are atheists guilty of intolerance?

[th1b.taylor]

I was quoting Obidiah's post, he was commenting on the OP, which was in reference to comments on an article on the web. In those types of articles just as many Christians do bash other people who have differing opinions, it is easy because it's social media, I sometimes wonder if we would say the same if we were standing in the same room.

No, Jesse, people like these, on the web, are cowards and they hide behind their keyboards.

 

[ReginaForbes]

why is being intolerant something to be guilty of?

I guess you could say I'm holding their feet to the fire so to speak- atheists proclaim they want to "free people's minds" and that they're tolerant, but yet they can't tolerate someone who feels freedom as a Christian. If they're so into a live and let live attitude, why can't they leave Christianity alone?

 

[ReginaForbes]

...it seems like de-clawed, watered down Christianity (conservative or progressive/liberal/whatever) can be good, but Jesus--that guy who can change people from the inside out and forgives ALL your sins--not terribly popular.

Ramble ramble..its not just atheists. You are for me or you are against me, and most people are against Him to some extent.

Totally agree. sometimes I get flak on both sides when I post something online. I try to check first- am I saying anything other than what is in the gospel? if not, then I must be doing something right! LOL

 

[th1b.taylor]

Totally agree. sometimes I get flak on both sides when I post something online. I try to check first- am I saying anything other than what is in the gospel? if not, then I must be doing something right! LOL

Posting what the Bible says has had me removed from a few Christian websites. The most recent was a site run by Canadians when a San Franciso homosexual pastor began to teach homosexuality as an acceptable Christian Lifestyle. When I posted references from both the New and Old Testaments I guess I should have noticed he, after two weeks on site had been made a moderator because he banned me for life.

There is a great deal of intolerance everywhere, especially when it comes to God and what He has said.

 

[ReginaForbes]

Posting what the Bible says has had me removed from a few Christian websites. The most recent was a site run by Canadians when a San Franciso homosexual pastor began to teach homosexuality as an acceptable Christian Lifestyle. When I posted references from both the New and Old Testaments I guess I should have noticed he, after two weeks on site had been made a moderator because he banned me for life..

I believe congratulations are in order! Over 9000 internets to you good sir! I wonder if Jesus hands out purple hearts for every time we get hated on for doing what is righteous.

 

[th1b.taylor]

I believe congratulations are in order! Over 9000 internets to you good sir! I wonder if Jesus hands out purple hearts for every time we get hated on for doing what is righteous.

Regina.
Tell that lout that you allowed to catch up with and to capture your heart that I said you deserve Steak and seafood at the best five star restaurant in town. As I type this I am still laughing. You, like that blond headed lass that allowed me to catch her, are a gem of great value.

But about that Purple heart, nope. I turned it down three times in 'Nam and when I took a round in the right calf I went to my medic and to keep me in my aircraft, he extracted the led and trashed it and he and I spent the next thirty or so days ripping bare bandage off to allow blood to flush the pus out and to heal a good bit slower than it would have if I went to hospital but I still crewed my ship... every day and those crazy kids on the ground needed our service every day.

Today. folks seem to forget about responsibility but my dad was a combat medic in the Pacific and he served the entire war there and had just about a chest full of medals but no Purple Heart. When I asked he told me the Heart was for warriors and like him, I was close combat support, I never needed that medal because I hated hospitals. And I am to old to earn one now. May God bless you and yours, youngster.

 

[Edward]

I was reading the comments in an article on a Christian news website and of course as with any "open" forum there are the atheists posting their usual diatribes..."Christians are bad, hateful, intolerant...blah blah blah" but it got me to thinking... this atheist went out of their way to go to a clearly Christian news site and make verbally abusive posts. How is their behavior considered in any way tolerant? How can they accuse Christians of being narrow minded when they themselves are proclaiming that atheism is the only right way to believe? Well of course when I pointed out the hypocrisy, the atheist promptly freaked out and accused me of being a racist bigot. Excuse me but aren't the majority of believers people of color? Because most atheists I've ever seen were white. And while I'm at it, if someone hates ALL believers (regardless of religion) doesn't that make them antisemitic because they hate Jews as well? Plus why the special attention to Christians? What is it about Christianity that atheists just can't stand? Are they guilty of the same things they accuse Christians of being?

What it comes down to I think is that Christians are the atheists arch nemesis. We claim the God that they refuse to claim. If there really was no God...then there wouldn't be any atheists.

They can't prove there's no God, but that is what they desire because then they can rationalize their sinful behavior. This is one of the reasons that a lot of atheists study and know the bible very well, better than some Christians...but with a different goal in mind. They'll get convicted by the Holy Spirit and feel guilty and wonder...so going and bashing some Christians, or beating one in a debate helps them to appease their feelings of conviction.

Anything will work for them. Anything less than absolute perfection from a Christian. What? you mean you don't know that scripture? Well, that proves that there is no God or you would...and so forth.

 

[jasonc]

I guess you could say I'm holding their feet to the fire so to speak- atheists proclaim they want to "free people's minds" and that they're tolerant, but yet they can't tolerate someone who feels freedom as a Christian. If they're so into a live and let live attitude, why can't they leave Christianity alone?

sometimes Christians are also jerks and obnoxious to them and they push back. not saying that they the athiests aren't intolerant. it depends on the atheist. some don't care and don't talk about religion unless pushed or asked. I know a few of those.

 

[ReginaForbes]

Regina.
Tell that lout that you allowed to catch up with and to capture your heart that I said you deserve Steak and seafood at the best five star restaurant in town. As I type this I am still laughing. You, like that blond headed lass that allowed me to catch her, are a gem of great value.

Oh don't worry about that, Big Man usually cooks me dinner and he's better than any restaurant I've ever been to! I tell him he's missed his calling to be a chef. He'll be cooking for me and my family on Thanksgiving.

But about that Purple heart, nope. I turned it down three times in 'Nam and when I took a round in the right calf I went to my medic and to keep me in my aircraft, he extracted the led and trashed it and he and I spent the next thirty or so days ripping bare bandage off to allow blood to flush the pus out and to heal a good bit slower than it would have if I went to hospital but I still crewed my ship... every day and those crazy kids on the ground needed our service every day.

Thank you and God bless you for your service to our country. Many people in my family and my husband's were in the service. My dad wanted to serve as well but because of health issues he was not allowed (he has a rare pancreas defect he was born with). If he did, he would've gone to Vietnam as well.

Today. folks seem to forget about responsibility but my dad was a combat medic in the Pacific and he served the entire war there and had just about a chest full of medals but no Purple Heart. When I asked he told me the Heart was for warriors and like him, I was close combat support, I never needed that medal because I hated hospitals. And I am to old to earn one now. May God bless you and yours, youngster.

These days I see parents all too often molly-coddling their children "oh little jeffy needs a trophy for doing his homework" kind of attitude. I wish more people had the attitude that our service men and women have- "Just doing our job."- now that's the kind of attitude that DESERVES to be rewarded!

 

[ReginaForbes]

sometimes Christians are also jerks and obnoxious to them and they push back. not saying that they the athiests aren't intolerant. it depends on the atheist. some don't care and don't talk about religion unless pushed or asked. I know a few of those.

As my parents taught me, in mixed company, it's better not to talk politics or religion. And that's fine, if I'm hanging out in a group of people of various backgrounds I know not to start thumping my Bible...as I would expect an atheist not to start touting Dawkins. However, my gripe was with wherever Christians are gathered, if there's an open forum, you bet some jerk is going to start saying hateful junk. I don't like it when atheists do it to Christians and I don't like it when "christians" do it to anyone else (like the westboro baptist kooks!) So, for example, I may think youtubers like thunderfoot are raging morons, but I don't go onto his channel and start dropping f bombs. Then it really makes me wonder, the atheists who go onto Christian sites and start bullying people...maybe they're not just atheist, maybe they're anti-theist?

 

[ReginaForbes]

What it comes down to I think is that Christians are the atheists arch nemesis. We claim the God that they refuse to claim. If there really was no God...then there wouldn't be any atheists.

They can't prove there's no God, but that is what they desire because then they can rationalize their sinful behavior. This is one of the reasons that a lot of atheists study and know the bible very well, better than some Christians...but with a different goal in mind. They'll get convicted by the Holy Spirit and feel guilty and wonder...so going and bashing some Christians, or beating one in a debate helps them to appease their feelings of conviction.

Anything will work for them. Anything less than absolute perfection from a Christian. What? you mean you don't know that scripture? Well, that proves that there is no God or you would...and so forth.

I remember watching Eric Hovind interview some atheists and he asked the question- "If I could prove to you to your satisfaction that there IS a God, would you worship Him?" each and every atheist said "no", which goes to the heart of the matter for them- It's not that they don't believe in God, it's that they don't WANT to believe in God. It's the same way a criminal can't find a cop, he's actively avoiding them! Which is just plain sad because I remember reading the testimony of a former atheist and he said while he was a non-believer he was angry all the time at Christians. Like "how dare they have peace and happiness!" kind of attitude. But once he let his shield down, and investigated faith, he came to the conclusion he was was wasting his time being jealous of Christians when he could've had that same peace and joy all along if he had only set his ego aside sooner.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

As my parents taught me, in mixed company, it's better not to talk politics or religion. And that's fine, if I'm hanging out in a group of people of various backgrounds I know not to start thumping my Bible...as I would expect an atheist not to start touting Dawkins. However, my gripe was with wherever Christians are gathered, if there's an open forum, you bet some jerk is going to start saying hateful junk. I don't like it when atheists do it to Christians and I don't like it when "christians" do it to anyone else (like the westboro baptist kooks!) So, for example, I may think youtubers like thunderfoot are raging morons, but I don't go onto his channel and start dropping f bombs. Then it really makes me wonder, the atheists who go onto Christian sites and start bullying people...maybe they're not just atheist, maybe they're anti-theist?

Many people have been disgruntled by Christians and are more so anti-theists then atheist. Many of them view Christians as inferior, so they get a strange sense of self-importance by demeaning this group that they view as inferior.

Regardless, those atheists who go around trolling the internet are best ignored, as they have psychological issues that drive their erratic behavior. Intolerance is something common to any group, Christian, Buddist, Atheist, Muslim, etc.

I think it's most productive to look for the intolerance in our own hearts, before we look to the world to judge them. That's God's job.

 

[Edward]

I remember watching Eric Hovind interview some atheists and he asked the question- "If I could prove to you to your satisfaction that there IS a God, would you worship Him?" each and every atheist said "no", which goes to the heart of the matter for them- It's not that they don't believe in God, it's that they don't WANT to believe in God. It's the same way a criminal can't find a cop, he's actively avoiding them! Which is just plain sad because I remember reading the testimony of a former atheist and he said while he was a non-believer he was angry all the time at Christians. Like "how dare they have peace and happiness!" kind of attitude. But once he let his shield down, and investigated faith, he came to the conclusion he was was wasting his time being jealous of Christians when he could've had that same peace and joy all along if he had only set his ego aside sooner.

Really. That's funny, and supports what I said really, if there was no God there wouldn't be atheists, lol. They wouldn't have those feelings if God wasn't real.

 

[Edward]

Many people have been disgruntled by Christians and are more so anti-theists then atheist. Many of them view Christians as inferior, so they get a strange sense of self-importance by demeaning this group that they view as inferior.

Regardless, those atheists who go around trolling the internet are best ignored, as they have psychological issues that drive their erratic behavior. Intolerance is something common to any group, Christian, Buddist, Atheist, Muslim, etc.

I think it's most productive to look for the intolerance in our own hearts, before we look to the world to judge them. That's God's job.

Depending upon how you meant that last statement, that could be a dangerous thing to say. If you meant it like I hope you meant it, that we should be tolerant and forbearing of these individuals...we know they're out there, but don't go looking for trouble with them. Don't go to the atheist board screaming God is going to get you all!. That would be wrong.
But if you meant it the other way, as if say...they came here denouncing Christianity and our God...there's no reason for us to be tolerant of that. Kick their butt off the board, and our mods do a good job at that.

Remember David and Goliath? David came in that camp and heard the crap that Goliath was talking, and was like, who does this guy think he is? Why don't someone take care of him? David did not tolerate that sort of thing. David...did not "celebrate diversity" LOL.

 

[WIP]

Was I intolerant when I told my children not to touch the stove? Was I intolerant when I told my children not to slam doors? Was I intolerant when I said, “No!” to my children when they got into trouble? Are we intolerant because we have laws against stealing, mugging, assault, or murder?

When we as Christians or anyone for that matter voice an opinion, concern, or truth of God about sinful behavior, the immediate reaction is to claim we are intolerant or to accuse us of some kind of phobia. Good for us!!! We should be intolerant in that situation. I sometimes think we are too tolerant.

I recall a few years ago when our church was a member of the ELCA and I attended a couple annual conventions before we finally had enough and dissolved our association. When the topic of endorsing practicing gay or lesbian pastors came up and someone voiced opposition the immediate response was that we hated them. This is so not true and in fact just the complete opposite was the truth. We voiced opposition out of pure love for them knowing how God feels about such behavior and how they have twisted scripture in their own mind to justify their actions, which in itself is also a sin.

When I told my child not to play in the street or not to touch the oven or not to hit her sister I wasn’t suffering from some kind of phobia but a deep love and concern for their health and welfare and to teach them about the dangers of poor judgment.

Tolerance with regard to Christianity is not just a matter of being unwilling to accept other’s viewpoints. It can and is a matter of life and death.

God certainly is not tolerant. There is no gray area. In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus doesn’t tell us to just accept sin and let things be. I wouldn’t call this being tolerant. In Romans 1:18-32 God didn’t decide to just let things be. Death is the judgment. Hardly tolerant by any stretch in my opinion.

Matthew 18: NKJV
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

Romans 1: NKJV
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Just my $.02.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

Depending upon how you meant that last statement, that could be a dangerous thing to say. If you meant it like I hope you meant it, that we should be tolerant and forbearing of these individuals...we know they're out there, but don't go looking for trouble with them. Don't go to the atheist board screaming God is going to get you all!. That would be wrong.
But if you meant it the other way, as if say...they came here denouncing Christianity and our God...there's no reason for us to be tolerant of that. Kick their butt off the board, and our mods do a good job at that.

I meant that we should assess our own hearts before the Lord, before we go around saying, "gee those people are so intolerant!" Remember it was the tax collector who said, "God have mercy on me a sinner," who went home justified, not the Pharisee who could pray nothing but thank God for him being superior.

God gives grace to the humble.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers,what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
Matthew 5:38-47 (ESV)

Jesus also calls us to respond differently with regards to retaliation. I won't respond to how the moderators should govern this forum, but I will say that we should show grace, humility and love to atheists. For myself, it was the kindness and genuine love of Christians who led me to the Lord, when I was far away and bitter.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

Was I intolerant when I told my children not to touch the stove? Was I intolerant when I told my children not to slam doors? Was I intolerant when I said, “No!” to my children when they got into trouble? Are we intolerant because we have laws against stealing, mugging, assault, or murder?

When we as Christians or anyone for that matter voice an opinion, concern, or truth of God about sinful behavior, the immediate reaction is to claim we are intolerant or to accuse us of some kind of phobia. Good for us!!! We should be intolerant in that situation. I sometimes think we are too tolerant.

I recall a few years ago when our church was a member of the ELCA and I attended a couple annual conventions before we finally had enough and dissolved our association. When the topic of endorsing practicing gay or lesbian pastors came up and someone voiced opposition the immediate response was that we hated them. This is so not true and in fact just the complete opposite was the truth. We voiced opposition out of pure love for them knowing how God feels about such behavior and how they have twisted scripture in their own mind to justify their actions, which in itself is also a sin.

When I told my child not to play in the street or not to touch the oven or not to hit her sister I wasn’t suffering from some kind of phobia but a deep love and concern for their health and welfare and to teach them about the dangers of poor judgment.

Tolerance with regard to Christianity is not just a matter of being unwilling to accept other’s viewpoints. It can and is a matter of life and death.

God certainly is not tolerant. There is no gray area. In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus doesn’t tell us to just accept sin and let things be. I wouldn’t call this being tolerant. In Romans 1:18-32 God didn’t decide to just let things be. Death is the judgment. Hardly tolerant by any stretch in my opinion.

Matthew 18: NKJV
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

Romans 1: NKJV
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Just my $.02.

We shouldn't tolerate willful wrongdoing within the Christian community, and that is to be worked out within the local church leadership to discipline that individual.

With regards to tolerance of the world's wickedness, I think that Paul's words are very clear on this.

"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (ESV)

We are not to judge or break off association with those of the world, but rather those who call themselves brothers and do the things that God forbids. God judges those outside of the church, and we are to be ministers of reconciliation to these people, not judges.

 

[ReginaForbes]

Remember David and Goliath? David came in that camp and heard the crap that Goliath was talking, and was like, who does this guy think he is? Why don't someone take care of him? David did not tolerate that sort of thing. David...did not "celebrate diversity" LOL.

You can kind of picture it like this: you're having a small get-together with just your family for Thanksgiving. Then all of a sudden a stranger comes crashing in though your front door and starts yelling at you for not making ham, say your food is terrible, they start swearing at the kids, and to add insult to injury they call YOU the invader! Yep, that's the impression those people give off every time.

 

[ReginaForbes]

Was I intolerant when I told my children not to touch the stove? Was I intolerant when I told my children not to slam doors? Was I intolerant when I said, “No!” to my children when they got into trouble? Are we intolerant because we have laws against stealing, mugging, assault, or murder?

When we as Christians or anyone for that matter voice an opinion, concern, or truth of God about sinful behavior, the immediate reaction is to claim we are intolerant or to accuse us of some kind of phobia. Good for us!!! We should be intolerant in that situation. I sometimes think we are too tolerant.

I recall a few years ago when our church was a member of the ELCA and I attended a couple annual conventions before we finally had enough and dissolved our association. When the topic of endorsing practicing gay or lesbian pastors came up and someone voiced opposition the immediate response was that we hated them. This is so not true and in fact just the complete opposite was the truth. We voiced opposition out of pure love for them knowing how God feels about such behavior and how they have twisted scripture in their own mind to justify their actions, which in itself is also a sin.

When I told my child not to play in the street or not to touch the oven or not to hit her sister I wasn’t suffering from some kind of phobia but a deep love and concern for their health and welfare and to teach them about the dangers of poor judgment.

Tolerance with regard to Christianity is not just a matter of being unwilling to accept other’s viewpoints. It can and is a matter of life and death.

God certainly is not tolerant. There is no gray area. In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus doesn’t tell us to just accept sin and let things be. I wouldn’t call this being tolerant. In Romans 1:18-32 God didn’t decide to just let things be. Death is the judgment. Hardly tolerant by any stretch in my opinion.

Matthew 18: NKJV
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

Romans 1: NKJV
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Just my $.02.

The word tolerance has been twisted over the years to mean acceptance. But tolerance is not acceptance. To quote South Park "Look, just because you have to tolerate something doesn't mean you have to approve of it! ...'Tolerate' means you're just putting up with it! You tolerate a crying child sitting next to you on the airplane or, or you tolerate a bad cold...."

 

[ReginaForbes]

Really. That's funny, and supports what I said really, if there was no God there wouldn't be atheists, lol. They wouldn't have those feelings if God wasn't real.

This reminds me of a story- there was a philosophy professor who had one question on the final quiz- prove to me that the chair doesn't exist. Well the students wrote pages and pages about how the chair is this that and the other, but the only student who passed was the one who wrote "what chair?"
This makes me think of how atheists go on and on and on about a God who they supposedly don't believe in...when if they really didn't believe in Him, they would say "what God?" and move on with their lives. The "what God?" atheists are the ones I can deal with, they don't make it an issue or a priority, they just try to live their lives as peacefully as possible and make the best of what little time they perceive they have. It sucks that they chose to ignore God, but I'm not going to go after them if they are leaving me alone to begin with. It's the ones who OBSESS over hating God that I take issue with. I just wanna hit em with a broom and say "shoo, go away!!" like you would to a mean stray dog.