Void of Christ

I don't think anything will change the fundamental irrationality of the god hypothesis, but this is what the church (and I'm leaving that term intentionally vague) must do to earn a modicum of my respect:

* Stop violating the Constitution, and get its grubby fingers out of politics. That means no laws predicated on moralism, and taking its name off of state property (including our national currency, and law enforcement vehicles).

* Acknowledge that religious liberty entails the freedom to believe whatever you like (as well as the freedom of the other guy to believe something different). It does NOT mean you are exempt from the law if your faith demands it.

* Church leaders should live ascetic lifestyles, and not profit materially from their faith (especially not at the expense of the poor and gullible).

* Publicly advocate, in no uncertain terms, for racial justice, sexual equality, and minority rights. Openly oppose anyone and everyone who speaks out against these things.

* Stop obstructing access to education, science, and health care in general, but specifically that which enables people to indulge in "the pleasures of the flesh" more SAFELY and more joyfully.

* Respect that there are as many paths to god as there are people on this planet. There is no "one true faith". Christ (or your preferred prophet) does NOT have a monopoly on salvation.

These terms are non-negotiable. And it is not enough to do some of these things, some of the time. The church must do all of them, all of the time. It cannot simply focus on its strengths, and sweep the dirt under the rug. The church has shamed itself, and must be considered on probation until it has proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is in fact a force for good in the world. God is a tool that was created to serve man, and not vice-versa.

If these words offend you, know that that is not my intent. Religion itself is an offensive concept, and I am merely taking it to task for the evil it has propagated (and continues to propagate) in the world. If you genuinely stand for the positive aspects of religion, then you should be just as invested as I am in making sure the church lives up to its reputation, instead of continuing to drag itself through the mud. I will not acknowledge the good so long as the bad is allowed to flourish.

And if your argument for any of these things is that it's not the church's job, then I ask you, why is the church making it its business in the first place? And if your argument is that YOUR church isn't responsible, well, not being part of the problem doesn't mean you don't have a responsibility to be part of the solution. This is the "there might be flies on those guys, but there ain't no flies on us" strategy of deferment. If every church said this, then the problem would never be addressed. But if every church addressed the problem, it could be solved in a generation.