are "moderate Christians" intimidated into silence by "hardcore Christians"?

Pardon the ambiguity...couldn't think of a better term to differentiate between the two...

Do moderate Christians worry about being attacked if they don't agree with the more zealous Xtians? I'm looking for a plausible explanation for why the perception of being a "Christian" has undergone such a radical shift in a relatively short amount of time. When did hardcore Christianity become the norm (at least it seems that way to me on Y!A anyway...)?

Please try to avoid politics or involving Islam in your answer.

2006-09-14T00:04:33Z

nope...haven't read Sam Harris...

2006-09-14T00:05:50Z

I'll put Adeghe in the "hardcore" category...

2006-09-14T00:08:46Z

AustinM...I'm trying to get serious answers, my choice of words reflects that...I can ignore my education at will... :)

2006-09-14T00:11:25Z

Sandy....did you read the part in my question where I say "pardon for the ambiguity?"

2006-09-14T00:13:51Z

Jugling...: I was tempted to use "fundamentalist" but that would color the question with bias...I'm looking for an obective response.

Oh...to everyone who gave a thumbs down for the question... thanks, now move along...

2006-09-14T00:30:12Z

My idea of hardcore is what some of you prefer to call fundamentalist...but i'll also include evangelical Christians who won't take "no" for an answer in the hardcore group.

tenaciousd2006-09-14T00:07:16Z

Favorite Answer

I think you're right. You can't possibly all be as bad as you look on Y!A. I just don't believe people could be all that bad, be they Christian or whatever.

I was just noticing some of the responses here. At least 2 of them have intimidating language so far. One almost has to wonder if they aren't intentionally trying to scare people away for some reason.

carabela2006-09-14T01:48:11Z

No is not the norm. But i do see your point about y!a. I have never seen so many misguided souls in one place in my life. And no is not intimidation or that we are worried about being attacked. I'm guessing the majority believe Somethings just don't merit a response and when they do merit we know it will fall on def ears so why bother. By the way. Yes there are Christians that are kinda of pushy in their pursuit. But there is a difference between a pushy one and a fake one. In no moment did Christ Ever promoted hatred or bigotry.

Anonymous2006-09-14T00:10:11Z

I believe the true way of a speaking christian is with respect and kindness and more importantly guided by the Holy Spirit, knowing when to talk and when to be silent. As for the aggressive Christians, i just think they are just trying to hard in evangelizing. They are not spreading the good message, what they really are doing is throwing-up over people with what they believe is christianity

Gestalt2006-09-14T00:08:28Z

I am not a moderate nor a hardcore Christian. Just a Christian in truth. I'm assuming by "hardcore" that you mean people who believe things that are indefensible? I know that this term is open to interpretation, but I'm just trying to find a common ground so I can answer your question.

In any event, no, I'm not intimidated. And I'm not afraid of being attacked. I welcome being challenged, so that I may inspect my own thoughts and revise them if any misunderstandings come to light. But as for being attacked by anybody--anyone who is espousing something untrue doesn't hurt me by their attack. Attacks tend to hurt attackers.

I don't think that hardcore has become more the norm--I think it is getting more press.

Anonymous2006-09-14T00:08:13Z

no. we never were a voiciferous group. its always the fanatics who stand and scream their demands, not the regular people in any religion. I truly think that half the fundamentalist christians need some kind of medication like half the fundamentalist Muslims..

Show more answers (9)