It is rather astonishing to hear the traditional Christian Story told in such blunt terms as the quote below states. Yet, I think it needs to be said, to remind fundamentalists just how horrible the atonement narrative really is.
“Churches tell people to believe in a male god who, though lacking anything like human spermatozoa, managed to impregnate a human female and have himself born in human form in order to have himself killed to induce himself to forgive some but not all humans for committing the sins he knew they would commit because he made them that way, and although he claims to love them all, he has condemned most of them to eternal torture in the hell he created for the purpose.”
~Barbara Walker, What a Christian Believes In, Freethought Now
Unfortunately, the author of this piece neglects to make clear that large numbers of people who identify as Christian don’t accept this traditional narrative, choosing to focus on the ethical aspects of the teachings rather than the mythological theology retold in this way. There are many who don’t believe all the doctrines, dogmas and creeds of orthodox Christianity.
It is not accurate to say “Churches tell people” these things, nor is it fair to claim “A Christian is one who has suppressed his own common sense enough to believe all these absurdities …”
In my view, it doesn’t serve the cause of Freethought to make these overstated stereotypical claims, throwing a very wide net over all who identify as Christian.
Friendly Freethinker 
I might be persuaded to cut them more slack if these mild-mannered Christians were standing up against the extremists in their religion who are causing real danger for our country. The more rational must take responsibility for countering the insanity. Not quietly slinking out of church but standing up to say “We are better than this!”
You might look into the not-so “mild-mannered Christians” active in Americans United, The Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty, Rev. William Barber’s Poor Peoples’ Campaign, Christians Against Christian Nationalism, Interfaith Alliance, Interfaith America and progressive denominations. Better yet, join them and get involved.
I’m not a Christian, so have no interest in joining them. Those groups aren’t reaching the mainstream very well, as I’ve only heard about them in liberal circles. Are they actively challenging hard core churches and leaders in the Christian arena? Lobbying legislators in challenging bills pushed by MAGA Christians? In other words, are they playing hardball with their dangerous brethren? If you know of such ballplaying I’d love to hear about it.
No one says you have to join all these, just learn about them. It’s easier to complain than to learn who is pushing back, and support their efforts, or at least not lump them all together. Anti-christian rhetoric isn’t helpful, any more than anti-atheist stereotyping.
Sorry, Janet, but you have only to open a newspaper or watch some non-conservative BS network to know that the evangelicals and fundamentalists are politically active towards a Christian nation, complete with a re-emerging of the Church/State and Biblical teaching in schools.
WaPo & NYT are liberal circles you can try the Guardian which I enjoy. Other than that I’m not sure who or what can help you but I’m sure there are other reliable sources of news out there. Yes, this is very big and in all areas of politics right now.
You completely missed my point. It’s the progressive Christians who aren’t pushing hard enough, not the right-wing zealots.
If only more of these moderate Christians would stand up in church to say “We are better than this!” instead of passively standing by while the extremists hijack their religion for trump. If they united en masse to shout down the Christian nationalists we might actually avoid a disaster in November. Until they do, my respect for Christians will remain at nil.
Yes, many more need to stand up and speak out. Yet, many are. Why not join the coalitions working to challenge the extremists (like Americans United for Separation of Church and State, led by a Baptist minister for many years, and now led by a Jewish woman)? Learn about them. Respect between Christians and atheists just might grow.
I financially support Americans United and have for years.
Great, then you’ll know there are large numbers of Christians who are members alongside you, and me.
Apologies, Janet, I see now. I’m afraid the most rabid resistance against the Christian Nationalism is coming from the secular community particularly various atheist movements. Filing lawsuits against religion in public schools for instance. But, yes, if the rest of the religious community stepped in it could end rather quickly. I don’t count on it however, not seeing any resistance from this crowd for anything at all including school shootings.
No problem . I don’t count on it either but applaud groups like Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Just discovered them. Spread the word to rational Christians afraid to speak up. They’re not alone. The rational can’t hide in church or Trump will win.