For the sake of argument, let's suppose that Christians are right, that Jesus is "up there" watching us and will sit in judgment of us one day. Let's also, for the sake of argument, give Jesus a free pass for all the evil that people do for their own motivations and all the suffering caused by natural disasters. Let's forget all that and focus only on the evil done in his name and the name of Christianity by those who are supposed to represent him on this earth.
And no, Protestants don't get off the hook with the "oh, that was the Catholics" argument. They proved themselves every bit as bad when they had the power to. They also burned heretics and "witches" at the stake.
If Christianity is true, it means Jesus sat on his cloudy throne and watched as those who represent him on this earth committed some of the most horrid atrocities the world has seen. He watched it all and sent no communiques to his vicars to knock it off, gave no indications of his displeasure and took no action to stop any of it. He just sat back and watched the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the acts of torture, the burning of heretics at the stake, the Salem witch trials, etc.
How would we treat a mortal dictator of a country who knew his generals were doing similar things in his name? Would the dictator be let off with a "well, the generals had free will" defense? Even if he didn't directly order the atrocities, a dictator who knew about them should have stopped them.
Is there any reason not to hold Jesus to the same standard?
If the Christians are right about Jesus, he is the least fit being in all the universe to sit in judgment over anyone. It is he who should ask our forgiveness, not the other way around.
And no, Protestants don't get off the hook with the "oh, that was the Catholics" argument. They proved themselves every bit as bad when they had the power to. They also burned heretics and "witches" at the stake.
If Christianity is true, it means Jesus sat on his cloudy throne and watched as those who represent him on this earth committed some of the most horrid atrocities the world has seen. He watched it all and sent no communiques to his vicars to knock it off, gave no indications of his displeasure and took no action to stop any of it. He just sat back and watched the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the acts of torture, the burning of heretics at the stake, the Salem witch trials, etc.
How would we treat a mortal dictator of a country who knew his generals were doing similar things in his name? Would the dictator be let off with a "well, the generals had free will" defense? Even if he didn't directly order the atrocities, a dictator who knew about them should have stopped them.
Is there any reason not to hold Jesus to the same standard?
If the Christians are right about Jesus, he is the least fit being in all the universe to sit in judgment over anyone. It is he who should ask our forgiveness, not the other way around.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist