Why do some people feel the need to be openly antagonistic to Christians?

Do any of you realise how often Christianity antagonizes and persecuted other religions? I was persecuted by my catholic nco even after I asked him to stop but to you Christians it's just bringing the word to the heathen but to me it was harassment so tell why we have to behave when Christians don't

I am going to try and answer this without invoking the "religion" side of this question at all.

Second.. all you are about to hear is a personal Theory I have garnered from experience and time. I do not have any degree or serious training in Psychology to quantify anything I write, except experience and logical thought processes.

Some people are openly antagonistic to one another for many different reasons. Religion is a Highly emotional believe , but so is family, friends, country, politics and so on. People feel a need to defend what they believe and many people were taught that the best defense is a good offense. I think this is mostly the case with the original question, people on both sides of an issue attack rather then defend because it makes the best defense.

Another aspect of any social conflict like the one mentioned in the title is the fact many people want to "Help" other people. I call this the "Busy body theory" (again this is a personal theory) These people are trying to "help" the other person by pushing their thoughts, beliefs, experiences, on the other person. They believe that their experiences or learning trumps the other persons and that They know what is best for said individual. This is why Parents constantly tell their Children what to do even when their Children are in there 50's and are more successful and socially developed then their parents.

Now many humans seem to always want to try and others. Some times help given is not wanted. So honestly I don't think this is a religious question aspect but a social aspect of Humans. In my opinion.

IMHO its the pendulum swinging back and forth to (hopefully) a natural center where people can chose to to believe whatever they want without fear and retaliation. I served from 87-12 in the Army both AD and the Res. The idea that a person could could serve openly as an atheist, deist, pagan, or what-have-you was inconceivable. Just like being gay. I reckon a lot of troops go after Christians as "payback" for the modern institutional intolerance. I think the military is a conservative family in nature. I mean come on - Duty/Honor/Country. OUR beliefs are good beliefs. But IMHO there was always a "religious test." I am glad I will have the Happy Humanist icon on my govt-issued headstone.

1. They think it is cool to be atheist.
2. They really don't want the carne, christians bothering them. (the door to door, death by fire, my kids walk on water christians that treat people rudely)
3. They think it makes them smarter.

Note I am a christian and believe in God however I am not a door to door christian.

Part of the reason people may have a negative response to hearing an individual is a Christian is because of your comment about being sad for those who do not have faith. To begin with that signifies to an atheist that you think they are misguided, which is rather arrogant and probably one of the reasons some people are angry at Christians. Before Christianity there was Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Norse Gods and many others. Those religions faded over time.

I am Christian and what I don't want is other Christians in our Country imposing their religious beliefs on me through the laws of our States and Country. We have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights that guarantees freedom of religion. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,..." I will respect your right to practice your religion as you see fit as long as you are not advocating the harming of or killing of others because they do not follow your religion. I only ask that you respect my right not to have your beliefs shoved down my throat. There are many States who have passed laws to protect the rights of Christians, but what about the other religions that exist in this Country? I did not serve almost 22 years in the Army, protecting our Constitution, to have our politicians impose religious laws on our Country. And they are slowly doing this at the State level right now and I find it disturbing.

I grew up believing in LOVE others as you would want to be LOVED. Just one example of devout people not following this is the hate coming out of the devout community because States are allowing gay marriage. If that is how religious people express their love for others I want no part of it. I was taught to love everyone regardless of race, gender, religion, or orientation.

i think that there will always be those who wish to impose their will upon others. if religion never existed, there would be another silly practice to impose upon others. so chalk it up to human nature. i don't personally get offended with religion in and of itself, and religion in a public setting can be attributed to custom and tradition. the bible and theology are interesting topics for discussion, but nothing more to me.

Some people fear what they don't understand, and lash out because of it.

Others see through the thin veil of their "religion", and lash out on the hypocracy. (Matthew 7:15-20)

Religion is something personal. It has little place in public and work places. I personally feel it should be kept in the home, place of worship and with close family and friends. Religion is one of those things that you should be proud of, but often we end up being over proud. We end up pressing our views on others. A Jew might not want to hear about the ways of the Christian, or visa versa. But if he does let him ask in a more private venue.

I don't believe in God but I don't consider myself an Atheist.

I really don't care what other's belief or faith is either. I don't push my beliefs on anyone and I don't want them pushing theirs on me.

I think the 10 commandments are good rules to live by but I don't believe a burning bush etched them in stone while Moses looked on.

I celebrate Christmas from a tradition point of view, not a religious one.

I don't celebrate Easter.

I don't pray.

My wife is Catholic and while it has created some tension, all on her part, it doesn't bother me one bit.

Let me answer the question simply: fear.
Fear that Christians might be right and they may be wrong (no body likes being wrong)
Fear that Christians may hold them accountable for enjoying mortal pleasures without thought of long-term consequences or social impact, for example murder, theft, sexual perversion, exploitation of other humans, excessive consumption of substances that alter mind or body and many more.
Fear that there is an existence after mortal death in which they may be disadvantaged for wanting to distance themselves from God
Fear that they are right and their existence is a meaningless accident
Fear that their "god" will punish them if they do no convert or kill Christians