Atheism

All right, let me state a few things here before I get tackled. One: I'm a Catholic (boo, hiss, yeah, I know). Two: I live in a... I'd say semi-liberal city. Three: I live near an extremely liberal area.

Now to explain the Catholic bit: I've taught catechism, I've learned it my entire life, and I only recently stopped attending mass because I have to work on Sundays. Weekend job at a hospital--I think God will forgive me if I'm helping save lives, don't you?

I say all of this to explain a view here: We, as Christians--because yes, Catholics ARE Christians!-- are acting horribly. And the thing is, most of us don't know we're doing it. Christians, I believe, lead by example. We live the life we speak and hope for. In the book of James it even states this: be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Bearing this in mind...

I have a few atheist friends--yes, friends. I don't use the term lightly, either. Discrimination on a scale just as great as racism has been launched on these people.

I didn't believe it at first either. So I conducted an experiment with a friend, in a local cafe. We were talking--not loudly either--at a cafe in the area. In our private conversation, I said, and I quote, "I guess. Religion is important to folks after all."

My associate, knowing what I was doing, said back, "Well, not everyone is an atheist like you."

That did it. An older woman stood up and came to our table and began to preach at me. I remained silent, of course, allowing her to preach. Then she said "Do you believe?"

Well, continuing in my role, I replied back with rational things to all of the quotes she had thrown at me. Mind you, many of those same quotes I could recite from the age of six. Bible studying was heavily enforced at home, and it's most likely one of the reasons I still believe today.

However... these people made me angry. God made all people, and we all have free will. It is our place to judge others. Here's a proverb for those who would like to preach at anyone: notSee the man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

People have the nerve to scoff and insult atheists, among many others, and yet they are acting just as horribly in their actions. Those who do this are being hypocrites.

We do not live in a theocracy. We live in a country of equal rights. And we must live in unity--it's in psalms, if you want to rely on your faith. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

I can't stress this enough. You claim you're Christians? Then prove it and act accordingly. Preaching and shouting and raving does nothing. And if they don't accept your message, then let it be. You will show in your example. You have no right to judge them. Stop treating people who don't share your creed as if they are your inferior!

By the way, the bit about being nice to others and not yelling or demanding? And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
The book of Ephesians.

Accepting each other, in all our differences and beliefs, isn't just common sense or being "politically correct." That's in our faith. So act it.