Telling people they are sinning is ridiculous
Question:
How can you tell people they are sinning when they engage in "fornication"? This is complete and utter ridiculousness. Let people do what they want without the guilt of having some mythical, non-existent, perverted, homophobic, misogynistic, megalomaniacal god controlling their lives. We are all just atoms in this complex universe; don't pretend you have all the answers to humanity's philosophical and scientific questions.
You, sir, are only a Christian because you were born in a country and society that teaches it and forces it down children's throats without giving them the full picture. There are hundreds of religions in this world, each claiming they are the only correct one. If you were born in another country, you would most likely follow their beliefs.
I am an atheist, so we have a lot in common. You are atheistic toward all other gods, except the Christian God. Just a belief in one God is all it takes for humans to murder, alienate, hate, torture, and corrupt others based on their beliefs in either none, one, or several gods that aren't shared in your belief system; a belief system that was, might I add, most likely determined solely by chance.
If you would care to respond to the issues I have presented here, it would be much appreciated.
Regards,
P.S. Is this part of what you teach at your church? It is part of the New Testament. I Timothy 2:12
Answer:
I'll claim the same right that allows you to tell people they cannot teach their religious views. "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:2).
Technically, I shouldn't need to respond because in your view your remarks are just the result of random forces clashing together. Thus, without a rational, purposeful framework there is no point being made and no way to meaningfully respond.
However, you did claim that belief in a single God is responsible for violence in the world. Please note that you made the assertion without citing any evidence as if that would convince people you are right. If people claiming to be Christians are involved in violence, it is due to their violating their beliefs. Here is a sample of what Christianity teaches:
- Avoid hatred (Matthew 5:21-22)
- Reconcile (Matthew 5:24)
- Love enemies (Matthew 5:44)
- Don't lust (Matthew 5:28)
- Avoid worry (Matthew 6:25, 29)
- Don't make unfair judgments (Matthew 7:1-2)
- Examine self first (Matthew 7:3-5)
- Seek to forgive (Mark 11:25)
- Humility (Luke 14:11)
- Benevolence (Acts 20:35)
- Affection and unselfishness (Romans 12:10)
- Righteous behavior (Romans 12:17)
- No personal vengeance (Romans 12:18-19)
- Respect for the government (Romans 13:1-7)
- Thrift and industry (Ephesians 4:28)
- The equality of men (James 2:1-4)
As Paul noted, no one is against the product of Christianity. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).
In contrast, atheism teaches that nothing matters beyond the survival of the individual. As a result, the greatest destructive wars in history have been carried out by atheists. One historian estimates that 133 million people were killed in wars prior to 1900 and 128 million have been killed since then. [R. J. Rummel, Death by Government, 1994].
- 62 million by the Soviets
- 35 million by Communist China
- 21 million by the Nazis
- 10 million by The Depraved Nationalist Regime (China)
- 6 million by Japan's military
- 2 million by the Khmer Rouge State
- 1.9 million by Turkey's genocidal purges
- 1.7 million in the Vietnamese War
More people were killed by governments supporting atheism than in any religious-based war. Notice that Christianity was not behind these mega-killings. The conclusion is that Christianity, while not able to completely stop atrocities, puts on major breaks against mass killings.
By the way, what gives you the right to condemn violence and mass killings? The people involved believed they had the right to destroy people and you are arguing that all beliefs, including the belief in atheism, are equal.
I guess I could claim that you only believe in atheism because the educational system forced it down your throat as a child. But I would not presume to know where your belief system comes from.
In regards to I Timothy 2:12, your question is an attempt to invalidate a system of belief by declaring that since you don't agree with one of its teachings you are justified to reject the whole. Of course, that means you are setting yourself up as the sole judge of what is reasonable. Therefore, equality would demand that what someone else sees as unreasonable in atheism, such as the claim that randomness produces order, would invalidate atheism. But in answer to your question, see: "Can a woman be a pastor?"
