As an atheist (being that I don't believe in a living God, but I do believe in a higher power so I guess I'm more of an agnostic) can I write a book that supports Christianity? What I mean is this. There have been attacks on what I consider, objectively, the most moral and ethical religion in human history. Regardless of theology, Christianity's tenats teach peace, tolerance, and compassion in a way that no other religion has nor does.
Looking at the religion objectively, I admire it at it's core. I admire the importance it gives to faith and belief. These are intrinsic values that many humans need to feel a sense of self worth as well as connection with their communities. I don't say this in a negative way as one pundit retorted about how "...Christians are weak minded." I don't believe this at all. The vast majority of Christians that I have met are compassionate, caring, and very intelligent individuals that have a reverance for something that I personnaly cannot understand. Yet, I can understand their firm faith and grasp on their beliefs.
I see in Christianity a cause celebre rather than what I see in other religions, which is tyranny and deceit. Rather than go into that negative subject I would like to focus on the positive aspects of Christianity. In addition, as an objective observer of the religion, and I do believe I am due to my disassociation with it, I see a dichotomy within the group. The tenats set forth by Christ are rarely followed by Leaders who purport to be followers of the faith. If this were the case, and this is only opinion, we would not currently be embroiled in the war in Iraq. Now, understand, I fully support the war in Iraq and am glad the decision was made on a secular basis. But in the strictest sense, War disafirms the beliefs taught by Christ in the New Testament. I know I'm going to catch a lot of slack for that statement, but I will stand by it. The Christian world struggles harder than any other religious civilization in history for the simple fact that the Christian tenats in many ways contradict human nature. It is human nature to want revenge, yet Christianity teaches to turn the other cheek. It is human nature to be jealous, yet Christianity teaches jealousy is a sin comparable to murder. It is human nature to be lustful and greedy; again, Christianity is there to temper these natural desires. In conclusion, Christianity is the rutter that keeps many ships going in the right direction, to use a metaphor.
I will not compare or contrast Christianity with other religions. I know there are other benevolent beliefs that contain proper morals teachings and foster congruitiy and respect among us fellow humans, I just see Christianity as a sort of pinnacle of that type of belief, and am rather glad it exists... as an atheist.
Yeah, you're one of the good kind of aethiests, LOL.
Well then: quit dragging your feet and jump on board!
(HE took me in, so I'm purty sure HE'll take anyone. ;^)
Try reading Luke 3:14 -- why did Jesus not tell the soldiers to desert?
Interesting perspective, thanks.