A question from a Christian to a non-believer

[SoulGrind]

I am curious about something... maybe some non-believers, specifically the "Athiests" can shed some light on this for me.

Being a Christian, I understand that according to scripture, I am to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This is known as "The Great Commission"

"...And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"

[Matthew 28:18-20 - KJV]

It is up to the recipient of the Good News to either accept it or reject it. A clear choice is required.

Now, from what I know of true "Athiesism" (which admittedly, isn't much on my behalf), I do not understand why Athiests are so eager to attack Christianity with such fervor.

There are so many different religions in the world, yet Christianity is the target of choice.

Why?

In a country of religious tolerances, freedom of religion, we Christians tolerate non-believers - it doesn't stop us from telling people about our faith, but if a person really isn't interested, that's their choice.

But it "seems" as if Athiests take it upon themselves to butt into everything Christians say and do.

Why would you do this in a society based on religious tolerances?

We Christians tolerate your right not to believe. We may not agree with it, but we tolerate it.

Why is it that Athiests do not tolerate our right to believe?

We don't force you into our churches.

You are not forced to listen to our music.

You are not forced to read our literature.

You are not forced to go see religious-minded movies (Narnia, the Passion, etc,)

You are not forced to believe what we believe.

So why such intolerance towards Christianity, yet show tolerance towards other world religions (such as Islam, Muslim, Hindu, Budha, etc.)?

I would love to hear your side of the story.

Thanks.

Edited October 17, 2006 by SoulGrind

[JustinM]

I pray that your question will be answered, because it is something that has truly baffled me throughout my Christian life. I think people do not like to hear that what they are doing is wrong. If they can find someone to blame for their sinful life, then they may have an easier time convincing themselves that they are doing nothing wrong and continue living a lifestyle of self-gratification and preservation. They want to be selfish, lustful, boastful, covetous, jealous, dishonest without any condemnation from anyone. But, they can't run from their conscience. They know what they are doing is wrong and cannot bring true happiness. But, we all know the only people that lack a clear, defined conscience are sociopaths. Maybe they want to place our society on a sociopathic journey to obscurity.

[JustinM]

Why should an unproven theory be taught as the only explanation of our existence? Why not open the subject up for debate and ask students to use their imaginations about how the world came to be as it currently is? After all, Darwin must've had a pretty wild imagination to come up with some of the theories he endorsed.

[StewartP]

English speaking atheists attack Christianity above all else because most people who speak English are Christians. Why would we attack something that we have no experience with?

Yeah, what he said.

Perhaps on Hindu forums in India there are Indian atheists giving it heaps about how Ganesh is illogical??

Also, it's not personal. When atheists argue about the apparant contradiction between free will and predestination, or get stuck into the logic of the flood (how many animals, where did all the dung go etc etc) they are not attacking YOU, the person. Christians always say "hate the sin, love the sinner". Maybe atheists could say "hate the religian, love the christian"

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Joh

[LightofJesus]

I am curious about something... maybe some non-believers, specifically the "Athiests" can shed some light on this for me.

Being a Christian, I understand that according to scripture, I am to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This is known as "The Great Commission"

"...And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"

[Matthew 28:18-20 - KJV]

It is up to the recipient of the Good News to either accept it or reject it. A clear choice is required.

Now, from what I know of true "Athiesism" (which admittedly, isn't much on my behalf), I do not understand why Athiests are so eager to attack Christianity with such fervor.

There are so many different religions in the world, yet Christianity is the target of choice.

Why?

In a country of religious tolerances, freedom of religion, we Christians tolerate non-believers - it doesn't stop us from telling people about our faith, but if a person really isn't interested, that's their choice.

But it "seems" as if Athiests take it upon themselves to butt into everything Christians say and do.

Why would you do this in a society based on religious tolerances?

We Christians tolerate your right not to believe. We may not agree with it, but we tolerate it.

Why is it that Athiests do not tolerate our right to believe?

We don't force you into our churches.

You are not forced to listen to our music.

You are not forced to read our literature.

You are not forced to go see religious-minded movies (Narnia, the Passion, etc,)

You are not forced to believe what we believe.

So why such intolerance towards Christianity, yet show tolerance towards other world religions (such as Islam, Muslim, Hindu, Budha, etc.)?

I would love to hear your side of the story.

Thanks.

It is not the athiest attacking, it is the enemy. Remember we have a true enemy and he is hitting harder and harder, he has but a short time left

[EricH]

English speaking atheists attack Christianity above all else because most people who speak English are Christians. Why would we attack something that we have no experience with?

Some atheists had bad experiences with religion, and seek to free other people from what they see as a negative force in this world.

Most of us, including myself, only defend our beliefs. For instance, the only thing you can really do to get us riled up is try to do something that affects us according to your beliefs, like teaching Creationism alongside science in public schools or legislating Christian morality on issues such as abortion and homosexuality. Those we will debate, and said debates frequently deevolve into Theist Versus Atheist debates.

I'd type more, but I have to go to a Biology lab.

Hope that helps!

I guess my question is why would you have a need to attack it at all?

[SoulGrind]

English speaking atheists attack Christianity above all else because most people who speak English are Christians. Why would we attack something that we have no experience with?

Oh that is lame - "I'm attacking it because I don't know how to attack anything else."

We're you a bully as a kid - Beating up those smaller than you because all the bigger kids beat up on you?

That's what this kind of mentality sounds like.

Some atheists had bad experiences with religion, and seek to free other people from what they see as a negative force in this world.

So by this token, I can infer that if you get a bad burger at a McDonalds restaurant, ALL mcDonalds restaurants must be bad, and therefore, the word must be spread as such.

The problem here is, it doesn't acknowledge the fact that the isolated cases do not typically outwieght the norms.

So based on that, how can such a position even be substantiated?

Most of us, including myself, only defend our beliefs. For instance, the only thing you can really do to get us riled up is try to do something that affects us according to your beliefs, like teaching Creationism alongside science in public schools or legislating Christian morality on issues such as abortion and homosexuality. Those we will debate, and said debates frequently deevolve into Theist Versus Atheist debates.

Defending one's beliefs is a good thing. But, if Creationism is being taught ALONGSIDE Evolution (I am assuming this is what you are truly getting at), then what's the issue? There is no favoritism here - it's offering up both sides of the coin - and this is something every Junior High Schooler learns to do when they write their first English essay - supply both sides of the argument. Why should this be any different? I can understand if only one viewpoint was taught - that would be out of line - but teaching both aspects is true to any good teaching - this allows the student to decide for themselves. Sounds to me like Athiests are wanting it to be one-sided in their favor, where Christians seek a balance - teach BOTH.

As for your so called "Christian morality" - I hate to inform you, but you're living in a society governed by "Christian morality."

Examine the evidence:

Is it a crime to steal? Yes or No?

Is it a crime to commit murder? Yes or No?

Is it a crime to bear false testimony (in a court of law)? Yes or No?

The answer to each of these is a resounding YES.

Where did these laws originate from? The original moral code - the 10 Commandments - the BIBLE!

However, 3 out of 10 isn't very strict in terms of society - therefore, you truly are getting off easy - could you imagine if you were being sentenced to jail for sleeping with your best friend's wife because you "Committed Adultery?" Imagine that!

Yet you are free from the majority of the Christian moral code.

But let's analyse more of it for kicks and grins anyway:

Do you think it's right to sleep with someone else's wife? Yes or No?

If you answered NO, then by default, you agree with the 10 Commandments - that Christian moral code you dislike so much.

But if you answered YES, then ask yourself this:

Would you like it if you caught your girlfriend/wife sleeping with another man? Yes or No?

If you say yes, then you're one kinky fellow! And that is your perogotive to be perverse. But for Christians, this is not allowed.

Regardless, you are unaffected by it - unless you become Christian.

As for homosexuality - let's look at this from a "mechanical" viewpoint. If you have a stereo system, you obviously have many wires and cables. Each one has "male" and "female" parts. They were designed to "fit" together. It's rather logical if you ask me.

If you have a car, you fill the gas tank up by plugging the pump hose into the gas filler neck. When you drive, exhaust comes out the tailpipe. You wouldn't fill you car up from the tailpipe - it has no benefit. You wouldn'texpect exhaust to come out the filler neck - that would impose a problem.

The human gentiles have a specific (intelligent) design and purpose. The penis was designed to penetrate the vagina. The anus was designed as an exhaust pipe. If we analyse the "plumbing" (you're taking a biology class, so you know what I am saying is true), then we realize the truth of these statements.

As for the moral implecations of homosexuality - it's quite obviousl from a mechanical standpoint as to why it "shouldn't" be done. And if the "designer" didn't intend for the mechanics to behave in such a fashion, then why are we trying to force it to work that way? I'm sure the mechanic is shaking his head sayin "You imbecile - that doesn't go THERE! It wasn't designed to do that!"

Edited October 17, 2006 by SoulGrind

[SoulGrind]

Also, it's not personal. When atheists argue about the apparant contradiction between free will and predestination, or get stuck into the logic of the flood (how many animals, where did all the dung go etc etc) they are not attacking YOU, the person. Christians always say "hate the sin, love the sinner". Maybe atheists could say "hate the religian, love the christian"

So let me ask you this - since it's not personal.

What if I killed your kids (or any family member for that matter)?

Would you take it personally?

Why should you - I didn't attack you...

[SoulGrind]

Grace to you,

All the other stuff is just an excuse to continue to live in Rebellion to Gods Word.

Peace,

Dave

AMEN TO THAT POST!