F6, thanks for all the links. It took me quite a while to browse through them and understand your reason for including them.
Clearly, you are very passionate about your right to have your own beliefs. I respect that right - even as a Christian myself. In fact, I respect your rights *especially* as a Christian, because I know that nothing turns a person sour over religion than having it be evangelized in a dogmatic way.
For myself, I am an intellectual, I appreciate science, I question things, including my own faith, and I am comfortable in what I believe. I only engage in religious discussion when the other party is receptive to it, and I try to listen more than I preach. That is, of course, not a set of traits you'll find from many other Christians.
That, unfortunately, is not what Christ intended. I believe Christ taught by example, and by parable and story, as opposed to dictating, "Thou shalt." Any biblical scholar can verify. The problem with many Christians, however, is the self-imposed evangelical duty to convert others, especially those they see as living in sin - i.e. the way conservatives view liberals.
In many of the discussions I see you having with Todd H, I see you both talking past one another. He offends you quite easily, even though I don't think that's his intention. Of course, his approach is all wrong, and often offensive in general, but I think he is acting in a way that speaks from his heart. Even so, he has been misled by the corruption of modern conservatism, and many of his so-called beliefs come from questionable "shepherds".
That being said, I think the best way to relate to him is to ask questions that get him to wonder why he holds his position. Rather than calling him a hypocrite, ask him whether Christ would support something that goes against the generally accepted teachings of Christ. Like torture. Many Christians believe torture would keep us safe from terrorists, and that it's ok to torture the guilty Muslims who want to kill other people, but what if you asked Todd H to provide reference of Christ willing to torture somebody? What do you think he would say?
I think many Christians have been misled in this country, and even used as a weapon for special interests. It saddens me so deeply to see this. But I can't respond by getting angry about it. That would be easy, and I have gotten very angry in the past, but at this point, I want to try a different tactic. I think that even atheists can appreciate the true teachings of Christ - peace, love, humility - and use that to point out the flaws of those who have been corrupted to think that violence and protest is the answer. I'd think it would be far more effective in dealing with people like Todd H.
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