My two cents worth:
Concerning "forcing Christian morals/values/beliefs onto others", the Christians in this country are just doing exactly what most of you do, vote. They vote for their values, for the people who reflect their worldview the most. It's rather simple really, and believe it or not, all of you people do it as well.
You get mad at Christians for "forcing" their morals on you, but you want to turn around and do the exact same thing to them! I've seen it many times on this board, in the media, on television, and just about everywhere else.
I'm a Christian who votes according to my moral beliefs. Guess what? So does everyone else! If you all consider that "forcing" my beliefs on you or what not, then so be it, just remember though, you do the exact same thing. If I was an atheist who was pro-life and pro-traditional marriage, would you still be as hostile towards my values? Do I also not have a right in this country to express my opinions through my votes?
Practically everyone here on these boards yells for total tolerance of all opinions, except of course those of Christians. I'll be straightforward with you all though, most people here know nothing but stereotypes of Christians, and you all fall for it too.
Trust me on this, the majority of Christians are not Bible-bashing, idiotic-redfaced, anti-evolution hicks out to condemn the world to hell if they dont repent and believe.
I'll be honest with you though, when I do meet "Christians" who fit that description, I myself cringe, as they just dont seem to understand the right way to spread the message of the gospel, through patience and love. Jesus Christ could be called the one person who ever lived who was more against sin then anyone ever before, and who understood it better then anyone ever has. Yet if you ever read the four gospels, you'd never see him acting like those "Christians". In fact, what you will see is him showing genuine compassion towards the people committing sins. He never condoned sin either, no matter how big or small.
As a Christian, its a hard balance to follow. It's hard to live in this kind of world and not condone sin, and also act with compassion towards those committing it. In fact, it's hard just not to sin period.
It gets rather frustrating perusing these boards and constantly seeing Christians getting bashed. In fact, they are the only group you people on this board do not tolerate, and love to bash over and over again. Why is that? Is that not hypocrisy?
Or is it something more?
I guess, after all this bashing, I can gain some comfort from what you people do here. If I try my hardest to follow Christ and be like him as much as I can, and if I get bashed for doing so, then I must be doing something right.
1 Peter 1:15-16
"But, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy."
Matthew 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you, and say every kind of evil against you falsely because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:44
"But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."
John 15:18-23
"If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, this is why the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don't know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. The one who hates Me also hates My Father."
If you bash Christians, you only make them stronger in their faith and reliance on God.
So while I may not like it, I still thank you all for what you have done.
