lkavadas wrote:This basically sums up the delicious fallibility of what is or isn't off limits. And this forum, right here and now, is the perfect stereotype of this. Seriously. Look over the threads. Every single one is basically a bunch angry athiests whose views are often exceedingly radical. Well beyond the Christians who post in their own defense. Christianity is the only religion is the only religion these people feel comfortable attacking. You'll never see them create a thread which specifically attacks Muslims. Never. But just look over the current thread list. How many go out of their way to direct their vitriol entirely at Christians?
Because it's all driven by hatred, and we're the easiest targets.
You don't see them attacking Buddhists because they're peaceful and stay off to themselves.
You don't see them attacking Muslims because Muslims (radicals, let me clarify) hate Christians and are willing to kill them (even if it means others must die in the process. They called it a Jihad, which means Holy War.)
You don't see them attacking the Jewish, or converted followers of Judaism because the Jewish generally keep to themselves much like the Buddhists. (But not all. Some are militant. But not even for their religion, just to shut up Christians.)
We're attacked because we wear our hearts on our sleeves, we're willing to stand up and speak out, we're willing to face the crowds and fight back, we're willing to put ourselves in front of the firing squad to defend what we believe in.
Sometimes, some of us say the wrong things, which fuels an Atheist's fire even more, but it's not fair to the Christians who haven't done a single thing to anyone:
The little old grandmother rocking in her chair, watching the sunset, quietly on her porch.
The little boy or girl who just took communion, and hasn't harmed a fly. (They're KIDS!)
Etc...
Yet those people have to hear how our God is considered hateful, evil, etc. You mock him, you mock us. You slap all of us in the face, and are happy to do it, because you have the freedom of speech behind you, and you like to watch us squirm.
You've done that to that defenseless old grandmother sitting on her porch, minding her own business. You've done that to the little child who just took communion, or was baptized.
Why? Because it brings you joy. People are celebrating the death of Jerry Falwell. CELEBRATING IT! I was no fan of the man, but I didn't hate him. I'm not going to wish for his soul to end up in Hell.
And when we bring up instances like this, people say "Oh it doesn't affect that grandmother, or the kid. If it does, then they need to get their noses out of our business. We have every right to be here!" and basically they consider those people who've done nothing wrong...collateral damage.
What's sad is, the Atheists are fighting a Holy War of their own. They're doing exactly what they don't want to. By attacking us, by showing us and God hatred...they're further giving credence to his existence. If something doesn't exist...do you waste the time attacking it? Do you hate it? Of course not...because it's not there. It'd be a waste of time, and your health. Yet, the Atheists carry on "the good fight" and they're angry with God, angry with the thought of his existence and that anyone would even believe in him.
They can't win with me. They either believe he doesn't exist and stick with it, and carry on with their lives and let us live in peace, or they do believe in him, but have so much hatred (which is the more likely case...I mean look at the anger and disgust that's aimed at us) that they can't stand it, so it's better to mock and blaspheme and tear us down because they know they can't fight God face to face. So they'll do what a coward would...they attack God's children.
That's why Atheists do it. Because they can. "To thine own self be true, screw all others." should be their motto.
And don't even talk to me about Atheists and the good they do for others. It's overshadowed by their hatred for their fellow man. Oh sure, some Atheists are completely harmless and say nothing at all (and that's fine, they don't rub it in my face, I don't rub it in their's.) but most of them are militant and willing to become viciously evil.
I should know, I went to school with one. He was one of my best friends and he said out of respect for me, we wouldn't discuss the issue, but he showed me other Atheists who were so angry, that they were willing to go to physical extremes to fight against Christians and God. (And yes. Some Christians are willing to take to physical violence as well, and no I don't agree with or condone it.)
But here's a question...Atheists claim they don't believe in God, and they don't respect Christian opinions...so...why do they get married in Churches? (and yes, I've heard of Atheists having wedding ceremonies in a Church.)
Obviously the Church means something, otherwise they'd have just gone to the Justice Of The Peace. I mean, in either venue, you end up with the same result. You're legally married to your mate. So, seriously...why?
I've never been able to get a straight answer on that one. The only one I ever got was "Well we want the fairytale too." and I said "What about a beautiful ceremony in a nice park, or hilltop? You see it in movies all the time. People use park gazebos as well." They come back with "Oh, so I'm not welcome in your Church?" and I say "No. You're not. Not if you don't believe, and you continue not to. You're just slapping us and God in the face, and you're enjoying it. If you were coming to find out whether or not you really could find God, then yes. I'd welcome you into any Church, with open arms. Even if you don't find what you're looking for, at least you kept an open mind and it just didn't work out. I can't fault you for that." A moment of silence and I got "What if it was the slap in the face thing? What would you do? Better yet, what could you do? You'd have to just swallow it and wallow in self pity. That's life. Deal with it."
So tell me...other than a slap in the face, why get married in a Church?