I understand your frustration but I don't think you can make a blanket statement on an entire religion like that. Not everything is "black" and "white" so to speak. Some Christians feel called by God to go into the field of missions and evangelism. These fields are very important to the religion. Yes, some may come across a little overzealous, but not everyone who is a Christian is like that. I have been a Christian for 16 years and I feel that the best way to show someone who is not a Christian what the religion is all about is by example - how you live your life (basically what MEOWGI said).
If you mean atheists wish to keep schools and the government secular by 'imposing' their beliefs then your argument has no merit. Atheist don't tell Christians or any other group for that matter who to worship. They only fight to keep religion out of schools and places that would force people to view a particular religion whether through prayer or writing. Do you have any examples of atheists telling people not to worship any God (because that would be imposing their 'beliefs' on people)? And by examples, I mean a large group (1000+), not some nutty guy for which there are plenty of examples.
I don't even know why I responded to your earlier post in the first place. I hope you aren't as bitter in real life as you seem to be on this board.
Well it is natural to talk about things that are important to you. You started a thread about how great Buddhism is (and it is) when you came across it. There are many Christians who think differently. I like to say there are many different Christianities. Trust me, I know it's hard not to stereotype when you feel surrounded and frustrated by a certain dominate mindset. There are some great Christians out there. I'm particularly attracted to Christian mysticism like Meister Eckhart etc. YOu should check out Thomas Merton as well: http://www.hundredmountain.com/Pages/pageone_stuff/mertonpages_fall00/merton_fall00.html The Christian Gregory of Nyssa, in the 4th century stated: “Every thought grasped by the mind becomes an obstacle to those who search.” Does that sound familiar to you? I think you have a connection to Christianity that you don't even realize.
People can pray as much as they want in public school. You just can't do it officially. That pretty much goes to everything else. IMO Christians have a view that somehow Christianity is under attack in society because they can't display their symbols or have their practices officially sanctioned by the government. All it means is that Christianity is being treated the same way as every other religion.
I see you said major religions but at that point then you are discriminating against other religions. Some like Wiccan have thousands of followers. For that matter there are many denominations of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism would you have officially sanctioned prayers recognizing all of those denominations and those religions? The problem with giving an official government sanction to religion is that either the government ends up picking and choosing between religions or else ends up having to include all religions. IMO people of faith should be glad that the government doesn't officially support religion otherwise you will end up with Christians having their tax dollars going to support Hindus temples or Jews supporting Muslims. If you think Christians are upset now that their tax dollars are supporting sex ed or Mapplethorpe think about what will happen when they realize that its going to support idolatry and the faith of terrorists. My view is that Christians are free to practice and proselytize their religion and others are free to ignore it as long as the State is out of it.
But this happens in all areas of life. Everything from telling parents they shouldn't spank their kids to the government recommending people wear sunscreen to putting warning labels on unhealthy foods to making drugs illegal. Everyone wants others to live a certain way "for their own good". These examples all have nothing to do with safety or affecting others - it is purely because we think its best for the individual. Christians believe that getting right with God and knowing what they consider to be "truth" is best for the individual and they want to share that.
The world being round is a fact. That practicing Christianity will save your soul isn't a fact. That's a significant distinction.
First, impose is the wrong word. Tell everyone who will listen or has interest is how it works. It is not a political effort as in imposing your platform on others, it is a simple communication of a very important message. I would liken it to a emergency broadcast to the public. (People are being warned concerning Hurricane Katrina not because public officials want to impose their will, but because they care.) Communicating Christianity is not like a forced evacuation but a voluntary advisory. "Why is it Christians are so concerned about what I do with my life?" And the simple answer is, love for Jesus and love for you. "I'm an agnostic and a liberal and have never had a need/want to try and get others to live their lives the way I do mine." That is because you do not believe that God will judge your sins (even some Christians believe this way). You may not even believe in sin. These things are voluntary. No one has to believe in God. And no one has to believe in moral laws. It is not that people don't believe that murder, hate and prejudice are wrong it is that most people do not think there will be any future punishment for them. Christians are free to believe that God will comdemn those who are lawbreakers and you are free to believe it is all superstition. Why should you care what happens to me after I die if you do not believe in a future judgment? Eternity is very real for most Christians. There are many Christians that don't believe in a literal heaven or hell (lake of fire). But I would suggest you read the Bible to have your own understanding of what it says. Please understand that for myself I believe God loves you, your soul has great value, that you will spend eternity either with God in heaven or without God in torment. I believe God demonstrated His love for you when He sacrificed His own Son on your behalf so that you could receive a pardon. That is what I wished you believed. But I understand you don't have to and I can live with that. No need to impose what you don't want- I respect that.
Nice stereotype. Just because the President has empowered some of the more obnoxious and freaky groups of Christians doesn't mean we are all like that. I'm a Catholic and I just try to be a good person. At no point do I ever try to push my religion on anyone.
A person's religious beliefs are between that person and the G-d of their choice. I understand how the Gospel teaches that you must share the teachings with others, but I believe that other people's religious beliefs, or lack thereof, are absolutely none of my business. Vice versa, I believe my religious beliefs are nobody else's business except mine. When I get Christians or Jehovah's Witnesses at my doorstep wanting to preach to me, I politely inform them I am Jewish and that I am not interested. If they won't take no for an answer, they usually wind up with my door being slammed in their face. No means no.
You and I seem to be arguing semantics. In my opinion, "beliefs" encompasses many things, not just a "supreme being". One of the "beliefs" of atheists is to keep religion out of public places. Atheists (as a group) may not tell folks who/what to not worship, but they (as a group) do try to impose their "beliefs" upon others. For example, I see nothing wrong with a minute of silent prayer or reflection in public schools. That is a belief of mine. An atheist would try to fight that. That is a belief of theirs. If I fight for that, then I am attempting to impose my belief. If an atheist fights against it, they are attempting to impose their belief. I agree that atheists (as a group) do not go out (in particular door to door) and try to get folks to NOT worship God (or a God), nor do I recall any atheistic messages in the advertising media.
Very few Christians go to people's doorsteps. Not all Christians believe in 'preaching' or sharing or evangelism. I have seen statistics that say less than 5% of Christians try to share their faith one on one with others on a regular basis. I think the political religious right are the more vocal and have media exposure as far as promoting their message. I don't have a high opinion of the religious right, it is too political. I am very evangelical but I would never try to force my beliefs. In this forum I am much more 'vocal' than I am in person because this is a D&D. I like to discuss and debate. I often share more of an extreme opinion than I really live by, just for the sake of stirring things up. Really there is no point in a Christian being pushy or arguing. If you believe something strongly enough you may try your best to persuade others but I don't see any reason for a Christian to be rude or contentious. If you don't have a genuine love for people, I am not sure how the Christian message will come across. I have shared some strong opinions here. But everyone has opinions. This is not a place I would expect to 'evangelize'. If someone was interested in my beliefs and had a sincere interest, I trust they would let me know.
