Why are Christians SO defensive?

Imagine for a second you lived in a world where no one really knew for sure what was right.

It would be a pretty scary world, since you'd never know if your actions were helping people or just making the world a worse place to live in.

Some people (whether it is thorugh reason, logic, faith or [what they believe is] a divine Witness from God) have come to the conclusion that they know what is right. Their arguments and personal experiences are very persuasive to them, and they feel responsible for sharing their beliefs and (if necessary) they will often defend them when they feel they're under attack.

I think a lot of it (whether Christian or Atheist) has to do with brand loyalty. If you went into McDonalds and asked several questions about Burger King many people would think you were attacking them. You may sincerely want to know how it is that McDonalds thinks they're better than Burger King, and how they can sleep at night not knowing for certain if McDonalds is better or if they should really be supporting Burger King. But the employees might get the idea you're trying to attack them.

Christians and Atheists both have a lot of very good, powerful, persuasive arguments for believing the way they do; there are intelligent, reasonable, skeptical people on both sides of the debate. But in this universe, there will always be things you can know for certain and things you can't. Most moral systems (whether Christian, Atheist, Buddhist, etc.) teach that you can live a good happy life by helping other people and treating them the way you'd want them to treat you.

I don't believe in God but I have a friend who does. We both volunteer at the soup kitchen because we know we don't have to see eye to eye to work hand in hand.

Ignore the ones that are rude and obnoxious, or better still report them.

Focus your attention on the few answers that are serious and respectful.

I personally find some christians (only a few of them not most) are defensive of their beliefs. I think this is either because they believe it so strongly that they are totally convinced it is the truth, or else in some cases they are struggling with their own beliefs but unwilling to admit it. Therefore by rigorouly defending their beliefs on yahoo answers they hope that someone will say something that will either prove them right or prove them wrong, and make it easier for them to make up their own mind about what to believe.

Some people miss the point of yahoo answers though. It's not a place to try to force your own opinions on others and it's certainly not a place for mucking about winding people up with stupid or offensive comments.

It's about trying to provide the best honest answers you can to the questions people ask.

Ignore those who abuse it. They are just showing their immaturity and rudeness.

You are exemplifying your own question here. People are defensive about that which they believe (or do not believe). I'm sure that most of the people you have talked to don't intend to be rude but they simply do not have all the answers. When someone believes in something so firmly and they stumble upon something they cannot explain their first instinct is to deny, deny, deny or give confused, nonsensical answers. It would be best for you to talk to a head of a Church or a theologian. Some who studies scripture and academic texts on religion will be better equipped to answer your questions. Also, try asking them in a non-threatening manner. For example, instead of asking "Why did God kill so many people in (insert natural disaster here)?" ask "Why do bad things happen to good people?"

Everyone is defensive about something. Sometimes it is a good kind, other times it is a bad kind. With me, I try always to defend the Truth/Gospel as it says in Philippians 1:7. I've seen Christians defensive in a bad way because of ignorance. When that happens it is usually because someone is challenging them to reconsider the man-made traditions which they think is biblical. The evolutionists are just as defensive and even more so about their false beliefs about evolution and even more so, atheism. Another kind of being defensive about something in a good way is when someone is standing up for what they believe in because of something that is good or beneficial or where a lot of harm would come to themselves or others if they didn't defend it. Like abortion or rape or genocide or the like. How is it beneficial if people don't take a stand against abortion which is murder of innocent babies? So, just like there are good kinds and bad kinds of judgments, so there is the same with being defensive. But I do know a lot of times, people are rude, obnoxious, uncaring, ignorant while they are being defensive which is not good at all.

Christians can be defensive to be honest because most of the time when asked questions people are only trying to prove us wrong. Would you not get offended and a bit defensive if you believed so heavily in something only to have others strike you down for it?

I don't agree with it, I'm merely explaining. If you have questions though, I will try to answer them.

Have a nice day :)

There are many on R&S who are trolls (out to attack others), those who disguise themselves as Christians and then ask questions that attack Christianity. Then, there are those who are simply out to attack Christianity because of the burning hatred inside themselves.

I say this because I am explaining WHY Christians are so defensive.

If you are serious about getting "true" answers to your questions, you might consider asking those questions on a website like "gotquestions.org" or "carm.org" which explain things very matter-of-factly. And if you cannot find answers there, I know that on "gotquestions.org" you can submit your own question, and they will respond.

But in this forum, people become defensive (ALL people) when they are attacked, perceive themselves to be attacked, or perceive themselves to be either tricked or fooled.

Forgive others as I have forgiven you.

well first there is no confusion in God.So if these people were confusing you I believe they were not the source designed for you to learn of God from. Just a suggestion for future try praying about it .

Example : Lord give me understanding in (what ever topic) write it on the tablets of my heart so i don't forget it let me not believe a lie but know what a lie is in Jesus name amen.

you'll be surprised from the different things God will use for you to get to know him like a friend.As for those rude people they help you strengthen your forgiveness muscle which will work in increasing your happiness in the end . God Bless Your Journey!!!!! In JESUS name

The same reason anyone is defensive. (I'm not religious, btw) Religion is such a huge part of who you are as a person, that when someone questions your religion, you feel attacked. Naturally, the only way to react when you feel attacked is to be defensive. Also, many of the ones who've tried to convert me are really passionate about their beliefs, and they can't fathom that anyone would feel differently.

Don't know what your questions were but you can talk to me and I'll answer to the best of my ability.

And people are defensive of what they believe to be true in their hearts. Sometimes it can be hard to explain things, especially when it comes to God. It's hard to explain the feelings unless you've had them.

Hope you get your answers.

Hun those aren't christians, they are troll agnostics. Those who don't take religion seriously. Christians are on here because we take religion very seriously, and want to answer your questions. You have to admit, when you ask a question, you do get answers, they aren't all troll answers.