Christian motives to lie.

[Esquilax]

But, that is a problem to me. Because I, as many many Christians don't fit the "bad" stereotypical profile that is the narrative here. And, that is my biggest gripe with you guys!

Let me put it this way: when it comes to one's innate goodness or badness, christianity is irrelevant. The good people will be good regardless of their christian beliefs, and ditto for the bad ones. Now, those bad people that are convinced to be good by christianity? Those guys aren't good, they're just afraid. I don't find that impressive. Meanwhile, how many otherwise good people are convinced to think just awful thoughts about those who don't agree with them, are enjoined to restrict the rights of others, are dragged down into a hateful spiral because of this looming magic dread hanging above them?

And those are just the more pointed examples. I'm more worried about the constant downward pressure religion exerts, where evidence as a concept is devalued and faith is extolled as a virtue. Meaningless lines get drawn between people based on beliefs... it's silly.

The intelligent ones here are willing to agree that most Christians are not like the few clowns, and news-makers.... yet I am measured by them continually!

I don't think that is fair, or honest. And that was my original point.

Well, that's easy to respond to: based on your arguments and general demeanor, you're compared to the clowns because you act like them. There are plenty of christians that I'm happy to know personally and have a great deal of respect for, but when you assert that atheists can't have morality- as I recall you doing in the past- then I can't honestly place you in that group.

And to ask in a truthful way.... What fun is it for you, and the others to acknowledge the vast majority of "good" Christians? That wouldn't support your disdain for religion. Correct? Because clearly, its only a tiny percentage of BAD Christians you are pointing to.

So, you are not "ALL" being 100% honest.

Considering how happy you are to denigrate atheists while minimizing or ignoring those christians that do bad, you're hardly working to a higher standard on that front, are you? Why not lead by example, rather than sinking to so many of the worst stereotypes?

Am I right? And if not, why am I wrong?

Uh, you do realize that you're on an atheist forum, right? Our opposition to religion naturally entails a certain focus on areas of concern for us, no? But it'd be silly to judge the entirety of our attitude based upon the conversations we have in a setting based around a specific topic, wouldn't it? It'd be like if I extrapolated the entirety of your behavior, everywhere, all day, based solely on what you do in church.