The Scott, you mentioned you are an atheist but I noticed you write about Jesus (and islam/islime) often and you seem to extol the Christian lifestyle and values. If I may ask, how do you view Jesus? The god of the bible? The son of the god of the bible? A Jewish rabbi? A common man of his time? A man with divine powers?
In regards to a child abuser not being a Christian, I am sure some muslims could say the same and even discover verses from their "holy book" in an attempt to justify it. In fact we often hear how "islam is the religion of peace", how islam is "tolerant" and allows others to believe what they want while devout mohammedans kill innocent people while shouting "god is the greatest"….
My faith was with me for nearly six decades and then I decided I needed proof. It is my decision. I admit I was influenced by a friend's loss of his faith but still, it was my decision. I view the Nazarene as a great man. A holy man, if you will. A man of conscience. A superb teacher and more. There are signs that he was more, for example, the Apostle Peter died for his faith in the Christ. No lying sack of shit smellivangelist of today (e.g., Joel Osteen) would die for faith in the Christ. And yet Peter was crucified for his faith in Jesus of Nazareth. It is said that Peter asked to be crucified upside down as he thought himself unworthy to die as did his Lord.
It is fact he was crucified for his faith. It is legend that he was crucified upside down. Regardless of the latter, Peter's faith was so great he was willing to die for it. Who would do such a thing for a lie?
"Greater than this, shall you do in my name". I have not seen anything done in the name of the Nazarene that equals the miracles associated with him. If it is wrong to desire proof, then Thomas (aka, "doubting Thomas") was wrong. And yet he asked and received proof. I have asked and not gotten anything. To paraphrase - "What father among you, who when asked by his children for bread, gives them a stone?"
To that I would add, "ignores his children". We have a mind capable of questioning a great many things, not the least of which is how did we all get here. God used to do all manner of miracluous things in the old testament. Even in the new testament, there were healings and the like but after the end of the lives of the Apostles, there's been pretty much nothing miraculous going on. I have heard people who say that miracles are hidden from us by the "media" or by the elusive people known only as "them". I say BS. You could not hide the restoration of sight to a blind person. You could not hide the restoration of life to a dead person. Where is the proof? Indeed. Where?
I am disgusted by atheists undeserving of the name who belittle only those that believe in the Nazarene. I have yet to hear one make fun of islime or Buddists or Wiccans or anything else not associated (rightly or otherwise) with Christianity. So I say fuck those atheists. And they don't like that at all. Because the Nazarene's message convicts them of their sins, if you will. They can't handle being told they are sinners and so they get their manties in a wad. Again, fuck them.
Any other questions, please ask and if I can, I will try my best to give a worthy reply. And the profit hoMohammed was a fucking pedophile, ergo his followers have no problem with it. The Nazarene was more than that asshole hoMohammed.
"But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."