The problem with this line of conversation is the use of the term "Christian" when what's actually being discussed is Roman Catholicism. Rome has certainly appropriated to itself the entire mantle of Christianity (witness Pope Benedict's recent pronouncements), but the practices of the Roman church have little to do with Christianity from a Biblical point of view. The notion that one man can excommunicate another from Christ's church is just one of Catholicism's deviations. The murder of tens (hundreds?) of thousands of people throughout history who disputed Roman Catholic authority is another.
Many (most?) people who think Christianity is evil think so because they allow the Roman Catholic church the position it claims for itself. That's extraordinarily sad. If the Roman church is indeed the "harlot church" of Revelations 17, it's part of Satan's plan to keep people from God. If that's true, the plan is working.
If one wishes to dispute Christianity and is willing to do so on the basis of an honest reading of Scripture, I can respect that. (I disagree of course, but I can do it respectfully.) If one wishes to dispute Christianity based on the actions of another who happens to call himself a Christian, that's just a strawman.
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The problem with this line of conversation is the use of the term "Christian" when what's actually being discussed is Roman Catholicism. Rome has certainly appropriated to itself the entire mantle of Christianity (witness Pope Benedict's recent pronouncements), but the practices of the Roman church have little to do with Christianity from a Biblical point of view. The notion that one man can excommunicate another from Christ's church is just one of Catholicism's deviations. The murder of tens (hundreds?) of thousands of people throughout history who disputed Roman Catholic authority is another.
Many (most?) people who think Christianity is evil think so because they allow the Roman Catholic church the position it claims for itself. That's extraordinarily sad. If the Roman church is indeed the "harlot church" of Revelations 17, it's part of Satan's plan to keep people from God. If that's true, the plan is working.
If one wishes to dispute Christianity and is willing to do so on the basis of an honest reading of Scripture, I can respect that. (I disagree of course, but I can do it respectfully.) If one wishes to dispute Christianity based on the actions of another who happens to call himself a Christian, that's just a strawman.