Why do so many christians seem to think that if you're not a christian, then you're an atheist?

Question

when i told my mother 10 years ago that i'm not a christian, she looked at me and asked if i was an atheist. i told her no. she asked if i was a muslim, and again, i told her no. i was surprised, because there are so many religions that i could be why were those two her primary alternatives to what i could be instead of christian? and then, why in her mind must i wear some type of spiritual label? for so many christians they want to label you as an atheist or devil worshipper the moment you say that your beliefs are different. not to be offensive to christians, but why is it that so many of them have a hard time believing that someone can think outside of the christian box and still be spiritually whole?

Answer 1

Probably because the driving force behind anything anti-Christian is the idea that because God can't necessarily be seen (or discerned), then He must not exist.

Plus, even Jesus said that if you're not with Him, then you're against him, hence the devil-worshiping angle.  And if you're an American, odds are you won't be of the Islamic faith... or Buddhist, etc.  

Oddly enough, you managed to ask your question and give details, but never actually revealed WHAT you are.    <")))><

Answer 2

Christians like myself believe in the words of the Bible. You have 2 choices, God or satan, and well if you don't choose God........ see? The Bible contains many words from Jesus, some of which say 'no man comes to the Father, but by Me.' I believe that and hope you will learn of this, too.  So, no, you can't think outside of the Christian box and be spiritually whole.

Seek and you will find, ask and you will be answered, knock and the door will open.

Answer 3

Not true. We believe in free will and we know that people have many choices here on earth. What comes to the eternal life, the choices narrow to two: between h**l and heaven

Answer 4

Hey kittywin,  NOWHERE does the questioner say that she does not believe in God.  Jews believe in God , but they are not Christians.

You are proving her point perfectly!

The a probably hundreds of God-believing religions that are non-Christian.

Answer 5

because that's what brainwashing does.

Answer 6

Because they are Christians and for them, there is no outside TO the box. They believe that their bible tells us the only truth that exists about deity. To a Christian person someone who does not believe in the Christian God (as per the bible) must by default be a sinner who serves Satan.

Bear in mind, please, that I do not agree with that drivel. I just know how they think because I was raised Christian.  

Answer 7

The definition of atheist according to www.dictionary.com

" One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods"

Because you cannot be spiritually whole if you are not a Christian and living a proper Christian lifestyle. You may believe you are but you are not.

Answer 8

As you can see, they are taught to have a black&white view of the world. Of course, the world has many shades.