Teach Me Oh Lord, To Love Like You

When does a religious argument simply become a fight between "truths"? Last night, and too far into the morning, I spent my time arguing with vegan atheists over the validity of the Bible, and how someone could believe in magic. Vegan atheists are a different kind of fervent, jealous, and cut to the bone types who have chosen to be zealots of another creed. Many of the things that I learn while talking to these individuals, get lost between the trading of statements. I try and keep my composure, but there is a point when it all comes to bear that the other person really isn't interested in talking about religion, or God, but holding me accountable for the Bible. This accountability isn't reversed or reciprocated because an atheist doesn't like to tell you what they believe. That's not up for discussion. They only want to tell you or prove how stupid you are for believing. One of the things that I learned in this last "battle of the minds"

Matthew 17: 16-21 16  And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him."  17  And Jesus answered,  "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me."   18  And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.  19  Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"  20  He said to them,  "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

Acts 4: 10-12 10 We want all of you and all the people to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You crucified him, but God raised him from the dead. This man was crippled, but he is now well and able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus. 11 Jesus is ‘the stone  12 Jesus is the only One who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us.”

When criticized for believing in the Bible, and putting my faith in text which has lasted over 3 millennia sometimes I can be taken aback by the slights and disrespect which can come from those who aren't of a faith based mentality. We see more and more atheism and counter culture pushing an anti-religion with a vengeful fervor. There is this lack of respect for anything sacred. They blasphemy and speak the and of Jesus, as if it were cussing. Not to mention, the disdain. There is a frightfully abrasive disdain for those who believe that homosexuality is a sin, or who look out for the poor and helpless. More so injuring is the person who claims to be Christian, but does not walk the walk. Much of the rage against those who are seen and called the Christian Right is the attributed to the deceit from those professing to be righteous, but acting in opposition the Jesus' teachings, and The Way. 2 Thessalonians 2: 13-17 NCV 13 Brothers and sisters, whom the Lord loves, G