Defiant Heretic

Exactly. Don't blame the group for the individual. I am an atheist. I do not harbor prejudice and bigotry. The two are attributes are not related, however. The same is true even if some atheists are bigots.

David Mathews

Hello Novowels,

David: Christians do have a command to love but love still remains a choice. Christians still have a tendency to be selfish and hateful toward others. Those Christians who make the choice can train their soul to love all people, but this is by no means an easy task.

Best Regards,

David Mathews

David Mathews

Hello Helen,

David: Making fun of the President is a perfectly legitimate form of political expression which all people -- Christians and atheists -- utilize. Making fun of the President is not prejudice/bigotry.

Hating a whole class of people based upon a stereotype is prejudice/bigotry. Avoid certain people because of their skin color is prejudice/bigotry.

Love,

David Mathews

babelfish

Yes, I think I made that quite clear in my previous post.

Oh David, please, I'm waiting for you to show me how to be kind, unbigotted, and unprejudiced. I've been so lost until now, but you've intimated to us here that there is apparently a book available that I can use as a moral primer of sorts. A book that I can only assume is brimming with examples of neighborliness, love, and lack of prejudice towards various groups of people.

I'm ready David! Show me the light!

babelfish

Thanks, diana....I'm blushing.

Novowels

Ah, I see. You can disobey the command. Still, it seems to me that it is still somewhat forced: You can choose to not love, but you will be punished for this choice. In this case, would it not be likely to assume that this so-called "love" is more of a calculating choice than any true emotion? If one does not truly love someone, can they be threatened into that feeling? Is that truly love or simply a selfish, calculated belief? Can someone actually be commanded to "love all people?" Or more importantly, can that command be honestly followed?

-William

David Mathews

Hello Novowels,

David: I don't know what you mean. A Christian is instructed by the gospel and remains in absolute control over his/her life.

David: Christians are commanded to love all people. We are threatened against hating other people. There is a big difference between the command to love and the threat against hate.

David: No, of couse not. Christians can and do sin. No one is perfect.

Best Regards,

David Mathews

David Mathews

Hello babelfish,

David: Read the Sermon on the Mount.

Love,

David Mathews

HelenM

Originally posted by David Mathews:

David: Making fun of the President is a perfectly legitimate form of political expression which all people -- Christians and atheists -- utilize. Making fun of the President is not prejudice/bigotry.

It may not be prejudice/bigotry but I think it is inappropriate behavior for Christians who profess to love God and to desire to please him in all their conduct and attitudes and who study the Bible to learn how to do that.

Evidently you disagree, though, based on what you wrote.

Hating a whole class of people based upon a stereotype is prejudice/bigotry. Avoid certain people because of their skin color is prejudice/bigotry.

I agree.

I think that what Christians say about non-Christians is often considered by non-Christians to show prejudice/bigotry.

love
Helen

Novowels

Hello David.

Hmm. While I agree that the two commands are different, I believe that they are both "threats," technically speaking. Would you agree that the command "to love," if not followed, has a consequence? I would assume that you believe in some type of "judgement" and therefore you will be judged on your actions, including whether or not you "loved all." Therefore, by not "loving all" you are threatened with "judgement." Is this correct? It is after all, a command - not a request.

Certainly, the threat against hate is a serious one. However, without hate you are still allowed apathy. Is there no command or threat for or against apathy?