October 28, 2008
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Conversations with secualr types
This election has provided some interesting opportunities for conversations with Secular types. I find it very frustrating, though, because their understanding of Christianity is often so limited. They throw around words like “Theocracy” and make ridiculous caricatures of Christians that don’t at all fit any person I’ve ever met. But that’s not to say that those types of Christians aren’t out there, and it’s not to say that they don’t get their misinterpretations of Christianity from uninformed Christians. But I feel like there’s so little common understanding that I would have to do so much explaining to these people for them to really understand. But maybe that’s just me.
Anyway, in a recent conversation an atheist friend made a comment about Christians who don’t think atheists can be good people. It wasn’t really on-topic, so I didn’t pursue it, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
Most Christians do not deny that unbelievers can be good, in a certain sense. That is, they can be loving, unselfish, thoughtful, kind, etc. They can do actions which are universally considered good and by human standards they are good.
What we deny is that this human goodness is true goodness. Our works are imperfect, always tainted by our sin, and even our best is marred by our pride, selfishness, self-righteousness etc. The Bible tells us that our righteousness is as “filthy rags.” Our standard is not other people, compared to whom we might be good, but the holiness of God, to which we can never hope to attain without His grace and mercy.
It’s not that atheists can’t be good, it’s that none of us can be truly good without God’s help.
Are there Christians out there who demonize all atheists as horrible people who can’t even care for their families? Probably. Or at least there are probably people who call themselves Christians who do.
I guess this is why we have creeds and confessions. I just wish our culture was literate enough in them to know what Christianity is.
Comments (5)
“There is none righteous, no, not one.”
I think people in any “group” wish the general public understood them instead of stereotyping them. I find it opens up much better discourse when I can demonstrate that I do understand where someone is coming from, rather than showing a lack of knowledge about what they really believe. It helps me to read blogs/articles/etc by people with different worldviews to achieve that end.
Many of us have grown up in a secular culture from Kindergarten. I know my secular peers but they don’t know or understand me. When you read through the Bible, God’s people are almost always falsely accused, misrepresented and understood. Maybe it just goes with the territory.
Well put. It really depends on a person’s definition of good, doesn’t it? Who’s defining… God should be the one to define right and wrong. If humans define it, there are no absolute standards and no reason to do one thing above another! Or not to!
You are brilliant and I love you. Thanks for your comment today. It made my day and made me feel understood in a very much well misunderstood world. I think you have a way of concisely explaining the things I can’t seem to put to words myself sometimes. I appreciated this post as well.
~ Catherine
Oh, I agree, Danielle. Snow relieves all the dreariness of cold and rain. What’s winter without snow? Waaait a sec, it’s not even technically winter yet! haha. Makes you wonder about global warming a bit.
Oh, thanks!! Oh, yes, I can’t imagine how hard it must be with 6 school-age children of different ages. Wow.
One thing I would suggest with regards to spelling. It still means you would have to teach them, but wouldn’t take too much time each day. It would involve using the “Spell to Write and Read” curriculum (consisting of two books and phonograms from Back Home Industries http://www.bhibooks.net/home.html).
You would first teach the first 26 phonograms. Actually, you wouldn’t have to, because the older kids could teach themselves AND teach the first 26 to the younger kids (yes – get them to help you with the younger kids’ teaching! That’s what mom did with us, haha!)
Then start dictating the spelling words to all those who have confidence writing. Start at the level of words that each child is ready for. They start out with 20 very easy words for section A, going through to much harder words for H, I, J and forward. So maybe Brendan and Fiona would be ready for section H or so right away. Have them learn additional phonograms that are needed for the words of that level. At the same time Conall and Aidan could start maybe section C or so, and learn a few extra phonograms needed for those words. (Gradually all the phonograms are learnt as the children proceed through the sections.) Lastly, Aine could start maybe at section A while Mairead learns basic writing skills.
Once each kid knows the phonograms needed for their level, then proceed to giving out 3 words a day to the youngest to write out, maybe 5 a day to the middle two, and maybe 7 or more a day for the oldest two, and a few review words for each. That way, the only time you spend is actually reading out the words to all of the kids as they sit around the table. One word to each kid in turn, and as they’re writing it down give one to the next kid, etc. Maybe this would only take about 20 minutes each day? Then Friday could be review day…
You could even have Brendan and Fiona take turns reading out the easier words to the younger kids, and then all you would have to do is read out B & F’s words to them (because they’re not allowed to see their words before figuring out the spelling!). There are markings to put in, and these markings help reinforce the spelling.
It really is amazing how the words stick in their minds when they have to go through the process of “figuring out” how to spell them using the phonograms that they know. I was impressed when I used it teaching in the school, and it works just as well with my own kids!!
Whew. Hope that wasn’t hopelessly confusing. Just an idea…