How would you reply to an Atheist who generalizes and says "Christianity is morally bankrupt"?

Question

I'm a Christan. I know some Christians can be very judgmental and hypocritical, but for my Atheist friend to make such a statement on Facebook is very offensive to me. I don't consider all of Christianity to be "morally bankrupt". I don't consider ALL Christians to be the way he makes them seem to be.

I still respect the guy and I care about him, but I want to say something to him. He's one of those people who hates Christianity and argues against it so much, it is basically his whole life's mission. If I so much as say one word in the wrong way, he catches it and throws some kind of argument against it to make a point. It's like he doesn't remember he's talking to an actual human being.

Anyways, any thoughts? How would you reply to something like that?

Answer 1

I'm an Atheist myself and I personally don't consider Christianity irredeemable. I'd probably just mention that one only remembers the extremities best. If someone merely believes in God(yes, before anyone thumbs this down, I capitalize it, it's called respect) and is not the loudmouth moral-man, then there's nothing wrong with that. I could elaborate further, but it'd be waaaay too long to list here.



Either way, leave just this one slide, but if he's in your presence when he goes stark raving mad like that, be firm. Drop the fact that he's acting just like an overblown fundamentalist would about an Atheist, that should get him thinking.

Answer 2

So let's get this straight: You're discussing religion and he's the bad guy for responding to your arguments?



Typical theistic attitude. If he can make an argmuent against all your claims don't you think that says something? Your book of hatred justifies murder, rape, genocide, abuse, oppression... I won't waste my time continuing the list. If you consider it moral then you don't know it very well at all.



Edit: Your comparison is hugely flawed. Atheism is the absence of a belief in God, nothing more. There is nothing immoral about that. Christianity is a faith system which demands that people commit murder, worship someone or burn for eternity, abuse people... again, there's a long list. That is immoral.

I'm not sure how much simpler I can make this. Christianity preaches immorality and hatred. If you don't like him saying that, tough. It's not his fault that Christianity is full of hatred, and expecting him to lie in order to say it isn't would be ridiculous. If you think someone has to be nice about those disgusting claims because some people believe them then you're hopelessly deluded.

He didn't even claim Christians are immoral, he said a faith system is morally bankrupt. How is that generalisation? If you think that means that everyone claiming to believe it is immoral then you're the one generalising.

Answer 3

it is really hard not get riled up when someone you love is so against Jesus.

The only way to defeat his hate filled rhetoric is to face it with love. Trying to argue with him, (as indeed with any of these atheists on the site) is a waste of time - They want you to argue back! Living out a Christ like life for your friend could be enough - for example Tony campolo used this story to illustrate this point:

He was in the Dominican Republic with a surgeon friend who spends half his time earning money as a top surgeon and the rest of the time using the money to buy medication for the poor of the Dominican Republic. after administering drugs he preaches the Gospel. Campolo heckled an atheist he knew saying 'What do you think about this?' the atheist friend replied though gritted teeth - "What can I say? He has earnt the right to speak!" against love thier is no defence.



In the same way, I suggest loving him. it may not change his mind but it might start to nudge him in the right direction. Let him approach you.

Btw pray like mad for him!

Answer 4

well ... christians are morally bankrupt... so are alot of others that are not . what it comes down to is this... a lot of christians tell you how you should act and yet cannot come close to what they say you should be doing.

that being said... theres nothing you can do or say to him.... hes one of the jerk atheists that thinks he will change the world on his own. all hes doing is losing friends

hopefully he will find that he should just be quiet and let things work out as they will.

and for you to argue with him will only get you angry... just do what you think is right...take a deep breathe and go on about your business

Answer 5

Do you bring up Christ? The Bible? Tell him he is right that "he thinks" christianity is morally bankrupt. And He is entitled to any opinion of belief he chooses. As are you. If he doesn't want to hear others opinoins he shouldn't offer his own. And vice versa for you too. If you or he opens the can of worms you both know where it will go. You are both responsible and tell him so. Then keep to lighter conversation, or agree to debate your stalemated views.

Answer 6

Ask him for an example and then you can counter with similar examples from Stalin, Pol Pot and others. Then ask him if this proves Atheism is morally bankrupt?



A good prophet is always critical of religion as it is being practiced and society at the time he lives. The only prophet Atheism ever produced is George Orwell. (Society hates me because I am a communist, communists hate me because I tell the truth.) Why has not atheism created more self criticism? The real issue here is self criticism and on that scale atheism and religion are equals both in the goods and evils that they cause.

Answer 7

I'd say he was correct. Any religion that teaches as a basic tenant that human sacrifice and scapegoating is moral is morally bankrupt. Any religion that claims a perfect being would torture people for a thought crime is morally bankrupt. Any religion that places women as less than men is morally bankrupt. Any religion that claims we are born in sin is morally bankrupt. Any religion that glorifies doomsday and is obsessed with bloodshed to the point that ritualized cannibalism is central to that religion is morally bankrupt.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7UImBPq4WI

Answer 8

That isn't a generalization. You need to read closer--he's talking about the core philosophy/morality of the religion (human sacrifice?), NOT individual Christians.

Answer 9

well, lost people always act lost, and sometimes people say they are Christians, but are not living like them. I can call myself a doctor, or an astronaut, but it dont mean squat



I dont think that anyone who hasnt read the Bible or makes generalized statements should be given a lot of credit for knowing much

the Bible says there are only two kinds of people, wise and foolish, and a fool is the one who denies God

Answer 10

Morally bankrupt eh!

Answer 11

He's too extreme. There are a few things about Christianity that are not morally bankrupt.

Answer 12

I say, "Oh my God Magnum" in the voice of the english Higgins character. I in user-friendly terms could desire to stay with one religious zealot, so i'm no longer outnumbered such as you're. suggestions: spend as plenty time removed from abode as achieveable, call for a "secular zone" for your self whilst/the place you will no longer settle for being badgered approximately faith. look for acquaintances who the two have faith besides your self or who do no longer tension their creeds on you.

Answer 13

People in general can be judgmental and hypocritical.



He does not know God. You should stay away from him. God comes first. ( =0)

We have to be careful not to be steered away from God. I think if he is that bad, you should delete him as a friend.



~blessings

Answer 14

Just ignore it unless you want to exacerbate the situation and provoke an argument or even bad blood. Debating over the internet is one thing, but in real life you can't log off. Leave him to his oppinions, and he'll leave you to yours.

Answer 15

For the most part you are correct but you should be careful you do not offend the sane and good ones in the process.



That is how I would respond.

Answer 16

LOL, why wouldn't someone "generalize" ONE belief. Are you admitting that Christians don't follow the Bible and just make up 2 billion different Gods.

Answer 17

Many aspects of christianity belie a dearth of humanity (eternal damnation, chiefly). However, he should be reminded that not all CHRISTIANS are morally bankrupt.

Answer 18

Come on, Christianity is centered on a god who punished all humanity for Adam and Eve's actions.

Answer 19

Well, we atheists have to deal with generalization, and as I do understand that he was being rude, you have to live with it just like we live with a lot of persecution.

Answer 20

I wouldn't reply but I will answer you.

If there is no god, then everybody can decide what is moral or immoral on their own, and we're just animals that die and stay dead, and our lives don't matter.

Answer 21

Christianity is morally bankrupt

Answer 22

Ignore him. He is morally bankrupt and has limited intelligence. Then he is not your real friend but a fairweather pal. A shallow, pretentious idiot.

Answer 23

The best defense is a good offense. Tell them to prove it! That's what they always do. What's good for the goose is good for the gander!



;-)

Answer 24

Do not let the sins and immaturity of other believers corrupt your candle.



Speak the truth in love; trust the Spirit.



God cannot die, God is in us, listen to Him and His encouragement.

Answer 25

Delete him from your Facebook account. Problem solved.

Answer 26

Look at YHVH. He is indeed morally bankrupt. Your friend is right.

Answer 27

yes tell him he is wrong and generalizing



not all christianity is morally bankrupt

Answer 28

True dat.

Answer 29

If I was a Christian, I would reply, "Your sweeping generalization is a failure."

Answer 30

I would agree

Answer 31

Tell him "You're right."

Answer 32

"Good point- i'm converting"