SEVEN MYTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY

* CHRISTIANS DON'T BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION. Some do and some don't. Evolution really isn't important to my faith in Jesus though. Unfortunately, some Christians make it important by taking an unrelenting stance on this debate, more often on the side that I disagree with. There are those who say you must choose either evolution or Christianity. For those Christians, I sincerely apologize. They are wrong, and most of them have probably never studied evolution in much depth. They simply take too many things in the Bible completely literally, arriving at the conclusion that evolution could not have taken place. But evolution can coexist with Christianity and God as Creator. I'm a Christian, and I believe in the Bible and science. Certainly, I believe that God created and had a hand in evolution, specifically when the first humans appeared. Really though, whether or not evolution happened is not important to my faith. Problems arise when people dead-set against evolution believe that it is important to their faith.

* CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THE WORLD IS ONLY ABOUT 10,000 YEARS OLD. Again, some do. But that's mostly because of ignorance. The seven days that God took to create everything (well, six days and then rest) probably were not seven 24-hour days. God could have created everything in less than a second if he wanted to. He is not bound by space or time. But seven 24-hour days, followed by only several thousand years up until now make little sense scientifically.

* CHRISTIANS HATE HOMOSEXUALS. Sadly, some who call themselves Christians do hate homosexuals (or, in extreme cases, publicly blame 9/11 on them), but this is not what the Bible calls for. The Bible calls Christians to LOVE. We shouldn't call homosexuals names or treat them like outcasts, lesser human beings, or lepers. The Bible does make it clear that homosexuality is a sin. But, for those who have read the Bible, it's clear that Jesus was loving, rather than hateful. He dined and talked with tax collectors, prostitutes, and other sinners. He showed them a better way, by his words and his deeds. And Christians should follow the example of Christ.

* TELEVANGELISTS SPEAK FOR MOST CHRISTIANS. No. I'm skeptical of most televangelists. Those who say that Katrina or 9/11 was God's punishment on whatever group of people, those who predict exactly when the world will end, those who ask for money and say they can heal you, and even those who say that the Christian life is easy. Televangelists do not speak for me. That's for sure.

* CHRISTIANS HATE A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY. Again, I apologize for so-called Christians you've run across who are full of hate. Remember the fruits of the spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. That's what you should see from Christians. Against such, there is no law.

* CHRISTIANITY IS NO DIFFERENT THAN OTHER RELIGIONS. Come on, this “they're all the same” mentality makes even less sense than saying that your great grandfather had a pet dinosaur (had to put him to sleep when he ate great grandma). ALL RELIGIONS ARE NOT THE SAME! Many of them have shared values and beliefs, but what do you think half the wars in the world are about? They're not all the same! We are not all one faith! Christianity, of course, came from Judaism. Christians and Jews do worship the same God. The main difference there is that Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, foretold to the Jews. Christians and Jews share Judeo-Christian values and beliefs, among other things. But, Islam, for example, is quite different than Judaism and Christianity. Much of what is said in the Qur'an directly opposes the Bible. The God of the Bible chooses the Jews as his people (and later, Christians). The God of the Qur'an very clearly does not. There are plenty of other differences. Oh, another thing that makes Christianity stand out is that the founders of all other faiths are DEAD. Muhammad is DEAD. They're all DEAD. Jesus conquered death. He lives.

* CHRISTIANITY MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU, BUT IT'S WRONG FOR ME. It's either right or wrong. If you're not sure, do some research. Look into it. Read the Bible. Read books about religion. You may come to the conclusion that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, as the Bible says. By believing on Him, accepting Christ and asking Him to take away your sins, which Jesus died on the cross for, we are able to inherit eternal life, rather than eternal separation from God.