Overview: An atheist in San Antonio who had vowed to file a lawsuit against a church who set up a nativity scene on the courthouse square in surrounding Henderson county could not carry out his plans due to medical complications. Patrick Greene, who did not believe that any religious symbol belonged on government property, was suffering from a detached reitna and possibly going blind. In response to the news of Greene's ailment, members of San Springs Baptist Church in Henderson county raised $400 dollars to help Patrick Greene.
Response: This act of charity, however small, is representative of the true focus of the Christian church and its doctrines. The efforts of the members of San Springs Baptist Church are effective regarding the world's perception of Christianity, especially in light of the recent, negative press the church has been receiving. Christianity is a religion of grace: its God sent love and redemption to an undeserving people. Similarly, the church teaches its followers to love all people regardless of their beliefs, actions, or affiliations. Unlike members of the Westboro Baptist Church, who protested the funerals of homosexual soldiers, members of San Springs Baptist Church have reflected the doctrines of the Christian church by aiding a person who did not share their beliefs.
Additionally, the donations and positive attitude towards atheist Patrick Greene were much more effective than some Christians' condemnations of atheism. Patrick Greene was thankful for the donation, which he used to buy food for his family and his cat. This church's unbiased charity is proof that Christianity has the potential to be a positive and relative factor in society.
Greene, who is now moving to Henderson county because of its cheap rent, was inspired by the work of the Christians there. He still is not converted, but that is not stopping members of the church from showing him unbiased charity. The impact of this single case is sure to pervade the world's percpetion of Christianity, and hopefully we Christians can learn from San Springs' example: read the Instruction Manula.
msnbc.com staff, . "U.S. Christians raise $400 to help ailing
atheist who railed against their nativity." msnbc.com.
MSNBC News, n.d. Web. 22 Apr 2012.
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