From CNN:
If they were the only Christians spewing hate, they could simply be ignored. But they are not. Alarmingly, some well-known Christian leaders and pastors have articulated thoughts that range from intolerant to truly hateful.
The Christianity I grew up learning from was hardly hateful. I was brought up Congregational, which is pretty much "generic Christianity" for all intents and purposes. My minister didn't believe the old testament was true but, instead, a series of stories we were to learn lessons from.
Adam and Eve? Job? Noah? Even most of the Moses stuff? Stories created for a purpose.
Most of all, you were taught to treat others as you would be treated (as Christ would say) and, unlike the Roman Catholics, not assume everyone who is not Roman Catholic (or Christian) would go to hell.
In the long and short of it, live and let live. And be a good person.
The problem I have these days is two-fold:
First, people like Dean Obeidallah who take the most prominent figures in the media on religion and make a generalization that these people represent ANY kind of majority. They don't. There are ministers all over the place who are good, decent people who preach tolerance for everyone because, hey, that's what the crux of it was all about.
Second, I have an issue with the kind of Atheists (not all, but just a small minority) who believe that it's important to insult anyone who has some religious belief system. Many of the comments I see from some of these folks are just downright rude and unecessary. We know you think our belief system is stupid and childish and a fantasy world for people who can't "cope" with the idea that there is nothing out there, but just as every person is more complex than your first impression so are the belief systems of many.
In my case, I like the idea of a God. Do I believe it's true? I'd like to. And being a reasonable, intelligent person I can't ignore the arguments to the contrary. It's beyond logical. But the issue with me is I believe despite that and, if it proves to be false, I'll be the last to know. Doesn't make me weak. Doesn't make me ignorant. I don't really spend much time thinking about it. It's more of an optimism thing than anything else. If I am wrong (and I may be) what's it to you as long as I'm not some idiot like Fred Phelps or those "I hate gays" morons? To me, they're as far removed from real Christians as anyone can get - and the people who follow them are just looking for a place to vent their already twisted or racist views on others.
I respect your religion, whatever it is or lack thereof. To me, it's not about what you believe or don't. It's about who you are as a decent person. That's all that's really important, isn't it? That you don't treat others poorly? It's about your attitude and whether you respect or disrespect what I believe - and your need to put it in an easy to understand bucket.