SYNOPSIS OF RECENT “DISCUSSIONS”
Principle tenet of Christian conservatives: If reason and evidence conflict with religious beliefs, reject reason and evidence.
Attempt to discredit anyone bringing unwanted information by: liberally using the word “hate” and the phrase “out of context;“ quoting the Bible; decreeing that a loving God will condemn them to eternal agony on judgment day, but spinning this to “you will be condemning yourself;“ creating a smokescreen by asking senseless questions and denying the veracity of every statement made.
Various surveys, e.g., Pew, Gallop, ARIS show that the South (Bible belt) is the most religious section of the country and the Northeast is the least religious.
The FBI reports year after year that the violent crime rate in the South is the highest in the country while the violent crime rate in the Northeast is the lowest. Apologist say there are socio-economic factors involved, e.g., education and poverty. True, the better educated are less religious and the poorer are more religious.
Why is there a high correlation between Christian religiosity and unacceptable behavior? Christian dogma teaches that Christ shed his blood for our sins. Thus, thanks to the sacrifice we are either without sin or at the least our sins do not matter. Our personal responsibility for our conduct has been removed by a myth.
Additionally, by accepting Christ as our “Lord and Savior,“ we will spend eternity in paradise regardless of our earthly behavior. “I believe” before we die atones for a plethora of bad behavior. The believer acts to achieve a future reward, the freethinker acts because it is right to abide by rational behavior--the Golden Rule which places the onus for behavioral decision making on the individual.
The believer asks God for behavioral guidance. Invariably, God gives the desired answer.
“Should I blow up an abortion clinic?” Yes. Are homosexuals an abomination? Yes. Are non-Christians worthy of scorn? Yes. Should I invade Iraq? Yes.