The Christian catch 22

It seems to me that theists have forgotten their mission as believers in Christ, and are ignoring the rules regarding resistance to their message. Today's Christians just like those of the crusades are trying to win converts to Christ not just through the preaching of the word but by force. As in the dark ages they want to make belief into an obligation not voluntarily, but rather compulsory.

According to Matthew 10:14 after Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the coming of the kingdom to the "lost sheep of Israel" he then told them: 14. "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town." Jesus, according to the various narratives in the scriptures gave you the option to accept or reject his so called message of slavation/ restoration. The rest of the chapter talks about how the apostles will be persecuted by authorities and gentiles and other religious groups etc.

The funny thing about this is that I have read the bible cover to cover a total of four times and I have never come across any divine mandate or commission for world dominance. Yet it seems that this is what the church has been trying to do ever since it was accepted by the Emperor Constantine and received the backing and military might of the Roman empire. After about 200 plus years of hardship and persecution you would think that the church would have learned through experience a few lessons of compassion. But history has shown us the complete opposite.

Once the church was in full power and recognized as the church of the Roman state, the first things that they did was to exact revenge against the former persecutors. They began a campaign to eliminate all competing religions and compel everyone to accept the Christian faith. Once they were done doing that, then they began turning on other Christian sects which they decided to label heretics because they did not agree with their orthodox views.

If I understand the bible correctly, Christianity was supposed to be a religion based on compassion, love, and peace. Of course Jesus is recorded as saying in Matthew 10:34 :  “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." But in the context in which this passage is set I understand this to mean that there will be strife among ones family, friends, relatives, and even strife within communities because of the new teachings espoused by Christ. Although believers are told to spread the gospel throughout the world they are not told to compel or force people into believing. The choice to accept or reject Christianity is the only free choice I believe that Christianity affords. Beyond that, upon acceptance; you have given up your will to that of the will of God and your newly found beliefs.

But Christians even in today's world are combative. Although it is no longer with sword or in the case of the modern world through the use of modern warfare and military might, they still seem to want to rule the world. In fact I am of the opinion that apologetics as they are used today to so called defend the tenets and beliefs of Christianity is wrong and perverse. Apologetics is good for instructing believers who may be confused about certain aspects of their beliefs. But as a tool to defend the faith it fails miserably. In my opinion in the simplest way possible that I can think of saying this, it's like comparing apples to oranges.

In fact, 1 Timothy 6:20,21 admonishes Timothy (believers): 20. "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21.which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith." Other biblical translations translate "turn away from" as avoid or shun. Theists according to this texts are supposed to be non-confrontational, but as history has shown us this has never been the case.

In 2 Timothy 2:15,16 this same principle is reinforced: 15. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." In other words opposing beliefs within and without the church and discussions of such things are to be avoided. But theists through apologetics and the misrepresentatons and misinterpretations of the sciences seek to do just the opposite of what they are commanded.

This is the Christian catch 22, they are supposed to preach the gospel to the world but at the same time be peaceful and non-confrontational about it. Their job as followers of Christ simply put, is to preach the gospel or good news as they like to call it. Like a business man they lay out a proposition before those they want to reach and you have the choice to accept or reject that proposition. Forcing your beliefs upon society through such conniving measures as political manipulations, and trying to force your gods laws onto the rest of us through legislation is simply not very Christ like or Christian.

Christians are doing exactly what they did during the crusades and the inquisition. They are trying to force their beliefs on the world and some of the more extreme groups would love nothing more than a full blown theocratic society. In a previous and more barbaric age they could simply imprison, burn, and torch you at the stake for not confessing faith in their beliefs. But in today's more civilized world those methods have been outlawed so they must resort to other means such as gaining favor with politicians and using that favor to influence laws in our country that favor their beliefs.

Christians don't care about the rights of others they only care about their own beliefs and rights that they seem to assume that they have earned. In this country theists of all denominations and sects are allowed to worship freely. But that is not enough for them, they want us all to worship with them regardless of our race, creed, or religion. The problem is that they are nothing more than a bunch of psychotic sheep without a shepherd. The many Christian sects in the U.S. alone (around 35,000) attest to the many disagreements amongst them.

In conclusion, theists should adopt the policy of live and let live. You may believe that you are not of this world and that is fine, but you are currently in this world and so you must adapt like the rest of us are forced to do. If someone does not accept your message don't go off on a rant about how they are immoral or the children of Satan etc. Try praying for them in your own private time with your imaginary guy in the sky. Stop being so confrontational and leave those of us who don't want to be bothered alone.

Note: All biblical quotations are taken from the New International Version of the bible.