Respecting the kind and sincere

Let's call this guy Arthur

I can only assume that a large portion of the atheist community would be quick to label open-air preachers as "loons". There's a common opinion amongst many atheists and "anti-theists" that the religious are idiots. And many atheists (not realising they're hypocrites), like to preach these opinions, such as Jim Jeffries, an Australian stand-up comedian, who has some pretty harsh things to say about Christians. Though I agree with many of the points these kind of people make, and we share a mutual knowledge of just how ridiculous religion itself is, I tend to disagree with fellow atheists that mock and ridicule the religious.

Walking through town the other day I passed by a preacher. He was stood there, just as you would expect, waving his arms and bellowing the gospel, "accept your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" and all that garbage. Many thousands of people must have passed him that day, because it was a Saturday, and one of the first real sunny days we'd had in my part of the country. And though the majority of his fleeting spectators will have laughed to themselves and thought "what a nut", I felt something different. It was the first time I'd seen an open-air preacher since my deconversion. And although many of my atheistic views should have stirred annoyance at this man, what I really felt was a profound respect for him.

How is it that an atheist, firm in his convictions, author of a blog all about the evils of Christianity, and contemptuous towards its teachings and influence, could feel a deep admiration for a man who shouts at thousands of people in an attempt to bring about their submission to Christ?

The answer is, it's not about what he is doing, it's about what he believes he is doing.

The man I saw in the city centre is a firm believer in the teachings of the Bible. He may gullable, brainwashed and close-minded. But he believes in care and compassion, and most likely has a formidable love for his fellow man. He believes in divine judgement, and that everyone must go to heaven or hell. So what does he do? He devotes his life to his cause, trying to take as many people as he can with him up to heaven. He is sincere, he is caring, and he is a good man.

Now, don't get me wrong. I still think the idea of such judgement is both absolutely ridiclous and inherently the most evil kind of  "justice" imaginable. I still hate the fact that he is preaching this stuff. I hate the idea that parents brainwash their kids into believing such horrible things. etc. etc.

But this man believes it is true, and he wants to save people. Many Christians don't really believe it's true. Because if they did, they'd be doing what he does, they'd be out in the streets, or overseas, trying desperately to enlighten as many people as possible. But some people do firmly believe, and don't do anything about it. They live normal lives, and don't try to convert anyone. And although these people are those that the atheist community often respect more - they're the ones that "keep it to themselves", and "don't try to shove it down everyone's throats" - I respect them less. Much less. Because if Hell is a real place, a place of eternal and unimaginable torture, then to sit back and do nothing when you could be pulling people out of it is to be an evil human being.

When I was a Christian, I took the teachings seriously. I often wept at the idea that so many billions would be eternally tortured, and the more I thought about this the closer I got to my deconversion. But while I was still a Christian, I tried to convert people, I didn't hide my religious views even though I knew it could have been a detriment to my social life, and I prayed and studied the Bible all the time. If I'd remained a strong believer, it's not unlikely I would have ended up like old Arthur up there. It's the only logical conclusion for a good person who takes the religion seriously.

And that's why I have respect for the sincere. Regardless of their beliefs, if they are good hearted and sincere, I respect them. And I think the atheist community should too. Because if we disrespect those with integrity and kindness, we are detrimental to our own cause. As a community, we want to expand and show people that we are the way, the truth and the light. We want to end religious interference in politics, we want to stop people brainwashing their children, to stop intelligent design being taken seriously, to stop people thinking that we all deserve to be mercilessly tortured until the end of time. But the only way to achieve all that is to show people that we're good just like them. That atheists aren't a bunch of closet satan-worshippers and God-haters. That we're normal people, and so are they, and the only difference is that they believe in stupid things and we're rational.

Let's respect the kind and sincere. Because they're just like us. Only they're unlucky to have been deceived in to believing what they do.

Thanks for reading.