I would appreciate it if more Christians strove to tolerate people’s legitimate beliefs that differ from theirs, and be less judgmental of the holders of those beliefs. I have given as much thought into my atheistic views as many if not more Christians. Certainly more than the type of person who goes, say, to a Lutheran church “Because my parents did.” I think one’s religious orientation is far too important of an issue to be made out of convenience or habit. Yeah, the sense of community in a particular congregation might be really nice, but I think first you have to agree with the underpinnings of the denomination. It is very common to encounter folks who are very casual about their beliefs - who know less about their faith and church’s teachings than I do. But they convey the impression that they consider themselves better than me because I don’t belong to their club. I consider such a “better than thou” attitude un-Christian.
Christians should respect my right to make up my own mind on such things. I don’t understand why anyone would believe the Christian story, but the fact is a whole buch of folks do. But, worldwide, a whole bunch more don’t. And thesy aren’t all ignorant of the message. No - they understand the message, and reject it. That is their choice.
Yes, you can be a good person without acknowledging an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent being. And yes, there are reasons to be good, other than getting a ticket into heaven. And no, you are not better than me (or Buddhists, Moslems, etc.) just because you go to a Christian church.
Why do so many Christian folks consider honest discussions of their faith to be threatening or improper? It suggests to me insecurity or something not really healthy. If a belief system is strong, it should stand up to inspection. It shouldn’t have to be shielded from conflict. I have a very few Christian friends who are open to discussing any aspect of their faith. I treasure them, but in my experience they are by far the exception, not the rule. My family attends a UU church. One thing we love about that community is that folks there are willing to discuss ANY topic. Heck, once the topic of religion is up for grabs, you sure ain’t gonna tick someone off over sex or politics! And just because we disagree on something doesn’t mean I have to convince you to change your mind, or draw broader conclusions about you other than that we disagree on a particular topic.
Oh yeah - this year my 6th grade daughter’s religious education class from the UU church has attended services at a Catholic church, Lutheran church, synagogue, yesterday was an AME church, and a mosque. We believe in giving her enough information that she can draw her own conclusions. We didn’t see the need to indoctrinate her at an age when she believed in the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny.
If God is love, oughtn’t Christians love everyone, as they are?
My favorite proselytizing story: in my old neighborhood when my eldest was 2-3, around X-mastime her little friend down the block took it upon herself to tell my daughter that there is no Santa Claus, and that Jesus is the only reason for the season. Fuck that shit! They have no business affecting my kids, or what goes on inside my house. I loved my wife’s response. She told the little kid that she knew Santa was real because every year he leaves presents for her on Christmas. Jesus had never done that or anything tangible to prove his existence. Suffice it to say that the other kid’s folks never suggested that our kids get together after that. Bottomline - we would never have dreamt of saying anything like that had that kids family sent her out to affect other families. We don’t try to convert Christians. Why do they try to convert us?
Another story, in kindergarten and 1st grade, my kids asked if they could attend summer bible school, which a bunch of their friends were going to. We figured, why not? We don’t deny the existence or significance of Christianity or of Jesus as a historical figure, and studying it has considerable merit sociologically, historically, etc. Well, the first day there my little sweeties were told that their parents were going to burn in hell because we didn’t believe in Jesus, and the only hope for my 5 and 6 year old kids was to come to Jesus to save themselves. Sorry, but that is just plain mean.
