There is a popular video on youtube called:  Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus.  In its first two weeks, it has been viewed more than 17 million times.  So why would a lover of Jesus hate religion?  Perhaps it is because of some of the things that Western religion shares in common with atheism.

* Self-proclaimed atheist Richard Dawkins wrote a book attacking Western religion for its historic use of force against those who don’t agree with it.  However, both atheism and Western religion have persecuted, tortured, and killed millions of sincere Christians (insincere Christians turn away when there is persecution).  Western religion has traditionally called many genuine spiritual movements heretical and has used its own Inquisition and/or its influence over governments to persecute them.  Atheism has persecuted millions of genuine Christians by using the authority of communistic governments.

* Both Western religion and atheism tend to think that their view of God is right and that everybody else’s is wrong.

* Both Western religion and atheism tend to base their opinions about God on their intellectual analysis rather than on heart experience — on the logic of their doctrine rather than on love.

* Both Western religion and atheism have eagerly supported and participated in extreme brutality.  Western religion sponsored and led Crusades against people of other religions; supported modern slavery and the horrific trans-Atlantic slave trade; engaged in many religious wars and atrocities in Europe; and most of the denominations in Germany even supported the Nazis.  Meanwhile atheism unleashed extreme brutality world-wide, through the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and other cruel atheistic governments.

So what is the answer, atheism or Western religion?  Fortunately there is a better choice — a submissive, heart-felt, obedient relationship with the living, resurrected Jesus Christ.