"There is, however, quite a lot of difference in what we both consider "evidence."
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What some atheists think about Christians
This was posted in Gentlemen Atheists, by a man who is a member of both this group and that one. *STFU* - aimed at Christians - was in several responses.
Went to New Orleans for a 4 day weekend trip. Had a blast. Always a great trip through history, plus night time becomes a wonderful adults trip. Seriously, night time on Bourbon is for adults. It is adult themed, there are adult beverages, I love it.
What I hate, and really set me off Friday night is Jesus freaks with their giant crosses, yelling and preaching about how we are all sinners. They were out again Saturday night. Always one guy screaming crap out, then 10 more handing out placards. Stood right in front of them cowering them down Friday until my wife was told by a cop to have me move on, then Saturday I told several to just drop dead.
In a nutshell, f*** you. This is my place to be me, this is a place where I am relaxed, where I cleanse my own soul of all teh s*** life throws at me. I don't go to your church and tell you that you are an idiot for following your religion. I don't tell you that your rules are stupid in your group areas. I let you babble the f*** on about how Christians are so downtrodden because someone says Holiday rather then Christmas. I drive by your 200 ft tall eyesore crosses. The laws in my state are all messed up because your religion made them that way. I have two days off a week, and I can't buy liquor or a car because of that stupid, stupid s***. It just never ends with the stuff they think we have to have. And that doesn't even touch the non stop insults that because you aren't a christian, that you are leading to teh destruction of the country and pretty much all humanity.
Christians, from all of us, shut the f*** up. You aren't persecuted, you aren't that special. We've heard your BS and have intelligently thought it through and said no thank you. Leave us the f*** alone. I don't preach my views on Facebook, I don't preach my views at your church, I don't preach my views to your kids. I couldn't imagine going a week without Facebook or this place or anywhere else having a single christian NOT preach some crap.
Sorry guys, had to rant again.
(end of post) ___________________________________________________________________
I'm quite sure the OP is man enough to step forward and claim ownership, so I won't disclose his name. I did not join GA because I'm not an atheist. I DO think we who say we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, are washed in the Blood of the Lamb, and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, should love our neighbor as ourselves, as hard as it is, sometimes. The OP, by virtue of his membership in AoM and in Christian Men, is our neighbor. Therefore we should love him as Christ does. We should step out of our comfort zones, and do our part to form relationships with nonbelievers.
Christian Men - Who will join me in committing to pray for this man?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nick H on -
What's the point of this post Larry? If you want to show love and understanding to this guy then send him a message via AOM and engage in conversation with him. Why mention that he's a member of both GA and CM? Why repost something already posted on an open board? I don't see a man who hates God. I see a guy who sick of a certain type of evalization and feels safe enough on AOM to vent. Depending on where he's from, he may not feel the same safety to be as expressive at home. Do you want us to pray for the OP or shun him? By your post, I can't tell.
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Permalink Reply by Larry on
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I'm not convinced that Christians have done a good job, stepping out of their comfort zones. We need to build relationships with unbelievers, not piss them off. I understand the motivation of street-corner preachers, but it's not the most effective way of reaching the lost.
I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. I thought my last line said it all: Christian Men - Who will join me in committing to pray for this man?
"Shunning" of a unbeliever is not of God. We who love God should love this man, pray for him, and try to build relationships with him.
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Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on -
Passive-aggressive much?
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Permalink Reply by Rawb on -
Haven't read any of the other posts, but all I can say is I'll join him in agreeing with him.
Here's the thing. A lot of Christians do need to just shut up. Do you have any idea how hard the job of spreading Christ's kingdom has been made by the jerk who is yelling insults at people he doesn't know on my college campus? Calling all of them fornicators (among other things)? He called me one, the virgin till I married and faithful since then guy. Is there something wrong with drinking that every single person in a bar must be yelled at? Oh yeah, that's Christianity - puritanical gnostic crap that means anything that's fun must by definition be sinful.
God forbid he sit down with them, befriend them, find out what's going on in their life. Oh no, that would take too much work. God forbid a street preacher actually go through the trouble of loving their neighbor, and in an actual, willing to assist, willing to help, sacrificing of my own time, helping them how they need to be helped not how I want to help them way.
Atheists drive me nuts. To date I have only met two who I know are avowed atheists and who are not constantly insulting and belittling me or my faith as soon as they hear about it (which doesn't take long). I routinely refuse to discuss religion with atheists, and my atheist friends know that. My being able to come on here among Christians and vent a bit about thtat should be respected, and their right to vent about our crazies should be respected as well. He should "man up" and reveal himself? How about we man up and commit ourselves to actually being Christ-Like, take the insults we deserve, and let them vent when they need it too?
Two types of "evangelism" get me really hot under the collar. This street-preacher-founded-in-anger-and-hatred-crap, and the befriending-someone-just-to-evangelize-them-junk. If you're still doing these, you're hurting Christ's kingdom more than you could possibly know. STOP IT!
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I agree, Rawb! I think street preachers - in this day of cyber-communication and distribution of information - do more harm than good. I also agree that we as Christians should pray, and ask God to bring us together with unbelievers, and to simply let the Holy Spirit do what needs to be done.
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Permalink Reply by Liam S. on -
Both Atheists and Christians (and every religion) have those who do not do themselves any favors - and seem to do everything in their power to prevent relationships and meaningful conversation.
Unfortunately Sheildes' experience in New Orleans is all too common. Likewise Rawb's. All we can do, regardless of what side of the aisle we sit on, is respect each other (if not the beliefs we hold) and try to understand each others perspective and motivations.
You can educate, converse, and hang out, without judging, condemning, dismissing, belittling, or praying for someone. And should.
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Permalink Reply by Nick H on
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Liam, I think Christians should always pray for others (and themselves) so I don't think not praying is a solution. But that said, I can see how condescending it must be to nonChristians when a Christian slams their choices and then follows it with a "but I'll pray for you". I feel it takes away the meaning of it.
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Permalink Reply by Liam S. on
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Aye - it is the latter case that I am more worried about. :)
My favorite response to that was Chris Hitchens in a debate, where the theist quipped at him - "I'll pray for you." and Hitch replied, "Then I'll think for you."
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If I were talking to Chris Hitchens, and heard him say to me, "Then I'll think for you" I would merely smile. I'm wondering, however, if it were even necessary to say that; perhaps he would assume so without me having to say it, because if he were talking with me, he would know that I'm a Christian. Anyway, I would not take Mr. Hitchen's response as disrespectful, at all. I would come away feeling honored for his time.
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Permalink Reply by Rawb on
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I'll be honest - it would offend me (possibly. I generally have stopped expecting civility from atheists, so it's more of a case where I'm pleased when I run into it rather than disappointed when I don't). Granted I wouldn't be the type to tell Hitchens that I was praying for him anyway, but his saying this, to me, implies that he thinks I'm too stupid to think anything through logically, which is one of my biggest pet peeves with atheists. But if I'm ever talking face to face with Hitchens than I'm in my own personal hell and looking for the fastest possible way out, so telling him I'm praying for him might be the best way to do that!
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Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on
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"I'll pray for you" in the context the OP used sounds a lot like "Bless your heart" to me.
Pray for yourself and leave me the f*ck alone.
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Permalink Reply by Native Son on -
A couple of observations.
There is a difference between stepping outside your comfort zone and turning yourself into as big a jerk as "the other guy."
It is quite possible to enjoy an acquaintance, a friendship, or another sort of relationship without "imposing" your belief system on that relationship. A little Christain foreberance.
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