Because of a few people, everyone assumes most Christians are bible-thumping and ignorant to the changing world around them.

All Muslims are terrorists.

All Catholic males are child molesters.

The generalization goes on for almost every religion. A lot of people are not religious because they know they would have to change their life styles to be religious. Yet on their death beds, or lying on the side of the road with a bullet in their chests; they find 'God' in a hurry. -,-

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I am fluent in Sarcasm

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Yes, I do, but....not in the way you're thinking...I guess?

I definitely believe there are those who misrepresent my religion, not just Lutheranism, but Christianity as a whole.  I never noticed it as much when I was younger, but as I grew older, I began recognizing the hypocracies of the members (not the church, just to make sure that's clear).  At first it was in members of other religious organizations both outside of Christianity and in the many sects under it.  Then, in fact somewhat more recently, I noticed it in the members of my own church....It was rather disheartening.

As for sheltered..well, yes, actually I do think a lot of them are sheltered, which is very much possible the reasoning for their prejudiced thoughts.  Now know, when I say "sheltered" I don't just mean as in raised not really knowing the world like kids are to protect them from the harshness of society.  I mean, even the adults are very sheltered, living lives that rarely warrent for a proper opinion about hardships in American most specifically.  These lives I think partially lead them to make opinions and perform actions that are very unappealing to the general populace which in return give the whole Christian community a bad name.

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I think you might be closer to what I mean than the other posts here. Sheltered not as in "stupid" necessarily.. but just lacking depth about hardship and about the human condition. Often lacking empathy, despite being very nice people.

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I think you might be closer to what I mean than the other posts here. Sheltered not as in "stupid" necessarily.. but just lacking depth about hardship and about the human condition. Often lacking empathy, despite being very nice people.

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That's it, but simpler.  Again though, it's not fair to group all of those like that, but yes, the ones who generally, IN MY EXPERIENCE, misrepresent my religion are the ones you explained above.

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"Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery."

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Quote: from Bobman21 at 9:49 pm on Sep. 17, 2008

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I agree.  I am, however, completely non-religious.  The majority of religious people I know, however, are rather unsophisticated in their capacity to reason and argue anything from a philosophical standpoint.  Even if they are very intelligent in other academic areas.  I take this as evidence for why so many people are religious... those people who are inept in the philosophical realm are much more likely to be religious.  And far more people are unsophisticated than sophisticated.  How do I explain those people who are not inept yet are still religious?  That's a tough one I'm not in the mood to tackle right now.

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Be careful with that statement.
I can see what you are saying, the masses choose religion because it is easier to explain things than with physics and deep philosophical thought, however, that is not to say that those who are religious are necessarily philosophically inept.  

I'm sure you meant it this way, just making sure, because I've read the works of many theistic philosophers, and have personally conversed with some, and I can tell you they are far from philosophically inept.
Again, just making sure everyone else catches the distinction there.

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If you read my comment carefully, you will notice that I make no blanket statement regarding the philosophical ineptitude of religious people.  Note that I said "the majority..." indicating that not all of them are like this.  Note also that I acknowledge that there are people who are religious and skilled at philosophy with the statement

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How do I explain those people who are not inept yet are still religious?  That's a tough one I'm not in the mood to tackle right now.

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As I walk through the valley of death, I fear no one, for I am the meanest mother fu*ker in the valley. -Gen. Patton

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Quote: from Event Horizon at 9:52 pm on Sep. 17, 2008

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Quote: from Bobman21 at 9:49 pm on Sep. 17, 2008

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I agree. I am, however, completely non-religious. The majority of religious people I know, however, are rather unsophisticated in their capacity to reason and argue anything from a philosophical standpoint. Even if they are very intelligent in other academic areas. I take this as evidence for why so many people are religious... those people who are inept in the philosophical realm are much more likely to be religious. And far more people are unsophisticated than sophisticated. How do I explain those people who are not inept yet are still religious? That's a tough one I'm not in the mood to tackle right now.

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 Be careful with that statement.  
 I can see what you are saying, the masses choose religion because it is easier to explain things than with physics and deep philosophical thought, however, that is not to say that those who are religious are necessarily philosophically inept.

 I'm sure you meant it this way, just making sure, because I've read the works of many theistic philosophers, and have personally conversed with some, and I can tell you they are far from philosophically inept.  
 Again, just making sure everyone else catches the distinction there.

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If you read my comment carefully, you will notice that I make no blanket statement regarding the philosophical ineptitude of religious people. Note that I said "the majority..." indicating that not all of them are like this. Note also that I acknowledge that there are people who are religious and skilled at philosophy with the statement

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How do I explain those people who are not inept yet are still religious? That's a tough one I'm not in the mood to tackle right now.

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Note, also, that I said that I noticed that you were not making a blanket statement, and was only dissolving any misunderstandings anyone might pick out from your post.

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Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful.It's the transition
that's troublesome.   --Isaac Asimov

I'm not sure what you mean by "frustratingly sheltered" but as far as illogical and self-righteous, no, I don't believe the 'majority' fit that description. It does seem that the loudest, 'in your face' Christians are the ones who lack the ability to convey their message in a calm, coherent fashion. Most of the people I know simply live their own lives in the way of their faith, discussing that faith when asked, but not using it as a club to beat someone over the head with.

On the other hand, I often get the impression that a lot of atheists are so sensitive about hearing any religious references, they over react. They start assuming things, like the OP, that don't necessarily fit the facts. I would be willing to bet that the "majority" of religious people you meet, you don't even realize ARE religious. I think you are really talking about the majority of vocal religious people you meet.

And I will agree that these people are often annoying, poorly informed and very self-righteous.

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"God does not play dice" - Albert Einstein
"God does play dice" - Stephen Hawking

Shall I stay? Would it be a sin...?

A lot of the time, as well, the things that people on these forums complain about regarding Christians are simply maturity issues. Teenagers are, as a general statement, immature. They're becoming mature, but it's a process, and so it's logically expected that teenagers are going to behave more like buffoons than people of other age groups.

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Let yourself be enchanted,
You just might break through
To ever ever after