RE: So what! Atheist~Christian. Abortion. Child abuse. Feminism. Empathy. Meaning.
A lot of anger in this post since our last exchange. You cite several passages from what is referred to as the "Old Testament", but then lump Christians into the object of your disappointment. Christians follow the "New Testament" which has a much more passive and compassionate message with a focus on social justice. The New Testament requires Christians to "mix it up" with non-believers to demonstrate the positive life changing message that focuses on loving others at least as much as you love yourself. Again, you cited barbarians from the past that used religion as a hammer to destroy rather than to build. The message of Christianity is love, peace, and tolerance. If Christians have a mandate it is to not resist people who do wrong. So you have nothing to fear by attacking the Christian faith. How about Islam. Do you have the courage to specifically attack them as you have Christians? I've read the Quran. They have no requirement to passively accept criticism. Venting anger is easy on people who you know won't fight back except with a few words in a post.
Hiya Chuck
I'm not angry in this post. Frustrated is a closer description, probably. I'm frustrated with Abolitionist's illogical nonsense and dishonesty. He refuses to acknowledge that atheists are anything but a collection of random molecules, or something like that. He keeps asking me questions then, when I reply, he responds with SO WHAT! WHY SHOULD ANYONE CARE ABOUT YOUR OPINION!
Shrugs
I know Christians say they follow the New Testament. But lots of this is 'enhanced' by dipping back into the Old when it suits them. Jesus himself said that he subscribed to the Old Testament laws:
He was a fan of the Old Testament. Before Jesus, people could suffer in their mortal coils, but their suffering ended with death. Apparently, that wasn't good enough for Jesus. He added everlasting torture in hell. That's not the best way to make friends. Follow me, or else!
I know you think the message is love, peace and tolerance, but that's just the PR. Anyone who's really read the bible (not just the bits the priest points out) knows there is plenty going on that is anything but love, peace and tolerance.
Islam. I despise all religions, Islam included. An ex-husband of mine is Muslim so I have a fair bit of experience. I've challenged Islam plenty. They follow a paedophile prophet who was bent on taking over the world. They say they're a religion of peace but that's just PR nonsense too.
I see you're accusing me of being cowardly, attacking defenceless Christians. Ok, if it makes you happy:
He also encouraged the rape of virgin prisoners before their execution. Why? So they wouldn't get into heaven.
On the bright side, his dead body was stripped naked by mourners on telly so at least there was a bit of poetic justice.
Religion gives sick, evil people the excuse to do terrible things. Anyone can manipulate passages to mean whatever they want them to mean. They can find justification to commit atrocities in the name of God. That's one of the reasons I despise most religion... not just Christianity.
Yes, Christians do dip back into the Old Testament, especially when they don't know enough about the New Testament to support their arguement. And I know you are above holding the opinion of one person against a group of people. If any one DOES NOT WALK IN UNISON it is Christians. At last count there were over 200 denominations. The quotes of Jesus flip back and forth from literal to metaphoric without stop signs or turn signals leaving it hard to follow and easy to abuse.
You look at the Bible in such an interesting way! "Follow me, or else!" Calling you "cowardly" is much too harsh for my demeanor. When the Vietnam war was raging I did not have the courage to volunteer, but when I was drafted I did my duty to the best of my ability. Even leaving the country to escape military service took a degree of courage. Besides no coward discusses topics like religion. I had forgotten that you were married to a Muslim. Shame on me : {
Religion also gives decent people a reason to do good for others. At least the Christian religion is unique in that Jesus is quoted saying "do unto others as you have them do to you". Think of how different the world would be if we all embraced and adhered to that one principle!
I heard an interesting statement from a lovely young lady earlier today. She said that in Jesus "you love other people first before you like them". The love part comes into play in that you will risk your life to save strangers and you give money and time to help people you will probably never know. The like part comes from the relational emphasis of the New Testament rather that the rules oriented emphasis of the Old Testament. As a follower of Jesus you have to love everyone, but you don't have to like them. This is bassackwards to the way we normally think of relationships.
Thank you for this splendid reply and the upvote. I wish we were not an ocean apart. It would be great to sit in a street cafe' and chat about this and other things.