[JHBowden]

However, the people that are routinely the nicest most self-sacrificing people I know are strong Christians. They are humble and kind to everyone.

That's the worst part!!!

Indiscriminate kindness -- to everyone -- means that many do not get what they deserve. Self-sacrifice can't possibly be moral in itself. Christianity ironically is why socialism cannot die in the West.

Christianity used to be badass, with fire and brimstone for unbelievers, manly deeds of the Old Testament held up as an ethical ideal, and presented with clear, sane arguments in its favor instead of the ubiquitous "you just have to have faith and believe" irrationality. At risk of getting myself in trouble, I would say it Christianity during the last century has become feminized and sanitized. It makes a virtue out of being a pussy. Why bother with it in this life?

[luckystarmom]

I don’t think that missionaries that risk their lives in Muslem countries or in China are feminized. I think that is fairly “badass”. I personally know of people that were jailed in a Muslem country because they were suspected of preaching the Gospel.

Those missionaries are willing to give up their lives to preach the Gospell of Christ to unreached people groups.

I think they are amazing!

[Red Boots]

You make some good points. Christianity does promote socialism to some extent most of the Catholics I know are darn-near communists. And the pussiness is there too, as if somehow, being a spiritual person ( and I find this even more prevalent in eastern religions and new age ), means that one should never have an angry feeling. That is nuts. God did say that he would rather have people hot ( angry) or cold, but not lukewarm. Another problem think is our cultures confusion of love with codependency. This is due, in part, to Christianity itself. True ove is not always kind and yielding, but sometimes must be fierce, and even hurtful.