Why are so many Christians so blind and so one-tracked-minded?
535886
What the Bible means to me is that Jesus is our Lord and God is our God and we will be saved in the end if we ask for forgiveness for our wrong-doings. God doesn't expect us to be perfect but he DOES expect us to try do our best for other humans and he expects us to love him above everyone, even your parents, siblings. I was shocked when my mom said she loved God more than she loved me, her daughter. I didn't know it was possible to love someone that much.....like how much I love my family. But I guess that's the "law" and I need to "get over it" and learn that God is above all others, etc...and that way he will gladly take me with him  to the gates of heaven. You asked. I answered.
70896
It's really only the fundamentalists in certain religions that believe that kind of foolishness. There are lots of religious people who have progressive, inclusive, and ecumenical understandings of their faith. There are lots of religious people who while devoted to their own faith, respect other faiths as spiritual paths.
712356
"They see the speck of dirt in other peoples' eyes yet they are blind to the dirt covering their whole faces."\n\nThat above-mentioned paraphrased quote from the Christian bible perfectly describes the hypocrisy most "Christians" conduct against non-Christians.\n\nSad but true.\n\nPeace.
709751
Its little wonder that people today are not interested in the things of the Lord as we are told that in the last days man will be ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth and man will not want to retain any knowledge of God in their minds. These same people are quick to blame God or everything yet don't want to know him when they are not experiencing any problems. From my personal experience the real problem is getting people to firstly accept that they need a savior as they have a condition in them that condemns them to hell and they seem oblivious to this. The condition is called "sin in the flesh" and its this condition which ultimately sends them to hell unless they come Gods' way and accept Jesus as their savior and become born again. Judging from the answers you have already received, it is apparent that the vast majority are still totally in the dark when it comes to this critical issue. Many are content to carry on as though they will be O.K. as they live good lives and do good deeds whilst they are unaware that it is their inner condition which will result in their final destruction. All we can do is keep praying for "all men everywhere"
1103673
Unfortunately, a lot of people who claim to be Christians are pretty stupid.  A lot of them don't know what they believe, let alone why they should believe it.  This is, in part, a product of the culture in which we live.  The pluralism and relativism that dominate much of American thinking tend to preclude intelligence.  Despite the increasing focus on academic credentials in our society, it is still highly anti-intellectual.  Whatever lip service is given to critical thinking skills in schools, I've heard very little of it in the class room.  So... in essence, I would say that, because there are a lot of stupid people in the world and because Christians are people, there are a lot of stupid Christians.\n\n...or is this question sarcastic and you're just being a narrow-minded bigot who doesn't know a thing about Christianity?
582326
They are blind and know nothing. christians CANNOT HATE. \n\nNIV\nMt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. \nMt 7:22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ \nMt 7:23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
495306
Because not all Christians are wise people and allow themselves to be tickled easily.\nChristians that actually read and are spiritually involved are offended less easy and often simply don't reply.\nTo many people claim their Cristian without even having a clue of what they believe in.
732087
I agree with some of the others who've answered you. I could add that they may be afraid of looking into other points of view because if they do they just might have to change their minds.  That could totally mess up their whole life view of themselves, their God and everything else.
1133646
Simple people are afraid of what they don't know and don't understand. Isn't it so much easier to go to church and swallow down all that brainwashing that they feed them? \nOf course it is - it doesn't require thinking with their own heads, it doesn't require reading and learning and researching and making mistakes and developing themselves...\nThey just get taught a pretty story and told it is the only truth. What an ideal world, isn't it?! Too bad it's ot that simple. \n\nPeople have been deceived and brainwashed through centuries and millenia. We can't expect them to suddenly start thinking. Organised forms of religion have caused much too much damage by burning everyone who dared to ponder another side of truth...
496414
You exaggerate a bit I think... People are very different, even the ones who are similar...how many different sects of Christianity are there right here in America? More than I can name for sure... If we were all alike this would be one boring planet so revel in the fact that everyone is different and stop worrying so much.
759921
Jesus said the way  was to follow the narrow road and few will find it.  I guess the attitudes that are received on yahoo and generally in the world from some people are a reflection of this.  Jesus was persecuted and we as his followers should expect some as well\n\nConsider it pure joy if you are being persecuted for the sake of Christ!  The truth will always face opposition.  Stand strong in the Lord and don't be discouraged.
47954
Sometimes.\nIf you think about it this way, sometimes a person might think that a very religious Christian or Muslim might be blind because they think from an exclusively religious perspective and has little room for the flexibility of an agnostic, or the freedom of a free-thinker.\nThis is because there is God, and end of story, everything has to go through the "there is a God" screening process and they can't bear to think how something, a siutation or thoery can be without the grace of God's work, or His presence in it.\nYet, when you think of this stubborness to step away from all that and see a bigger picture (meaning don't go from the ultra-religious viewpoint), try comparing it with an atheist.\nHe too, thinks from a ultra-stubborn point of view. "There is NO God!" He states.\nAnd everything runs through the "there is no God" screening process, and he can't bear to think that there might be the very real possibility of God encompassing the human being's life, that the very product of Science is the product of God's work.\nHe too, is stubborn, and often inflexible.\nThus, from this viewpoint, one can make a statement that the atheist is as blind as the religiously faithful.\nI'm not at all saying the agnostic triumphs. But an agnostic does not necessarily "sit on the fence", nor does the agnostic throws his hands up in the air and is confused.\nAgnostics constantly lean to one side of the argument, but leave a possibility of this other. An agnostic is constantly in transit, has room for ideas, no matter how outrageous and runs a balance of logic and faith, constantly he's in between following his heart and mind, and being guided spiritually by God, or an unknown force (maybe it's his conviction and rational belief?).\nEither way, yes, I do think an atheist is blind, but not in the absolute sense, he is blind in indignance, rebellion and the ego and accomplishments of mankind and his discoveries, relying most of his explanations in mankind's humble abilities in enquiry and research.\nAnd in the same way, an absolutist religious fanatic that cannot relate to human science is just the same, on blind faith.
238706
Another great question.Faith is not blind because it is just a concept like love, etc. Ah.....but the faithful! They are not blind. They are so intelligent and reasonable. Consider these:\na)Mathematicians say that it is highly improbable for order to come out of disorder. But, the faithful has found ways of convincing us that complex things just evolved.\n\nb)There is only one true and Almighty God, says the Bible. But the faithful is so ingenious they have convinced us that He is 3 in one.\n\nc) God is love and mercy. In fact he gives rain and blessings to the righteous and unrighteous. He sent his son as ransom for us. But, the faithful is more intelligent than their creator. They have made us believe that God would make or even allow eternal torture in hell.\n\nd) God is love. He told us to love one another. But, the faithful is better than God. They are able to convince us to slaughter each other in war--in the name of that God.\n\ne) God told his true followers to preach the good news about his coming Kingdom. When they do, the faithful has successfully branded them as cult members.\n\nf)Love God with all your minds. Yet, when somebody is reasoning with us the folly of our beliefs, the faithful is so eager to shut him up. Mind your own beliefs, they say.\n\nShall I go on...or is it too much for you?
776967
Maybe what you are seeing is people who just "think" they are Christians. There is an epidemic of this going around. People claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but yet they seem to live a life like a "lost" person. What can be wrong? I think that most Christians are really not Christians. They believe in something, but it does not change their lives. Look around-its in every church and denomination.\nI saw a poll about 12 years ago that attempted to gage if a person was a Christian or not from a question survey. How accurate it was-who knows? But it said that Southern Baptist thought that about 25%-30% of the Baptist church was actually born again. Then Billy Graham's association thought that about 15% of the Church was born again. The Independent Baptist thought that only about 5% of the church was born again.\nThose are not good numbers. This may not be exactly right, but it is a real good indicator that the church is weak at best. I think we need to do some repenting, and pray for revival-soon.
657385
Well, how pleasantly surprising to find that only 75% of the people responding to this are ignorant proselytizing judgmental morons...I was expecting something like 90-100%.\n\nHonestly, how is Christianity supposed to keep its flocks on the straight and narrow path (that leads to the collection plate) if they don't do a little scaremongering?  And you, my friend, are the perfect target...why, your NAME, according to my religion, implies evil incarnate; I might as well take my preacher at his word and not bother to find out anything more for myself.  I'll just keep my eyes and ears closed to anyone that might try to enlighten me on the subject...they're only after my soul, of course; they will only lead me astray...if I just trust in the people to whom I give my money I'll go to heaven and be all right...\n\nAhem.  Sorry.  I just get going.  No, seriously, it's the name, buddy.  Most people in the US are Christians and your namesake is their arch-nemesis.  But you don't need to be told that, am I right?  It probably wouldn't do a lot of good, but you could put a link with your question to a site that might enlighten the uninitiated.
341558
Seems to me that you also believe something blindly and narrowly... that you are right. Isn't that the real problem? That most people have deeply felt beliefs and believe they are right, and have a hard time tolerating others with different views? Your opinion and decisions about religions, our origins, and so on are valid, but so are mine. You speak of religious people being narrow minded, and refer to people like yourself as broad-minded. But, isn't it narrow minded to label any one group of people? You are saying that you don't like having a religious person's views imposed on you. But, in the same breath, you impose your beliefs on us, and label "anyone believing" as unfulfilled, and unintelligent. How exactly does that make sense? Since the group you are speaking of (religious people) is a group I belong to, perhaps I should enlighten you by letting you know that I'm not imposing my beliefs on anyone. I'm am quite ready to talk to those who would listen or have questions, and I am quite ready to listen to others. Do I believe blindly and narrowly? Well, if I didn't believe 100% in my God, that would make me a hypocrite who is wasting my time. If that says to you that I am either blind or narrow, then so be it. But you might consider that our time on earth may be better spent discussing issues without judgment - oh, but wait, Jesus told us not to judge, so I guess that won't work, huh?
733174
I'm not totally sure why people don't join Christianity. But- I think it might have something to do with it contradicting itself constantly. Another reason might be because people like Evangelicals preach messages of Christ's love-only to turn around and use the Bible to perpetuate xenophobic ideals.