Mr. Atheist, It's My Turn

Atheist:

"The bible, and Christianity, is full of hate, murder, rape, stoning, killing, sacrifice, fear, anger, jealousy, ridiculous laws and bigotry. It encourages slavery; rape; murdering others; war; blindly worshiping a hateful, jealous god who is neither omnipotent, omniscient nor omnipresent; misogyny and retribution, among many other amoral activities and traits. It is not historically accurate throughout, and steals heavily from neighboring, competing religions of the time.

The bible, and Christianity, is inflexible and close-minded, especially against any contradiction to it. So we went through millennium ofrepression and the Dark Ages because the church destroyed or hoarded all books and learning. Where would we be if we had never experienced the fear and ignorance of the Dark Ages? Much further along than now, that's for sure. In my opinion, religion is brainwashing: evil and harmful."


(he says a bunch of other stuff too)


*** The Response (in love you see) ***

Interesting views. I have a few minutes so I thought I'd share some thoughts. I believe in the book as you call it. Though I have not alwaysbeen a believer I am now not simply because someone says this is the truth, but because I have experienced hearing the word and it being activated in my life.

Here are a few mis-conceptions:

1. Not all, but a lot of Church's in fact, are dry and do not preach/teach properly because the spirit of God is no where around. -the Bible speaks clearly about spirits/demons/powers/ principalities etc. The Holy Spirit is the only one that glorifies Christ whom intercedes to the Father. John 14:16, John 16:13.

2. You cannot prove anything. Don't be confused thinking you will get far either side of the conversation. Because The Bible also teaches that those who have hardened hearts will not see the truth anyways. Take Ex 4:21 for example. Or even Pharaoh.

3. God is not always gentle. God is love, but don't confuse the kindness for weakness. If you see the examples in the old testament of floods and people getting stoned it's because that was the price of sin. God is Holy and Just. Because of our sin we have disconnected ourselves with the Creator; we were never made to be without relationship with the

Father.

4. God loved us so much He sent Jesus Christ. God made a way that we could reconnect with Him and gave the purest example of just how much He cares. Through the life, teachings, and blood of Jesus Christ we can have forgiveness and as we adapt the mind and spirit that is Jesus Christ we get more power over the worlds influences to do things contrary to what God requires of us. John 3:16

5. Many believers mis-represent the gospel of Jesus Christ and turn many further from it or those who already believe get discouraged. (In response to the story you shared of your friend who kids were misbehaving and parents doing drugs.) Maybe they were recently saved and God has begun a work in them, not for any of us to judge. But I'm here to tell you there is a remnant, a body of believers that have relationship and not religion.

I know that I was at a low point in my life and no one else came through for me except calling out the Jesus Christ. I'm connected to a spirit lead ministry now and the power of God is apparent and undeniable. Witchdoctors and Shamans in Africa even start believe in Christ because they see a power greater than theirs. I pray you all would see 20/20. God loves you that much He made a way to come back, that is absolutely loving, poetic, and everything else you say it's not.

Something I think about is when I didn't believe many years ago, I never made it a point to disprove other peoples beliefs. I wonder what is your drive to disprove Christ and not someone else like Allah? The Bible says you cannot serve two masters, either you serve the true living God or you serve the world which is enmity with God. Rom 8:7. Sin will only focus on destroying, confusing, and stealing that which is truly of God ...that's why.

Peace.