tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post114842659603124733..comments2024-03-25T17:35:02.238-04:00Comments on Debunking Christianity: What is My Motivation in Debunking Christianity?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-61138287485017067802009-02-28T08:34:00.000-05:002009-02-28T08:34:00.000-05:00John,I realize this post is pretty old, and chance...John,<BR/><BR/>I realize this post is pretty old, and chances are you're not around...I've had many of the same negative experiences that you've described also.<BR/><BR/>But, from my perspective, these things come more out of human brokenness, and fear, or perhaps from spiritual immaturity. It doesn't seem to me this is what Jesus was about at all. Did He go around judging folks, or laying heavy burdens on them? If not, "Why throw out the baby with the bathwater?"<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'm a much less judgmental, more sensitive, caring person since becoming a Christian. Not that I don't have a way too go. :)<BR/><BR/>I believe we have a tremendous freedom in Christ. Personally, I don't worry at all about coming under God's judgement. And, when I do something good, or to help someone, it's because I want too, not out of thoughts for a heavenly reward.<BR/><BR/>Overall, I just think we can relax into our unity with Christ. There is a real sense that our lives are hidden with Christ in God. It's certainly not about trying to control anyone.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to be honest with you. I'm a social worker, and I work with alot of folks who are secular progressives. And, most of them are wonderful, caring people.<BR/><BR/>But, here is one huge difference that I can see overall as a Christian believer. Our agency works with some pretty rough cases, people that have become addicted to drugs, who are mentally ill, and who may end up physically, and sexually abusing kids pretty badly.<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>I honestly don't see alot of compassion for these folks, any real belief that they have intrinsic worth, or can actually change from a good number of my co-workers. In their eyes, they are just these "scum-bags." The emphasis is on helping the innocent kids, not so much in reaching out to the child rapist, or abuser. <BR/><BR/>But, as a Christian I'm seeing people through a very different lens, someone who is created in the image, and likeness of God, and for whom Christ died, capable of being made like Him, radically changed.<BR/><BR/>I can see no real philosophical basis in atheism for determining that all human beings have instrinsic worth, or that we should actually care for one another apart from personal interest, or performance.<BR/><BR/>And, this observation has definitely played out in my personal experience.<BR/><BR/>John, I hope that I haven't offended you, but I'm being honest.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for challenging the church with all your concerns, and for encouraging people in general to think more deeply about issues that really matter.Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17018475588969974790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-52387518928586505802008-10-29T00:58:00.000-04:002008-10-29T00:58:00.000-04:00Motivation is the set of reasons that determines o...Motivation is the set of reasons that determines one to engage in a particular behaviour. The term is generally used for human motivation but, theoretically, it can be used to describe the causes for animal behaviour as well.<BR/>==============================<BR/>Sandy<BR/><A HREF="http://www.widecircles.com" REL="nofollow">Link Building</A>sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09800859911515125186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-25528737596099122132008-05-21T23:09:00.000-04:002008-05-21T23:09:00.000-04:00"How well we know what a profitable superstition t..."How well we know what a profitable superstition this fable of Christ has been for us and our predecessors."<BR/><BR/>- Pope Leo X<BR/><BR/>It is a fact that at no time in history has anyone every proven that Jesus Christ existed ..... for the simple fact that the story of Jesus Christ as presented in the bible is, as Pope Leo X described it, a "fable".<BR/><BR/>There are over 14,800 mistakes and contradictions within the bibles in circulation today compared with the oldest known bible, the Mount Sinai Bible (held in the British museum). This of course brings forth the question as to which bible is the "Word Of God" ???<BR/><BR/>At the Council Of Nicaea 53 'Gods' were tabled for debate as to which would be chosen as the official Roman God. These names included Ares, Apollo, Hermes, Artemis, Zeus, Athena, Mars, Jove, Hesus, Mithra, Krishna, Bel (Baal), Attis, Odin, Tamuz, Indra, Prometheus, Hercules, Janus, Sin, Dionysius, Bacchus, Jupiter, Diana, Alcestos, the Divine Julius, Serapis, Isis and Osiris.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately a combination of Hesus (the Druid god) and Krishna (Krishna is Sanskrit for Christ) was chosen to be amalgamated as one entity and thus form the new Roman God, Hesus Krishna, which when the letter "J" was introduced into the alphabet became known as Jesus Christ.<BR/><BR/>The admission within the Catholic Encyclopedia, Farley Ed., vi, pp. 656-657 declares that, "the earliest of the extant manuscripts [of the New Testament], it is true, do not date back beyond the middle of the fourth century AD". Which is after the Nicaean council took place.<BR/><BR/>Further .....<BR/><BR/>"The titles of our Gospels were not intended to indicate authorship ... it thus appears that the present titles of the Gospels are not traceable to the evangelists themselves ... they [the New testament collection] are supplied with titles, which however ancient, do not go back to the respective authors of those writings ... the Gospels do not go back to the first century of the Christian era."<BR/>- Catholic Encyclopedia, Farley Ed., pp. vi, 135-137;vi.pp. 655, 656, passim.<BR/><BR/>So, considering that each and every christian that speaks of the "Word Of God" and the mythical figure of Jesus Christ (Hesus Krishna) as a truth, then each and every christian is lying.<BR/><BR/>How can it be then that liars are considered to be "good", as in 'good christians', when in truth they are deceivers perpetuating the indoctrination of a "fable" upon children ???<BR/><BR/>So all churches, no matter which one that you attend, is full of liars that use the brain washing technique of repetition to indoctrinate children into the cult of christianity. Hence, anything that these church going liars say is for the purpose of maintaining this mental prison so that they will not have to face the truth and can continue to perpetuate the lies that they espouse.<BR/><BR/>Obviously the 'good christian' is someone to avoid, as any congregation of 'good christians' will be full of deceitful people attempting to manipulate others into sharing their misery, for as the saying goes, 'misery loves company'.I AM ALL I AMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15999576828706874857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-45322853779566192312008-02-10T22:00:00.000-05:002008-02-10T22:00:00.000-05:00see what i dont get about christians is how basicl...see what i dont get about christians is how basicly god is out of the picture , most churches and people seem to pray to jesus. which if u believe in the bible is complete blasphemy. and if u make the argument jesus is god or lord, then how can he be gods son? the story of the whole virgin birth, 12 diciples, miracles has been plagerized since egyptian times 3000 bc. one example is horus. attis of greece, all have the same attributes. its too much information to write in a comment but watch the documentary Zeitgeist. it will make u thinkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-34669499926512699692008-02-06T02:01:00.000-05:002008-02-06T02:01:00.000-05:00John Loftius-The current Churhc I attend doens't a...John Loftius-<BR/><BR/>The current Churhc I attend doens't actually suffer form Pettiness and powr struggles. I attend a small Church of Christ.<BR/><BR/>We seem to get alogn well. THis last Sunday our Preacher, who is from Canada, and ho wa sonly here to do advanced studies, left.<BR/><BR/>H took our picture, gave everyone his card, and wants to visit us again. It didnt seem fake or insincere to me.<BR/><BR/>Now, we are withotu a permenant preacher, but we have those who will fill in, but we can let any Baptised male take over. I'm new so won't be asked, but, hey., Im new.<BR/><BR/>Ive been to other Chruches in which the petty power struggles wher eminimal.<BR/><BR/><BR/>So it snot really true that all Chruhces are suferign this.<BR/><BR/>And, even those that are shoudln't really be evidence of much. Its a common thread of the Human life we seem to live.<BR/><BR/>But to say Christianity makes peopel judgemental because of such things is just plain silly. I mean, cme on! Humanist orginisaitosn suffer the same power struggles and pettiness.<BR/><BR/>But I bet you'd give them a lot more leeway than CHristians woudl be given. And you can sow the criissm that Christaisn shoudl be better, unelss you want ot admit that Christianity itsself is beter han Humanism and that the peopel who are ptty arne't living it properly.<BR/><BR/>No one is perfect and such struggles you claim in the Churhc, though preasent, only show that we as Humans are imperfect. Thats why we go to Churhc int he firts place. We gradually get better as we learn.<BR/><BR/>But its not true to lay the blame for he pettines son Christainity makign peopel judgemental.<BR/><BR/>As for your side of the fence beign better, I know full well that Ahtietss gossip aou me, judge me, and condmen me. I am ridiculed, scorned, and even mocked outright. You can say I brogn it all on myself with my attitude or whatever, btu I am polite, and not relaly that overtly badly behaved.<BR/><BR/>I've seen Ahtiets tea rinto Christains, or mock them behidn thier backs.<BR/><BR/>Athiests are actulaly mor eprone to this, in my expeirnce, than Christain are. At leats Christians have standards that tell them not to. <BR/><BR/>Sorry, John, your not beign fair or honest in that post.<BR/><BR/>Instead, its just the usual attemto to find fault wiht Christianity to justifuy your departure form it.ZAROVEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17668854596329493360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-81669351591580816142008-02-06T01:52:00.000-05:002008-02-06T01:52:00.000-05:00ALSO-The claim that "THe overwhelmingmajoiry of in...ALSO-<BR/><BR/>The claim that "THe overwhelmingmajoiry of intellectual people beleive religion is not true" is not true itsself.<BR/><BR/>It may be true of some circles, but that harldy means that a majority of intellectual peopel in general think Religion isnt true. ( As you narrowly define it.)<BR/><BR/>And even if the statement as true, it is also posisble to be intellectual and <I>wrong</I>.<BR/><BR/>Intellegence itsself is no guranteeor of correct beleifs, it only means that you cna proccess informaiton faster, and can think about it at greater length and deapth. However, such a capacity cn also lead to self-deciet, and since the Intellectual is trained in arguign in favour of their beleifs or agaisnt another, this lead shim to be able to construct arguments ot secure his beleifs. THis doens't mean, however, thatthey are right.<BR/><BR/>Most educated, intellectual peopel in the 19th century beleive din he Aether. Most intellectuals in the 18th century advocated slavery. ( this includes Atheists.)<BR/><BR/>Intelectuals of the late 19th century and early 20th cenury by and large accepted the principles of Socialism and COmmunism as undertsood by Marx and Engles.<BR/><BR/>This harldy means they are correct int he assertions above.<BR/><BR/>Intellectuals are just as swayed by pomp, peer pressure, and fashion as anyone else. THeir intelelctual attributes do not safeguard them form these human weakensses; and a desire to embrace the beelifs they think is the intelelctuasl, or in fashion, or modern view often exists in them. TH also wan tot fit intot he modern Intellectual scene, which is domenated by this or that overall beleif, which is eer chsanging.<BR/><BR/>WHy shoudl I, then, surrender t the authority of he Intellectual, with no evidence other than they are Intellectuals?<BR/><BR/>And which school of Intelelctuals do I listen to? The Cahtolic world has many Intellectuals, and Im sure you'd nt listen to them yourself.<BR/><BR/>Or do I listen tot he Orhtodox? Or the Anglicans?<BR/><BR/>Why, in your midn I shoudl listen ot e Ahtiests who have emrbaced modern Humanism, butthey arnet the only Intellectuals in town.<BR/><BR/><BR/>But somehow, I doubt that you'd consier the intelelctuals of other schools, but instead want us ot listen to your intellectuals, as if they have a Monomly on intellegence, and are right becaue they ar eintellegent.ZAROVEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17668854596329493360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-4791604373224314032008-02-06T01:44:00.000-05:002008-02-06T01:44:00.000-05:00Anonymous, your entire posat is hihgly arrogant an...Anonymous, your entire posat is hihgly arrogant and, in fact, shallow. Your enture assessment of religion and he religious is not supported by the evidence and is just a repetition of old sterotypes.<BR/><BR/>No, peopel do not beliv ein Religion just because they fear Death, or even life. In fact, everyone onte planet has a relgiion, even you. Religion is simply the worldview we possess that helps us ot intepret the world aroudn us, and many peopel old ot a spacific worldview base don numeorus reasons.<BR/><BR/>Yoru oversimplistic explanaiton,of it appelaign to the most primitive of insitncts and makign it baotu fear, is simply ridiculous and unsupported.<BR/><BR/>Worse, you think that you can dismiss the bile as a Book that "Seems ficitonal" and a Priest who isn't as well trianed as all thos eintellegent Sicentists and Philospphers out there.<BR/><BR/>Well, not only does the bile not actually seem ficitonal, nor is it even a single book, but it offers very valuable insight sinto the Human condiiton and the wisdom it contians has been rather easily shown time and again.<BR/><BR/>As for Priedsts, I will asusme you mean either Cahtolic< Orthodox, or Anglican, because, although some Chuhces have Priets besides these, such as some Lutheran CHurhces, most do not.<BR/><BR/>Nevertheless,y our Charecterisaiton f them as somehow less educated ( and indeed les sintellegent) than Philosophers, Physisissts, Mathematicisns, ect, is complltey wrong.<BR/><BR/>In addition to the fact thta many Priets actually are themselves Mathematicins, Philosphers, or Physisiscts, the fact is that the Educational requirements for the Pritshood are rather rigerous.<BR/><BR/>I shudl know, Ive seent he study requirements, and have visited the classes firtshand.<BR/><BR/>A Prits is expected to know a lot about Philosophy, modern ehtics, Psycology, and even sociology. they are reuired to undergo hours of intense study and training, understand a diversity of views, and show aptitude in understanding human itneractions.<BR/><BR/>And yet you dismiss their years of schooling and presume they are both less educated and less intellegent than the above listed people?<BR/><BR/>That alone shows your gross underestimation fo hat it woudl take to become a Priets, and the manhours it takes.<BR/><BR/>Incedentlaly, about their intellegence, I have met, and know of, numeorus Prists who ar ehighly intellegent, and many Priets have been acclaimed as Intellegent thinkers.<BR/><BR/>WHo here actulaly thinls Pope Benedict the 16th is an unintellegent an uneducated man? Or that Rowan williams is some simpelton with no horepower in his head, and no educatoon?<BR/><BR/>Do you honeslty think that the writtings of Austin Farrer are wholly unintellegent? Do you htink we can't sit here and list any number of Scholars who are also well known as beign clerics.<BR/><BR/>Do you sincerley think that there ar eno Intellegent Prietss?<BR/><BR/>The clergy in the Catholic Churhc are among the most educated men in the world, and yet they are to be dismissed?<BR/><BR/>Anglican and Orthodox CLergy have neither education nor intellegence?<BR/><BR/>And that's just the Apostolic Churhces. Lets nto forget Craig, Lightner, Wright, and other Protestant thinkers hwo have proven conclusivley that they are intellegent, rational men, and who have the accademic accomplishments to prove it.<BR/><BR/>Your assertion that they of the clergy are somehow less intellegent and less educated than Physisists and Mathematicians and Chemists is absurd, and most of the Clergy are Philosophers.<BR/><BR/>That said, why woudl I trust advice on how ot lead my lif form a Mathematician? Or a Physisist?<BR/><BR/>I am not belitting these fine proffessiosn as you do the Clergy, but, to be perfeclty Honest, beign brilliant at mathematics is nto the same as beign wise enough to understand how to help someone in an emotional crisis. Many mathematicians themselves suffr deep rooted Psycological problems, or else , even if not, don't have the deapth of undertsanding of the Human condition to offer much help beyind the average man.<BR/><BR/>Physics likewise doen't prepare you to offer advice on the problems we face in life, nor does it offer you insight into hwo to comfort those in need of comfort, or to guide other son a path of fulfillign their goals.<BR/><BR/>I grant that some Physisists, or CHemists, or Mathematicins can do this, but simply by virtue of bign a Physisist, or a Mathematician, or za CHemost, doens't mean you will be able to.<BR/><BR/>It doens't even mean your intelelgent enough to. Intellegence itsslef is a segmentary thing, and beign brilliant in one area doens't eman your brilliant in them all, as is evidenced by Idiot Savants.<BR/><BR/>I can be a Brilliant Poet, and not good at Mathematics. I can be the worlds most brilliant Physisist, and have no undertanding of the human mind. <BR/><BR/>Yoru enture assessment speaks only of your own ignorance of the topics at hand, and not to the reality as they are known.ZAROVEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17668854596329493360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-16010892709270071732008-02-06T00:39:00.000-05:002008-02-06T00:39:00.000-05:00Religions... and as far as I know all religions......Religions... and as far as I know all religions... have about as much credibility as pudding coming out of a moneys rear end. They are all pudding and they all prey on the most primitive of our instincts, fear of death (or end of life if you don't believe in "death").<BR/><BR/>I wont even bother trying to explain because every time I do a religion joker turns it around as hypocrisy. Well guess what cousin, I have to write it in some form of language and because of that there will always be a way to pick it apart regardless of who is right or wrong but needless to say the same will be true of anything you write as well. But do note, since most intellectual people on the planet agree that religion is full of pudding, then think about this:<BR/><BR/>In matters of medicine do you trust a faith healer over a trained doctor?<BR/><BR/>In matters of law do you trust your friend or a trained lawyer?<BR/><BR/>Then tell me why in matters of philosophy do you trust a book that seems fictional and a priest with a very narrow education over the most intelligent people alive like philosophers, physicists, mathematicians, chemists, or those with more horsepower in their head in general? When an overwhelming majority of them state that religion probably isn't true, shouldn't that raise a red flag to anyone who doesn't have as much power up there? Or are you all really that petty and weak? It really is pathetic to see when a zealot argues and has no proof whatsoever to back anything they say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-15080909558799202762007-05-20T01:27:00.000-04:002007-05-20T01:27:00.000-04:00www.ExeGia.orgwww.ExeGia.orgUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08856940310183812384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-43740321599703400182007-05-10T20:37:00.000-04:002007-05-10T20:37:00.000-04:00As for me, I'll stick to the teachings of Christ.Y...<I>As for me, I'll stick to the teachings of Christ.</I><BR/><BR/>You mean the <A HREF="http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/2007/05/words-from-inquisition-convert-or-die.html" REL="nofollow">Bible </A> as humans interpret it, correct?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-40218902256374356232007-05-10T20:26:00.000-04:002007-05-10T20:26:00.000-04:00..."so whose better off? someone who lives a life ......"so whose better off? someone who lives a life of delusion doing things because the think it will matter for eternity..or someone who is planted squarely on the ground with the only reality to be had"??? consider some of your "grounded" influences:<BR/><BR/>Marx: The communist manifesto? Are there really people around who take the communist theory of resource distribution seriously? Marx was a broke philosopher who depended on Engles for his bread and butter. You give up the teachings of Jesus for a philosophy of politics and economics that has ruined millions of lives?<BR/><BR/>Nietzsche: A giant philosopher and writter, no doubt. But grounded in reality? Went insane prior to his death in 1900.<BR/><BR/>Sarte: Said of the 72' Munich Massacre: " terriorism is a terrible weapon, but the oppressed poor have no other" hardly a comforting thought for our times. <BR/><BR/>As for me, I'll stick to the teachings of Christ.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-66730343222891308212007-04-29T15:58:00.000-04:002007-04-29T15:58:00.000-04:00I was just taking the time to read through these c...I was just taking the time to read through these comments when I ran across this<BR/>"The great thing about science is that you can use it to predict. Something that christianity was not particularly successful at."<BR/><BR/>and was just plain tickled by it.<BR/><BR/>Is this person aware that Daniel was shown the satellite? That was a few years before its existance.<BR/><BR/>That's just one example of a clear and true prediction. :)<BR/>judyJudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12575887920194102484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-80344905302200744592007-04-29T13:18:00.000-04:002007-04-29T13:18:00.000-04:00The problem, it seems to me, is that 'church' has ...The problem, it seems to me, is that 'church' has replaced 'Jesus'. As in your case, it chased you away from the whole theme without ever knowing the truth. <BR/>That's a shame but nothing I can control except to offer up my own experience(s).<BR/><BR/>You see, Jesus was and is real and what I see and hear around me is all sorts of self drawn pictures of what He was and what He stood for.<BR/><BR/>Your spirit is a very real thing. Yes, I can prove it. :) Jesus is a very real thing and while I certainly cannot prove that to you, the things He has taught me will definitely strike a chord in you.<BR/><BR/>For one thing, exactly as you speak....freedom. Jesus never TAUGHT rules and regs, He taught freedom.<BR/><BR/>Not the same Jesus you were taught about? You betcha. They teach wrongly and the Lord Himself is speaking out to right that wrong.<BR/><BR/>There's something you should read.<BR/>http://judysbookshop.com/freewill.htm<BR/>http://judysbookshop.com/youare.htm<BR/><BR/>You see, the truth is God truly did come here in human form for one reason and that was to set mankind free. Not to put chains on him.<BR/><BR/>He is the epidemy of fatherhood. All the things that come to mind when one thinks 'father' is what He is: the loving as well as the harsh.<BR/><BR/>He didn't put you here to while away your hours buried in a book, nor to spend your life nagging people. He put you here to grow, expand, claim, be,experience, share.<BR/><BR/>Love is not an emotion, although we certainly do feel emotion with the presence of love. Love is power, love is creation and forward going.<BR/><BR/>Do I realize that's a rare commodity in the church? You betcha. Pretty sad that so many come so close to the reality of truth and yet, like the 'Aw Shit' cartoon, miss the point entirely. They become slaves and slavery is what God hates.<BR/><BR/>How do I know? He told me so. No not in the Bible, although its all perfectly explained and backed up by the Bible. (people just miss the point)<BR/><BR/>It's not the Lord that left you with distain, it was the Pharisees. Tinkling bells.<BR/><BR/>JudyJudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12575887920194102484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-67101142338771165052007-04-21T21:32:00.000-04:002007-04-21T21:32:00.000-04:00Steve, I have instant notification when someone po...Steve, I have instant notification when someone posts on my Blog, via email, and I check my email several times a day, especially when I get up and in the evening. What exactly is wrong with that, Steve?<BR/><BR/>Are YOU obsessed with me? I've spelled out my reasons, isn't that good enough for you? Or are you trying to put some medication on the wounds of my defection from what you hold so dearly?<BR/><BR/>What are you looking for here?...an admission that I miss Christianity, and that I'm sorry I ever left it, or that deep inside I know it's true?<BR/><BR/>If that's what you're looking for, you're wasting YOUR time here.<BR/><BR/>This blog is a kind of support group for others who are doubting the Christian faith. It's meant to help people through such a very difficult time, and it is painful to leave the Christian faith. There is guilt, the fear of hell, and social ostracizing. These people need encouragement, and I'm helping them through this process becaue I didn't have any help in working my way through all of it, okay?<BR/><BR/>What's the problem?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-90125728238974139922007-04-21T21:12:00.000-04:002007-04-21T21:12:00.000-04:00Wow, you responded to my post within about four ho...Wow, you responded to my post within about four hours. So, you got up early this morning, ate some Wheaties, and then checked the comments on your site. Now THAT is some sweet dedication to your cause. LOL. Are you certain that you're not obsessed with Christianity?<BR/><BR/>For a self-proclaimed "freethinker" you sure do rely on a lot of other peoples' thoughts -- like Freud, Funk, Russell, and Nietzsche. They're a virtual "Who's Who in Christian Hate." In what I've read on your site, I have a hard time separating your thoughts from theirs. You seem to have thoroughly researched their work in order to come up with your own justifications. You claim to be free and live a fun, guilt-free life, but everything you write about smacks of extreme effort. If this is the "only reality that is to be had" why are you wasting it on something you hate so much? Why aren't you out having some fun today?<BR/><BR/>I don't know who upset you in your early Christian days, but it's obvious that you had some bad experiences with the church. It's unfortunate and I'm sorry that it changed your mind about God. But it's done more than that. It's apparent that you deeply hate Christianity and that has turned into an unhealthy obsession that consumes a lot of your time.<BR/><BR/>You once said "Christians always seem to struggle with thoughts of hate." Well, from the things you write, I can see that you're struggling with hate too. Even though you've read all of those books, I think you're still struggling to this day.<BR/><BR/>But as I said previously, your story has me reading my Bible, talking to other people and witnessing to them. And I give you credit for that John. When you stir up your debates, you're still doing God's work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-58880156145546986572007-04-21T07:27:00.000-04:002007-04-21T07:27:00.000-04:00I've read your entire posting and you haven't conv...<I>I've read your entire posting and you haven't convinced me that you've turned completely away from God.</I><BR/><BR/>Well now, Steve, what would it take then? An exegesis of the relevant Biblical texts? Actually, I cannot help you with this any more than I already have. My goal was to explain, not convince, and I did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-69555213646548044712007-04-21T03:38:00.000-04:002007-04-21T03:38:00.000-04:00I've read your entire posting and you haven't conv...I've read your entire posting and you haven't convinced me that you've turned completely away from God. Oh, you claim to be a "former Christian" but that very phrase contradicts itself. You are simply a Christian who is trying to shut God out of his life and you're finding that to be very difficult, aren't you? If you simply don't care about Christianity, then why do you waste so much time trying to fight it? You come off as a person who is throwing all of his energy at this one target...and you claim not to care.<BR/><BR/>You said "I only have to be concerned with what I actually do." If that's the case, then why are you putting so much effort into your writings? You also said "I also love the freedom to think for myself without feeling like I must justify everything I believe in the Bible." Well, your de-bunking efforts are another way of justifying your own life, so where's your so-called freedom? You sound like you're trying to convince yourself of your own beliefs.<BR/><BR/>Why the obsession? Why not just walk away from Christianity altogether? You claim to enjoy the intrigue and intellectual challenge of a debate. I think that's a joke, because you could join Mensa and get your debate on there. But no, you chose to debate Christianity because you're trying to free yourself of it...and you can't.<BR/><BR/>You said "I no longer have to waste so much of my time attending church, reading the Bible, praying, and evangelizing."<BR/><BR/>Well, quite frankly...you're doing that now. I'll bet you spend a lot of time talking to Christians and debating with them. To fight the Bible, I'll bet you read a few verses here and there. You may not pray, but God still hears you. And as far as evangelizing, you prompted me to pull out my Bible and read tonight. So, in reality, you're doing more of God's work than you realize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-27558145884891351022007-03-28T20:41:00.000-04:002007-03-28T20:41:00.000-04:00I don't claim to know with certainty God doesn't e...I don't claim to know with certainty God doesn't exist. I just don't think he does, okay?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-31263270758859216682007-03-28T19:58:00.000-04:002007-03-28T19:58:00.000-04:00When you call yourself an "Athiest" it means that ...When you call yourself an "Athiest" it means that you say you know without a shadow of a doubt that there is no God. The word and title debunks itselfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-68253919143882362212007-03-27T02:52:00.000-04:002007-03-27T02:52:00.000-04:00Very interesting.Very interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-34861770642490061412007-03-16T11:08:00.000-04:002007-03-16T11:08:00.000-04:00External religious worship [ religion as it is exp...External religious worship [ religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.James 1:27. <BR/><BR/> 20For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],(B)<BR/><BR/> 21Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and [c]godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.<BR/><BR/> 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].Romans 1:20-22Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01763701509027752897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-63158349884181460432007-02-06T15:01:00.000-05:002007-02-06T15:01:00.000-05:00Having a wide range of friends, from athiest/agnos...Having a wide range of friends, from athiest/agnostic to very devout Christians, I tend to view all humanity in light of Jesus' teaching when he commended some for feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoners, inviting in the stranger, being with the person who is ill - telling those who acted in this manner that they were welcomed into his kingdom. Another New Testament witness comes from James who stated: "Faith without works is dead." In all my dealings with people, as a professional chaplain for the past 13 years, I strive to live as stated above, knowing full well that I often fall short. I have a very dear friend who has suffered greatly at the hands of misguided and overly zealous people within the Church; as much as I am able I walk alongside her in her lonely life experiences, making no excuses for those who have wrongly treated her, and living in our friendship as graciously as I am able. We would all be better served is arguing about issues of faith or lack of it was replaced with genuine concern for our fellow human beings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-37142251535194563752007-02-04T23:05:00.000-05:002007-02-04T23:05:00.000-05:00Wow... Your theology is really twisted. It's no m...Wow... Your theology is really twisted. It's no mystery why you have rejected the legalistic "God" of your understanding. Keep seeking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1169637795706014902007-01-24T06:23:00.000-05:002007-01-24T06:23:00.000-05:00Hi, do not know if this is still an active discuss...Hi, do not know if this is still an active discussion list, but thought I would leave my comments anyway. Amazing how the road takes us is it not? I was also fed up with all the "stuffy" people at church and mostly with not being able to live up to their standards up what they "believe" a christian should live up to. Until, somebody one day told me I can not and that is OK. See, other than what you describe in this post, "you want to be able to tell somebody he can go away and mean it" I do not want to do that, but I still did!! Why?<BR/>A big problem with Christianity today (and for the past 1700 years) is that whole principal of "Christ in You, the hope of Glory" has disappeared. <BR/>We live are born living a life imcapable of pleasing God, but when we become born again, we receive a new live, capable of Living the Christian Life. If you have not lived in This life, I am sorry to tell you, you have actually NOT been on both sides of the fence. Religion is NOT Christianity, Jesus Christ is Christianity. His life is the origin and substance of Christianity, what you experienced as Christianity was simply a religion of morals and a god sorting everybody out.<BR/><BR/>How do I know that is what you experienced? Well, if it was not, you would not have said what you have said. If the Lord's life gets hold of you, it so overwhelms with love and kindness, you will not even consider being against Him. But take heart brother, the best is yet to come for you!!! Seek and you will find.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1169431957332401692007-01-21T21:12:00.000-05:002007-01-21T21:12:00.000-05:00The only way to discuss the pro's and con's of ath...The only way to discuss the pro's and con's of atheism is to do so from a logical point of view. If we are going to assume this to be a rational discussion then we ought to keep the dialog rational.<BR/>What is the rational outcome of atheism from a moral point of view?<BR/>Since atheism has no moral code of it's own, who's morality must it copy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com