Honestly? I think it's that the jerks are a minority, arguably a decent sized minority but still a minority, who happen to be very vocal and very public in their actions. I think that the reasonable and good hearted people, no matter their faith, are more concerned with going about their daily lives and trying to be good people. Who brags about holding the door for the elderly? Who brags about buying their friend lunch when they're in a spot? Who brags about donating food and toys? No one, if they're honest and humble. That's the type of mentality that can change the world though. That's the type of behavior we should champion and encourage. Because people are humble in these acts, they often go unnoticed. It's a catch 22.There's more toolbags thumping bibles, and not enough people reaching out to lift those around them. blergh.
Well, that's the thing. That's not a problem with Christianity per se, but of just being human in general. People of a certain upbringing and/or world view often think that things would just be better if other people adopted their point of view. Religion, politics, on and on. That's why a good education and an emphasis on living a life of empathy are two very important things every person should strive for. The problem with a lot religions that revolve around prophets when it comes to this issue, is that more often than not there are texts that people are able to point to in order to reinforce both their arguments and their beliefs. It can be something that can be very hard to address without being bogged down both by emotional investment as well as semantics. I mean, speaking of Christianity in particular, the whole concept of The Kingdom of God and what it actually entails has been contested up, down, left, and right.
No this is a Christian problem. It's not a uniquely Christian problem, Hare Krishna's are pretty annoying about recruiting too. There are such things as non-missionary religions. Regardless of what a Buddhist believes, they don't actively recruit new members. Recruiting new members to the religion isn't a virtue in Buddhism. Evangelism is a Christian Virtue.but of just being human in general.
Proselytizing, while not a central Buddhist tenant, was something that Buddhists participated in, especially rulers of Buddhist empires such as Ashoka. It's not even a uniquely Christian concept as Muslim and Baha'is (both also having Abrahamic roots) also endeavour to spread their faith and win converts. It's part of human nature to want others to adopt our ideas and world views, for personal reasons, for political reasons, for economic reasons. After all, Cultural Imperialism is a not modern phenomenon.
Indeed, and I already somewhat addressed this concept in my earlier statement, even though I didn't name proselytization directly. The thing is though, and I'm sure you'll agree, a lot of the things we believe can have a direct impact on our behavior towards each other. Even religions that don't revolve around prophets often see people behaving improperly. Even the non-religious can find themselves behaving similarly as many colorful threads in r/atheism have illustrated over the years. It's not a problem with religion, just like it's not a problem with patriotism and nationalism, or race, or sexual identity, or anything of the source. It's a problem with a lack of education, a lack of empathy and respect, and a lack of social encouragement to be better than we already are. It's hard. It sucks. I know. That's okay though, because it's possible to change things. I'm sure steve does what he can to address these issues. I'm positive you do. I know I do. In fact, I'm confident the majority of Hubski's members in some way shape or form do what they can to make the world a better place. Progress is possible, maybe even inevitable. We just have to try and fight for it.The problem with a lot religions that revolve around prophets when it comes to this issue, is that more often than not there are texts that people are able to point to in order to reinforce both their arguments and their beliefs.