Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: pmafire!geoff@uunet.uu.net (Geoff Allen) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Why Atheism? Message-ID: Date: 16 Aug 90 16:35:52 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: WINCO Computer Engineering, INEL, Idaho Lines: 115 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu David.Dahmer@uc.edu (Hello World!) gives us answers from folks in alt.atheism to the question: > >************************************************************************ >* "WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO ARGUE/DEBATE/DISPROVE THE EXISTENCE OF GOD?" * >************************************************************************ I found some of the answers pretty convicting! Like: >...when >someone tries to impose their views on me I do argue back. ~~~~~~~~~~ >There are ways of trying to "convert" people >that aren't forceful and don't come across >as "Hey! You're a fool for thinking that way! >convert or burn in hell!" But, unfortunately, >most do. ~~~~~~~~~~ >If I could >find a group of people who are REALLY LIVING what they believe, not just >believing, and unity among them that could only be from a god, then my >arguing would change to questions only. That would be the closest proof to >the existence of a god I could find. Ouch. That one hurts! Several visitors have said what a loving atmosphere they've noticed in our church, but we sure don't live up to the example given in the next sentence. >I've read about the early christian >church, in the 1st century. If what is written in acts really happened, >then maybe it's happening today. The "disciples" back then had it all >together it seems. Today it's all a mess. So, where are the true disciples >today? My guess is look for where Christians are heavily persecuted. It's the Nazi concentration camps that produce the Corrie Ten Boomes of the world. Sad but true. ~~~~~~~~~~ >Mainly, the needless misery I saw folks suffering as a result of their >religious beliefs--the narrow attitudes and guilts and fears and the >passivity with which they view life. I don't know who this person has met, but I always thought Christianity was about joy. I'm hardly miserable that Jesus took a scum like me and made (or should I say ``is making''? :^) ) me into something worthwhile! > It seems that belief in the >christian god can create these problems, although I have known a few >theists for whom it did not. Only a few? Scary thought. ~~~~~~~~~~ >I simply don't think such belief [in God] is >a worthwhile endeavor. No one has ever shown this person how wonderful God is and what a joy it is to serve Him. ~~~~~~~~~~ >Obviously, here, (usa) >christianity is the most influential religion, and it's also one of the >most hypocritical, thus making it an easy (and slow moving) target. Interesting statement, in light of Jesus' opinions on hypocrisy. ~~~~~~~~~~ >If it were just the kind of bigoted >illiterates who fill certain churches, I wouldn't worry too >much - but I have several close friends, people whom I have good >reason to believe are intelligent and reasonable, who claim to have >found God and are now active church members. Hey! Someone's presenting a good witness out there! :^) >the problem is just that these friends have not all encountered >the _same_ god. Their theologies are, at least superficially, >contradictory. Hmm... I wonder if these differences are immersion vs. sprinkling baptism or something that really matters like the diety of Christ? ~~~~~~~~~~ >Consider the number of times that >scripture-spouters discover alt.atheism and feel compelled to curse >the regular readers. ~~~~~~~~~~ Jesus said to make disciples from all nations. That could perhaps be extended to include the strange nation known as Usenet. :^) But if we come across as Bible-thumpers pushing our way into someone else's group, I don't think we'll be too well received. People often have enough reason to oppose the gospel anyway (Jesus said that the world would hate us just as it hated Him), we don't need to add to the problem. They won't see Jesus if we stand in the way. --Petra ``Lift Him Up'' Just some thoughts.... -- Geoff Allen \ Since we live by the Spirit, uunet!pmafire!geoff \ let us keep in step with the Spirit. bigtex!pmafire!geoff \ -- Gal. 5:25 (NIV)