Atheists, you need better evangelists! Those on these forums make you look like fascists!
Every religion has its misrepresenting fanatics and atheism is no different.
Every person's belief system is like a gun. It aint the gun I worry about, it's the owner of the trigger finger.
If you are a great human, you will do great things, regardless of belief system.
I choose Christianity because I like its effect on me and those around me. I like the ‘person’ it has turned me into. I love the effect it has had on my relationships and the kinds of people it surrounds me with.
Do I enjoy the company of all Christians?
Not always.
We are supposed to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Also be slow to anger and not arrogant…
Sadly a lot of Christians overlook those key fruits in their passion to defend their faith. Defending themselves exactly like a fanatical Atheist or an Agnostic would. The moment any belief system leads you to justify hurting other humans, your version of that belief system is broken.
Does the Bible say there is a heaven or a hell? Yup.
Does it say that Christians get to judge or decide who goes where? Nope.
Do we even have an inkling for a lucky guess? Nope.
If there is a God and if there is a hell, those who get sent there would have made some pretty clear decisions to earn it. Petty interpretation of the Bible to justify autonomous authority by insecure leadership is nothing short of misrepresentation. I leave the judgement to God. If there is no God, then there is nothing to worry about.
If there is a God, he would be perfect and his reasoning would be from a secure, mature and very wise base.
When Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life” he was speaking about himself as an example to follow, a path to be on; and an illuminator of truth. Only the insecure would read absolutism into it.
A lot of parents live a life that forces them to say “follow my words, not my example”. A great parent can say “Do as I do”. That’s how I read the bible.
In the hands of the immature and the insecure, any truth can be dangerous. If you have watched the Book of Eli you will note that very theme. The bible in manipulative hands is a dangerous weapon!
Many Atheists wield their perception of truth upon these very forums like a weapon, attempting to humiliate and belittle. I see no difference between them and fanatical Muslims or Christians who would hurt innocents.
A devout Muslim is not to be feared. Neither are a wise Atheist or Christian.
If God is real, all selfless wisdom will lead to him, he has said that if we seek him he will let us find him. If he does not exist, the world is better place for the seeking of him.
The evil and the insecure would use anything to dominate fellow man in their quest for a self-esteem boost. Even Hitler meant well… He really thought he was doing something great for his people but in ignoring the core principle of Christianity – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – he went all Darth Vader!
As a Christian, I earnestly seek to draw more to my cause – it is a New Testament commandment to mentor people BUT NEVER AT GUNPOINT. If you do not desire my belief system, I cannot force it upon you. All I can do is show you the way and leave the choice between you and God. Choices are made by accessing experience and knowledge at hand. If there is a God, he would know exactly what it is that causes some to be drawn to him and others to despise him. My job is to love and lead, not judge and condescend.
Atheists have no universal rules. They rejoice in the ability to be free of religion and its moral trappings. Yet many atheists are good, moral people. And then many are not. Like the fanatic, they forget the objectives of freedom and seek to start religious wars – As fanatical as Hitler, thinking that the bile that spills from them is helping the world.
Facts at the expense of goodness are useless. I see as much fruit in the dissentive Christian as I do in the argumentative Atheist. If you have to shout, insult and belittle to get your belief system across, you can keep it. Your lack of respect for fellow man betrays your broken belief system.
If you want me to buy into your lifestyle and make it my own, show me how it will improve mine. I would rather believe in the force and pink fairies if it makes my life better than be right about something that turns me into something bitter and angry.
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