Comments on: Christian: Don’t Too Readily Dismiss the Rational Atheist

By: Bob Seidensticker

Bob Seidensticker — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:18:20 +0000

The challenge of encouraging the Christian to intellectually critique their religion is one that I tackled with my book, “Cross Examined: An Unconventional Spiritual Journey.” Intellectual indolence, as you put it, is the wide, easy path.

(I also don’t think much of the Christian attitude toward gays.)

By: Zoe Brain

Zoe Brain — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:53:43 +0000

buzz : Matthew 22:35-40.

People like myself consider 35-38 optional, and/or redundant.

Everyone here is an atheist, it’s just the degree that differs. I just disbelieve in one more god than you, 3 more if you’re Trinitarian. If I’m wrong, then I believe that by following Matthew 22:39-40, I’m fulfilling the earlier parts too.

By: Anne Young via Facebook

Anne Young via Facebook — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:04:18 +0000

I love how he said that while there would be no death-bed conversion for him, “I like surpirses”…

By: Dwayne G Mason via Facebook

Dwayne G Mason via Facebook — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:09:59 +0000

“we substitute the clamorous fervor of emotion for the quiet discipline of studied comprehension.”

I LOVE that line.

By: William

William — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:10:29 +0000

The western world has certainly lost one of it’s great

Thanks for resharing this John

By: John Shore via Facebook

John Shore via Facebook — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:04:57 +0000

(thanks, Kimberly, as ever.)

By: Vale Christopher « Wondering Pilgrim

Vale Christopher « Wondering Pilgrim — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:52:22 +0000

[...] He wrote a book – God is Not Great. My life’s vocation has been arguing the opposite. Same topic, different perspective. So yep, we differed in many ways, yet I have this felt affinity. And it seems funny attempting to align my pigmy reasonings with his gigantic intellect. Maybe it’s simply our shared humanity – “Ask not for whom the bell tolls…” I resonate with this reflection from John Shore: Generally speaking, atheists have championed what we Christians too readily surrender: the sacredness of thought that’s uncompromisingly rational and unapologetically independent. You can read the rest of it here. [...]

By: Kimberly J Edwards via Facebook

Kimberly J Edwards via Facebook — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:43:05 +0000

wonderful, john.

By: Demian Rubalcaba via Facebook

Demian Rubalcaba via Facebook — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:14:11 +0000

Absolutely true!..but qualify it it with this: Most hardline atheists do not operate from this position of uncertainty and humility either. And it is one of many points that I find they completely agree with most fundy Christians on, only from the other side of the argument. That is, that they, like a fundy, have it all figured out and everyone else’s perceptions on the matter are silly mistakes… I promise you that the next great human oppression will come not from the robe-laden preist but from the lab coat-laden scientist suffocating humankind by putting us under the microscope and subjugating us to statistical analysis, testable hypothesis, instinctual drives and approach/ avoid and reward/ punishment diminutives. I swear, as soon as we have pried the preist’s hand from our eyes, we find the scientist’s hands wrapped around our necks.

By: buzz

buzz — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:25:54 +0000

I never comprehend how people can say understanding the Bible is difficult.

Love God
Love your neighbor

That’s pretty much it.

(Understanding is easy, application is hard!)