Interview with a MySpace Friend (who happens to be Atheist)

Some of my face-to-face friends and MySpace friends are Atheist. Recently I bumped into Reginald Finley (www.infidelguy.com) on MySpace and asked if he'd be willing to share his thoughts on a few matters relating to Christians and Christianity from his perspective as an Atheist. My questions and his answers follow. I once had a certain stereotype of atheists, which proved to be wrong. One of my atheist friends is a very loving and accepting person, not antagonistic about my own belief in God, and actively involved in community development and issues of social justice. The wording of my subject line first read, "Interview with an Atheist". I changed it because I have grown to dislike labels. I buy into the idea that it is helpful to first understand before seeking to be understood and it is in that spirit I offer this interview. I would appreciate you not leaving comments in some attempt to "convert" Reginald Finley to Christianity. Certainly some people will feel he isn't giving Christianity a fair shake or perhaps has only been exposed to something that is "Christian" in name only, but not the real deal. Be that as it may, I most hope that God will use Reginalds responses in some way to help shape us all into more loving people. God has already used Reginald in my own life and I'm thankful our path's crossed here on MySpace. Thanks Reginald! ***************************

JP: Based on your personal experience, what 3 or 4 words come to mind when you think of the typical Christian? RF: human, tradition, ignorant, narrow JP: What do you view as the intellectual or philosophical weaknesses of Christianity? RF: If belief in God is all about Faith, leave it as such. Why use scientific and philosophical argumentation to support a Faith? To do so shows how weak their Faith is IMO.

JP: Beyond those intellectual or philosophical weaknesses, what personal reasons are you not compelled by Christians or the Christian faith?

RF: There is simply no strong evidence. The synoptic gospels don't add up. No contemporary historians or scholars even heard of Jesus (only much later do folks start talking about him "as hearsay"), yet allegedly hundreds of thousands of witness and totally wild events happened at his death and after. Yet no one wrote of this? Very suspect. Legendary story telling.

JP: What 2 or 3 things do you most wish Christians understood about atheists?

RF: That we are just like them in many ways. We just have one less God than they do. We are not evil by default. We believe in morality. Many of us believe in answering to our communities and neighbors. Most of us don't care what you believe as long as you aren't harming others.

JP: What ways have you personally been offended or disrespected by Christians?

RF: I have been attacked 3 times by angry Christians. I have had guns pulled on me. My family was almost run off the road by an angry Christian truck driver (the big cross on the front was a give-a-away). I was almost assaulted in a parking lot luckily people gathered around to help. The psychological biggie, and it's so much, is that many Christians actually support a God that they call loving, yet this deity believes I'm worthy of being tortured forever. I find that disgusting and highly offensive. I hate it when a Christian tells me in anger, "God Bless You" as if that lessens the intent. I am also offended when a Christian says they love me because the Bible says they must. They cheapen real love. How can they love me when their God believes I'm worthy of eternal torture?

JP: What 2 or 3 things do Christians say or do that drive you crazy?

RF: Read above. :) But I guess also. "I'll give it up to God." (Excuse to do nothing about a situation). "I'll be praying for you." (As if their God is a complete dumb-ass that doesn't know my situation.)

JP: Complete the following sentences: The reason I could never become a Christian is... RF: because I know too much about early Christianity and early religious beliefs. We made them up. I cannot believe in a fairytale as reality.

JP: Christians seem to be most concerned about... RF: the same things everyday people are concerned about. It seems that the politicians fuel religious fervor. Most believers don't think about Hell and Armageddon and gay rights etc...until religious bigots in politics bring it up. They are in many ways, just like me - trying to feed their families, get an education. For some reason though, reason flees when religious thoughts and actions come into play. e.g. Participating in church.

JP: The place I most see hypocrisy among Christians is... RF: Well, I used to see it a lot when I WAS in church. Now I see Christian hypocrisy every single day. On tv, on the internet, on radio. Not perfect, just forgiven remember? So basically, decent "Christian morality" must be questioned when many believers believe that they can do what they want and be forgiven later. I've heard pastors says, "It's my sinful nature", and laugh about it when they treat me badly.

JP: When you hear the word evangelism what comes to mind?

RF: Spreading the "good news" of Christ in any way possible.

JP: When you hear the word church what comes to mind?

RF: People giving up their hard earned money to a building. But hey, if they enjoy the experience, nothing wrong with giving. Perhaps its like a good sci-fi flick to them. I wouldn't waste my money there though. I think churches simply perpetuate our ignorance about the real world.

JP: When you hear the phrase Christian music what comes to mind?

RF: What type? I like southern black gospel. Not all of it. But I have my favs I grew up with. I used to sing gospel and placed a parody on YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-L1HIPPwLU

JP: What suggestions would you give Christians for sharing their beliefs within the pluralistic culture in which we live?

RF: Honestly, I have none. All of my suggestions would be asking them to liberalize their faith and to not take it so seriously. That's all I can beg of them to do. Uncritical dogma of any stripe is dangerous. We must be allowed to challenge all thoughts and actions. Until religion is willing to admit that it just might be wrong. We will continue to have holy wars and the assault on religion freedoms will continue. Yahweh himself said in the first commandment, "Thou shalt not have other Gods before me". If our laws were based on this, America wouldn't be the superpower it is today. I beg of your readers to consider, we are a young species, science is young, our philosophy is young. We have so much learn. Stop taking religious shortcuts. It cheapens our experience of reality. I love reality, I love life. It's the only reality I think I know, it's the only life I'm certain I have.