say you made art. art was your passion and being an artist was a major part of your personality.
say someone else used to make art. they had a really horrible experience, which coloured their thoughts and feelings regarding artistry. maybe it was a community or teacher, or maybe they didn’t just didn’t like it. maybe they realized that the man-made structure of religion was not all good.
say they shouted it from the rooftops (metaphorically) at any chance they got. “i hate art! art is a mental illness! anyone who participates in ANY kind of art is mentally ill!”
you would think that person was sad and bitter, that they had been hurt many times. the right thing to do would be to show them kindness, to show them gentleness.
(i must say that i can only offer a christian perspective, as i am a christian. my life has not been violently impacted because of my faith, which is widely-held in my community. antitheism hurts, sure, but it’s not going to cause violence toward me, unlike islamophobic or anti-semetic antitheism)
to my fellow christians: when encountering an antitheist or antitheistic beliefs, it’s important we respond with respect and love. too often, especially in my own life, anger is prevalent and not love.
treat everyone like God’s beloved children, because everyone is God’s beloved child.
at the same time, do not justify hate. instead, calmly question it.
i had an encounter with an antitheist tonight, and while i don’t want to re-hash the details of it, i got quite angry. i should have ignored it, or at least treated it with kindness and respect.
however, the lesson i am grateful to God for. i want to hold everyone in love, with that same respect and care afforded to me. i pray that we can all do that. tbh, think it would just be better for everyone.
as always, my thoughts come from a white, middle-class, settler, christian perspective. if i’ve said something you disagree or find fault with, feel free to take it up with me. remember that you are loved infinitely by The Most High.
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.