The Gospel of Supply Side Jesus

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I would call this nonsense. The lack of any requirement that you actually live a life of faith or dedication to call yourself a Christian (or most other religions) makes it all the easier to not be an atheist.

I disagree, Alex.

While I like the quote, I think the word "athiest" may not be the best choice.

However, I agree with the sentiment of the quote wholeheartedly.

If someone claims to be a Christian and yet does not attempt to live according to the tenets of Christianity, why would someone then consider Christianity to be something of interest at all to them? Why would there be a need or desire to participate in something with no practical application or meaning?

I would suggest that when Jimmy Swaggart had his fall, not many people were saying "Cool! I want to be a Christian because that means I can have hookers, too!". Rather, I would figure the vast majority of those who cared to have thoughts about it were thinking "There goes another hypocrite Christian leader". No one likes hypocrisy. To claim to have a faith in the Christian God and yet make no attempt to live up to what the teachings of the faith entail (not talking about making mistakes, as no one is perfect) is the ultimate turn off.

[Alex]

If you want to chang the word atheist to something else then we can have a different discussion. But I have never met an atheist who says "you know, I don't believe in god because religion just isn't rigorous enough these days, but boy, back in the 1400s I'd have been all over that like an Inquisitor on a witch."

Considering that the vast majority of "Christians" I know seem to think that Christianity means nothing more than going to church on Easter I will stand by my claim that more people claim Christianity because it is too easy to do than reject it because it is too easy to do.