Misanthropic Christians

[humble soul]

Ok let's see..what's a misanthrope?

Misanthropy is the general hatred, dislike, distrust or contempt of the human species, human behavior or human nature. A misanthrope or misanthropist is someone who holds such views or feelings. The word's origin is from the Greek words μῖσος (mīsos, "hatred") and ἄνθρωπος (ānthropos, "man, human").

 

[Edward]

Ok I understand. But what point do you make?

 

[humble soul]

I may have some of this, but I notice other Christians can have it too.
We are called to put God on a pedestal and reject secular earthly values. But this sometimes translates to rejecting humankind.
Such Christians have a real problem with loving their neighbour. Well, all of us struggle with this, don't we? To varying degrees.
The opposite might be someone who enjoys being in the community and interacting with people. The extrovert? I know introverts prefer their own company. Misanthropic introverts are more extreme I guess.
Anyway the lesson for me here is, when I reject societal values, try not to reject all the people who make up that society.

 

[Edward]

Yeah I think some have trouble with how scripture says we are to hate our lives and our parents and all like that....yet we are to walk in Love. I myself understand there is no contradiction there, it is just deeper than the initial huh, that don't make sense?

I am trying to hate everything of this world but I find it somewhat difficult. Loving and giving is much easier, lol. But this world...it's like a carnival that we were dropped into as toddlers. Daddy said don't let loose of His hand, and if we do even for a moment...wow everything seems so interesting and smells good and and and...it's all dangerous. A little kid can get into a lot of trouble fast on this carnival.

There is no good sideshows here! The entire carnival is corrupt!.

 

[humble soul]

Some would say you can't be a misanthrope and Christian at the same time.
I can understand and appreciate this point of view.
To love ones neighbour, we need to accommodate their shortcomings, their flaws, their annoying idiosyncrasies. We can't harbour a secret grudge towards them. " I deserve a gold medal putting up with this guy". That doesn't strike me as a Christian attitude. A better attitude might be " person X can be annoying but he has some redeeming qualities. Anyway, I'm not perfect. I can be annoying too."
If we have an impatient attitude to humanity, " why are people so stupid!!" then we are succeeding in misanthropy. But I wouldn't call that Christian.
I don't like my boss. He's a greedy capitalist who just wants to use me to become rich. But fact is, I don't have the courage to start my own business. So I'm not in a position to complain, too much. He is a hard worker and maybe he deserves wealth.

 

[humble soul]

I have a problem with some younger generation. Culture wars are part of that. It becomes political too, as I don't fully embrace things like same sex marriage, climate change or feminism. It can make me dislike them, especially if I discover they have strong views. This can lead to misanthropy of all the younger generation.
It's not healthy to hate these people. They are only expressing a view which is different to mine. As a Christian I am called to treat them with respect.

 

[humble soul]

I myself understand there is no contradiction there, it is just deeper than the initial huh, that don't make sense?

For me there is still a contradiction.
Deeper??

 

[for_his_glory]

I'm a lonely sojourner in a land that use to be, but is no more to me.
I am fearful of my predators, but protected by my Lord.
Shall I speak with words of kindness to the faces I never see or walk in tolerance of the ignorance of those who be?
I know who I am and that's all I need as the rest of this world in ignorance will be.
When the moon gives up its light and the days grow dark then my Savior will rescue this sojourning Lark.

I wrote this one day as I was reflecting on my life journey here on this earth and all the many things I have faced so far in this life. I look back at where I use to be many years ago and compared to where I am now and it just amazes me how God can love so unconditionally. If not for Gods mercy and grace there would be no hope for any of us who struggle through this walk here on Earth. The victory truly does belong to the Lord who has made us more than conquerors.

​

 

[Edward]

For me there is still a contradiction.
Deeper??

Yes, it's about Loving and seeking the Lord with all of our heart strength and mind. Putting Him before all in this miserable yet wonderful earth that He created. Even our parents & friends and everyone & every thing. And at the same time, just be here to help and Love everyone.

THIS is the university of Brotherly Love. This Earth we are on.

Story:
I prayed that the Lord would teach me how to love others the same way that He loves me...
Within 2 days I met my neighbor who is the most annoying and obnoxious guy in the neighborhood. I'm pretty sure the Lord did that, because if I can learn to love my neighbor as myself with him...then maybe I will learn to love people as Jesus loves us. They beat Him up, crucified Him and He forgave them and prayed for their souls! That's a big thing in my book. I have booted my neighbor out of my house several times for being obnoxious but I don't hold a grudge and continue to let him back in and to help him here and there. He's mighty slow witted though...prolly as bad to me as I prolly am to Jesus, lol. I'm learning patience at least.

 

[humble soul]

THIS is the university of Brotherly Love

So we all haven't graduated yet? Can we do a Master's or Doctorate?
Free tuition?

 

[Edward]

So we all haven't graduated yet? Can we do a Master's or Doctorate?
Free tuition?

Not yet we havent graduated. But I think that if one wants a Master's degree in it then it is not free tuition. As we draw closer to our Lord and climb the mountain of God...it gets harder as we go and we also become even more dangerous to the kingdom of darkness and they will attack you more then and you WILL have more tribulation. Also, while on the mountain of God, if we stumble and fall, we fall farther and harder than if we were not as high on the mountain.

But the Lord rewards obedience and will bestow more Graces and strength upon us if we ask and when we need it.
The enemy will leave the luke warm Christians alone because they pose no threat.

But I'm getting better at it. I keep remembering that, we do not wrestle and war with the flesh (Other people). Keeping this in mind makes it easier to forgive others when they wrong us. And to control road rage. Oh, that guy who cut me off is prolly in a hurry to get to his sick or pregnant Wife or something and release the frustration. It helps. I find myself wondering if those people are saved that are driving past me in traffic too, and blessing them with healing and so forth as they drive by. I did not used to do that.

 

[Who Me]

Ok let's see..what's a misanthrope?

Misanthropy is the general hatred, dislike, distrust or contempt of the human species, human behavior or human nature. A misanthrope or misanthropist is someone who holds such views or feelings. The word's origin is from the Greek words μῖσος (mīsos, "hatred") and ἄνθρωπος (ānthropos, "man, human").

Peanuts said it best.
Linus I think, ' I love humanity, it's people I can't stand!'

 

[humble soul]

Peanuts said it best.
Linus I think, ' I love humanity, it's people I can't stand!'

That's a brilliant quote. I'm a gonna use it for sure!

 

[humble soul]

Who Me
do you admit to any misanthropy?

 

[Who Me]

Who Me
do you admit to any misanthropy?

No just xenophobia.

 

[humble soul]

No just xenophobia.

That's an offshoot for sure

 

[humble soul]

No just xenophobia.

Like too many Muslims coming to the UK?

 

[Who Me]

Like too many Muslims coming to the UK?

No just people being there usual stupid, loveable selves.

 

[humble soul]

I love humanity, it's people I can't stand!'

That sums up Christian idealism. The bar is set high by the gospels 'love ones neighbour"
But the reality of loving individuals requires a more pragmatic skill set. A practical approach. It's just hard, hard work.

 

[Edward]

No just xenophobia.

Xenophobia or xenophilia?