Sounds like a joke, but it isn’t.
An interesting article here.
A few of his thoughts cut and pasted from the spot I picked this up from:
Clearly, most churches have aligned themselves against non-religious
people. By adopting this stance, Christians have turned off the people
I would think they want to connect with. The combative stance I’ve
observed is an approach that causes people to become apathetic—and even
antagonistic—toward religion as a whole. Many evangelical pastors seem
to perceive just about everything to be a threat against Christianity.
Evolution is a threat. Gay marriage is a threat. A swear word uttered
accidentally on television is a threat. Democrats are a threat. I don’t
see how any of these things pose a threat against Christianity. If
someone disagrees with you about politics or social issues or the
matter of origins, isn’t that just democracy and free speech in action?
Why do Christians feel so threatened?
You need to spread the message of Christianity—the message being
what Christianity stands for—loving each other, helping the people
around you. Those are things everyone can get on board with.
If you check out the links….tell me what you think.
Nope it is not a joke, saw this on a theology blog. I with have to forumulate thoughts (have not had coffee yet 😉 But I will be back.
Checked out the article and blog and it left me thinking that this kind of open dialogue between the Friendly Atheist and churches is something that Christians (and Atheists) are not always willing to do but it could open up a flood of positive cooperation and understanding. Both sides learning about the other and finding middle ground–and you could see from the article that they two guys had a lot in common.
Even within Christianity, there is so much defensiveness between the denominations. I hate to whine “why can’t we all get along?” but Christianity is all about love and forgiveness. This seems like a little baby step toward more universal understanding. Bottom line is: no matter what you believe, forcing it on anyone is not going to be effectively change them over to your “side”.
Tough to comment about, but brings up really good stuff.
OK, I did go to the links but have to admit, I didn’t take the time to read all of either. Just had enough time to fly by to say hello. Have had quite an interesting last 2 weeks with no time for blogging. SO, wanted to tell you hello and have a wonderful weekend. (Pics of the missing front tooth are up today-actually pics of where the front tooth was supposed to be are up.)
Okay, first of all, someone born in the 80’s is the managing editor for a magazine. Enter bitterness.
I vacillate btw the sadness of someone selling their soul to the highest bidder and the opportunities the churches took. A marketing ploy, certainly, for Hermant. I mean, the guy got a book deal out of it. And how funny that the money the Christian organization donated went to the Secular Coalition. That’s irony for ya.
How he talked about being atheists drives home for me the fact that being an atheist is a religion, too, and takes just as much faith as being Christian or Hindu or Muslim or what have you.
I liked his point about not wanting to just get up and tell each other how wrong the other is. We can disagree and have conversations, but if we go in excited about the chance to say how wrong the other person is, we won’t be “invited” to the conversation. In other words, we won’t find open hearts.
I think some of the things he says about Christianity is conficting and a good opportunity for us to learn.
And now, I must stop typing before Guinness calls me about a world record comment.
Well, first I have a question –
Are Buddhists considered Athiests? What does a Christian call a Hindu? I’ve studied Jainism briefly and think it is a wonderful life philosophy.
I think this boy is refreshing – he has a much different stance than the infamous Madalyn Murray O’Hair. He makes some good points about religion and asks some interesting questions. Obviously,well educated, deep thinking, and truly interested in the entire religious topic.
My own personal beliefs aside – I am tired of the statement “If you don’t believe what I do, then you are Wrong” (Mainly a Muslim and Christian stance as I see it.) Of course, just as varied as people are, so is their religious stances. I agree with him about that aspect of it.
I’ll be thinking about this for awhile.
Just off the top of my head and thoughts not being in order yet….
It makes me uncomfortable, as a Christian, to see how Non Christians view us/me. I wonder if it bothers other religions how Christians view them?
This has made me want to be more open minded.
HOWEVER there is such a fine line between wanting to be open minded and excepting other believes as the truth, when I believe that Jesus Christ is the truth. Evangelicals have a very thin line to walk, we must appear approachable in order to reach others for Christ, but we also must not accept other religions as truth, accept them into our spirits, accept them into our way of life. It’s hard for me personally to listen to someone who I do not agree with. I’m not good with confrontation and try desperatly to avoid conflict at all costs. This usually tends to get me into deep deep trouble. I don’t want people to think that by my silence that I agree with them.
Whoah!! This comment could turn into a post all it’s own. I’m rambling in circles, I’ll stop now..
hmmmmm…….again, I say hmmmmm……I like what Vicki stated above…….hmmmmm.
The post and all the comments really get one to think…..hmmmmm.(am I annoying yet?)
Yesterday, a person at my hubbys work asked him what religion he was – he replied that he was no “religion” because religion is man made. That he chose to follow (and obey) only Gods word, his truth……can I do it one more time?? Please??
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……..
Stopping now.
Keep thinkin’ and sharin’ your thoughts, y’all. I’m more out than in this w/e (company in town since last night, basketball ENDS tomorrow for the boys but soccer BEGINS :/, so I’ll reply when I’m not otherwise occupied.
I love hearing the conversation…and I’m afraid I have more questions than answers (not necessarily related to this post, just in general 🙂 ).
Robin,
My first thought was, “No one who advertises himself on Ebay as an atheist-willing-to-convert-to-Christianity-if-you’ll-just-convince-me is REALLY and TRULY interested in converting.” He is interested in making a point, yes, but not in converting.
So I was really pleased to read the gentility that came across in the interview. No, he has not converted, but his views HAVE been challenged in some ways and also has some (kind) words of observation to offer Christians about how they distance themselves from the non-Christians in the world.
My second thought is (according to how I read the Scriptures), church is designed for Christians, not for non-Christians. The church is called, “The Body of Christ” and “The Bride of Christ.” You can’t be a part of the Body and the Bride if you’re not a part of Christ. While it sounds exclusionary and snubbing, I think it’s more like a bird trying to live with a fish. It just doesn’t work. And neither one is happy when they try to force the fit.
I don’t see the Bible instructing a CHURCH to reach out to non-Christians. I read the Bible instructing the Church to build up, edify, encourage and teach those who already belong to Christ. (It does not surprise me that Mr. Atheist felt uncomfortable in some churches. He’s not a part of Christ.)
I see the Bible instructing INDIVIDUAL Christians to reach out to the non-Christians in their daily lives.
All of that is to say, I’m not sure a seeker-friendly church is what God has in mind. But a seeker-friendly Christian?? He TOTALLY has that in mind! (So how many churches are preparing their people to BE seeker-friendly Christians?)
OOOOH – Erin says it nicely!!! Very well put.
Sorry Robin, I’ll make this short. (Lol, I guess it’s not!) I cruised by earlier but couldn’t take the time to follow the links and comment.
First, very interesting thoughts by Erin above. I can imagine the atheist’s experience was like sitting in on someone else’s family reunion… just a wee bit confusing, strange, and even boring for an outsider. Evangelism is but one function of the church. My husband (with a strong outreach orientation) is annoyed that more churches don’t do “altar calls” every single service. I tend not to agree with him…
I checked out the links, and enjoyed the interview, but I was more intrigued by the Outreach & Evangelism Today website itself. I looked at several of the articles under “Targeted Outreach: Postmodern” and found them to be quite good. So I am busily printing, thanks. My interest is in reaching the younger generations coming up, and also to understand my own kids (that age group) and what their unsaved peers are thinking. Will have to ponder and read some more before I’m clear about this “millenial” group. Thanks again for the info. :~)