Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ut-ngp.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!judy From: judy@ut-ngp.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: RE: Why attack Christianity? Message-ID: <418@ut-ngp.UUCP> Date: Thu, 22-Mar-84 10:33:20 EST Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.418 Posted: Thu Mar 22 10:33:20 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 23-Mar-84 20:47:00 EST Organization: Comp. Center, Univ. of Texas at Austin Lines: 37 Ah, now here is a prime example of a very common mistake. If someone claims to belong to a certain group of people then everything that person does must be representative of the beliefs of that group. WRONG! People join groups sometimesfor their own selfish and evil purposes. I have often observed how hypocritical religious systems can be the main reason that someone says they are athiest whenfurther conversation reveals that the person really does believe in something - often the same principles that Christianity advocates. The evils perpetrated by twisted, power hungry people cannot rationally be blamed on Christ as anyone who has bothered to find out what Christianity is really all about would know. This is what I was told by a friend when I was in high school (during the Jesus freak era). I listened to him and was surprised to learn many things that I had not been taught in years of Religious Instruction. It didn't turn me into a Christian because I believe in things that work and so far it hasn't worked in my life, but I have known many people for whom is has worked. At the very least I gained new respect for the Christian faith and while I realize that no Christian is perfect, I can easily tell the difference between a phony and a sincere Christian. I suggest that anyone wishing to attack Christianity first make sure they know exactly what teaching they intend to criticize in order to avoid appearing like a very bitter and foolish person. Bitter people need someone to blame all the troubles of the world on, they blame God because there is war, famine, etc. - but fail to thankful for all the good that is in their lives. If there is a god to blame for evil then it it the God of Evil (a.k.a. Satan, or call him what you like). If your view of God is that of a being that goes around making everyone's life miserable just for fun then you see only Satan. How can you dwell on the evil and forget the beauty? You only perpetuate this evil with your hatred. I have been told that it is the goal of every Christian to become more Christ-like. This is how I determine if someone is sincere. Jesus did not go around preaching hell-fire and damnation. He preferred to talk of life. He didn't condemn or judge the most hated people of that time, quite the opposite; he used love and understanding. I found his views on the current religous leaders quite fascinating - likening them to whitewashed tombs, and to their face! Now that's what I call chutzpah!. Judy