The simple truth

[Ryantology]

While I agree with your principle, I find the way that christianity seems phrased to that kind of christian renders the option of being nice about it kind of impossible. To the "we're all worthless sinners!" christian, salvation isn't about helping people to the best possible outcome, it's almost a case of debtors and debt collectors, where god is owed worship, and anyone not doing that- in exactly the same way!- as that particular christian, is being delinquent on a substantial debt.

It's not a case of helping anyone, it's a case of bringing in a criminal, almost.

This is the part that always gets me about it, the reason why this whole nonsense of 'salvation' feels like a broken tooth in my mouth. If the firefighters who save me from my burning house are also the ones who set fire to my house, do they deserve my thanks and praise? I would consider a rescue the least of what they owed me. Yet, for some reason, this isn't supposed to apply to the great firestarter in the sky.

Salvation is extortion. You'd better praise me, because I won't be responsible for what happens if you don't.