Reply #30: Since you asked sooo nicely,

[chefgirl]

Your name calling and accusatory vehemence toward me pretty much brings into specific relief who I meant by 'you guys'.

I'll be the first person to tell you that I am FAR from a 'nice' person, and don't even jokingly entertain the notion that I'm anywhere near 'religiously pure'. I am a Christian because I believe in what Christ taught, simple as that. Much as I might try to walk that walk every day, be sure, there ARE people who piss me off and cause me to step off that path from time to time.

There are good atheists and bad atheists, but because a few of them are assholes, then I guess, following your logic, its perfectly acceptable for me to just decide they're all assholes and leave it at that??

See how ignorant and narrow minded it is for some anonymous person on some discussion board to decide for you what the "reality of your religion" is?
You don't have the first idea what the 'reality' of my personal religion is, and the only thing I am responsible for, that was done in the name of Christianity, is what I have done in the name of Christianity. Don't try laying the blame on me for 2000 years of people with their own agendas perverting the true meaning of Jesus' message.

All I asked for is for people who lump all Christians into the same group as the mouth breathing, (Old Testament) scripture quoting, radical right wing fundies to step back and think before 'you guys' do that. Recognize that there is a world of difference between them and Christians who actually believe in the message of Christ, and not some judgemental, bigoted version of that message.
If you saw that as me wanting someone to pat me on the back and tell me how wonderful I am, then you've completely missed the point.

I dont give a happy damn what you think of my beliefs, just as I don't give a happy damn what YOU believe in. THAT is what separates me, and many other Christians, from those fundie whack jobs who would work toward taking away your right to believe or not as you choose.

I don't need or want a pat on the back for that. Just call me a Christian.

-chef-