Learn from my mistake

The exchange between Lee and the atheist in, Day 34, Passion for people, brought to mind a personal lesson I learned a few years back; also one I am at least to some degree, sorry to say, still struggling with today.

My lesson (you may not have this problem) is dealing with atheists, that criticize Christianity, in a loving manner instead of forcefully crushing their lies, and making them look like fools. I will tell you the story but be careful when you read it because you may initially embrace the spirit of “yeah, right on, give it to them,” however, remember that I could have, and should have, handled it in a more loving Christian manner.
The incident took place on a cruise ship several years ago. I had checked out a book from the ship’s library. It was authored by a well know atheist named Christopher Hitchens (I had not heard of him at the time). The book had a bright yellow cover and the title “god is not great” caught my attention. As I read through each chapter I wanted to personally confront Mr. Hitchens about what I felt was his stupid reasoning, but since it was just a book, that obviously was not possible; however, I was soon to meet two atheists that would become his segregate. I will explain………
I had finished the book, it was late afternoon and I had returned to the ships library to turn it back in. The ship’s librarian was not at her desk so I decided to just sit for a while and look out the window at the sea until she returned. I placed the book on the table next to me and within a few minutes a man and his wife, that I had briefly met earlier in the day, sat on the sofa across from me. They appeared to be in their late 60′s (a few years older than myself), one was a psychologist, the other a psychiatrist, and they said that were both semi-retired. The lady saw the book and the conversation went something like this:
“Oh I see you are reading Christopher Hitchens\’s latest book, how do you like it?”
My response was “The guy is an idiot.”
To which she responded “Well he has written quite a few books, and he has quite a following.”
“I’m sure he does, a following of like minded fools I imagine.”
Her husband then responded: “Am I to assume that you are offended by his challenge to whatever your religion is?”
“I am a Christian, but no I am not offended by his attacks on my personal beliefs because they are so shallow that I would easily shred him in an open debate.”
(*Note…I have learned that I do not need to be smarter than someone to win a debate, all I need is the truth and to be able to articulate it)
We were now beginning what was to become a long debate between atheism and Christianity, and as it progressed we started to gather quite a crowd. It began civil and respectful, however, as they lost one argument after another their demeanor changed. The lady’s posture of the helpful atheist mother correcting this poor deluded man, and her husband’s posture as the psychiatrist, leaning back, looking down his nose while straightening out his poor Christian’s delusions, soon went away. Their voices began to raise and the final insult came when I responded to this statement he made, which was, “Karl Marx said “religion is the opium of the people.’”
From here the debate went something like this:
“You really didn’t just quote Karl Marx did you?”
“Of course I did!”
“Ok, before I make you eat those words, I will give you the opportunity to take it back and I will pretend you never said it.”
“No I’m not taking it back, I said it, I stand by it, if it insults you, too bad.”
“Ok, I gave you the opportunity to take it back. First off it doesn’t insult me but it will make you look like a fool. Now let’s understand what just happened; we are having a debate on atheism vs. Christianity, and you quote one of the biggest failures that has ever walked the face of this earth as part of your argument? Karl Marx was a failure in almost everything he did.

1. he was a failure as a husband; his wife had to scrounge to keep the family from starving and freezing to death.

2. He was a failure as a father; his children committed suicide.

3. He was a failure financially, he sponged off of Engles for most of his financial support while he ran around putting together his ridiculous Communist philosophy.

4.And then, every place Communism has been applied it has led to failure, with over one million people murdered in the last century under Karl Marx’s Communism. Also, if that isn’t enough, one thing ever Communist nation has is secure borders, but not to keep people out but to keep their people in. The guns pointing in because their people are risking their live to escape!

WOW! You are really smart, maybe you can find someone even dumber to quote; like Hitler or some other idiot. And you consider yourself educated? I’m glad I’m just a dumb fireman so I’m not infected with the intellectual inbreeding of you atheists.”
Obviously neither one of them had much to say after that so the debate did not last much longer, and since I was already late for my dinner seating I needed to leave anyway. The next day when we again crossed paths they ignored me would not even return my “good morning” greeting. I really did not care.
Now here is what I learned. Yes atheism was crushed in that debate but I was also shown to be a fool. As a Christian this is the way his Karl Marx quote should been handled:
“Karl Marx said  “religion is the opium of the people.”
“Well I know that is a famous quote by Karl Marx but if you take the time to analyze it you find that he is really not the person we ever want to quote. Actually Karl Marx was a failure in almost everything he did.

1. he was a failure as a husband; his wife had to scrounge to keep the family from starving and freezing to death.

2. He was a failure as a father; his children committed suicide.

3. He was a failure financially; without the money from Engles he would never have been able to putting together his Communist philosophy.

4.And then, every place Communism has been applied it has led to failure, with over one million people murdered in the last century under Communism. Also, if that isn’t enough to keep us from quoting him, one thing ever Communist nation has is secure borders, but not to keep people out but to keep their people in. The guns are pointing in because their people are constantly risking their live to escape.

So yes, I know you were only quoting him, but is that the type of person we want to use as our example of intelligence? I think we both agree that he isn’t. Anyway, I need to leave now for my dinner seating and maybe we can meet again before the trip is over. I know you don’t believe in God but I’ll say it anyway; May God bless both of you.

So that was my lesson, hopefully you can learn from my mistake.
And,
May God bless.
Joe