Do Atheists Get This?

[Mojo2]

Do Atheists Get This?

Christians aren't perfect. And our sometimes holier-than-thou attitudes are the SECOND most obvious evidence of our imperfection.

What's the MOST obvious indication?

When our sin is made known to the world.

That is when atheists, especially, lead the criticism.

"Hypocrites!" you scream.

Well, that is the wrong way to look at our failures.

Try thinking of Christians as you would the legendary, death defying high wire act, The Flying Walendas family.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BUrc0Eq6FA]Flying Wallenda Historical piece - YouTube[/ame]

It takes guts and commitment and courage to even TRY to face that kind of challenge. And on every day they accept that challenge they put themselves in the position where they can make a misstep and fall.

Yet they persevere despite the difficulty. Despite the possibility of failure.

When the Walendas have fallen to their deaths none of you would have criticized them or celebrated in their failures.

You'd have felt compassion and sorrow.

THAT'S the way to look at Christians.

We try to follow a difficult path in life but we know that we are humans and humans have HUMAN failings.

We sometimes fall.

And when our fall is publicized we suffer greatly.

But when we fail to live up to our own standards and to Biblical standards or we fail to follow Jesus' example or instructions, we suffer greatly but privately and try to do better.

So, atheists, please ease up on the piling on.

We are attempting to do every day what many don't even attempt at all!

We deserve compassion when we fall.

Not derision.

 

[rightwinger]

Live and let live

 

[theword]

Do Atheists Get This?

Christians aren't perfect. And our sometimes holier-than-thou attitudes are the SECOND most obvious evidence of our imperfection.

What's the MOST obvious indication?

When our sin is made known to the world.

That is when atheists, especially, lead the criticism.

"Hypocrites!" you scream.

Well, that is the wrong way to look at our failures.

Try thinking of Christians as you would the legendary, death defying high wire act, The Flying Walendas family.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BUrc0Eq6FA]Flying Wallenda Historical piece - YouTube[/ame]

It takes guts and commitment and courage to even TRY to face that kind of challenge. And on every day they accept that challenge they put themselves in the position where they can make a misstep and fall.

Yet they persevere despite the difficulty. Despite the possibility of failure.

When the Walendas have fallen to their deaths none of you would have criticized them or celebrated in their failures.

You'd have felt compassion and sorrow.

THAT'S the way to look at Christians.

We try to follow a difficult path in life but we know that we are humans and humans have HUMAN failings.

We sometimes fall.

And when our fall is publicized we suffer greatly.

But when we fail to live up to our own standards and to Biblical standards or we fail to follow Jesus' example or instructions, we suffer greatly but privately and try to do better.

So, atheists, please ease up on the piling on.

We are attempting to do every day what many don't even attempt at all!

We deserve compassion when we fall.

Not derision.

When all the Christians fall off their "high wire" act ( death of their flesh ) without seeing their Jesus floating in the clouds, they will awaken in new flesh in Paradise without ever knowing that they believed in false gods and were called Christians in this age.

Isaiah 65
16: So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hid from my eyes.
17: "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

 

[Mr. H.]

Why do Christians set themselves up for difficulties and failures?

Because they have Faith to fall back on?

Who/what do atheists have to "fall back on"?

 

[rightwinger]

Why do Christians set themselves up for difficulties and failures?

Because they have Faith to fall back on?

Who/what do atheists have to "fall back on"?

Themselves....personal accountability

When Walenda falls, it is his fault not a choice of god

 

[HenryBHough]

When you try to force salvation on others you lose your own.

 

[Spiderman]

Is it braver to live a good life out of fear of punishment or for some eternal reward than it is to live a good life for no other reason than to live a good life without fear or greed as motivators?

 

[Mr. H.]

Is it braver to live a good life out of fear of punishment or for some eternal reward than it is to live a good life for no other reason than to live a good life without fear or greed as motivators?

Meh, I'll take the latter. Without the greed bit.

 

[Truthmatters]

Why do Christians set themselves up for difficulties and failures?

Because they have Faith to fall back on?

Who/what do atheists have to "fall back on"?

reality

 

[Derideo_Te]

THAT'S the way to look at Christians.

We try to follow a difficult path in life but we know that we are humans and humans have HUMAN failings.

We sometimes fall.

And when our fall is publicized we suffer greatly.

But when we fail to live up to our own standards and to Biblical standards or we fail to follow Jesus' example or instructions, we suffer greatly but privately and try to do better.

If you want sympathy from atheists then you need to back off the constant anti-atheist rhetoric in my opinion. FYI being an atheist isn't exactly a cake walk either. For Christians you have been given a set of guidelines and an example to follow. For atheists we have to figure out all of these things for ourselves. You have the promise of eternal salvation irrespective of how many times you screw up. Atheists have to make the best of this one opportunity that they have to live their lives.

To go back to your example of the Wallenders you are doing it with a safety net whereas atheists are the ones who don't have that advantage.

So if you want atheists to give you some wiggle room you need to be willing to give atheists the respect they deserve for being willing to live their lives without the safety net that you use to catch you every time you fall.

 

[Mojo2]

THAT'S the way to look at Christians.

We try to follow a difficult path in life but we know that we are humans and humans have HUMAN failings.

We sometimes fall.

And when our fall is publicized we suffer greatly.

But when we fail to live up to our own standards and to Biblical standards or we fail to follow Jesus' example or instructions, we suffer greatly but privately and try to do better.

If you want sympathy from atheists then you need to back off the constant anti-atheist rhetoric in my opinion. FYI being an atheist isn't exactly a cake walk either. For Christians you have been given a set of guidelines and an example to follow. For atheists we have to figure out all of these things for ourselves. You have the promise of eternal salvation irrespective of how many times you screw up. Atheists have to make the best of this one opportunity that they have to live their lives.

To go back to your example of the Wallenders you are doing it with a safety net whereas atheists are the ones who don't have that advantage.

So if you want atheists to give you some wiggle room you need to be willing to give atheists the respect they deserve for being willing to live their lives without the safety net that you use to catch you every time you fall.

No one is going to court trying to prevent you from not believing. Or preventing you from practicing your dis-belief.

You guys are like the Muslims in this dynamic.

Stop imposing your secularism on everything Holy and we will continue just trying to practice our faith and leave you alone.

And as an aside, eveything you know about morality and ethical behavior is based on RELIGIOUS principles.

So, like High School kids trying to break free of the status quo and be different from the rest of mainstream society, I'm afraid you'll have to continue making your way in this life using the same principles you are rebelling against.

 

[Derideo_Te]

THAT'S the way to look at Christians.

We try to follow a difficult path in life but we know that we are humans and humans have HUMAN failings.

We sometimes fall.

And when our fall is publicized we suffer greatly.

But when we fail to live up to our own standards and to Biblical standards or we fail to follow Jesus' example or instructions, we suffer greatly but privately and try to do better.

If you want sympathy from atheists then you need to back off the constant anti-atheist rhetoric in my opinion. FYI being an atheist isn't exactly a cake walk either. For Christians you have been given a set of guidelines and an example to follow. For atheists we have to figure out all of these things for ourselves. You have the promise of eternal salvation irrespective of how many times you screw up. Atheists have to make the best of this one opportunity that they have to live their lives.

To go back to your example of the Wallenders you are doing it with a safety net whereas atheists are the ones who don't have that advantage.

So if you want atheists to give you some wiggle room you need to be willing to give atheists the respect they deserve for being willing to live their lives without the safety net that you use to catch you every time you fall.

No one is going to court trying to prevent you from not believing. Or preventing you from practicing your dis-belief.

You guys are like the Muslims in this dynamic.

Stop imposing your secularism on everything Holy and we will continue just trying to practice our faith and leave you alone.

And as an aside, eveything you know about morality and ethical behavior is based on RELIGIOUS principles.

So, like High School kids trying to break free of the status quo and be different from the rest of mainstream society, I'm afraid you'll have to continue making your way in this life using the same principles you are rebelling against.

Congratulations on blowing your own OP premise!

FYI atheism predates Christianity!

 

[Mojo2]

Why do Christians set themselves up for difficulties and failures?

Because they have Faith to fall back on?

Who/what do atheists have to "fall back on"?

reality

Okay.

But what good has it done society?

As your "reality" has increased in America so has the coarseness, the dysfunction, the unintended negative consequences, the violence and the divisions in society.

That kind of "reality," or reality used in that context, reminds me of some funny and apropos comedy skits from Dave Chappelle's old Comedy Central TV show.

When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIrtSDVbz0s]DAVE CHAPPELLE'S SHOW - "WHEN KEEPIN' IT REAL GOES WRONG" - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Mojo2]

If you want sympathy from atheists then you need to back off the constant anti-atheist rhetoric in my opinion. FYI being an atheist isn't exactly a cake walk either. For Christians you have been given a set of guidelines and an example to follow. For atheists we have to figure out all of these things for ourselves. You have the promise of eternal salvation irrespective of how many times you screw up. Atheists have to make the best of this one opportunity that they have to live their lives.

To go back to your example of the Wallenders you are doing it with a safety net whereas atheists are the ones who don't have that advantage.

So if you want atheists to give you some wiggle room you need to be willing to give atheists the respect they deserve for being willing to live their lives without the safety net that you use to catch you every time you fall.

No one is going to court trying to prevent you from not believing. Or preventing you from practicing your dis-belief.

You guys are like the Muslims in this dynamic.

Stop imposing your secularism on everything Holy and we will continue just trying to practice our faith and leave you alone.

And as an aside, eveything you know about morality and ethical behavior is based on RELIGIOUS principles.

So, like High School kids trying to break free of the status quo and be different from the rest of mainstream society, I'm afraid you'll have to continue making your way in this life using the same principles you are rebelling against.

Congratulations on blowing your own OP premise!

FYI atheism predates Christianity!

Which moral and ethical guidelines do we have today that did not originally come from religious beliefs?

 

[Mojo2]

Is it braver to live a good life out of fear of punishment or for some eternal reward than it is to live a good life for no other reason than to live a good life without fear or greed as motivators?

It takes courage to try to live a life by a set of standards that are more difficult than just doing what comes naturally.

The basic training in the U.S. Marine Corps is more rigorous, disciplined, regimented and harrowing than the training in the Army, Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard.

As a result, members of the USMC Fleet Marine Force is commonly recognized as this country's 911 force.

Their training is heavy on the fear of punishment and stick and carrot.

There's nothing wrong with that.

The hotter the heat, the stronger the steel.

 

[Mr. H.]

I sort of view churches and religion as the nanny state of the soul.

 

[PainefulTruth]

I sort of view churches and religion as the nanny state of the soul.

Amen! I think we're on the same page.

 

[Mojo2]

The erosion of Christianity from our daily public life has mirrored our descent into depravity and chaos.

When you think of the ills of society ask yourself how things might be better if religion wasn't so resented by those who think a lack of religion is cool.

 

[rightwinger]

The erosion of Christianity from our daily public life has mirrored our descent into depravity and chaos.

When you think of the ills of society ask yourself how things might be better if religion wasn't so resented by those who think a lack of religion is cool.

Pick a time...

How bout the 50s?

Blacks were officially second class citizens, Hispanics, not much better. Women were in subservient roles in the home and in the workplace. Gays hid in the shadows out of fear

This was a time when religion was king

 

[PainefulTruth]

The erosion of Christianity from our daily public life has mirrored our descent into depravity and chaos.

When you think of the ills of society ask yourself how things might be better if religion wasn't so resented by those who think a lack of religion is cool.

Religion and the church have been used to foment more evil than you can imagine, including Christianity. No, it isn't like it used to be, mainly because it had its power mostly taken away. But the state has co-opted its power and it corrupt methods of indoctrination, teaching the young to follow blindly instead of thinking for themselves. There will always be evil, and there will always be more of it the less people think for themselves. It's time for the church to focus on the Golden Rule and forget Paul who paganized the Jesus Movement.