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[...]I really didn't fit within the church anymore. I had been an outspoken critic of the church's approach to our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered members -- that approach being exclusion or, at best, second class membership ("we won't kick you out but you can't participate in leadership"). Through the years, I had also been a critic of the church's treatment of women, their approach to evangelism and their tunnel-vision approach to church growth.
1
archaic : ungodliness, wickedness
2
a : a disbelief in the existence of deity
b : the doctrine that there is no deity
Definition of ATHEISM
How can you "try on" a disbelief? It sounds to me as if this pastor was having some problems with the dogmas of his church, not with the existence or non existence of deity. If he was having doubts about the existence of god, as we all do most likely, the correct term is agnostic.
I think he realized that on certain issues that Christianity isn't as flexible as some wish it to be, at least not without preaching bs. An honest approach to me, but "trying on" atheism is odd. He's probably wandering between Christian and agnostic.I just wonder why he didn't look for a church more in line with his views?
Follow the money, and it will lead you to the truth every time.It sounds like a gimmick. Once he is through 'trying on' atheism he will preach to the choir about how bad atheism is, because he 'used' to be one for a year. He will be able to claim that he 'tried' but the strength of the lord was too much. You will be able to read all about it in his forth coming book and hear about it in his tour of church's across the nation.
Oh wait here is his site: Ryan J. Bell "I write regularly for The Huffington Post and The Hillhurst Review. I am also working on a book and a some longer journalistic pieces. If you would like to hire me for a writing or journalism project, please contact me here."
It's important to make the distinction that I am not an atheist. At least not yet. I am not sure what I am. That's part of what this year is about.
It has already been covered by posts here, but what a ridiculous notion. "try on" - no matter how amazingly talented one is at self delusion, the underlying belief or disbelief at its core is not something that can be turned on like a switch.
I wonder though, even if this idea sounds absolutely crazy and alien to me, are there seriously people who think it is a choice that can be consciously made? I cannot wrap my head around the possibility - belief either is or it isn't - are there really people who actually think otherwise and it is something that they can control? It does potentially help explain some things and some circumstances such as Pascal's wager if so. Are some people really that prone to self deception? I just do not grok this at all.
Still I do not get why he thinks he has to "study" atheist "sacred texts". It seems he is wanting to approach this like he approaches religion. It is not the writings of atheists that lead to this position, but rather a lack of being convinced by the positive claim of religion. He seems to want arguments "for" atheism - where there are none. It is not a matter of being persuaded to be atheist, but rather a matter of not being persuaded by the claims of theism. He needs to look at it as a time to critically evaluate the positive claims of religion, if these are found lacking, then atheism is just the outcome of not believing these claims.
It's important to make the distinction that I am not an atheist. At least not yet. I am not sure what I am. That's part of what this year is about.
I don't like to try on atheism alot because it makes my butt look big.
ba-dum-dum.
I just wonder why he didn't look for a church more in line with his views?
I am not sure if his motivations are genuine or not. reading his blog and his comments make me think that they just might be genuine, he is just a tad misguided about how to go about it. He seems to be approaching it the only way he knows how - which is via a religious mindset. Much like one might attend and "try on" different churches he is "trying on" atheism as if it were a church. I think he has learned a lot already through criticism and comments, and might be re-evaluating his preconceptions of what atheism is as well as his approach.
He truly sounds like he has doubts regarding his faith, and he has lost his previous sources of employment/income as a result of this "trying on" (granted an unprompted donation campaign has raised appx. $20k for him as a response). He seemed to be in free fall without a parachute for a couple of days over the loss of his income. Sure he might be considering writing a book when all is said and done - and I would not blame him, but to risk the short term strife and financial dilemma he almost found himself in leads me to think he is doing it for legitimate reasons and he really is questioning.
I have bookmarked his blog, and I am curious to see how this develops. I also noticed today CNN also picked up on this story.
It sounds like a gimmick. Once he is through 'trying on' atheism he will preach to the choir about how bad atheism is, because he 'used' to be one for a year. He will be able to claim that he 'tried' but the strength of the lord was too much. You will be able to read all about it in his forth coming book and hear about it in his tour of church's across the nation.
Oh wait here is his site: Ryan J. Bell "I write regularly for The Huffington Post and The Hillhurst Review. I am also working on a book and a some longer journalistic pieces. If you would like to hire me for a writing or journalism project, please contact me here."
"Former pastor to try on atheism"
That's rich, since we see so many atheists who now argue against Christianity, having had previously 'tried on Christianity.'
Never 'born again,' and having never experienced the Holy Spirit, they call Christianity a farce or a failed experience. Had they had ever been indwelt with the Holy Spirit like the Bible teaches, they would have known Christianity was real and would arguably have never left the faith.
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