Atheists in a Christian society

Maybe I/we live differently. The people I/we know don't ask if we follow any particular religion or do they question our political interests. We don't question their interests in religion or politics. I think that is why social interaction is not a problem for us.
 

Knight said:
Maybe I/we live differently. The people I/we know don't ask if we follow any particular religion or do they question our political interests. We don't question their interests in religion or politics. I think that is why social interaction is not a problem for us.
Click to expand...
In my entire adult life the only people who've ever asked about my religious affiliation were my doctors and surgeons, and hospital staff. And that's only because they're required so they'll know whether to call a priest, rabbi, or reverend, or whatever, if I start to kick the bucket.
 
Last edited:
Murrmurr said:
Jesus failed to establish an independent Israel and was killed at the hands of the Romans. That's why Orthodox Jews don't believe he was the Messiah. Messianic Jews believed Jesus was the true messiah and joined the Christian movement. Many centuries later a lot of them still live kosher because they are Jewish by heritage rather than by faith. So, yes, they are Jewish, and they're Christians.
Click to expand...
Actually, many of them are First Century Christians.
 

I had a low income friend, who had chosen to be a Mormon, whom I told that I'd like to help out with $50.00. Anyway, she accepted because she needed money to pay for heat at the time. I sent her $50.00 more later because she mentioned her hair was a mess she couldn't fix. To show her appreciation, she mailed me a book on Mormonism. Uh oh. I thanked her, but told her I couldn't go along with Mormonism. She tried to dissuade me and we ended up grudgingly accepting our differences and both agreed that what's most important is that we both have accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior. :)
 
Elsie said:
I had a low income friend, who had chosen to be a Mormon, whom I told that I'd like to help out with $50.00. Anyway, she accepted because she needed money to pay for heat at the time. I sent her $50.00 more later because she mentioned her hair was a mess she couldn't fix. To show her appreciation, she mailed me a book on Mormonism. Uh oh. I thanked her, but told her I couldn't go along with Mormonism. She tried to dissuade me and we ended up grudgingly accepting our differences and both agreed that what's most important is that we both have accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior. :)
Click to expand...
The LDS have the largest "welfare" system on the planet. Your friend should have known that.
You can get free clothes, household items, furniture, haircuts. You can even be seen by a dentist or doctor for free. All you gotta do in exchange is volunteer to box up care packages at one of their warehouses, deliver food or offer a service or whatever.
Eh, maybe she found out after you helped her.
 
Murrmurr said:
The LDS have the largest "welfare" system on the planet. Your friend should have known that.
You can get free clothes, household items, furniture, haircuts. You can even be seen by a dentist or doctor for free. All you gotta do in exchange is volunteer to box up care packages at one of their warehouses, deliver food or offer a service or whatever.
Eh, maybe she found out after you helped her.
Click to expand...
There's no member of the LDS who couldn't know about this. My guess is that your friend was using your generosity as a way to start the conversion process, Elsie, -- which she succeeded in doing, whether on not you chose to hold firm to your beliefs.
 
Dancing_Queen said:
There's no member of the LDS who couldn't know about this. My guess is that your friend was using your generosity as a way to start the conversion process, Elsie, -- which she succeeded in doing, whether on not you chose to hold firm to your beliefs.
Click to expand...
A new member might not know. Elsie's post seemed like she was talking about a new member. The Elders usually don't talk to new members about LDS social services right away unless the person is in obvious dire straights.
 
Murrmurr said:
A new member might not know. Elsie's post seemed like she was talking about a new member. The Elders usually don't talk to new members about LDS social services right away unless the person is in obvious dire straights.
Click to expand...
I must have missed something, Murrmurr. What made you believe she was talking about a new member? I'm really curious as to what I missed. Was it that she had chosen to become a Mormon? If so, I took it to mean that at some point in her life (whenever) she'd made this choice just as Elsie had made the choice to use the T.V. preachers. It seems to me that ANY member, especially a new member, of the LDS would have been so embedded in and embraced by the community that it would have known if she'd had such drastic financial problems.
 
Dancing_Queen said:
There's no member of the LDS who couldn't know about this. My guess is that your friend was using your generosity as a way to start the conversion process, Elsie, -- which she succeeded in doing, whether on not you chose to hold firm to your beliefs.
Click to expand...
I contacted her first, after years of our not seeing eachother. We both were always short on funds so when I received some inheritance money, her situation came to mind, so I phoned her and offered the $50.00. She was hesitant, seemed a bit uncomfortable, but then accepted the money. She never asked for any more money than I gave her.
 
LSWOTE said:
Anyone else have some thoughts on this other than trying to save my soul?
Click to expand...



In the New Testament people readily converted to Christianity because the churches provided healings, miracles such as raising the dead, and by providing food to everyone who asked. The NT promises that any of Jesus's ministers could duplicate and surpass those miracles.

Over the years people have tried to convert me to their religions. But whenever I ask them to provide the type of miracles promised in the Bible they act as if they have no idea of what the heck I'm talking about.
 
Elsie said:
I contacted her first, after years of our not seeing eachother. We both were always short on funds so when I received some inheritance money, her situation came to mind, so I phoned her and offered the $50.00. She was hesitant, seemed a bit uncomfortable, but then accepted the money. She never asked for any more money than I gave her.
Click to expand...
I understand, Elsie; but I stand by what I said to Murrmurr. Of course, I know I could be wrong.
 
oldiebutgoody said:
In the New Testament people readily converted to Christianity because the churches provided healings, miracles such as raising the dead, and by providing food to everyone who asked. The NT promises that any of Jesus's ministers could duplicate and surpass those miracles.

Over the years people have tried to convert me to their religions. But whenever I ask them to provide the type of miracles promised in the Bible they act as if they have no idea of what the heck I'm talking about.
Click to expand...
People converted to Christianity because Paul was a fantastic marketer. Any modern company would love to give him the job of head honcho in their marketing department! Read "The Evolution of God" by Robert Wright for a blow by blow description of his marketing campaign.
 
Dancing_Queen said:
I must have missed something, Murrmurr. What made you believe she was talking about a new member? I'm really curious as to what I missed. Was it that she had chosen to become a Mormon? If so, I took it to mean that at some point in her life (whenever) she'd made this choice just as Elsie had made the choice to use the T.V. preachers. It seems to me that ANY member, especially a new member, of the LDS would have been so embedded in and embraced by the community that it would have known if she'd had such drastic financial problems.
Click to expand...
This part "I had a low income friend, who had chosen to be a Mormon" gave me the impression she was a new member. A misinterpretation, apparently.
 
Jesus Heals the Blind Man: Bible Story of Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was a blind beggar who called out to Jesus for mercy and healing. The faith of Bartimaeus is seen in how he addresses Jesus as the Son of God. While the crowd tells the blind man to be quiet, Bartimaeus just became louder! When Jesus tells his disciples to bring the blind man over, a miracle happens because of his faith.
 
Elsie said:
Jesus Heals the Blind Man: Bible Story of Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was a blind beggar who called out to Jesus for mercy and healing. The faith of Bartimaeus is seen in how he addresses Jesus as the Son of God. While the crowd tells the blind man to be quiet, Bartimaeus just became louder! When Jesus tells his disciples to bring the blind man over, a miracle happens because of his faith.
Click to expand...
John 9:6-7 describes how Jesus miraculously heals the man's physical eyes: "After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 'Go,' he told him, 'wash in the Pool of Siloam.' So the man went and washed, and came home seeing."
 
mellowyellow said:
A few years ago, professors at University College London expressed concern over the increasing number of biology students boycotting lectures on Darwinist theory, which form an important part of the syllabus, citing their religion. I can't see how Darwinism and Christianity can co-exist.
Click to expand...
I can assure you that they can. For 25 years (1972 - 1998) I was employed at a Catholic junior high school and taught Darwinian evolution as part of the science curriculum. We looked at the evidence that supports Darwin's proposals in The Origins of Species. In RE lessons we looked at the creation myths (yes, we called them myths) from a theological view point. This is what mainstream churches do although there are a minority that insist that every word in the scriptures is literally true. This position developed in Britain and US following the publication of Darwin's thesis. It was a rejection of the notion that humans are "descended from apes" which is a serious misunderstanding of evolution. In today's world this position, IMO, is unsustainable without choosing deliberate ignorance.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
It is obvious that attending a church service just to get chummy with the church goers is not a very ethical thing. You have to find another less parasitical way to meet others.
Click to expand...
It is not obvious at all. Humans meet where humans are. Most people have the need to socialize, nothing parasitical about that. I think it is about respect. If someone doesn't share beliefs with a group of people and is not even open to considering the beliefs, they shouldn't go into the group and disrespect the beliefs.
 
I emptied my former self by faith to God in exchange for a promised better self through Jesus. I do not know if there are other cosmic catalyst that transport you to different state of understanding and awareness as Jesus did for me, and yet I wonder about different beliefs and practices that may replicate salvation to a greater awareness as Christianity did for me?

It's been a few years since God and I became one, and if God is one with me and I am one with God, what about all of the people who do not accept the oneness within themselves because they are not chosen? I believe for people to know God they must be selected by God and make a decision to accept or reject what God offers them.

As a concept, are there other Jesus types who open the door to a new state of being in the same light a Christianity?

I'm grateful for what God has done for me, such as healing my mind so I may enjoy and accomplish many things that otherwise would have been impossible. If God did this for me, then there are other believers equally blessed.
 
Mr. Ed said:
I emptied my former self by faith to God in exchange for a promised better self through Jesus. I do not know if there are other cosmic catalyst that transport you to different state of understanding and awareness as Jesus did for me, and yet I wonder about different beliefs and practices that may replicate salvation to a greater awareness as Christianity did for me?

It's been a few years since God and I became one, and if God is one with me and I am one with God, what about all of the people who do not accept the oneness within themselves because they are not chosen? I believe for people to know God they must be selected by God and make a decision to accept or reject what God offers them.

As a concept, are there other Jesus types who open the door to a new state of being in the same light a Christianity?

I'm grateful for what God has done for me, such as healing my mind so I may enjoy and accomplish many things that otherwise would have been impossible. If God did this for me, then there are other believers equally blessed.
Click to expand...
I'm one with the Cosmos. Everything you said also exists for me.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top