Chance to better theism

[tackattack]

Here's my proposition for anyone interested. If Christianity is such a horrible and hatefull thing in your neighborhood tell me how and what would you say to them were you in their classrooms. I'm doing this because while I consider myself very tolerant, peaceful and loving, I recognize that some people are possibly even trained to spew hate. Because of this, and some other reasons, I've decided to teach a young adults class. I was going over topics and hate and intolerance were big on my list. What are some things you would say to the churches who you've seen as intolerant, bigoted or just down right nasty?

[Edwardo Piet]

Perhaps something about making sure you don't get so over-enthusiastic about your own beliefs that you get absolutist and don't consider the possibility that you might be wrong and so: others deserve mutual respect.

(That only applies when it's the case obviously).

EvF

[Darwinian]

I would ask these churches to invite speakers from peaceful, inclusive, tolerant and most importantly, non literal and philosophical churches to share their philosophies and ideologies with them.

The key to understanding each other is education and open mindedness.

[Edwardo Piet]

Oh and making sure they look into other religions would be good if they are a bit isolated in theirs.

EvF

[KichigaiNeko]

I'd start up a secular ethics class and read ALL the "sacred texts"available and start a debate / discussion with my class...

[Edwardo Piet]

How about giving them some ethical philosophical alternatives to the concept of "sin"?

EvF

[Minimalist]

Be careful you don't get tarred and feathered, tack.

[tavarish]

Sometimes you come to the conclusion that some people are just bigoted assholes and don't want to change.

[tackattack]

@min, lol I've already gotten my preliminary topics approved by the board, pastor and they're perfectly in line with the Church's principles. Some people who call themselves Christians really aren't opposed to questioning their own beliefs, they just don't know how. No worries on the Tar and feathering there.

@tav- true, luckily I don't think I'll find too many, if any, of those in my church. You never know though.

So ethics from a secular perspective
Multiple POV's of religion including religious texts and speakers
yes to mutual respect, no to over-enthusiasm to the point of closed-mindedness

All things I already have.... anything else?

[The_Flying_Skeptic]

i think Christians need to work on being more skeptical. I was in an evangelical Church for a while and they had people get up on stage every time someone wanted to testify to a 'miracle'. A kid comes up the microphone with a cast over his leg, and says that when he was worshiping the other day his pain faded. "Praise the Lord!" they all said, but what about the real explanation: the adrenaline and endorphine uptake upon jumping up and down with your friends in unison with the thought in mind that there's something out there that loves you. That's a cocktail that will ease anyones pain. Speaking of 'intolerance', they would also have kids come up to the mic when they ended a relationship with a 'non-Christian' and applaud... In a way I understand not supporting or encouraging inter-religious relationships as I would discourage atheists from dating Christians or any theist. I see disagreement on such a major controversy leading to problems in any relationship.