exchristian.net

     Exchristian.net is a website dedicated to "encouraging de-converting and former Christians."  To the practicing observant Christian this will seem to be a collection of hateful and intellectually arrogant individuals spewing venom at something which they obviously do not understand.

     In a post by Brendon Rexford, God is referred to as a "fictitious sky phantom."  He says, "I found fundamental extremist Christianity the most hateful, narrow minded, controlling, and contradictory thing I have ever laid eyes upon."  As a Christian, I apologize to Mr. Rexford for what an extremist church may have done to him.  Every thinking well-meaning Christian knows that there are hateful churches like that, arrogant in their ignorance of the true meaning of Christianity and dismissive of anyone not sharing their narrow views.

     In the reader comments following the article a debate arose between several atheists and at least one traditional Christian (possibly more; everyone is using pseudonyms).  The atheists come across as increasingly dismissive, insulting, and abusive, resorting to "aha!" and "gotcha!" statements in response to what they see as unsupported or contradictory arguments.  Everyone, both atheists and Christians, seems to be repeating the same arguments over and over.

     The argument is pointless.  Do not argue with atheists, it merely drives them further into their intellectual do-loops, spinning around repeating their humanistic prideful self-congratulations.  It is not the duty of the christian to convince atheists that they are in error.

The duty of the Christian is to be able to provide a capable and rational explanation for their faith.

"...be ready always to give an answer of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."  1 Peter 3:1

     We really are different from them and they really don't understand.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned ... but we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:14, 16.

     The Christian should calmly present the truth and then step back.  There is no need to "win." Victory for the Christian is found in obedience to the Lord.  Let the Word of God do the work.

"... no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." 1 Corinthians  12: 3b.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.