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Former pastor turns atheist...

CrabCake said:
Christians lose religion all the time. Atheists find religion all the time. Even if this guy weren't simply trying to do some kind of publicity stunt, I don't see what anyone thinks is of note in this story.
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I'm inclined to agree, the story is not in what people believe, but how they came to believe it. Most people are so settled in their ideas that they seldom actually listen to the evidence of the conversion, be it atheist to Christian, or Christian to atheist. While I personally find it interesting that Pastors and clergy have become atheists, I am more interested in why and would never attempt to use that as evidence that Christianity is wrong or god does not exist. There is much, much better lines of argumentation for that.
 
One person that attended a school that gave a diploma allowing that person to shout the word of God now has changed his mind. Here's news of equal impact; I had cantaloupe instead of breakfast tacos this morning.
 
lizzie said:
Yeah, I know they could. I've been through essentially the entire spectrum, and there have been times when I was within a very thin shred of saying eff it all, but then something would happen to bring me back to myself. Maybe it's because I'm not expecting, nor wanting anything from God, but that it is just a way of being for me. God isn't something that I can ever be without, because I'm a part of it.
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panentheism is how you describe your belief ,lizzie
 
Medusa said:
:lol:
l understand but you are a panentheist :2razz:
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Well, not really. At least not strictly. I don't really identify God with the universe, but more along the lines of the essence of action and movement. I don't "worship" the different accepted Gods either, as some people define pantheism to be. My concept really is a very individualized one, and personal to me.
 
lizzie said:
Well, not really. At least not strictly. I don't really identify God with the universe, but more along the lines of the essence of action and movement.
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We need a vague god concept to explain action and movement? Why?
 
zyzygy said:
Ok, why do you need it? Or is it just a vague concept with no basis in reality?
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It's just something that I enjoy, and am interested in pursuing, and it's really just as simple as that. It add another dimension to my life that I love. No ulterior motives, and no neuroses- just a part of life that is meaningful to me.
 
lizzie said:
It's just something that I enjoy, and am interested in pursuing, and it's really just as simple as that. It add another dimension to my life that I love. No ulterior motives, and no neuroses- just a part of life that is meaningful to me.
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Since you don't push it on others, that's good enough a reason for me. If it makes you happy, it can't be half bad.
 
lizzie said:
It's just something that I enjoy, and am interested in pursuing, and it's really just as simple as that. It add another dimension to my life that I love. No ulterior motives, and no neuroses- just a part of life that is meaningful to me.
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Fair enough. If only all religious people kept it to themselves.
 
RAMOSS said:
Since you don't push it on others, that's good enough a reason for me. If it makes you happy, it can't be half bad.
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Well, in all things, I'm pretty much libertarian- it isn't just politics. I don't hold to the belief that anything can (or should be) forced or manipulated. It isn't authentic if that's the case. With the first sign that someone is trying to manipulate me emotionally, I nip that problem in the bud. I am not trying to save anyone, nor convince anyone that my way is the right way. I live by the creed that I am responsible for my own life- the totality of it- body, mind, and soul, and that each of us has that same responsibility. If I happen upon someone who shares my views (relatively rare), it's marvelous, and is an excellent foundation for a meaningful relationship, but I'm happy to just live and let live.
 
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