God doubters....kindness??

Question

This is actually to the ones who believe in God. I understand that it can become very upsetting when so many people don't believe in God and come against Christianity, etc. It's a pretty harsh world that we live in. I've noticed it especially since I joined Yahoo Answers. But tell me honestly..do you think that by leaving snyde remarks and insults on non-believers' questions will help them to believe that there is a loving God? We're supposed to show love. If we aren't showing love and are taking offense so easily, how will we ever convince anyone that there is a God and He is real? It's ok that people disagree. Not everyone is always going to agree with us. Just make sure that you ultimately show God's love and if you decide to say anything - make sure it's from God. I think a good rule of thumb is to pray before we say anything. Quick to listen - slow to speak. That's what i say. Who agrees?

P.S. I spelled snide wrong =oP

Answer 1

I know you posted this for other believers, but as an atheist I would say not to overestimate the effect Christians not behaving in a Christlike manner has on avowed atheists, at least not on me. Most Christians don't behave in a Christlike manner because their religion is just part of the culture they grew up with, not a spiritual path they chose. I know that. They know next to nothing about their faith, and it's obvious. They care less about following Jesus' actual teachings, and that's obvious. But they are very chauvinistic about their culture, full of triumphalism, and hate non-conformists. They definitely would have hung Jesus on the cross if they'd been there. I certainly know the difference between throwbacks like that and a Thomas Merton, and it's a guilty pleasure and totally immature of me to poke the silly fundies with a sharp stick, as fun as it is.

I think we are all aware the Jesus is a very hard act to follow, and living up to all the supernatural claims of an indwelling god spirit guiding Christians into all truth and empowering them with wisdom and righteousness just hasn't proved out historically. Most atheists I know take the position after a fairly close analysis of the scripture as divine revelation and how it squares with the material world we live in, and finding no evidence that passes scientific methodology we conclude that gods are at best a proposition that is beyond confirmation in objective terms, and most likely simply an invention of primitive man that continues because we as a species have insecurities and needs that religion tries to address, if not completely. For atheists I know, they may point to Christian misbehavior as evidence that no Holy Spirit is living inside anyone, but that doesn't form the basis of our rejection of theism generally.

Having said that, I think you can understand that even if you walk in complete harmony with Micah 6:8, it is not likely to cause any atheist to change their evaluation of the god proposition. It would take God's own measurable and verifiable manifestation to do that. But I think taking the stand you have taken primarily benefits you in removing the cognitive dissonance between the values you claim you hold dear and your actual behavior. In that way you would certainly convince everyone that you personally have integrity and deserve respect for that reason.

What your temperate behavior will not do is convince me, or I think any other atheist, that there's a God of love to be found in your faith. A God of love doesn't murder all of Egypt's firstborn out of spite for Pharaoh, or order captive Midianite women and children executed and the virgins handed over to the troops, or damn all humankind for the sin of Adam, or roast someone in hell for all eternity because they didn't flatter him properly, or watch his only son die because he couldn't get past his ego and forgive humanity for an error one man committed out of inexperience. I'm a lot better father than that, and I would expect a God worth worshiping to be a better father than me. Yahweh is not. Yahweh is a petulant, tantrum throwing monstrosity, who if you encountered such a being in someone else's religion you'd see it clearly.

I completely doubt the possibility of loving anyone you don't know, let alone don't like, and in fact I think you are using the wrong word, instead of one that's fallen out the usage common when the Bible was first translated to English, but still expresses the Koine Greek of 1 Corinthians 13 best:

1 Corinthians 13: 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Paul's theme is not affectionate love, but compassion: Giving to those who lack, meeting needs, helping the sick an injured, being a father to the fatherless, visitng those in prison. Thus the three thousand Biblical entries dealing with helping the poor, something that completely is lost in the dispensationalist view of a world about to be resolved by the rapture.

Being charitable doesn't require you to feel things you don't sincerely feel. It just requires you to do things you might rather not do, like show restraint, build a house, shop for an old person. I have never had a conflict, in fact nothing but friendship with such people that do the hard task of charity, though they are few and far between. Sounds like you may be one of the rare breed. If so, good on you.

Answer 2

I'm hesitant to call people that leave snide remarks " Christians "
I remember Jesus saying something about " Love one another as you would love me " Now, I've read things from " Christians " that I certainly wouldn't say to Jesus.
Yes, the Savior did say something about spreading the word of God, I'll go there. But how you say it is just as or even more important that what you say.

I've had the pleasure of speaking with many Christians, Muslims and a few Wiccans. To be quite honest, quite too many " Christians " come across and down right irritating. Always spouting the same " Jesus is they way, believe or burn " to most questions that I have.
Muslims tend to be responsive. You post a question with their faith in it, and they'll be happy to tell you about it. Nice people as a whole.
Wiccans you have to hunt them down with flashlight. Nice people that tend to keep to themselves.

Christians! Quit being so irritating and try to be a little more Christ-like, okay? You're making the rest of us look bad, and I'm sure God doesn't appreciate it either. -best wishes.

Answer 3

I agree with you in the form that everyone has their right to not beleive, that is a given, we are all creatures of god, given the gift of free will.
I do beleive that to slander God in any way must be addressed. That is the true believers duty, and that is the moment I do state something.
Belief is very unique, everyone has the right to believe as they wish, that is the beauty, but tear up someones belief just because you dont agree.
Love is the ultimate gift, I love all, but even Christ himself "got upset and toppled the tables of those selling in the house of the Lord", why should we do less.
God bless and continue to grow in your faith, you are on the right path.

Answer 4

ahhhh, i do agree! I have also noticed this more since signing up w/ yahoo answers. The answers and then the come backs are sometimes unreal and it can totally offend and sometimes turn people away. It is always better to pray first than to rush and speak. God will give you the answer. STAND STILL AND LET GOD MOVE! That's what I try to live by.

Answer 5

What you're talking about is "meekness". It's the virtue of being able to bear abuse without loss of temper or composure. It's the quality of "not minding". I suppose it must be joined with humility or stoic discipline but yes, I agree with you. People call themselves Christians simply because they now believe that Jesus is their savior or something but true conversion involves a metanoia; becoming alter Christi. 99% of so-called American Christians are anything but that. Look to the saints for real Christians ... Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul the Great, Padre Pio, St. Francis .....

Answer 6

i agree with you, but you need to know that a lot of people say they're Christians, but being a Christian is not justified by words, but by actions and your faith. So anybody can come on here, claim to be a Christian, and act immature. or maybe they think they're Christians because they go to church every holiday. they really dont know the meaning of being a Christian, therefore don't know how to act and conduct themselves according to the Gospel of Christ, and don't understand the right way to "plant a seed" in someones life.

Answer 7

Very nicely put! I find it hard to show the fruits of the spirit myself sometimes but I know that people are watching what I do as a Christian. If I act just like they do, then there is nothing that sets me apart from them....

Answer 8

No it doesn't show the love that God has in us...what it does show is that we are flawed as humans...and we are not always as Christians should be...judgement is not ours to dish out...that should be left up to God...love them like jesus...peace and blessings

Answer 9

I'll be brutally honest with you-the worst advertisement for Christianity is Christians themselves. I view them as the very worst kind of self serving hypocrites. Deceit and intolerance come naturally to them. In fact I actually equate Christianity in its extreme forms with real genuine wickedness. It is an abominable creed.

Answer 10

How do I know it's from God? There are so many versions of the Bible, I am not sure which one to use.