I live in a society where religion is a subconscious fill-in for a lack of culture. It is sad to see people at religious functions becoming rather sucked in by hysteria & at the end of it all daily life with it's disregard for anything, even themselves takes over again. If there is a God I'm convinced that he/she/it does not endorse religion at all. Having faith I can understand but religion has nothing to do with any bible teaching whatsoever. Religion in my opinion was merely a very cleverly designed tool to control the masses much like sport these days. I never could & never will understand the need for hierarchy in faith. I thought in God's eyes we're all the same.

You sad lttle athiest, I suppose you grew up in a Christian Society who let you have such freedom of expression and free choice to deny the very GOD responsible for all good in your sad little athiest existence. Maybe if you grew up in Islam we would not be affronted with such a notion of Athiet. In fact we would not be suffering your idiocy at all.

Go peddle your barrow of smelly athiest prawns on the Dawkins Forum (where I go to see people sadder than Muslims). There is a place for Athiests, we have just not created it yet !!

Uninformed - Wow and your post just oozes Christianity ... You can sure feel the love that your alleged maker gave to you through his teachings and when he allegedly died on the cross.

In that answer can you point out the "Do Unto others as you would have them do unto you" OR "Love thine enemy"

See the problem with Christians is that when you declare yourself one you actually are representing Jesus Christ. You are declaring as a Christian you believe in the Lord and his teachings. When you rebuke others you are in effect "Judging others" - OOps the same yard stick will apparently be used on you.

Lead by example - and you might just show people the good that Christians allegedly believe in.

Do it not and you undermine your Christ - I doubt whether you have the divine authority to take that decision.

Finally of course the sermon on the mount by Jesus Christ himself whom you seem to follow says in Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Could an athiest be considered poor in spirit by Jesus? Oh Oh then "theirs is the Kingdom of heaven" Jesus said it NOT me!

Christians who jump down people's throats really need to ask "am I representing Jesus in the way he would want" "Am I undermining my saviour's teachings?" - Good luck with those questions!

Dear Opinionated2,

Your post seems slightly one-sided. What's with the finger-pointing
at believers? We're all responsible for our own actions. We do have freedom of choice - and that includes you... What Christians have jumped down your throat? So now you're determined to do the same, eh?

Human nature - ain't it grand?

Sorry Foxy but I don't think I was jumping down anyone's throat... I was asking the questions of a person who calls themselves Christian basing my questions on Bible teachings.

If you can point out where I jumped down their throat then fine I will apologise.

My point is quite clear .... I was attempting (using scripture) to illustrate how Christians can undermine their own belief system in the eyes of others by not following Jesus' teachings. Jesus in many areas was quite specific on these matters. Afterall "All fall short of the glory of God"

Jesus' teachings place many more restrictions on Christians than Christians seem prepared to accept.

So if an atheist states his position he shouldn't be told "Go peddle your barrow of smelly atheist prawns...." Why do you choose to correct me and not the person who typed this? Isn't defending Jesus' position on this sort of comment more Christian? - that is what I was doing.

Amazing! To quote a Christian - you - "Human nature - ain't it grand"?

Are you unhappy with my choice of Scripture? Was I offensive in any way? Re-read what I said... you seem to misunderstand the softness in which I quoted your doctrinal choice - The Bible.

I once worked with one of those seven-day-God-botherers who always pushed Christian values. Well, his christian values didn't extend to his dogs which he treated like crap. he rather slept in workshops rather than paying for accommodation. he didn't drink (because he couldn't control his temper after a couple of beers), he bought stuff for very little & sold it for as much a he could get. I have seen this kind of behaviour in people of other religions too. giving money to charity & then claiming it back in tax is the most common. very god-proper I must say. In my experience only selfish hypocrites are religious. good people have faith & treat others' fairly.