tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post116317941509515281..comments2023-12-01T18:05:24.875-05:00Comments on Debunking Christianity: ex-pastor, ex-wife, ex-christianUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-22173184806284815372010-02-02T17:22:36.795-05:002010-02-02T17:22:36.795-05:00I have sat here behind my computer and read her st...I have sat here behind my computer and read her story and most of the comments and one thing caught my attention. You can deny god but you cant deny the Lord Jesus History not the bible proves he was. now i know that the Jesus some church preach is not the Jesus of the bible. The Jesus I serve doesnt leave me second guessing He Gave me brains and I use them, and Jesus through the power of the holy spirit guides me.<br />And as thomas said He jesus is my Lord and my God. I am not here to convince you one way or the other but this one thing i wish is that you would come to know Him as the Christ of Calvary the living God.<br />for I doubt that Theressa ever knew him as such.<br />Yours in christ Jesus.<br />Justnoeljustnoelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13254077845117342067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-76604403975755206252009-12-18T08:52:42.280-05:002009-12-18T08:52:42.280-05:00Theresa, thanks for posting your story and do not ...Theresa, thanks for posting your story and do not listen to the Christians who are trying to condescend to you. I've also heard these "arguments" from people who've heard my story as well, and what they don't realize that whatever they say doesn't matter to me, because I do not believe in a creator of any kind. So they can condescend, judge, scorn, and insult me all they want (all these negative insults being veiled as trying to "help" mind-you) to try and "sway" me back into "faith" but they are really just wasting their breath. Christians, us Atheists couldn't really give a flying crap about what you think. To us, you're just another human being and your judgment of us means nothing. Your condescension and insults only service to make you look more foolish. And for the love of nature, please don't tell me you'll pray for me, because again, it means nothing to me. If you WANT to pray for me specifically, I guess knock yourself out but I don't really care, and you're wasting your breath telling me that you'll be doing so because again, it doesn't matter to me (or other non-xtians) and really it just makes you look like a pompous and obnoxious, judgmental, condescending person.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08343090966003664888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-23947474346207859872009-10-27T11:53:03.304-04:002009-10-27T11:53:03.304-04:00Her story is sad, and her rejection of God is even...Her story is sad, and her rejection of God is even more sad. She is blaming God for the stupidity those who "claim" to know and love Him. Having coverted to atheism, she has now removed any basis for criticism. If there is no God then religion is the product of evolutionary process, and must be accepted as that which is "natural." The woman is going to die someday and then lapse into non-existence, so she ought to just get on with enjoying the few years she has left on planet earth.<br /><br />God hasn't been dismantled, despite what hypocrisy and false light this woman has been exposed to. He's still there, waiting for this woman to come to her senses and worship Him in spirit and in truth, not according to the dictates of empty, man-made religion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-24979619801458873092009-06-02T02:10:13.350-04:002009-06-02T02:10:13.350-04:00Hi, Theresa:
As a former atheist I'm saddened by ...Hi, Theresa:<br /><br />As a former atheist I'm saddened by the stories and the elaborate attempts to lambaste one another here at this site. I still remember the ideas and notions I had about free thinking, and thankfully now, I live more free that ever before. Ironically, I choose to submit and serve someone else; a king, whom you may have heard before, and whom I happen to know exists, not only because I've physically experienced Him, but also because I cannot prove that He doesn't exist. Nor can anyone else, regardless of their attempts to prove otherwise. <br />You know as well as I do, that it's never been about free thinking, it's always been about free and selfish choices. That's what we do as humans. Hope for the best, expect the worst, and still whine about it when we don't get what we want. Somehow every choice we make is about us, and how it can benefit us. Just as you did, I quickly realized that sitting in a church pew, listening to a sermon, praying to a God you hope exists, and doing your best to convince yourself that He does, will most likely never get you an experience with the one true God. Instead, it takes humility, one act of true free will, to be granted a moment with Him. But that moment is all that it takes to change a life. For years I proclaimed that the Bible was written by drug induced freaks, and in a single moment of divine revelation, I realized that what I had been seeing and living was the biggest lie of all, and what I'd been speaking against all this time was actually the truth. I now see and interact with a world that you don't, and you won't. It's a supernatural world where good and evil battle it out daily, and I'd say most Christians try to ignore it if at all possible. But all weirdness aside, I'm still human, and I still mess up, offend people, act like an idiot, sin and fail to be all great and holy and stuff... but no matter what, I will never again be so prideful as to think that "I'm it, and there is nothing more", nor will I sit in a pew and accept a dogma religion as the answer for me, and I don't expect anybody else to either. <br />The ultimate act of free will is to decide to accept, love, and serve a stranger that asking: "will you love me?, will you trust me?, will you follow me?". As an educated person and a natural leader, I found this repulsive at one time to do. God gave us all that same free will, and just like you, I chose to use it for myself. Why wouldn't I? I was self made, intelligent, good looking ;-) I didn't need a man-made god to control me. Obviously those guys who died as martyrs, were doing for a lie, so that man and woman could be controlled by "the man". Obviously.<br />Bottom line, everyone can justify why they believe the way they do biblically, scientifically, philosophically.. you name it. But I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that there is a God, and I hope many of you can let go of your pride just long enough to simply do as I did. "Okay God.. if you exist, show me, 'cause I'm willing to find out."<br />By the way, I have learned something from your post. I will strive to make sure my marriage and ministry is built on teamwork, as well as love and trust.<br /><br />I look forward to all the responses of encouragement and love ;-)<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />ZambodiMichael Hortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12975220516860475233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-53559039207334197822009-05-25T08:50:44.702-04:002009-05-25T08:50:44.702-04:00It realy sounds like your faith wasnt based on tru...It realy sounds like your faith wasnt based on truth, but based on "mans" distortion of the truth. Ive seen it hundreds of times, Its been preached God said this, God said that, But realy it was "man" distorting the truth so it would say what he wanted it to say. I am fighting with a church now that is doing just that. What a mess it is, anyway, Even the athest here have it right, it is about Love and making your own choises and taking responcability for your choises.<br />I am a christian/Shaman that believes in using herbal remidies for healing, I have been told I was full of demonice spirits, cursed at, laughed at, and more by so called Bible thumping christians. That is why I teach that Satan sets in the front pews of the Churchs. Because if he is real, That is where you will find him. Amen.<br />Please dont think that ALL christians are the same, There are mostly Bad ownes out there that are out for the financual gain called "tithings" Others want power and glory of being a leader of something and none of this is of the God I pray to<br />anyway, I would like to converce with you.<br />e-mail me if you would like<br />sdperk@gmail.comThe Back 40https://www.blogger.com/profile/10092877850595351336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-85633256404817058702009-01-03T19:19:00.000-05:002009-01-03T19:19:00.000-05:00What wonderful irony. After reading Carl Sagan an...What wonderful irony. After reading Carl Sagan and getting no real soild answers from assorted cosmologists I now servea risen saviourmusemguyjdmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13633468477170009486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-36561295270754974452008-09-19T15:53:00.000-04:002008-09-19T15:53:00.000-04:00A lot of censorship and bias is built into this si...A lot of censorship and bias is built into this site. This is not true open debating, but rather immature diatribing. <BR/><BR/>If you want to grow up and debate issues on their own merit without inflecting childish emotions, bias and censorship (what are we in communist country here ?)<BR/><BR/>Anyways because of these reasons there is no true credibility to a lot of the dialog on this site. <BR/><BR/><BR/>And wait, you employ "bully" tactics by blindly agreeing with others or ganging up mafia style, as this is a sign of insecurity in one's own opinions.<BR/><BR/>Grow up people<BR/><BR/>Jesus is the Creator of the universe !byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03794550024345843759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-83189006112344536632008-01-12T09:28:00.000-05:002008-01-12T09:28:00.000-05:00In all these responces will it be a coincidence yo...In all these responces will it be a coincidence you read mine? I'm am sorry the misunderstanding of marriage and who is in charge lead you to the frustration that (i believe)caused you to lose your faith. I won't explain in Scripture that will make you sick...just leave at that. I hope the best for you but please ask yourself...true peace or are you trying to make yourself believe that?Rickyant1237https://www.blogger.com/profile/15944979012229994450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-8827637962373275242007-07-30T01:10:00.000-04:002007-07-30T01:10:00.000-04:00I have recently been through a divorce. I was mar...I have recently been through a divorce. I was married for 20 years to a Lutheran pastor. We had no children.<BR/> <BR/>What follows is a summary through my eyes. There was no abuse, no infidelity. I wanted to talk, she chose not to.<BR/> <BR/><BR/>Due to a job change which required relocation, she had to resign from her church. The destination was well populated with churches of the same synod so there didn't look to be any problem with her receiving a call to a new church. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>She did not contact the local synod. After a time, she announced (not discussed) that she wanted to get her PhD at a university across the country from where we were living. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>I agreed to support her in this and said that when she was done, I would be happy to follow her career wherever it took her as she had done following mine. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>She moved one summer, I drove out with her and helped get her settled into student housing. I had tried to talk with her about the finances but she didn't respond. We had a normal set of household bills and there wasn't enough disposable income to support a second household plus the costs of coursed and books. I suggested that she manage that through student loans and, when she graduated, we would work our two jobs to pay it off and then I would move to her new location. Her PhD would be our retirement fund. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>I made extra payments on the new car she left with so I could pay it off sooner and then sent that money to her for her expenses.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>After two years, she announced that she felt free living on her own and wanted a divorce. She said I had been an oppressive presence in her life. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>After months of talking and hoping she would change her mind, we talked about the division of property. I agreed to an even split of 401K, home equity, and furniture. The only thing she would not discuss was alimony.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>To shorten the story, the alimony was very expensive. So, I have ended up paying for both her Master's degree and her PhD, the retirement was gone. I admit I have trouble reconciling why I have to pay her support for chosing to leave. All of the women I have talked to about this don't understand why either. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>I have tried to return to church after all of this. I can generally stay through the liturgy but, when the sermon starts, I can find no trust in what the pastor is saying and I walk out. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>It is during the sermon that the feelings of betrayal of trust and thoughts of what humans have done to destroy God. My marriage. Muslim vs. Christian. Catholic priests violating trust. People twisting God to their own benefit. Twisting God to their own gratification.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>God and I still get along. It is the people who talk about God and their interrpretation of what God said that I distrust. <BR/> <BR/>Well, that is my story.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00585355291522665334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-91510531967027873662007-07-21T20:23:00.000-04:002007-07-21T20:23:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Eugene Limhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11774054959167485039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-19349411121609695682007-06-04T15:33:00.000-04:002007-06-04T15:33:00.000-04:00Theresa,I read your sad story, and not only is it ...Theresa,<BR/><BR/>I read your sad story, and not only is it pathetic, but where it has taken you is even more pathetic. Yes religion for religion's sake can be manipulative and not operating in God' Will, but that doesn't mean there isn't really a God, or that the Bible is NOT his word to humanity about how to live, etc.<BR/><BR/>How do I know this you might ask? It’s because "God has spoken to me several times", and Theresa not just in that small quiet voice, or through his word, but in a Full Fledged Vision where he appeared and spoke as Jesus Christ.<BR/><BR/>Remember 1st Corinthians 12, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? Well I have been given the Gift or Discernment & Prophesy to some extent. <BR/><BR/>I believe not just because "I was brain washed to think so", but because I have experienced the "Manifest Presence of God" where he appeared in front of me and spoke. God is very real, and by the way "He can read your thoughts" because on several of these experiences he know what I was thinking answered me before I could ask the question I was thinking of. <BR/><BR/>Just because your husband let you down, or the church let you down, or you let yourself down, does not mean the God is not real.<BR/><BR/>Open your eyes and heart and you will really find him.<BR/><BR/>AJCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-4077956753281856082007-05-20T01:23:00.000-04:002007-05-20T01:23:00.000-04:00I am wandering the Internet tonight after seeing T...I am wandering the Internet tonight after seeing The Invisible Children Movie.(very powerful) Somehow (I'll say it was God) I stumbled upon your blog searching under the Invisible Children and Foursquare Churches in Oregon.(?!?) I am a Christian, highly educated, professional woman (M.D.) who was raised Catholic and now is happily part of the "family " at a Foursquare Church. In my medical career, I have had the privilege of seeing many miracles that were completely inexplicable in any scientific context (including in my own body). Over the past four years, I have been suffering with an unusual neuromuscular illness that has forced me to quit my practice recently. Unlike you, when things are difficult and I am in my wheelchair, I am MORE convinced that I am being carried by a very intimate God who knows what is happening and cares deeply. I may not like what is happening to me, but I do trust that there is a plan. The very fact that my body does not work right all the time, makes me even more aware of how INCREDIBLE a human body is in the first place! When you look at Mt Rushmore, you would never make the assumption that wind and water and time created that masterpiece, so how could anyone imagine that someting as intricate, complicated and magnificent as a human body happened by time and chance and random mutations???<BR/> I am very sorry that your experience with the body of Christ and "the church" was so poor. That, however, in no way negates the reality of God - It is my personal belief that we spend too much time trying to figure out the "will of God" with some magical formula, when He has created us to be just who we are. If we would only be our truest selves we would be in His Will. ....... and we would be happy....... <BR/><BR/>P.S. No matter what you think of what I wrote, please do watch the documentary about The Invisible Children. Whether we are believers or not, we must unite as human beings to help one another.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-70987395772042224282007-03-13T23:56:00.000-04:002007-03-13T23:56:00.000-04:00I will...I am looking forward to it.I will...I am looking forward to it.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06500963592758243607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-62482880912658955942007-03-09T22:53:00.000-05:002007-03-09T22:53:00.000-05:00Thanks for your story. It's good to hear how you'v...Thanks for your story. It's good to hear how you've made the transition to a world without Jesus and are surviving nicely.<BR/><BR/>We have some stuff in common. I used to attend concerts in the old circus tent at Calvary Chapel, and later in their new building. I also lived in Oregon, for over 24 years. I spent some time in a very large Foursquare church in the Portland area, so we probably know some of the same people. I've gone camping at Wallowa Lake and up on the rim of Hell's Canyon (beautful!) and I might go live in Enterprise or Joseph if I could only figure out how to make a living!<BR/><BR/>I'm offended that Christians come onto this site and feel the need to try and bring you (and others) back to the fold, or question that your former faith was ever real. I think they are motivated by fear.<BR/><BR/>I'm the son of a pastor's wife, the brother of a pastor's wife and the ex-husband of a pastor's wife (guess that made me a pastor, eh?), so I know a LOT about your struggles during that period of your life.<BR/><BR/>I'm new to DC and soon I'll be posting my story, 'Son of a Preacher.' I hope you'll read it. <BR/><BR/>(I've made some deletions above. I'm still getting used to using this blog site and my computer doesn't spell very well!).Stephen W. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14137577426142348916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-18394587243726480042007-03-09T22:32:00.000-05:002007-03-09T22:32:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Stephen W. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14137577426142348916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-51603236792345816442007-03-09T22:23:00.000-05:002007-03-09T22:23:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Stephen W. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14137577426142348916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-5444530588318499322007-03-09T22:12:00.000-05:002007-03-09T22:12:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Stephen W. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14137577426142348916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-5647211898300124512007-03-09T15:42:00.000-05:002007-03-09T15:42:00.000-05:00It sounds like your eyes/were on those around you,...It sounds like your eyes/were on those around you, husband included and not on Jesus Christ. I don't mean to try to sum up your life in one sentence. But, I didn't read that you took time and fasted and prayed on your own. It seems that you went along with what was going on without questioning. Spiritually, men and women are equal in God's eyes, though they have different roles. Christians believe in the Priesthood of all believers, so a layperson has just as much access to God as a minister and so does a minister's wife. We all have different gifts and callings. There was much wisdom in your husband asking you to pray and seek God's will for your family. If you carefully study the teachings of Jesus Christ, you will find true love and true freedom. You will find nothing that is repulsive or restrictive. Have you studied Christ's teachings? How can you not love someone as full of love as Christ is. As a Christian, I cannot piggy back on another's faith and must not take anyone's word if it does not line up with scripture. I wonder if you have ever asked yourself if this is what you did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1168215739694505802007-01-07T19:22:00.000-05:002007-01-07T19:22:00.000-05:00God will find you again - and you Him - in his pef...God will find you again - and you Him - in his pefect way - and perfect time - His love, unlike ours, never fails.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1168115251207303162007-01-06T15:27:00.000-05:002007-01-06T15:27:00.000-05:00Hey TheresaThat was well written and from the soul...Hey Theresa<BR/><BR/>That was well written and from the soul... I hope one day you will be able to seperate the religion of man and find God... Let me say thank you for writing your blog... it did open my eyes and made me more aware of how my descions might affect my wife and her view of God. I am a pastor, born again, Spirit filled ( you know )and I am sorry for the way you were treated... even if you hever return to a church organization I trust you will find healing in your life... I pray all the best for you ... God has quite a challenge in reaching you .. buts He is up to it...<BR/><BR/>Pastor Rod ChaulkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1164937591583502672006-11-30T20:46:00.000-05:002006-11-30T20:46:00.000-05:00Theresa,Thanks for your post! Great read. I was ...Theresa,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your post! Great read. I was a bit uncomfortable as your portrayal of Lenny reminded me of someone -- me! That's what religion will do to a man who isn't Type A but is trying to be self-employed or 'in the ministry.' I have been SO productive since deconverting! I even have a plan of attack for an actual career. Oh, and I uninstalled my video games too - that helped. LOL<BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work. Ignore the exes and the Calvinists. :o)Glenn Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498526557246200871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1164603621108903012006-11-27T00:00:00.000-05:002006-11-27T00:00:00.000-05:00I read your comment for the first time tonight and...I read your comment for the first time tonight and I can understand your grief, pain and misery (been there, done that. I am a former pastor) but I feel sorry for you. <BR/><BR/>It is true there are some fundamentalists who have destroyed the true image of God with their actions, but to leave the God of the Bible altogether is bad. <BR/><BR/>Many of the truths in the Bible will have an eternal effect on you whether you believe them or not. I hope that some day you will come out of this mindset and find the true God for who He is.<BR/><BR/>Here is one of my favorite quotes:<BR/><BR/>"There is a God we want, and there is a God who is and they are not the same God. The turning point of our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is." - - Patrick Morley<BR/><BR/>May you experience that turning point in your life today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1164135377069314482006-11-21T13:56:00.000-05:002006-11-21T13:56:00.000-05:00Hello. I just wanted to say I can relate to Theres...Hello. I just wanted to say I can relate to Theresa's story as I read a lot of the same books as she did which rescued me from the hell of fundamentalism. Thank you for sharing your story!<BR/>Too all the fundies trying to intimidate her, why don't you try reading Spongee with an open mind and an open bible? I remember reading his book and thinking...If some guy today was standing in the city prophesying doom while eating sandwhiches made from human excrement, we would say he was CRAZY! Yet we are supposed to accept this same crazy behavior comes from a man of God because the bible says so? Then I thought, why would God do that to one of his servants? EEEEWWWWWWWW! It has been twelve years or so since I read the book and I no longer even have a bible, but if God has such little regard for his servants that made it in the bible what makes you think he would treat you any better?<BR/>Just my two cents...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1164131216701954042006-11-21T12:46:00.000-05:002006-11-21T12:46:00.000-05:00Hi Theresa,I'm a Pastor. (Thought I'd get that out...Hi Theresa,<BR/><BR/>I'm a Pastor. (Thought I'd get that out of the way up front.) I've pastored those small churches that you talk about. As you know there is waaaay more to the story, the unrealistic expectations, the jobs left undone because "Pastor will do it", the infringement of the ministry "mistress" upon family time.<BR/><BR/>As a result, I'm not leaving my faith, but I may be leaving the pastorate....because I love my wife more than I love the church.<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking of leaving because I want a "life" with her. I love her too much to see her sad from giving her very best and getting nothing....not even a "thank you" in return.<BR/><BR/>She has lived in my shadow for too long, and before she wilts and dies, I will take a job, and enjoy a life with the woman God gave me to love.<BR/><BR/>Thats my view.<BR/><BR/>Blessings, (Name Withheld) Duh, wonder why?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1163911551094270962006-11-18T23:45:00.000-05:002006-11-18T23:45:00.000-05:00Theresa, congratulations on your deconversion. I d...Theresa, congratulations on your deconversion. I deconverted last year and I still cannot understand how I believed. <BR/><BR/>BTW, I hope you have a restraining order on your stalker ex husband.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com