Responding to another dumb Christian’s email.
“The Christian way of life follows Jesus Christ and his teachings. This is a journey of spiritual growth, where believers try to become more like Christ and grow closer to God by learning and applying biblical truths. We must live out the teachings of Jesus in all aspects of our lives. Christians don’t get to pick and choose which parts of the Bible they want to believe!!” ~Email from Christian
Dear Christian,
You are not alone in your belief; many have presented me
with this same argument showing not just the Christian mind’s thickness but
also its lack of originality. The comedy of what you say would make me roll
about the floor laughing if not for being so tragic...
Yes, there is no choice in placing all your faith in a contradictory text.
Even those raised in Christian homes, the most indoctrinated Christians with less choice than someone recruited, still have a choice. In an age of omnipresent media coverage, the Christian constantly finds faith challenged with countless examples of Christian authoritarianism, evangelical greed, facts that contradict scripture, and most of all, a constant display of hypocrisy.
What you describe as a choiceless circumstance is, in fact, a situation almost begging the average Christian to dismiss faith. Many (some of the most brainwashed) choose to leave Christianity, evidenced (again) by mass media such as books, notable people, and videos.
When faced with such overwhelming, daily exposure to evidence contrary to the Christian worldview, to remain a Christian requires willful ignorance, not faith, and certainly not a lack of choice.
You also explain this lack of choice in a tone suggesting we should empathize with the Christian’s lack of choice. It is funny how Christians always find a way to turn the empathy spotlight on themselves, yet have no problem condemning people lacking any choice.
Since the seventies, the American Psychological Association has recognized homosexuality as a naturally occurring variant of sexual orientation.
Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.
Despite mountains of research showing the harmful effects of sexuality suppression and conversion, that “all major national mental health organizations have officially expressed concerns about therapies promoted to modify sexual orientation,” Christians persist with claims that homosexuality is an abnormality, a leftist conspiracy, but mostly a sin, and in any case — a choice.
No one born into poverty has a choice in their circumstance. You can argue the advantages and disadvantages of social insurance, but denying relief to the weakest financial class (the poor) cannot be disputed as a grotesque answer that benefits only the rich by allowing society’s underprivileged members to suffer. Christians, in the majority, support a party that consistently opposes social programs. They argue laziness, poor decision-making, and a plethora of ridiculous excuses insinuating the poor have a choice.
The list goes on and on, clarifying that Christians not only have a choice in what they believe, but they only respect others’ choices when aligned with their worldview.
Saying Christians have no choice forms one of the dumbest arguments against Christian hypocrisy and justifications for their decision-making.
Have a blessed day, Christian!
