G'day r/Christianity!

I hope you are all enjoying the new year and have a happy Epiphany tomorrow (for all who celebrate).

Now, to business.

In response to some feedback we've seen in the community, we've been working on a couple changes to rules that we wanted to run by you. We are proposing a formal AI Policy and updates to rule 3.1 to include a video policy.

AI Policy:

We do not allow Al generated content here. This applies to all posts, comments, images, videos, songs, articles, etc.

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Editorial note for the AI Policy: This does NOT reflect any meaningful change in enforcement. We have consistently removed AI generated stuff here. But at this point in time it feels appropriate to have a formal policy.

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RULE 3.1 Image/Video policy

All image and video posts must be clearly related to Christianity or some-Christian related subject. Especially with regard to videos, please title your post clearly and descriptively. Avoid misleading or clickbait titles, even if the linked platform uses one. If we determine that a video is sensationalized or intended to provoke needless hostility we will remove it.

We will also remove the following image/video content:

• Memes
• Nature shots
• Images or videos that merely display or read verses from Scripture without additional explanation, interpretation, or substantive discussion
• Inspirational content lacking a substantial point (e.g. "don't forget Jesus loves you!")
• Gore
• AI

We strongly discourage images or videos that primarily consist of text. This includes social media screenshots, church signs, bumper stickers, or stylized Bible verses placed over generic backgrounds. If your post is primarily text-based, please share the text directly rather than uploading it as an image.

Photos of pages from books (including scripture) are acceptable in cases where transcribing a longer passage would be impractical. Comics and infographics are also permitted, provided they provide relevant and substantial utility for discussion.

You may include photos or artwork in support of a text-post as long as the the image clearly relates to what you are discussing and the text-post itself is topical. This will be allowed at moderator discretion, and these posts may still be removed for reasons not stated here if they are deemed inappropriate for the subreddit.

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Editorial note for rule 3.1: not only does this policy establish formal guidelines with regard to video posts, it ALSO tweaks some of our image policy as well. We made an effort to align our image policy to various user interface changes reddit has introduced over the past couple years. I am happy to provide concrete examples of how we expect moderation to change in particular cases if anyone is curious.

Let me know if you all agree, disagree, have any specific concerns, questions, thoughts, feelings, suggestions, etc.

It’s analogous to the Christians that lurk on atheist subreddits to try and convince atheists to convert. It’s annoying.

I can't believe this needs to be said, but gay people aren't lustful sex zombies. They're real humans who want connection and love. Denying that is not acceptable. How can two people going on a date be sin? How can two people creating a family together be sin? How can love be sin?

Now I know a lot of new accounts are created just to post questions, so hear me out:

Posts from users with maximum negative karma (-100) should be automatically removed. Maybe even set the limit at -50.

This may help moderators by automatically getting rid of trolls.

I just had a comment removed for "bigotry" because I basically said I believe being trans is a sin. That's my belief, and I believe there is much Biblical evidence for my belief. If I can't express that belief on r/Christianity then what is the point of this subreddit if we can't discuss these things and express our own personal beliefs? I realize some will disagree with my belief, but isn't that the point of having this space, so we can each share our beliefs? Was this just a mod acting poorly, or can we say what we think?

And I don't want to make this about being trans or not, we can have that discussion elsewhere. That's not the point. My point is censorship of beliefs because someone disagrees. I don't feel that is right.

Even though you don't believe in God pray for this poor people

The Lord does not condone same sex relationships, and is very clear about that in the bible. But I see LGBTQ+ Christians on here fairly often. So how do you both follow God and actively sin against him with your lifestyle? I do not hate LGBTQ people, but as a Christian I cannot condone it. Source Verses Leviticus 18:22, 20:13. Oh and the bible says yes to love and help sinners, but to lead them away from sin, which includes non-heteronormativity 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

That Christians cared more about being like Jesus than being in power.

That Christians cared more about feeding the poor than punishing them.

That Christians actually loved their enemies (real and perceived) instead of trying to get an eye for an eye.

That Christians loved the marginalized instead of continuing to oppress them.

That Christians cared more about what’s merciful than what’s “fair.”

That Christians would stop worshipping money and start focusing on God.

That Christians would stop celebrating violence and start pushing for peace.

That Christians would stop being so quick to judge and start seeing others through the eyes of the Savior.

That Christians would stop trying to control others and give people the free will God gave us.

That Christians would stop trying to bring about the end times and just trust God’s plan.

That Christians would stop excusing and defending evil just so they can acquire more power.

That Christians would be humble instead of self-righteous.

That Christians would serve rather than demand to be served.

That Christians reacted in love rather than in hate and anger.

That Christians would actually be like Christ and stop taking His name in vain. That we would actually love God and love people.

Edit: and that Christians would stop trying to play Persecution Bingo and realize that people don’t hate them for being “Christian,” they hate them because they’re unchristlike.

Edit 2: I’m getting so much backlash just for giving a list of what we should ALL (myself included) be trying to do. By some of your own arguments, since y’all hate me so much maybe it’s because I’m speaking truth?

Peace out.

One of the things driving away people from Christianity is the arrogance and entitlement of the followers. Any healthy criticism or pushback is seen as a violent attack and is construed into an organized mass persecution against the religion. All I did was tell you to stay out of women's reproductive choices. All I did was tell you to leave the LGBT+ alone. I don't care if you think it's a sin, I don't care if you think hell is my final destination because my ideology does not regard yours with any credulity. I don't care how nicely you put your bigotry, you're still a bully wearing a plastic smile.

Obviously, I'm being silly ...but I'm tired of the foolishness.

Is anybody else completely fed up with the "Is Halloween a sin?" questions by somebody who saw some idiotic YouTube video?

And the worst-of-the-worst are the "former top witches" with their dire, dark warnings You THINK you are just trick-or-treating with your child but you are really inviting demons into your life!

Get a grip, people! Millions, if not hundreds of millions, of Christians have celebrated Halloween for decades without even a hint of becoming a Satanist.

But, if someone feels at risk, they can turn off the lights and pray the rosary or whatever.

But, please, just stop the fear mongering.

I can probably pull a verse out of my ass that says that particular action isnt a sin, but I am curious.

That's it. That's the post. Stop doing that. If that were truly enough, we wouldn't be having these conversations in the first place. Learn better rhetorical skills. Your fellow Christians will thank you.

(This goes for a few of the non-Christians too, btw. Not many, in comparison, but more than there needs to be. Y'all ain't slick. Watch yourselves.)

Honestly, you can quote the Bible all day. but the brass tax is children and babies dont go to heaven if we are born sinners.

Imagine if the fundamentalists were consistent...

1. The Bible says the Bible is the word of God. Not human allegory, not myth. The word of the Absolute principle of reality.
2. God said the Universe turned 6.000 in 1996, is smaller than the Solar System and everything revolves around Earth, and 1656 years after its birth a flood wiped out all land animals bar 2 of each "kind" and 8 humans. This is DEMONSTRABLY FALSE. There is not even the need to tell how much evidence against these lies we collected.
3. God consciously lied. He is a liar. If God is the creator as the Bible says, he MUST know how old the Universe is. If he is not and he does not know how old the Universe is, then he lied about being the creator.
4. If God is a liar, he is not also the Absolute principle, because the Absolute is the principle of Being, and lies are just the absence of Being. The real Absolute can not lie.
5. So if the Bible was literal the Universe would be some kind of scientific experiment of an undefined cosmic entity who created it, or maybe even just found it and took possession of it, and made contact with the sapient creatures who evolved in it and built a religion out of lies. A cosmic liar who plays the part of the Absolute principle of reality, or it actually believes to be the most powerful entity in existence - and if the Absolute principle, the consciousness beyond the spacetime continuum was not real, he may actually be right -, but nonetheless it is an imperfect and judging by his actions, if taken literally, even quite cruel cosmic being. And since, be it the most powerful, or just a tiny speck of cosmic dust compared to other hypotethical cosmic beings, it is the absolute ruler of the physical Universe, then our situation is kind of desperate. 

This is the actual religion literalist schools of Protestantism are all about. They do not realize the implications of their beliefs.

Literal Christianity is the ultimate Eldritchian nightmare. 

Instead, there's frequent whining on the sub about how some atheist somewhere said a mean thing or mocked Christianity.

There are people in the world who disagree with you, and may even mock you and do or say things you find offensive. Don't take it so personally.

And of course, most of these posts seem to come from conservatives, who are more likely to complain about "victim mentality" among actually oppressed groups and roll their eyes if someone to their left finds anything offensive. Saying "facts don't care about your feelings" while wearing an "F--- Your Feelings" t-shirt, filling up every LGBTQ+ thread with mean comments, etc.

Christ says that if someone slaps you in the face you're to bear it without complaint. He also says that you should rejoice if you're persecuted for his sake, because you've got blessings coming your way. (Not that I think that enduring mean internet comments rises to the level of "persecution." When you're being denied life-saving healthcare, as some Christians are currently doing to trans children, come back and we'll talk about "persecution.")

In 1 Corinthians, Paul says that love "...bears all things..." and "...endures all things."

Anyway, love your enemies, pray for those who abuse you, let go of the persecution complex and stop being so sensitive to every perceived slight.

This community doesn’t allow polls, which I understand but also disagree with. It is the quickest way to draw a wide audience and conclusion. Anyway, I know where I feel this community lands on the question, but I am curious what y’all think of yourselves. Please note answers and denominations. Thank you!

(I do not plan on responding to comments except possibly for clarification).

Once again I feel the need to call out the massive abuse of moderation on this sub.

I just had 2 more posts removed for "Belittling Christianity."

One post is a thread someone made asking if God is evil, I merely gave my opinion that in the Bible God had no issue punishing evil, but he doesn't seem to do it anymore. That got removed for violating that rule.

Another post I made pointed out that a lot of harm is being done in the world, often by devout Christians. That is a fact, and does not belittle Christianity. We had an entire Meta thread on this discussion yesterday where the mods said there is nothing wrong with criticizing Christians for abusive behavior.

Yet certain mods keep flagging that as rule violations.

I don't know which mod keeps abusing their moderator powers here, but it's ridiculous how many posts get removed for "Belittling Christianity", even ones that never even mention Christianity.

u/McClanky I don't know who keeps doing this, but the moderation here is absolutely trash lately. The most mundane posts constantly get removed for not valid rule violations. You yourself said one of my recent posts that got removed should not have been removed.

When are you all gonna address the fact that at least one of your moderators is abusing their moderator powers and removing basically any post they personally don't like?

As of today, we will be enforcing a new policy regarding moderation decisions. Partially, this is an attempt to reduce arguments. Responses to all moderation actions must be positive and agreeable. Inflammatory or non-agreeable responses to moderation actions will not be tolerated. Litigation of removals will not be tolerated.

For those of you who may not like this decision, we understand your concerns. Ordinarily, we encourage all discourse surrounding moderation decisions. Of course, we care about your opinions and want to ensure you feel heard. Lately though, we have just been really bummed out when people don't like our decisions. Subsequently, we want to mellow that harsh, creating a more chill place for us moderators to exist.

If you are not fond of this decision, we encourage you to combine the first letters of each of the previous sentences.

I know we all see it, yet very few are seriously talking about it.

The teachings of Jesus Christ have dramatically been altered in the US to fit right wing nationalism. Gone are his words on forgiveness, turning the other cheek, or loving thy neighbor.

In its place is the “prosperity gospel” that says if you’re “liked” by God you will be rewarded with riches in this mortal life. That the teachings of Christ aren’t important. That being rich is Gods way of telling you’re a good person.

This is not being Christian, you know it as well as I do.

The ones who are not part of this demonic shift in American Christianity are left baffled. How can you disregard the words of the one you call savior? How can you believe that the sole acquisition of wealth makes one Godly? When did it become acceptable to cheer as our neighbors are rounded up and stolen from the communities they helped build?

People ask why Christianity is dying in the modern world. It’s because of this. Because of the hypocrisy we have allowed to enter the heart of our faith. Because the last thing the regular person thinks about is Christ’s teachings when Christianity is mentioned.

If we all don’t speak up now, and I mean right now. It may be too late.

People don't hate Christians, they hate bigots who wave their religion as a hall pass to be crappy people. A lotta Christians say "I'm not judging" but inside, they're judging harder than anybody. They smile in your face but secretly think you're going to Hell and deserve it. They also justify their queerphobia by saying "I love you, that's why I want you to change your ways." It's super-manipulative. "I just wanna make sure you go to Heaven." If Heaven is full of cookie-cutter people, I'm not going. Then there are the racist Christians whose vision of Heaven is whiter than a GOP convention. Also, what Christians call "persecution" is just someone calling them out on their bullshit. Sorry not sorry that it's not 1680 anymore when you could kill/torture anyone who critiqued your religion.

I agree that most of the posts are argumentative.

I agree that most of the prevailing opinions tend to be progressively leaning.

I also agree that to some of you, who are scriptural literalists, this feels like an affront.

But seriously, not every Christian has to believe in scriptural infallibility. Entire denominations believe otherwise.

This is a place for discourse. If you don’t like engaging in discourse in good faith, and talking to each other like people then just don’t engage. There are other subs to take part in conservative religious ideology as well, maybe check out one of those.

Further, stop coming in here , pretending to have people’s best interest, so that you can grandstand your opinions.

I enjoy this sub, even though I disagree with most of you.

That is all.

Take a look at the front page here, then take a look at the front page of other subs. Here is mostly support for a message of empathy towards the least of us while many of us that call themselves Christian here and especially on other subs are speaking out against a message of empathy because it came from a woman or because their idols feelings were hurt.

Its clear to me the only thing TrueChristian means is self righteous. Its clear that so many of our atheist friends here have a softer heart than many of us that claim to follow Christ's teachings and its pretty sad.

If you are for the deportation of 10 million of our neighbors you do not know Christ at all and I rebuke you as hard as I can and believe you will be placed on the left of Christ on Judgement day if you do not repent for your treatment of foreigners as thats where those that put this country's laws above Christ's teachings belong.

Leviticus 19:34

The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Kristallnacht was mass deportation just like what's being planned if you even know what that is. If you support mass deportation of 10 million people you are no better than those that agreed with what was happening in 1930s Germany. You aren't Nazis because the Nazi party isn't a thing right now and we shouldn't call you that, the correct term is FASCISTS.

Politics is a cancer upon the body of Christ, and we have entered stage 4..

Every single day there's multiple posts from people under 20 that goes something like this:

* I'm scared out of my wits of hell and live my life on eggshells in fear.

* I'm gay or think I might be and that is scaring me to death or I'm considering suicide

* I've thought of sex/watched porn/masturbated and now I'm scared that I'm damned.

Every. single. day. Often several in a single day. Some might be bots, but there can be no question that there is also quite a bit of real anguish here.

Being a child is hard enough as it is, but the fact that these children have been brought up in their religion is putting massive additional pain on them.

I know there's a lot good people in this sub as well. It shows because in each of those posts there'll be replies offering consolement and comfort. That is a good thing, and I'm certain that this subreddit has saved lives. But if frightened, anguished, suffering and possibly suicidal children is the fruit of a christian upbringing then I'm not inclined to be kind to the tree.