General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A Short Note On Christian Atheism. [View all]Nevernose
(13,081 posts)Or at least one of the best.
She said that knowing full well that Im a total and complete atheist and always will be. In fact, it was one of the reasons she married me. Shes still a faithful, devout Christian and probably always will be.
Both of us feel that theres a whole lot more to Christianity than begging God for forgiveness (essentially a selfish act), asking God for stuff (even important stuff is essentially a selfish act), asking for divine intervention on behalf of other people ((essentially a selfish act because its literally the least you can do for someone). Worrying about heaven and hell (essentially a selfish act), worrying about the End Times (essentially a selfish act), worrying about ones sins (essentially a selfish act), worrying about other peoples sins (essentially a selfish act and also makes you kind of an asshole).
Actually doing stuff? Thats hard. Not usually difficult in and of itself, but when compared to the difficulty level of wishing, hoping, and rhetorically requesting, its hard.
Helping other people? Hard.
Turning the other cheek? Hard.
Not holding onto hatred? Hard.
Having faith in something? Hard (and surprisingly few fundamentalist types have any real faith, in my experience)
Loving your neighbor? Hard.
Feeding the poor? Hard.
Reading the Bible and thinking about it for yourself, maybe even get some other viewpoints on parts? Virtually impossible for a lot of congregants, depending upon the congregation.
(Ironically, I simultaneously became both ethically Christian and devoutly atheistic as a young child attending Mike Huckabees church.)