** Christianity is the practice of nihilism — Nietzsche **

For 2,000 years one vile hallmark of xianity has remained its hatred of natural science and skeptical philosophy. The Stoics and Epicureans of Athens laughed at Paul of Tarsus when he spoke to them. Paul’s anti-intellectual rejoinder is still holy writ:

20-Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21-For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22-Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23-but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles . . . . 1Cor1 20-23 NIV

In short, Paul and his fellow down-and-outers created a god glorifying their nihilistic valuations.

27-But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28-He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are . . . . 1Cor1:26-28 NIV

Xianity still appeals to those who believe themselves mistreated. To those in whom resentment surges. To those who must punish their guilty selves. To those who must project that guilt onto others and nature.

“Xianity is the practice of nihilism.” Directed inward, hatred of self. Directed outward, hatred of others and the world. Revenge seekers acting on absolute *truth*.

Hatred is not some peripheral ideological stance — it is Paul’s life-negating worldview, tarted up as the religion of “love”.

bipolar2
© 2008

Why does this guy have to belittle her views and insult her intelligence at the same time?

Because that’s how he reinforces his own beliefs – although, at this point, it’s probably mostly ingrained habit.

I can’t believe the old f*rt is still writing a column. But then, who better to write about the Biblical period? He was there!

A good old-fashioned stoning anyone?

As far as I understand, atheists do not want to be treated by us christians as people who are inferior to us because of their perception of the world. This desire is absolutely just ad correct – to do the opposite is totally against Christ’s words (which we are meant to follow…).
Faith can only stem from freedom. The choice of going to church should also stem from freedom. As a christian I must respect the non-believers’ freedom. But can an atheist “endow” me with this freedom? Or do you really BELIEVE that this is a conflict between “honest and dishonest depictions of reality”?
Sorry for my “special” English – this is not my native tongue.

He goes on in the article to say this:

Let me encourage you also to ask her why she has come to this conclusion. Has someone influenced her? Has she been reading one of the recent books on atheism?

Ooh, look for the wicked kid from the wrong side of the tracks with a switchblade in one hand and a copy of The End of Faith in the other. I wonder if their picture of whoever might be “influencing” the girl looks something like Marlon Brando in “The Wild One.”

And I am sure that Mr Graham and a lot of other Christians consider themselves experts on the topic of whether or not someone is doing what God wants.