Christianity: Critiquing Christianity
Saturday April 28, 2007
When criticizing Christianity, what is it that we criticize? Are we only attacking a 'false' form of Christianity, ignoring the 'True Christianity' which is immune to such comments? That is certainly what many Christian apologists believe, basing their arguments upon subtle but often question-begging assumptions about what qualifies as 'real' Christianity.
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Even if one could define what is “true” Christianity, what are we left with? Superstition!
It’s not difficult at all to figure out what “true” Christianity is - Christ Himself laid it out very clearly. Anything that deviates from Christ’s assessment is incorrect (including those who attempt to use the Bible to justify hatred of homosexuals - Christ said nothing about homosexuality). It bothers me that most atheists and agnostics, rather that criticizing specific sects of Christianity or specific hypocrisies, apply their criticisms to ALL of Christendom - even those who do not hold the beliefs they criticize.
Crack a Bible sometime to see what Christ had to say - it will make your arguments appear more intelligent and give them more credibility.
Hi, Lilian, First, my criticisms are broadly directed at ALL religion, not just Christianity. It is the idea of a supernatural realm that I have trouble with. Demons, ghosts, Gods, spirits, goblins, haunted houses ect. If a person were to try to convince me of the truth of Christianity, or Islam or whatever, he or she would first have to start by convincing me of the existance of a supernatural realm,and proceed from there. As for cracking the bible, I have read it cover to cover more than once.
Lillian, me again. one more thing. although you are correct in that Christ never said anything about homosexuality, it has been my experience that people who want to justify hatred of homosexuals will always refer to the old testament. When I hear this, I always tell the person that he should take full responsibility for his statements instead of holding up the bible and using it for a sheild.
That’s the difference between Christians and atheists. Christians have to read a book to know right from wrong. Atheists use logic, reason, and common sense.
I was once considering the ministry, because my pastor was so inspiring. He counseled me for months, and had the backing of his church to support me when I went to seminary. One day, however, he told me “You will learn that Jesus was a man, just a man–nothing more.” I was stunned. Then I began a search for the history of the origins of the New Testament, and found out all of them were written at least 70 years after the supposed crucifixion. So that began more investigation into the words that were written, and that were claimed to be the Word of God. I found so many strong contradictions in the stories, and so much that did not represent full love of humanity, that I decided I could not ever become a minister. I became a confirmed atheist, and am that to this day.
The thing is if one hundred ‘true’ Christians open the bible and describe what Jesus said and meant, then you will have one hundred different interpretations. Each will have his own version of ‘true’ Christianity. The Bible (and other religious texts) is a Rorschach test - people read into it their own hopes and fears but aside from their own hope and fears there is very little there.
Crack a Bible sometime to see what Christ had to say - it will make your arguments appear more intelligent and give them more credibility. — Lillian
Thanks for condescending to show us atheists how to pluck the mote from our eye.
Why don’t you crack open your Bible and read what Jesus had to say on the topic of helping others see more clearly? It will make your arguments appear more intelligent and give them more credibility.
Anything that includes HATE in it is not TRUE Christainity at all! Jesus promoted Love, if any religion of any kind does not teach Love and not to hate than it’s a gutless religion. It Takes guts to forgive, but the result is the true Christian way. No matter who or what. Any one who says he hates or dislikes Homosexuals, Atheist, Muslims or otherwise Than the that person is nowherenear christianity. Love is the only thing to stop wars and bring peace. Many point at different nationalitie and religions when sin is committed and quickly blame a whole nation or a religion just because a minority of idiots terrorised or such, is out of line. You find jails in any country, police stations in almost every town or village right across the world. What I mean is that evil is in all countries and in all religions, ecxept where the Love supercedes the Hate.
Charlie borg.
Who are you to decide what “true” Christianity is?
Did Jeus not say that anyone who was not willing to hate their own parents could not follow him?
Very few religions have not taught adherents to hate outsiders and opponents — and Christianity has not been any exception to this trend.
No, such people are in fact right in the heart of Christianity — Christianity is what Christians do. They may not follow your sort of Christianity, and it’s commendable that you reject such hate, but when you deny that they are “true” Christians you are engaging in the exact same us-vs.-them thinking as they are when they deny that people like you are “true” Christians.
You are wrong to deny that they are Christians — they are following genuine, legitimate strands of Christian tradition. By denying their Christianity, you are denying that is anything problematic in Christian tradition, theology, or teaching — and such denials are precisely what allows such problems to persist over time.
The solution isn’t to deny their Christianity, but to accept that Christianity has problems and produce strong arguments against the sources of those problems. So long as you push away the Christians you disagree with, you guarantee that you’ll have no influence with them and, therefore, that their theology will continue unhindered.
“Love” can be defined many different ways. Some Christians have “loved” others so much that they were willing to torture and kill them in order to help them avoid eternal torment in hell. It’s not “love” that Christians are lacking, but a willingness to accept the existence and presence of people who disagree with them and who follow a different path in life.
When you deny that such people are “true” Christians, you are actually entering much the same territory. It’s not quite as bad as them, but in principle it’s much the same.
I am sorry Austin, I was brought up a catholic, then moved away from catholiscism, religion, almost near unbelief. I couildn’t figure who was write or wrong. After 10 years of falling in and out of doubt I finally sought and found God. ( It was more of He finding me)
Dont tell about knowing the difference or discriminating between the good and the bad christian, or the true or the oppposite. I have been there, done that and the only way to find peace is by stopping hating people and other things including the work you do. I believe that is called having an good attitude isn’t it? We could all live in peace if our attitudes where of one loving and caring for each other. You can learn all the theory you want about any subject, but I know for sure that unless you get down and get with it, down to the nitty gritty, you have not achieved anything at all, you can read the bible as many times as you want, unless you study it and get what is known as knowledge and understanding then dont bother even opening it up or discussing it with any one. The two are on a very different level or grade. If I and/or any body for that matter knows of a spiritual realm, which you or others have never experienced, than how is one suppose to explain it to you. Do we just push it aside. It’s spiritual you cannot see it, touch it, taste it, etc. Can I explain the taste of gonggong fruit, if you never seen it or otherwise. I know the difference and can seperate black and white because I can see the difference. I will not judge between them. It is not for me to judge, but I would be happy to help Mr. White if he came and asked me about Mr. Black or visa-vesa. Why? because at my age I have been there and done that. Every one is entitled to be or become what they wish or what to be. Some of my best friends are athiest. They love me. I respect them and they know that at any time of their distress or trouble, I would be there to help them. They have spent quite a bit of time with me and make me welcome at all times, so dont put words in my mouth or label me a critic even. You see, you do not understand the phrase of Jesus saying that unless you hate parent, son, daughters etc, meaning you have to give every oneand every thing up, to be able to follow Him and do what he does.
I never said they are not christians,I pointed out the true with the untrue. I might be repeating myself here, but I can also tell an artist from a painter, they both use paint and brushes, but not produce Art as such!
Thanks man I hope the reader and you get my drift.
charlie
If it exists, then it can be explained - but that ultimately of no relevance to anything I posted before.
Saying that they aren’t “true” is the same as saying that they aren’t really Christian - and that’s a judgment.
“Crack a Bible”? That’s the answer to everything isn’t it. A 2000 year old collection of myths and fables fabricated by the early church to keep its’ “subjects” in line. It seems some of us need a promise of heaven and a threat of hell to keep us obedient. The apostle Paul, whose version of events was adopted by the Catholic church (and most of Christianity) never met Jesus and never heard him speak. No, the Bible has been used as justification for atrocities for far too long now. Let’s go crack some other book for advice.