Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ex-preacher · 04-23-2002, 08:12 AM

I like this topic. Most of the people I love, and who love me, are Christians.

I think many who leave Christianity have such a bad feeling about the religion that they end up having bad feelings about all Christians. My new motto: Hate the Christianity, but love the Christians.

The Other Michael · 04-23-2002, 11:31 AM

Hi E-P,

Synchronicity strikes again. Yesterday I was thinking along the "hate the religion, love the religious".

I'm not quite sure though that's possible in all cases! Maybe "love the person as they might have been if they hadn't found religion"? I don't always find the religious outlook a positive one.

cheers,
Michael

Brian63 · 04-23-2002, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MortalWombat:
Could this be that most atheists who are vocal about their atheism tend to be the type of people who don't give a damn about what people think about them? And that in this (American) society, people are praised for being "people of faith" out in the open, while atheists are publicly denigrated? It's much easier to be pleasant when you have the President, most of Congress, and most of the media on your side.

I don't know what the motivation is behind the rudeness, I'm just observing the rudeness.

Mad Kally

Quote:

Where do you live that has so many atheists that you can make such a statement?

I'm in Michigan, and have met only a handful of atheists in real life, some of whom are good friends of mine. Most atheists that I encounter are online though, either on this site, on other message boards, or in chat rooms (on the increasingly-rare occassions that I visit them), and for the most part they are ruder than their Christian counterparts (there are plenty of exceptions though).

Most Christians that I know (of which there are many) are pleasant company. I know some fundies too, and they are nice people as well (just a tad misguided, IMO).

Brian

P.S. I don't want to divert from the original topic though, so I'll probably decline to answer any follow-ups, should there be any. Sorry!

Mad Kally · 04-23-2002, 12:35 PM

Good examples of Christian love:

Sorry, can't think of any! I was raised by Charismatic/Pentecostals and I can say with certainty that I hate them and their ignorant, disgusting cult.

Tusitala · 04-23-2002, 01:27 PM

From HelenSL:

Quote:

There are lots of Christians who've done kind things for me. Non-Christians too. I try to appreciate people individually for what they do and for simply caring - and I try to forgive them when they don't understand what really helps and what doesn't .

<img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" />

When Xtians (who know my views well enough and are aware of any tragedy I may be experiencing) have prayed for me or my family, I always thank them sincerely. They are acts of human kindness and should be treated as such. Likewise I offer any assistance I can when the shoe is on the other foot.

It's also good PR

Cheers,
Tusi

Mad Kally · 04-23-2002, 01:52 PM

Quote:

posted by Helen:
There are lots of Christians who've done kind things for me. Non-Christians too. I try to appreciate people individually for what they do and for simply caring - and I try to forgive them when they don't understand what really helps and what doesn't .

What if you had a very nice, caring nurse take care of you or a family member but the subject of belief or non-belief never came up? Would you assume she is religious or not? What if she was scared to tell the truth to her employers and co-workers? What if she stands and bows her head as your mom, dad, or other loved one faces death? She hugs you and cries with you. She is like a member of your family who comes to your home everyday and does everything in her power to alleviate pain and provide psycho-social support. A good xian or good atheist? How would you know for sure?

Could you put her into a category? She certainly wouldn't be considered rude in real life, wouldn't you say?

[ April 23, 2002: Message edited by: Mad Kally ]</p>

HelenM · 04-23-2002, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mad Kally:
<strong>What if you had a very nice, caring nurse take care of you or a family member but the subject of belief or non-belief never came up? Would you assume she is religious or not? What if she was scared to tell the truth to her employers and co-workers? What if she stands and bows her head as your mom, dad, or other loved one faces death? She hugs you and cries with you. She is like a member of your family who comes to your home everyday and does everything in her power to alleviate pain and provide psycho-social support. A good xian or good atheist? How would you know for sure?

Could you put her into a category? She certainly wouldn't be considered rude in real life, wouldn't you say?

[ April 23, 2002: Message edited by: Mad Kally ]</strong>

I couldn't know for sure whether she was religious - you're right. I would be very happy I was fortunate enough to have such a nice nurse - I do know that!

If I knew she had to pretend to be religious but wasn't I would feel sad for her. I hate when people have to pretend stuff like that. I wouldn't blame her for pretending because I know that sometimes all the choices are difficult (I mean, either pretend or offend people/get fired, that kind of thing). I would hope she could tell me the truth and trust me not to tell anyone else. I would be pleased to be trusted like that.

Does that answer your question?

love
Helen

beachbum · 04-24-2002, 05:36 AM

While you are on the subject let me tell you a little of xian love. My wife and I lived together for 6 years before we married. during that time my sister refused to visit in my home while my girlfriend/wife was there. Because we were "living in sin". So I quit inviting her. Period.

If you want a good taste of xians visit <a href="http://search.viafamily.com/bbs/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro" target="_blank">this bunch of nuts</a>. they can turn a blue sky gray, in a heartbeat.

case · 04-24-2002, 06:15 AM

One of my college history professors, who also happened to be the Campus Ministries pastor, was extremely nice and considerate. I remember we had to discuss Darwin for class, and I wondered how he would handle it. He handled wonderfully. He gave a disclaimer up front that he didn't even want to discuss whether or not he was right. He told us to take our questions to the biology dept. Amen.

sullster · 04-24-2002, 02:35 PM

Say I'm nasty, but this is what I have experienced and feel. People who are good to you and considerate are born that way and religion's effect is all deception.
Most Christians who are nice to you are doing it out of the desire for a reward in the bye and bye, or are setting you up for a conversion speech. They are insincere and two-faced mostly.
There are people who believe the christ myth who are good but they would be that way if they were athiest. The ones who "pray for you" are the most obnoxious. They are certainly not being nice to you, they are only desirous of your conversion and are showing their diety how pious they are.

A person's internal motivation for being decent is not my concern, but let us realize that the christians are being good to anyone only for selfish other-worldly reasons. The would spit in our faces if it got them into their heaven.

I doubt the sincerity of every single one of them.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-23-2002, 08:12 AM	#11
ex-preacher Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: University of Arkansas Posts: 1,033	I like this topic. Most of the people I love, and who love me, are Christians. I think many who leave Christianity have such a bad feeling about the religion that they end up having bad feelings about all Christians. My new motto: Hate the Christianity, but love the Christians.

04-23-2002, 11:31 AM	#12
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	Hi E-P, Synchronicity strikes again. Yesterday I was thinking along the "hate the religion, love the religious". I'm not quite sure though that's possible in all cases! Maybe "love the person as they might have been if they hadn't found religion"? I don't always find the religious outlook a positive one. cheers, Michael

04-23-2002, 12:35 PM	#14
Mad Kally Banned Join Date: May 2001 Location: LALA Land in California Posts: 3,764	Good examples of Christian love: Sorry, can't think of any! I was raised by Charismatic/Pentecostals and I can say with certainty that I hate them and their ignorant, disgusting cult.

04-24-2002, 05:36 AM	#18
beachbum Beloved Deceased Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL Posts: 864	While you are on the subject let me tell you a little of xian love. My wife and I lived together for 6 years before we married. during that time my sister refused to visit in my home while my girlfriend/wife was there. Because we were "living in sin". So I quit inviting her. Period. If you want a good taste of xians visit <a href="http://search.viafamily.com/bbs/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro" target="_blank">this bunch of nuts</a>. they can turn a blue sky gray, in a heartbeat.

04-24-2002, 06:15 AM	#19
case Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 420	One of my college history professors, who also happened to be the Campus Ministries pastor, was extremely nice and considerate. I remember we had to discuss Darwin for class, and I wondered how he would handle it. He handled wonderfully. He gave a disclaimer up front that he didn't even want to discuss whether or not he was right. He told us to take our questions to the biology dept. Amen.

04-24-2002, 02:35 PM	#20
sullster Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: North of Boston Posts: 1,392	Say I'm nasty, but this is what I have experienced and feel. People who are good to you and considerate are born that way and religion's effect is all deception. Most Christians who are nice to you are doing it out of the desire for a reward in the bye and bye, or are setting you up for a conversion speech. They are insincere and two-faced mostly. There are people who believe the christ myth who are good but they would be that way if they were athiest. The ones who "pray for you" are the most obnoxious. They are certainly not being nice to you, they are only desirous of your conversion and are showing their diety how pious they are. A person's internal motivation for being decent is not my concern, but let us realize that the christians are being good to anyone only for selfish other-worldly reasons. The would spit in our faces if it got them into their heaven. I doubt the sincerity of every single one of them.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.