christiantheatheist:

For those of you that missed it earlier.

This image is a bit extreme and not true at all for most Christians.  

The Bible in it’s entirety is believed to be the inspired word of God.  The Old Testament contains the old covenant, while the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is all about the new covenant.  No longer are Christians required to live by laws of the Old Testament because their salvation is no longer through those rituals, but through the accepting of Jesus dying on the Cross for their sin.  Through faith not acts.

However the Old Testament is an integral part of Christianity.  It’s creation myth and early history all live there.   There are some modern Christians that try to ignore the laws of old testament, but use them when they are convenient.  The most common is what Leviticus has to say about homosexuality.  They feel justified in their use of the Bible as a homophobic tool because it’s also mentioned in the New Testament.  When I was a Christian I did not believe that homosexuality was a sin for one reason; Jesus never said it was.  In the Old Testament, God speaks the words about it, he is quoted and his laws are specifically directed to the people of Israel.  These words were spoken to a specific audience, there are no universal application to the “thou shalt nots…”  Additionally, Not a single word against homosexuality in the New Testament was spoken by Jesus. 

I only use that example because it’s a big one, but if you ever pick up a Bible and read the words in red, actually read the things that Jesus said, you’d also start to wonder where half of the things of  Christianity spring from.  Jesus had a lot to say when you read through the Gospels, but many of the stories are repeated.  Paul is the star of the New Testament, there is no denying that.  Jesus may have been the son of God, but Paul was the author of the religion.  The Gospels are relevant to Christianity, but Paul’s letters take center stage on matters of living the religion.  I often wonder if Paul had known his letters would turn out to be so important to Christianity, would he have been a little less intolerant. 

I am weary of any Christian that tells me they only believe in the New Testatment and profess the strength of their faith.  I was weary of them when I was a Christian and even more so now that I don’t believe in gods.  You cannot ignore some parts of your religion.  You can’t sugarcoat the bad and only focus on the good.  That kind of Pollyanna faith may work for you, but it makes it easier for me to not respect your arguments on religion.  

You can’t lock the bad kid in their room to hide them from the guests because sooner or later their going to break out an embarrass you. ~ Kim