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Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: Opinions
Religious uncertainty better than comforting fantasy
Tyrone Rivers says he doesn't believe in religion - he just has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In much the same way, I am not a University student - I just attend classes, buy textbooks and take an exam once in a while.I've heard believers ask me not to understand Christianity or religion by the behavior of its followers, but by the god it describes. Lacking a belief in that deity, I must observe his adherents. As members of a transformative religion, I should expect the Christians I meet to be incredible, shining examples of peace, charity and virtue. I expect to judge Christianity on the basis of how it transforms its adherents.
I've really no need to tell you my conclusions on that. As the adage says, "Oh Lord, save us from your followers!"
Although Rivers' lovely speculation - "Wouldn't you like to live forever?" - is nice, I do not need a comforting fantasy to make my way through my life - especially when that fantasy often comes loaded with bigotry and oppression. My reason has no need of it, and my life doesn't either.
I'll take an honest uncertainty any day.
Phillip Brettschneider
President of Athens Freethinkers, a secular campus organization
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 10
Thank you
posted 4/01/09 @ 1:55 PM EST
Thank you Phillip. I think the attitudes in our world towards christianity would be far less polarized if it weren't for the way so many of it's followers use it as a justification to treat others as lesser beings simply because they do not share the same ideology. (Continued…)
Class of '98
posted 4/01/09 @ 2:22 PM EST
Religion is "loaded with bigotry and oppression"?
Weren't Hitler, Mao, Stalin, and Pol Pot atheists?
Phillip Brettschneider
posted 4/01/09 @ 3:56 PM EST
If you'd like to discuss any of this further with me, I and several other members of the Athens Freethinkers will be sipping fine coffee down at Trappeze on Washington and Hull (in a totally unaffiliated capacity) around 8:00 tonight. (Continued…)
John
posted 4/01/09 @ 5:47 PM EST
Phillip,
"You will know they are Christians by their love," the song goes. I belief in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit is transformitive. (Continued…)
Gil
posted 4/01/09 @ 5:52 PM EST
Phillip we realize you are a raging atheist but must you make it constantly known
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