By Rachel Alexander
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 28, 1998

In defense of Christianity

It is becoming increasingly "hip" to ridicule the Christian religion, the largest single religion in the U.S. This is primarily due to the increasingly pervasive influence of the media and Hollywood. Surveys show that few media and Hollywood types believe in God, while 96 percent of the general populace does. This results in a skewed portrayal of the Christian religion, since most media and Hollywood portrayals of Christians depict them as weirdos, which they claim represent Christians.

How often do you see Christians portrayed on the nightly news as good, decent people? Rarely, because the media would prefer to show them as ignorant. How often are Christians depicted as heroes in movies nowadays? Almost never. Religious people are generally typecast as villains or weirdoes.

These portrayals reflect inaccurate stereotypes, since surveys have revealed that Christians as a group have more education than the population in general and are equally represented in the upper echelons of society, from advanced scientists to national leaders. Ever notice how many politicians pray or mention God in public, as opposed to the elite members of the media?

Furthermore, studies show that Christians have fewer alcohol and drug problems and suffer less stress than average. Obviously, the media exposes its agenda by choosing to misrepresent Christians.

It is now politically correct to protest any reference to the Christian religion, since it might "offend" someone who is not a Christian. Even though many things offend us every day, the Christian religion has been singled out as so offensive that it must be removed or prevented from display in as many segments of society as possible. Dr. Ruth Westheimer may speak about how to have good sex at a school graduation, but a generic prayer is prohibited.

Similarly, any reference to God or prayer in schools is against the law (since it might offend the non-Christian children), but sex education is mandatory (regardless of how much it offends Christian children). Whether or not you believe the majority of the U.S. is Christian, it is wrong to propagate prejudices and stereotypes and single Christians out for separate and unequal treatment.

The arrogance of the anti-Christian crowd is revealed by their dogmatic mockery of Christianity, which persists even though they have not disproved the existence of God. Since they cannot perceive God's existence, this must mean God does not exist. This is like saying that since ants cannot comprehend the existence of people, we must not exist.

An esteemed archaeologist, Nelson Glueck, has declared that he has never discovered one artifact that contradicts the Bible. The Bible is the best-selling book of all time, having been translated, retranslated and paraphrased more than any other book in history. Its authenticity has never been disproved, probably since it has more manuscript evidence than any 10 pieces of classical literature combined. Funny how nobody questions the authenticity of Homer's Odyssey, considering only 643 manuscripts of the Odyssey have been found, but the Bible must be a fraud even though over 24,000 of the Bible's New Testament manuscripts have been discovered.

One of the ramifications of stomping out Christianity has been an erosion of the values that are important to society. Christianity teaches values such as not lying, not stealing, not murdering, and being kind to your neighbor.

As children are taught that Christianity is a despised religion in our society, which must be kept out of the schools and government at all costs, they will naturally learn to despise the values associated with it.

Our culture is currently experiencing a backlash against Christianity. It is considered trendy to make fun of anyone who admits that society needs good values. Any Christian who dares speak out publicly against this backlash is considered "oppressive." However, the reason Christians believe in promoting good values is out of genuine concern for all people in this world and the hereafter. So it is perplexing to me why certain segments of society are intolerant of Christians, while insisting that it is Christians who are the intolerant ones.

Meanwhile, Christians are insulted daily. I regularly hear rude remarks about Christians that offend me. I guess people assume that it is cool to insult Christians and that everyone else shares this condescending attitude. Insulting Christians is an easy acceptable way to fit in and be cool, even if you don't know much about the religion. Those Darwin fish that people put on their cars are an especially easy way to look cool if you have never studied evolution and its flaws. Furthermore, by insulting Christians, you can be reassured that you are correct, since this is the position of the "enlightened" media and Hollywood.

Does this mean that I should silence all non-Christians, since I have been offended? No, because we need to show respect towards everyone's beliefs. By stomping out your opposition, you do not win the argument. Unfortunately for Christians, however, the playing field is not level, since those who would silence them do not practice the tolerance they preach.

Information from this article was taken from Josh McDowell's Evidence that Demands a Verdict and Patrick Glynn's God the Evidence.

Rachel Alexander is a second-year law student.