Dear Udhaya,
Please keep talking about the HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS CHRIST and ETERNAL LIFE.
While others will intellectually “scratch their heads” about what they see as “the global church”, you have in your last three paragraphs zeroed in on what makes a born-again Christian a true Christian. This is the true gospel of Jesus Christ: believing on the One God the Father has sent; trusting in the work and power of the Holy Spirit in and through us; and receiving God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Intellectuals describe what they see with their eyes (as does some issues raised in this article; and some commentators on this article).
Faith however, describes what God has said in His Word; thus, we SEE what God says.

I’m glad you are open-minded enough to attend a church event. I wonder, though, what on earth I might have said that you interpreted as “your desire to control other peoples choices, your desire to enslave teenage girls, and your desire to see children grow up knowing they were never wanted.” –Philip

In your talk you showed a slide describing the rapidly falling reputation of the Christian community, and expressed confusion about why that is. It’s simple. We as a species continue to grow in empathy, compassion, joy, and understanding. For thousands of years, Christians have fought that change.

You provided a good example tonight when you expressed your desire to control other peoples choices, your desire to enslave teenage girls, and your desire to see children grow up knowing they were never wanted.

This is just one example. This is hate. This is why we as a species are slowing turning against the religious. This generation can see farther in space and time that any previous generation. It puts faith in perspective.

But what’s the root cause of the hate? Why did the church denounce and burn the music the was bringing joy to millions (and later adopt that music themselves). Why will they almost certainly victimize the coming wave of those who choose Polyamorous Relationships? Why did they victimize the man who gave electricity to the entire species? Why …(The list is endless)

It took me a while to figure this – but once you understand, it’s also simple. Christians choose to make decisions based on faith rather than reason, discussion, and research.

They say a marriage depends on communication, I think everything does. But you can’t communicate with a person who has beliefs. The conversation is over before it starts. You can’t explain to a suicide bomber that what she is doing is wrong, because she “believes” that she is making the world a better place.

C Polyamorous Relationships are wrong
A Why?
C Because they are immoral
A But if three people love each other why should they be kept apart or treated differently from regular couples who love each each other? Isn’t that hate?
C No it’s sin
A What’s sin?
C The bible says it’s wrong, so if you do it, that’s sin
A What sort of research did the bible do before drawing that conclusion? Perhaps we should re-asses?
C No you can’t change the bible?
A Why?
C Because the bible says so.
A Why is the bible important?
C Because I believe it is.

No progress was made – no real communication. The Christian is saying “I value my belief’s more than the well being of the species or any other person”.

This is also why christian couples are dramatically more likely to divorce, and why people involved in ministry are almost certain to cheat on their partners (I’m sure you already know those numbers).

But my intent in writing was not really to explain all that.

You are inquisitive, you have seen the world outside your town, you are not afraid to look at statistics. You are on the path to enlightenment. I would like to tell you from experience, that when you finally come out of the closet – take that step – leave your faith behind. It will be excruciating yes, but it will be the best step of your life. Much like leaving an abusive relationship.

And we will be waiting for you. We have support groups, we have new and intelligent voices to hear, we are working to make the world a better place.

But perhaps most importantly, we who have moved beyond religion don’t say “God loves you” we say “I love you”.

And I do man – I totally do.

Whenever you’re ready to come and speak at the American Church in Paris, we are waiting to welcome you with open arms! In the meantime, we will pray for your continuing work.

Grace and peace to you.

In Christ,
Scott Herr

One more embarassing truth….

That too the honeymoon period in India….?…. where Thomas the apostale shed his blood….we first generation christians enjoy a wonderful walk with Jesus while vexing over the politics of hardly a century old churches of our country….may be they zoomed into the divorce phase soon after the foreign missionaries left…. prosperity gospel prospers along with so called conversions based on socio economic reasons rather than spiritual ones…. Indian christians are already lukewarm ….the morally strong indian culture with strong family ties and humility is not much awed by christianity it seems…. so christianity is equivalent to another caste and culture. ….still…Holyspirit works in mysterious ways….we may not make it to the front in numbers….but those who hold on….hold on for sure….knowing and tasting that Jesus is good….better than the best of all embracing Hinduism….and the promise of eternal life is the one that makes all the difference. ….