Why do so many Christians seem to think that they have a monopoly on happiness?
79700
Whew-- Here's a question to all those who post about religious folks and non-religious folks... Are we ever going to settle this? Yeah didn't think so.\nStill I commend Wrathpuppet and the more thoughtful responders by espousing their beliefs in as clear a manner as possible, and Schneb- That's got to be one of your shorter replies, kudos on the mutual respect.\n\nI'm going to shy away from a grandiose analogy, for a simpler one that might still fit.\n\nEver went to see a movie the day it came out, was blown away by it, and when you told your friends they needed to see it, and right away, they blew you off? Ya know like they'd heard bad reviews, or just didn't think the material was something they were interested in. But it's killing you because you love and respect these people and you wish them to share in this wonderful cinematic experience... and you're sure if they would just take the time and go, they'd thank you for it later? ** to carry this theme out... it's not that you believe these folks (that you're trying to tell about this great movie) have never seen a good picture before or that they couldn't discover it on their own, it's just that it was SO good for you, SO moving, SO vital, that you really believed if they never saw it, their life would not be as rich as if they had.\n\nShortest answer possible, they think they're doing you a favor or a kindness, you may already have an interesting life that has happiness in it, but they fear for your eternal happiness. \n\nI for one will leave each to their own, and only try an help the ones who say they are unhappy or in some need, and the answer from me rarely will have religious overtones. \n\nMy God is just love. Wrath, judgement, the need to be worshipped and obeyed are the attributes of other's Gods. \n\nThe afterlife does not hold auditions.
331903
Therefore what?\n\nI agree that you are primarily responsible for your success or happiness, but others do hold factors that you can't control.  For example, it's harder to get a good-paying job during a recession or depression, or when there's so much outsourcing and downsizing like there is now.  And how happy can you be, really, if you're someone's captive or slave, like the Native Americans of the late 19th-century or the African-Americans before the Civil War (and since, due to Jim Crow).  And it's hard to establish success if you're in the middle of a war zone.\n\nThat said, I believe that even a prisoner in a concentration camp can find some source of happiness within him/herself, especially if they know God.  That person won't be totally happy, but he/she'll have an inner reservoir of peace, and will be happier, and can even help make others happier.\n\nConversely, if you're miserable inside, even if you're in decent circumstances, your misery will creep out, making yourself, others, and your circumstances more miserable.  Believe me, I've seen it happen in my own family.  Think of Ebenezer Scrooge.
1139295
the christians i know either could care less about the bible [most of them] or they're intensely conservative, in every way.\n\nthey tend to counter the argument that they should help the poor with an angry proclamation that they are called to be good stewards of their finances.
809557
is it just the Christians that are rich? and the non Christians that are poor?\nIf God wanted me to be rich then I guess that I am, but not in material wealth, I have my health, and a family that loves me, I have peace of mind, and I live better than i did when I did not have a house, or electricity, or running water, It sure seem like more that only 18 months ago, so I guess i am rich. thank you for reminding me.
1183306
People since the begining of civilization have come up with different religions amongst which there is one common factor: A SAVIOUR. Life is not fair and religions try to introduce heaven and hell and after life in order to make it easier for people and benefit from them. The idea of a savior is a very old one which we can see in almost all religions long before Christianity. After all, there are always some Losers who would not fight for their rights and expect a savior to come and make every thing all right for them. I am happy u ain't one of them.
677222
don't you know?  EVERYTHING has to do with them.  if it doesn't, they make it their business, then it does have to do with them.  most aren't happy until everyone believes as they do.  sad, huh?
583457
Well I'm agnostic but will answer this anyways...\n\nI find this one of Christianity's few logical points.  All people carry some form of greed, arrogance, conflict, etc. in them.  No matter how good a person you are, you WILL sin...its bound to happen.  What the concept of being a sinner means is that Christianity is admitting that its followers will not lead a sinless life (which is realistically true).  Basically, we're imperfect and we know it...but God loves us anyways.\n\nFor non-Christians, its an excuse for Christians to admit they're imperfect while still maintaining that their beliefs are.
723198
haha not all are. i think it is easy for christians to get that holier than thou thing going because they know they are forgiven if they ask and believe. so this tends to make some people believe they can do what they want even at any cost. be very careful also cause there are a lot of psudo-christians who mascarade as christians just so they have the authority, if even just in their eyes, to run down and degrade non-christians. remember Christ preached love above all else, so if you can't love the sinner how can you honestly say you are christian if you can't practice what Christ preached?\n\ni am a christian and try my best to not be hypocritical when i talk about Christ or in my life as i know i am not perfect just perfectly forgiven. :-)
669559
i think the key to happiness is through JESUS CHRIST. and letting HIM lead your life. GOD BLESS YOU.
1070897
I think its kinda said that christians have so many dominions! I am a Christian and I am nothing more. A Christian. Ever since early times there has been fights between Protestants and Catholics killing thousands- in the name of God. Does that make any sense at all? Not to me. Today we (Christians) are all segregated. We all share the basic idea of the Lord yet tiny differences in between. We all are separated adn I think that if the different dominions were to collect, we could to better things together as a whole. Thats part of the reason I dont go to church. I am a Christian, but, it's weird when I am in Church. You see people there and they preach the word of God. Then later they throw stones, backstab, and belittle others. I think that as long as one believes in God and Jesus that they have a private relationship and nothing else can break that. I do not need to prove my love to anyone else than Him. I feel no need to classify myself as a different person.\n\nI am a Christian.
626334
I am a Christian too and I've noticed the same thing. I'm not sure why they do it but I try to spread God around and be real about my faith.
509022
same as any other group of ppl. some are good, some arent so good. christianity started out with the best of intentions, but theres always going to be flaws with stuff like that.
639803
A lot of people think that in order to win, someone else has to lose.  In religion this translates as "Our church is going to Heaven, the rest of you are damned."\n\nThis is wrong.  Everybody can win, if we care for each other, and are humble in our victories. \n\nI have to say, that I have seen a lot of this in various fundamentalist oriented sects, and this is not limited to the Christians, but also Moslem funfamentalists such as the Taliban, and I'm sure many others.\n\nIn defense of Jesus, the Gospels tell of a man who taught humility, love, and patience.  He taught that we should love, not kill, our enemies.  And He died on the cross to save not only Christians (there were only a few disciples at that time) but all people, and that includes Osama, Sadaam, Adolph Hitler, the Dalai Lama, Hugo Chavez, and, yeah, even Pat Robertson and George W Bush.\n\nBut living up to Jesus' teachings is demanding- it requires you to accept your own responsibility and to change yourself.  This is a lot harder than denying it and blaming others, while hogging more of everything because "I deserve it."\n\nI suggest you look again at some other sects.  In some cities you will find the Episcopal church to be a lot more accepting of other spiritual paths.  I know there are others, but that's what I'm familiar with.  I do know this: Episcopals, at least, swear before God to "respect the dignity of every human being" as part of their baptismal vows.\n\nThere is no excuse for intolerance.  All people deserve to be treated with dignity.
683348
I am not a bible scholar, but having been born with depression I cannot tell you how frustrating it is when people try to tell me that I choose to be this way. It is not free will! Society may aggravate it, but it did not create it. \nWhereas it is well known that bad things happen to good people & innocent children & that it is God that allows such things to happen---& that it the most difficult question. Why does God allow suffering? Is it really supposed to make us better people? But that is a whole new debate in itself...
882697
As Mary Jane pointed out, Christians control the majority--at least in English speaking countries. But more than that, Christians believe that they are God's gift to the world when it comes to giving advice, yet for some inexplicable reason cannot seem to take their own advice.
757135
I totally agree.  People believe that Christians are supposed to be faultless or something.
314163
Well, I think there is a natural desire to survive and that is instinct. I also believe that most people, even the most devout Christians doubt the existence of Heaven deep in their hearts. Also, most people love their famalies and want to be with them. Father or Mother feel they need to do the best to raise their children, and that would require them being alive. No one wants to lose their children, and the only thing I don't understand is why do Christians want to keep brain dead people alive and let them suffer instead of going to Heaven.