Will you accept my apologies?

Question

I always thought that athiests were just jerks because most of the questions from them on here are mocking Christianity, and when people ask them why they do it, they say that Christians are judgemental and cruel...I always thought they were just making excuses to be hurtful to us UNTIL I SAW THIS:

"Are you an atheist, if so you are a creep!?"- This was a question posted by someone who's name was (get this): I LOVE GOD.....yeah. This is unacceptable; it is no WONDER Atheists have such a low opinion of Christians on this forum. Please know that this is NOT the kind of behavior that Christ expects from His followers....this person is clearly confused about what being a Christian really means. I would like to apologize to everyone whom this girl offended, especially athiests.

"Why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye, then you'll see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye."

That quote is from Matthew 7:3-5
THE BIBLE

Skeptic,

I am absolutely no better than her. I have had mean thoughts about Athiests because of how they offended me in the past (like thinking they were jerks), but I never posted anything mean about them. I know I'm no better than anyone else, but I felt the need to apologize on behalf of all Christians for this crazy behavior! :)

Answer 1

So, you are apologizing for some other person who claims to be a Christian. Are you sure it is not a wolf in sheep's clothing? I think everyone should do their own apologizing as the need arises. You seem to be placing yourself on a high pedestal over other Christians. Have you checked the log in your eye.

Answer 2

It's not even just that. Almost every day I see people coming on here saying "atheists deliberately deny God so they can live life without any morals" or something to that effect. I mean, I take huge offense to that. I make a big effort to be as good a person as I can possibly be, and then people come on here suggesting that I don't care about other people's feelings because I don't think there's any consequences after death. I can't speak for every non-Christian here, but it's those kinds of comments that put me in an arguing mood. And people make them all the time here. I have no problem with Christians and I have no problem with Christianity, and I don't think many atheists here do either. But when people come on here and make nasty and downright insulting assumptions about a group that I fall into, which happens here all the time, THAT is what we don't like.

But anyway... yeah, thanks for the apology... that was very nice of you.

Answer 3

YOU shouldn't have to apologize for OTHER Christians' lack of Christian charity. There are jerks of every ideology and opinion. But it is a nice gesture. Some atheists will take pot-shots as a matter of course, but many are responding in kind to the misplaced zeal of Christians they have actually encountered.

True Christianity is a very hard path to tread. It's all about humility, sacrifice, turning the other cheek (i.e. "losing"). It takes the side of the helpless and hopeless, the maginalized and outcast (more "losers"). It proposes true justice AND mercy, love and vulnerability, all undesireable qualities in a dangerous, uncaring world. Yet Christians understand this is the way to build up the Kingdom of Heaven, to imitate Christ.

It's very tempting to adopt the tactics of the enemy, to militarize Christian thought and strike at targets rather than engage hearts, to shout down the detractors rather than demonstrate a better way to live by our actions. God's way is too slow, too uncertain. We have to fight fire with fire, even if we burn away our ideals in the process.

There's an old joke: "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" It's a twist on the older saying, "They will know we are Christians by our love." So often, the temptation is to coerce unbelievers into faith, but honest conversion comes from inside, based on the evidence of other Christian lives. If they can't tell the difference, what difference is there?

The ancient Christian church was vulnerable, persecuted and very focused on love. Since its legalization in 312, the spirit of God's love has had to maintain a vigil against triumphalism and arrogance. The goal is not to "win" or to be "successful", but to be "faithful" to the gospel. Some "Christians" just don't get it.

Answer 4

You are quite right in pointing out that Jesus' teaching and that person's remark are complete opposites.

However, you were also correct that "most of the questions from [athiests] on here are mocking Christianity, and when people ask them why they do it, they say that Christians are judgemental and cruel...they [are] just making excuses to be hurtful to us..." They are.

Answer 5

I totally agree. But don't clump all the atheists together yourself. I have seen some perfectly reasonable and polite responses and questions from atheists given there beliefs. Bad behavior is definitely not limited to any particular group. Neither is kindness. You don't need God to be kind. You need him to get to heaven and rectify the sin in your life and be made whole. There are sometimes oranges in with the good apples as well as bad apples.(meaning not all 'Christians' have actually accepted Christ.

Answer 6

You owe me no apology. I don't believe that all Christians are like this. Most of my friends are Christians, and they have never said such things except in jest. I don't have a low opinion of anyone in this forum. I just wish we could all see that there is no right religion; there is just the right religion for you. And for the record, you shouldn't apologize for anyone else's statements; you are obviously better than that.

Answer 7

Any one with any reasoning ability what-so-ever would know that individual is not representative of the majority of the Christian population. I took no offense. I just poked a little fun back at her/him. Debate is healthy. Not that anyone's mind is going to be changed but it solidifies our own thoughts by discussing them. The remark was uncalled for but the ability to ignore such comments is a great attribute to have.

Answer 8

Thank you...but, I'm a Jew and this kind of thing is also done to Jews, Muslims or anyone who is not Christian. The depth of the hatred and bigotry exhibited by some Christians here is appalling. I realize that there are probably more Christians like you than like the ignorant trolls who call themselves Christians. Usually I just say that if Jesus wants a person like them to be a follower, then he has poor judgement and I want nothing to do with him.

Answer 9

It's good that you can see how a Christian is NOT supposed to be but this kind of thing comes from all sides at one point or another. From believers and non believers alike. Have you ever been appologized to for being told your intelligence is sub par because you choose to believe in Christ?

Answer 10

i like that log in your eye bit.
atheists get a lot of this from christians. thanks for opening your own eyes to it. many christians won't even bother looking at the evidence and just blanket it by saying the atheists must have started it. if you didn't do anything like this, then you don't need to apologize. the best thing you could do is bring it to another christian's attention so they can correct it. and i'll do the same on my end!
thanks!