re: Ultimately it's a matter of faith. For atheists, the smaller leap of faith is believing that there is no God.
Yes but the vast majority of folks in this country are raise Christian, you have to make a concrete decision not to believe in God... that's not easy, and you will be considered an outsider.
I have a lot of respect for religion, especially for some of the Christian missionaries (we've discussed this and the exceptional and unselfish work they do, and how they should be supported). But essentially I'm a Christian raised agnostic.
Funny and true story... The Jahovah's Witnesses came to our door one day, and I explained that I was agnostic, and discussed religion with them for a while. Well I think that they figure I'm an easy target, because they come back EVERY Saturday, and drop off their Watchtower book, and we have a little discussion. They ONLY pull up at my house, then they leave the 'hood, they don't talk to anyone else. My wife thinks it is hysterical, I think it's a compliment.
My point is, the people who think are more likely to be the missionaries that give their entire lives for a cause. They are the true Christians, the folks that follow Christ's teachings. Or they are likely to be atheists, which also earn my respect. The folks that go to church every Sunday, and have political agendas that generally condemn other folks, well, they do not earn my respect.
John |
