Okay, so I was sifting through the internet today, and I came upon a facebook page for Atheists. It was full of Atheist memes and whatnot saying how much they hate Christians, how Christians are stupid, how intolerant Christians are, and how they are ALL this way. Now, usually I don't get bothered by this sort of thing, but this made me a little upset.
Now, before we get any further into this, I want to make a few things known. First and foremost, I am a Christian. More specifically, I am Episcopalian. I believe that Jesus of Nazareth was in fact the son of God, and that he died to atone for the sins of mankind, and that he is my personal savior.
However, it really bothers me when people get at Christians for being intolerant, hateful, etc. Now I do admit that there are those of us who condemn, discriminate, and participate in generally unchristian behavior.
It hurts me when those who are not believers lump people like me into those groups. Especially those who say "I hate associating with Christians" or "I will never date a Christian." It is increasingly bothersome when it is said by people that I know or those that I am friends with. By taking such an adamant and unwavering stance that Christians are naive, cruel, ignorant, or any number of things, aren't those people being just as bad as those they claim to be so superior of? If you decide not to ever date or have a relationship with a Christian because of the fact they are Christian, arent you just as close-minded as those who say they refuse to date anyone other than a Christian?
As a believer, I understand that the world is full of people with views that are not necessarily my own. I recognize that the church is not infallible.
I do not hate those who are not Christian, I do not hate those who are not believers in a higher power. To discriminate against those for what they believe is the very opposite of what Christ taught. I believe in science, I support marriage equality for homosexuals, I support the ability of people to choose what they do with their life, I believe in evolution, (which is NOT a "theory"in my opinion, its pretty much been proven) I believe in the stories of the old testament, not as fact, but as analogies in which people tried to explain where they came from, and to tie in life lessons. I believe in the "truth" of these stories, not the "fact."
Neither do I condemn those of other religions. Is it not true that the very basis of Christian teaching is "God is love?" Do so-called "pagan" religions such as the Shinto, Sikhism, Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhism not also preach the importance of love and tolerance? That in itself makes them holy. I cannot make myself believe that groups who treasure such teachings would be condemned by God. I have never pushed anyone away from me because they do not share my religious views. I do not shove my religion down the throats of ,others. I am more than happy to discuss religion with anyone, regardless of their beliefs and I will speak of what I believe, but I would never attempt to condemn them or convert them if they were not comfortable with the advance.
So, my Atheist friends, I offer you a question. Do you hate me because I am a Christian? Do you think that I am a close-minded sheep because I am a Christian? Have I ever "condemned" you for having a different spiritual opinion? Would you think that I would make a terrible spouse because I am a Christian? If not, then reconsider your position. Or else, you risk becoming the very thing that you claim to despise.
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