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Possibly the best secret weapon that irreligion has, is that those who battle for organised religion think that all they have to do is smash down the unbelievers. Little do they know that, all the time they do that, believers are watching and then quietly slipping away to irreligious Theism.
I think on some level the fundamentalists actually ENVY the nonbelievers.
But if what you are saying were true, then I think that would be their subconscious goal.
How is OzzyRules talking about how he thinks churches should promote God's love rather than blasting sinners anything about entertaining non believers? As a non believer any message about god setting up rules so that he can save people who breaks those rules sounds silly but that is not the way that OzzyRules thinks as he sure sounds like a believer not an unbeliever.
I think the "belief" that those conservative religious people have is merely a shadow the kind of belief that Jesus represents. A mere imitation. True belief is a belief in the principles Jesus talked about and lived out. Belief in the man or the name itself means literally nothing. Because a man or entity by itself without those principles doesn't equate to anything to begin with. Their Jesus means nothing in my honest opinion.
I think the "belief" that those conservative religious people have is merely a shadow the kind of belief that Jesus represents. A mere imitation. True belief is a belief in the principles Jesus talked about and lived out. Belief in the man or the name itself means literally nothing. Because a man or entity by itself without those principles doesn't equate to anything to begin with. Their Jesus means nothing in my honest opinion.
We’re not believing in some empty name, but rather the redemptive work of Christ that saves us. Why you find that offensive, I do not know.
We’re not believing in some empty name, but rather the redemptive work of Christ that saves us. Why you find that offensive, I do not know.
That kind of thinking just gives people license to do evil. In other words, "I just can't help it, I'll always be a sinner. But a sinner saved by grace. Now I can go giggle myself to sleep with my teddy bear like a giant slobbering baby."
That kind of thinking just gives people license to do evil. In other words, "I just can't help it, I'll always be a sinner. But a sinner saved by grace. Now I can go giggle myself to sleep with my teddy bear like a giant slobbering baby."
It means literally nothing but evil.
What you describe is NOT a true, repentant Christian. Read the story of Nicodemus in John 3. Jesus said, to see God, “you must be born again.” There are no magic words that allow a person a get-out-of-jail-free card, no license to “do evil”.
I think on some level the fundamentalists actually ENVY the nonbelievers.
But if what you are saying were true, then I think that would be their subconscious goal.
That's a bit subtle and I can't read their minds. Only interpret their behaviour (and i could be wrong - but much is known about the mechanics of faith-based thinking and we See what's going on). I've never imagined that any kind of Believer (Fundamentalist or not) could be envying atheists. Rather I think atheists may have a sneaking envy for Theists. No need to worry. It's all in God's hands. He'll sort it all out sooner or later.
It's not 'because it's the easy option' that we are atheists, but because it's the only option that really stood up rationally. It's easier in the end, because we don't have to battle to make lies stand up, but can drop anything that turns out to be wrong and get it a bit more right. We don't need to defend dogma or deny doubt. It's a lot easier, I'd suppose, but one has to Get There, first.
In an odd way, it's like me and music. I 'deconverted' from the popular kind, and in doing so cut myself off from society, pretty much. But, having discovered the True Religion there's no way back, even if I may envy their certainty, and I wouldn't swap, even if I could.
It's funny that you mention music. The older and middle aged generations who like classic rock and don't like newer stuff, will complain about the new stuff the same way they complain about the more liberal values of the younger evangelicals. The younger Christians lack the morals they have, apparently.
What you describe is NOT a true, repentant Christian. Read the story of Nicodemus in John 3. Jesus said, to see God, “you must be born again.” There are no magic words that allow a person a get-out-of-jail-free card, no license to “do evil”.
Of course, you know that.
But you know that "repentance" today is usually in the form of one emotional moment where the person becomes "born again". In reality, if there really is a positive change, then they have just reached a level where a certain nonbeliever could have already been at without religion. And they are always struggling for the rest of their lives.
On the other hand, that nonbeliever never had the more bad or evil attitude at the same age that the reformed believer had in his earlier state, and he never will. Or maybe he overcame it at a very young age without religion and before he knew anything about this religion. He understood rationally what the believer needed to be told by the preacher or other church members. Yet you say that he is lost.
It's funny that you mention music. The older and middle aged generations who like classic rock and don't like newer stuff, will complain about the new stuff the same way they complain about the more liberal values of the younger evangelicals. The younger Christians lack the morals they have, apparently.
Nice one. I suppose Christianity - like popular music -evolves with society. My younger sis in fact 'rediscovered' the sort of crap I listen to simply because more recent popular music drove her away from radio 1 to Classic FM when she was driving. Religion has never been a Thing for us. Gradually as the UK became more Secular, we stopped having to Pretend to be religious.
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and I can't read their minds. Only interpret their behaviour (and i could be wrong - but much is known about the mechanics of faith-based thinking and we See what's going on). I've never imagined that any kind of Believer (Fundamentalist or not) could be envying atheists. Rather I think atheists may have a sneaking envy for Theists. No need to worry. It's all in God's hands. He'll sort it all out sooner or later. 
I 'deconverted' from the popular kind, and in doing so cut myself off from society, pretty much. But, having discovered the True Religion 
there's no way back, even if I may envy their certainty, and I wouldn't swap, even if I could.
Nice one. I suppose Christianity - like popular music -evolves with society. My younger sis in fact 'rediscovered' the sort of crap I listen to simply because more recent popular music drove her away from radio 1 to Classic FM when she was driving. Religion has never been a Thing for us. Gradually as the UK became more Secular, we stopped having to Pretend to be religious.
