An Open Letter to Christians

Dear American Christians,

We humanists don't want to limit your religious freedom, separate you from your god, or outlaw your faith. It would be wrong and impertinent of us to lash out at your religious beliefs just because they happen to be beliefs we don't share.

We believe strongly in freedom of religion, in individual freedom of conscience. We often partner with religious moderates on social and political issues, particularly on the church/state separation that is, as Jefferson wrote, "absolutely essential in a free society." The only time most of us reply with arguments challenging your faith is when you use that faith as a weapon. This form of religiosity is alien to the Jesus figure of the Gospels. We see him always taking the side of those on the fringes of society, and at war with the self-righteous, hypocritical religious leaders of his time. When you use your religion to inflict harm, you're siding with those Pharisees. Men who couldn't wait to stone a woman to death just to score points in a quarrel.

Remember when your faith compelled you to take care of those in need, to be compassionate toward everyone and look out for those on the margins of society? Those were beneficial contributions you made; they had real social utility. If that were still your focus, we would applaud you. And join you: our humanist values lead us to do the same kinds of things. But it must be said that these days, humanitarian activities are not what you're known for. More and more, it's your bigotry that defines you.

You rail against our friends in the LGBT community and do your best to deny them the civil rights that you take for granted. You demonize secularists, accusing them of having no basis for morality and ethics -- a demonstrably specious assertion. You just can't stay out of other people's bedrooms, doctors' offices and other private zones. It's unattractive. It's intrusive. It's creepy.

When your religion compels you to try to deny other citizens equal rights, we won't be silent spectators of the scene. When you spread fear and loathing of minority groups, we will boldly refute your propaganda. When you harass women over their private health care decisions, we'll hit back, hard.

When, as members of the majority religion in America -- with outsize representation at every level of government -- you claim to be victims of persecution, we consider you disingenuous. When you label civil society's refusal to license your unfair treatment of minority groups a form of persecution, we find you contemptible.

That last bit of casuistry is just too offensive to be left unchallenged. Far from being persecuted, you are the ones doing the persecuting. Deep down, we think you know that.

Best regards,

An American Humanist