Things Christians say, part 15. Persecuting christians.

A weekly series of responses to the things Christians say to atheists, based on the video reproduced here on 30th January 2012.  The aim is to tackle one every weekend, to give both a moderate, polite response to each question ('Piano'), followed by a more forceful rebuttal of the same question ('Forte'). 

Your atheism is just a way for you to persecute Christians!

Piano

From the point of view of a Christian, this might seem to make sense.

Looking at it through Islamic eyes you might have a different perspective.  For Hindus it would seem equally irrational.

I don't think I need to say any more, do I?


***

Forte

It is quite hard for any rational person to listen to Christians whining about being persecuted.  It happens much too often, and in any case, usually it doesn't mean literal persecution.  None of the persecuted Christians feel physical pain as a consequence of something that an atheist might have said, however physically disappointed they might be.  Usually they mean that they are being treated without special favour.

Can you imagine how that would sound in a political election?  One candidate says something nasty about the other and the other usually responds robustly.  No credible candidate ever says "you're persecuting me" or that its not fair how the other is bulling them.

Considering the record of Christianity throughout the last 1500 years or so, persecution is something that they should understand very well indeed - albeit from the point of view of the persecutor. Now that the Christian faith no longer has a total strangle-hold on society it seems to think that it can play the victim card.  In reality it is no more a victim (and indeed much less a victim) than any other faith.

One thing that is certain about atheism is that it does not discriminate.  Atheists, by definition, disbelieve in all gods without prejudice.  There are different names for atheists who believe in only one god.

For example they might be called Christians, Muslims, Hindus, etc.

I just take it one god further than they do.


Last week: You can't go through your whole life only believing in what you have evidence for.
Next week:  If you were a Christian and now you are an atheist, you were never a true Christian to begin with.

Small note: Shall we broach the topic of Hitler and Stalin acting in the name of atheism soon?  I'm finding it hard to summon the enthusiasm to refute such a ridiculous topic, but it has to be done.