That depends...are we talking about Christianity as it is practiced today, where Christians leave others of different faiths alone in peace? Or are we talking about the Christianity that was practiced in Europe between three and five hundred years ago, when people did unspeakable things to their fellow man over the 'crime' of heresy. In that case, I'd rather that everyone be Jewish, they don't do dirt to non-Jews.
But atheists don't seem to do these things and you are quite correct in that I don't understand why.
Here's a tip: Only the ones who are willing to make fools of themselves over these things are the ones you'll hear about. They're the "Perez Hiltons" of atheism.
That depends...are we talking about Christianity as it is practiced today, where Christians leave others of different faiths alone in peace? Or are we talking about the Christianity that was practiced in Europe between three and five hundred years ago, when people did unspeakable things to their fellow man over the 'crime' of heresy.
No, it doesn't depend. Those who did those despicable things in the name of Christianity weren't real Christians. A Christian is a *little Christ*. Those horrors go completely contrary to the teachings of Christ, so no, those who practiced them were not Christians.
Just like your example of atheists and the "Perez Hiltons" of atheism, so with the atrocities perpetrated in the name of Christianity. People will use anything as an excuse to justify their behavior. If religion works, they'll use that. If something else works, they'll use that.
It doesn't mean the Christianity is to blame.
We are talking about what Jesus taught. If I were an atheist I'd really push for people to follow what Jesus taught.
They're the "Perez Hiltons" of atheism.
Except they are not judging beauty contests but courtrooms, and grading papers in universities.
And they are not making fools of themselves but exercising power in attempting to establish a value system. For instance, by claiming words don't really mean what they were meant to say.
The first step in understanding what I am getting at is not to believe in God but to recognize that truth is an absolute -- not something relative and situational -- and that there is a purpose to our existence.
The next step is to understand that there is a moral code i.e. good and evil that transcends the will of man and to which each man and woman must account.
After recognizing those principles, you will believe in God.