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Response
in defense of past true Christian good
While
Gerry Wachovsky's Tuesday opinion article
was entertaining, it fell short of thoughtful
writing. After noting that religion incites
others to persecute others, he states, "God
either loves violence and death or just
doesn't exist at all, and I'm willing to
bet on the latter."
First,
while I can't speak about radical Islam
or analyze Dobson's statement, and while
it is true that Christians can be buffoons,
it is clear that he completely misses the
good Christians have done over the centuries.
He just focuses on those who have represented
Jesus poorly. A survey of history will reveal
much good done by those who follow Jesus.
This needs to be noted in order to be fair.
Secondly,
Wachovsky must ask a question: is the oppression
done by certain Christians either a religious
duty or a correct application of the teachings
of Christ? One glance at his life will reveal
a resounding "no." One can't hold
Christianity responsible if so-called Christians
and Christians themselves violate what he
taught. Therefore, blame cannot be laid
at his doorstep, and it is hardly a reason
to think that God himself is either capricious
or non-existent.
Thirdly,
if Wachovsky wants to still insist that
religion (specifically Christianity) influences
people to oppression, then what about atheism?
Has it fared better? Dennis Prager notes,
"In this century alone, more innocent
people have been murdered, tortured, and
enslaved by secular ideologies — nazism
and communism — than by all religions
in history." The killing done by Mao,
Lenin, Stalin and Khrushchev reached over
100 million, not to mention the massacre
committed by the Khmer Rouge. These numbers
alone put even the most liberal assessment
of the crimes done in the name of Christ
to shame.
Perhaps
Wachovsky shouldn't be so confident in the
blanket assertions found in his article.
—Rich Bordner, single subject credential
student, CSULB
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