The Anti-Christian Movement

Published on February 14, 2005 By Gideon MacLeish In Religion

In an earlier article, I defined the difference between an atheist and an antitheist. I am noticing a lot of antitheists trending towards being specifically antiCHRISTIAN.

For example, I notice outrage lacking when California schools teach units on Islam, requiring students to take Muslim names and recite Muslim prayers. Yet, they take offense with the name of Christ. I notice further that Michael Newdow hasn't filed an injunction against the use of Roman and Norse gods in the names of five of the seven days of the week. These gods apparently are nonoffensive enough to fly below his radar.

The question I feel must be asked of those who are so virulently anti-Christian is, why does the name of Christ offend you so? In former days, even hardened atheists would cede the mantle of being a "good man" to Christ as a person; now they are inclined to question his existence despite the very obvious fact that, had Christ not existed, Christianity could have been stomped out once and for all by simply disproving His existence in the first century AD.

I have my own answers as to why I feel the name of Christ is so offensive; I will not state them here. My intent is not to inflame others but simply to assert who I am and the fact that my faith is as valid as that of any others (and we ALL believe in something; faith, not religion, is common to all). I do ask those who feel it their duty to ridicule and demean every blogger who makes a profession of faith to self evaluate and ask yourself if your hateful hurtful comments aren't counterproductive to your advancement of atheistic thought. I believe they are, and I would encourage a little self editing in certain replies rather than dogpiling on the believer. Frankly, my blacklist is developing a hair trigger, and I hate to head in that direction.

Respectfully submitted,

Gideon MacLeish

Comments (Page 1)

messybuu

on Feb 14, 2005

I think they're just lazy. It's easy to spot God in the pledge of allegiance or the dollar bill, but to know the origins of the names of the days of the week requires knowledge, as does knowing how many other symbols glorify God on the dollar bill and the Great Seal of the United States, which is why they don't have a problem with other blatant promotions of religion by the government.

As for them not complaining about other religions being taught in public schools, I think a conversation from the most recent Simpsons episode sums it up:

Lisa: Just what we need. Another lame suburban kid who loves rap.
Bart: So? You like the blues.
Lisa: Yes, but the blues are unpopular.

Myrrander

on Feb 14, 2005

proof, Gid, proof

you offer none, yet expect us to take the existance of this Jesus for granted

and don't think because somebody is anti-Christian that they might necessarily be anti-Christ himself. Christians aren't Christ, much as some of them think they are.

BlueDev

on Feb 14, 2005

You get an insightful from me today Gideon.

messybuu

on Feb 14, 2005

proof, Gid, proof

you offer none, yet expect us to take the existance of this Jesus for granted

We do offer proof. It might not be the proof for which you are searching, but we do offer it.

and don't think because somebody is anti-Christian that they might necessarily be anti-Christ himself. Christians aren't Christ, much as some of them think they are.

Well, the names that anti-Christians choose, such as jesusstayscrunchy, sounds pretty anti-Christ to me.

And yes, some Christians think they are Christ, but so many people in the world place themselves on a pedestal. Atheists aren't any less judgmental, arrogant, self-righteous, etc. than Christians are.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 14, 2005

myrrander,

I leave your response intact, but my response to you is a nonresponse. You don't need to accept Christ; that's your choice, but I DO wish you'd show a little respect for the faith of others.

Myrrander

on Feb 14, 2005

jesusstayscrunchy

I don't have a problem with the nonexistant Christ. Just a lot of christ pushers. And no proof was offered. Even Thomas got to run his hands over Jesus, eh?

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 14, 2005

and don't think because somebody is anti-Christian that they might necessarily be anti-Christ himself. Christians aren't Christ, much as some of them think they are.

Actually, btw, I could rip apart your argument from scripture, but since you don't hold it as a standard, what would be the point? You, incidentally, cannot prove Jesus did not exist...tremendous irony for someone who holds "proof" as the be all, end all of knowledge.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 14, 2005

I'm very tempted to lock this thread. Thank you, myrrander, for being "exhibit A".

Dr Guy

on Feb 14, 2005

I found your blog to be very ironic given my early article of the day. Needless to say, I am in full agreement with you on this. It is no longer a seperation of Church and State, but the total abolition of anything Christian by those who are afraid of diversity and the right for people to have their own opinions and faith.

Foxjazz

on Feb 14, 2005

I have an answer!

The reason a lot of people fine it offensive is that they were betrayed by that particular concept of God and it triggers those memories which probably aren't pleasant. Many people have had associated the name of Jesus with unpleasant memories or controling factors other people wield. It depends on who you ask.

Muslim prayer and concepts are less offensive because there are no negative human associations with it in the immediate community like California. There is a big disconnect between America and the muslim concept system. This is a cultural disconnect. America does not understand muslim faiths, so they disconnect it like many things.

The muslim religion is not a source of control for people in our country, however Christianity is a source of power and control from parents or grandparents that have believed in it all their lives.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 14, 2005

fox,

That is actually a very insightful answer. I appreciate it.

bemenaker

on Feb 14, 2005

Not all athethist take this stance that you do. I take equal offense at you trying to ram god down my throat no matter what name you call him. Yes, I find that living in the US, christianity is what is spoon-fed to you the most, but it is not the only thing. It is by far the oppiate of choice in the US, so it takes the most heat from "non-believers."

Our forefather's did not put the word GOD on our money, in the pledge of alliegance, or in most of the places you find it now for a good reason. They did not want to insult those of a different faith/or lack thereof. It was the stupidity of the 50's and the fight of "godless communism" that put it there. If our money said in Allah we trust, I would be just as offended by it, as I am with God there, and that is actually, the most generic term you can have there.

I do understand you point, that you feel christianity takes the brunt of it, here, but that is because the majority of Americans are christian. But I don't have people knocking on my door trying to sell me copies of the Torrah, or of the Koran. (Quaran?) I don't come knocking on your door trying to sell you The Origins of Man do I? If you don't want to take the brunt of it, then don't be the brunt of the problem by trying to force your views on people like me.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 14, 2005

I can honestly say, myrrander, this is the first time I have blacklisted someone and HATED doing it.

Please contact me when you don't feel so impressed with your agenda to attack my faith, ok?

Dr Guy

on Feb 14, 2005

Then you will have noted his choice of words, and perhaps not be offended. He said the 'Anti-Theists', not atheists in general. Anti-theists are the target of this article, not those who would allow all to live with their own set of beliefs. I think your diatribe is mis-directed.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 14, 2005

But I don't have people knocking on my door trying to sell me copies of the Torrah, or of the Koran. (Quaran?) I don't come knocking on your door trying to sell you The Origins of Man do I? If you don't want to take the brunt of it, then don't be the brunt of the problem by trying to force your views on people like me.

Uhhh, I don't remember going door to door trying to sell anyone a Bible. In fact, MOST denominations of the Christian faith DON'T...in the same manner as MOST atheists don't deserve to be branded "antitheists" because they don't ATTACK the faith of those who disagree.

Tell you what: You try not stererotyping Christians based on a minority, and I'll continue to encourage people to stop stereotyping atheists based on a minority (I already do this by distinguishing atheists from ANTItheists).

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