourself. and that just gives some people a place to punch. So they know where it hurts. Just be careful who you choose to be friends with.
@lucy02 (5016)
• United States
15 Feb 09
lov, I had a very bad experience at church last Sunday and my initial response was never to go back there. I even told some people I wouldn't be back. I probably will though cause my Sunday School class and pastor and most of the others are very good people. Its just one small group of people that left me in tears and hurt my family. I still may find another church since my husband had already left this church and wants us to find another. As you said, we aren't going to please others. Its all about God not us. Still I am feeling uneasy about going back. I'm praying God will lead me to the right decision in this matter.
• United States
16 Feb 09
Well, I think that everyone is mean at one time or another. It is human. But, as a christian you are suppost to represent GOD and act in a Godly Manner. But, unfortantly not every christian is like that. I do have some personal experiances myself form other christians that have been rude, mean, and have looked down at me. So in a way I know what hurt you are talking about.