Hate mail, Atheist buses and Facebook…. Friday, February 6, 2009

Has the Christian community have forgotten what it is to Love?

[Ed. I have been trying to write this blog (in various guises) for a while, but I have never really known how to phrase it. I am sure that some may find the contents slightly uncomfortable, but if you could refrain from condemning me to an eternity of flaming torment I would appreciate it. So here goes.]

Let love be your only debt! If you love others , you have done all that the Law demands.

Romans 13:8

Since Richard Dawkins unveiled his new “Atheist” bus back in December there has been no shortage of religion-based stories. From calls to make Thought for the Day a more inclusive forum to Papal warnings about the Facebook phenomenon, to  Dr Rowan Williams supporting the disestablishment of the CofE, it would seem that the entrance of the Routemaster has brought our religious consciousness to the fore.

Unfortunately, for some this spiritual awakening has been moulded into a force for hate.

“They tell me to burn in hell and good riddance.”

David Attenborough

A recent article published in the Guardian has revealed that around half of Britons do not believe in Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, with 22% believing in a Creator or some sort of intelligent design.

[Ed. This is neither the time or place to get into a discussion over the various theories surrounding the creation of the universe, but if anyone is interested in finding out my personal thoughts, please click here.]

In a digital age it takes a lot to move someone to put pen to paper, it takes more time and is less comodious than the computer. In other words you’d have to be overcome by a huge wave of emotion, which, in this case, must be Anger.

Last month the Frontline club rescreened “America’s most hated family” in which Louis Theroux follows the Phelps family as the wage a hate war against America. All in the name of God.

The CofE is often accused of watering down the Bible in order to be inclusive, but if this is true then the religious Right are guilty of ignoring the teachings of Christ by continuing to pursue hate campaigns.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets [c] are based on these two commandments.

Matthew 22: 37-40

Anger, hate, condemnation – not really compatible with a God of Love, are they?

So much to do with Religion is political. The various denominations of the Christian Church are entrenched in a battle for supremacy and it seems that the message of Christ is the ultimate loser.

I will never agree with those like the Phelps family who would quicker condemn than offer a helping hand. I do not worship a God who is vengeful or quick to judge but one who gave His life so that we might have a meaningful relationship. So if you want to send hate mail to David Attenborough or protest at a funeral pleae don’t do it and still call yourself a Christian.

Before I finish I wan’t to quickly refer back to Dawkins’ big red bus. At school I was told there are 3 types of belief. There are those who believe wholeheartedly in a specific God, those who believe that there is a “divine” presence but aren’t really sure as to what it is and those who believe without doubt that there is no higher power what-so-ever. Believers, Agnostics and Atheists. So what was with the “probably?” If you are going to take your message to the people on the side of a London Routemaster it’s always best to say it with confidence. Then we can have a reasoned argument.