An Enlightening Phone Call
On Tuesday morning I received a phone call that seemed innocent and arbitrary at first, but in retrospect revealed a lot about our society and myself. The call was from a woman who knew my name and was quick to say, “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to sell you anything!” She then told me “they” were phoning people and reading them “inspirational messages from the Bible”.
When I politely declined her offer she asked me what I thought about the terrible things going on in our country.
“Like what?” I asked.
“Oh, like crime and xenophobia?” she replied.
I dodged the question but then heard myself saying, “I think what you’re doing is great!”
For the record: I do not!
Why do non-Christians like myself always feel they have to tip-toe around believers and take the utmost care not to offend them? The woman was quick to distance herself from a lowly salesman, but then started her own sales pitch! Instead of a vacuum cleaner or newspaper subscription she was selling Jesus! I wouldn’t have given a salesman nearly as much time as I gave her and I can’t help wondering why that is?
I’m not saying that churches and religious groups don’t do good work in many communities, but it always seems to have the ulterior motive of converting others to their beliefs; almost like a politician saying they’ll build a housed for you in return for your vote. Except the Christians don’t want your vote; like a used car salesman, they want your soul! Why can’t good people just do good things? Do we really need the church to legitimise our altruism?
I often read about the ongoing debate between scientists and theologians and have noticed an interesting trend: scientists are very busy trying to find more proof of natural selection and evolution, but the religious seem solely concerned with disproving and vilifying members of the scientific community and their beliefs. The Christian argument never seems to be based on research or evidence, but mainly on ancient texts and opinion. I am neither scientist nor theologian, I am merely an observer, and from where I stand the evolutionists are making a lot more sense. If we base our beliefs on the strength of an old piece of literature in a few hundred years we'll all be worshipping Harry Potter and cricket captains will be heard saying: "Voldemort made me do it!"
While Christian democracies are banning movies like Zeitgeist and books like Dawkins’ The God Delusion they are in turn demolishing their last vestiges of credibility. By withholding freedom of speech and ideas the notion of Christians as non-judgemental and pillars of morality is revealed as absurdity.
When I politely declined her offer she asked me what I thought about the terrible things going on in our country.
“Like what?” I asked.
“Oh, like crime and xenophobia?” she replied.
I dodged the question but then heard myself saying, “I think what you’re doing is great!”
For the record: I do not!
Why do non-Christians like myself always feel they have to tip-toe around believers and take the utmost care not to offend them? The woman was quick to distance herself from a lowly salesman, but then started her own sales pitch! Instead of a vacuum cleaner or newspaper subscription she was selling Jesus! I wouldn’t have given a salesman nearly as much time as I gave her and I can’t help wondering why that is?
I’m not saying that churches and religious groups don’t do good work in many communities, but it always seems to have the ulterior motive of converting others to their beliefs; almost like a politician saying they’ll build a housed for you in return for your vote. Except the Christians don’t want your vote; like a used car salesman, they want your soul! Why can’t good people just do good things? Do we really need the church to legitimise our altruism?
I often read about the ongoing debate between scientists and theologians and have noticed an interesting trend: scientists are very busy trying to find more proof of natural selection and evolution, but the religious seem solely concerned with disproving and vilifying members of the scientific community and their beliefs. The Christian argument never seems to be based on research or evidence, but mainly on ancient texts and opinion. I am neither scientist nor theologian, I am merely an observer, and from where I stand the evolutionists are making a lot more sense. If we base our beliefs on the strength of an old piece of literature in a few hundred years we'll all be worshipping Harry Potter and cricket captains will be heard saying: "Voldemort made me do it!"
While Christian democracies are banning movies like Zeitgeist and books like Dawkins’ The God Delusion they are in turn demolishing their last vestiges of credibility. By withholding freedom of speech and ideas the notion of Christians as non-judgemental and pillars of morality is revealed as absurdity.
