[From Reddit] My friend turned Atheist from Theist...

Part of the message is hidden for the guests. Please log in or register to see it.

i basically agree with the intended idea here but to be honest this "conversation" seems contrived to me

or am i just over suspicious?

I don't know. Could be fake, but there are some very articulate people out there. Especially if they've been asked about it before and have had time to really think about their answers. Either way it's a really good message.

I think it's mostly in the moment, with the first paragraph being something he came up with after careful thought. Then again, I tend to type like that on facebook with my friends who also type like that. I'm in no way as verbose in person as I am online.

i agree its a good message, but not if its fake, because then the message is "its ok to use deceit as long as you believe in your message" and i think generally that is not correct

and i have to make sure the internet doesnt misbehave

I agree with this whether or not it's true or it's just someone wanting attention because for me it's very relate able. As a young adult and up until the last six years of my life since coming to TOTJO I was very Zealous person for Christianity and I mean I was horrible. I would debate anyone on the matter of faith or beliefs. If you didn't believe the way I did, I would be very blunt and sharp with you and not even question once in my mind to tell you, "Your going to hell if you don't repent, baptized in the name of The Lord Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost." I studied multiple religions over the course of my life, went to multiple churches at least 50 different types and other "cults" and religions seeking knowledge and understanding. Some, I got kicked out of, one synagogue in particular beat me for questioning their beliefs in the torah, the Mormon church I went to with my girlfriend at the time kicked me out for drinking a coke in their church and many more. My point is, I agree with this but, yet I don't. I believed strongly in Jesus and still do in his teachings but, for many years despite my studies my faith in Christ never wavier-ed. It wasn't until one day, I had been humiliated by my Pastor across the pulpit that I begun to waver in my faith. I was hurt but, out of respect ignored it until, every time he saw me he would make some sort of rude comment or em brass me in front of our peers (I was a deacon of the Lutheran church at the time) all because his congregation was coming to me asking questions about the sermons he was teaching and I was giving them answers. I know it is a little disrespectful now that I look back for you to do that when they probably should of asked the Pastor but, at the time I didn't think anything of it I was just honored that they'd ask me. Well, I finally had got fed up with it and left didn't say anything didn't tell anyone just resigned my title and never walked back into the church again. Now, you could say that was bitterness on my behalf and it was but, at the time I thought if this is how a person abuses their power over an entire congregation then I don't want any part of "Christ Church" or any of his so called "Saints." Of course, to this day I still attend a church that is very conservative with my wife because that is what she believes and I don't see anything wrong with that but, the Church does every so often try and get me to "Pray through" and I am involved in the churches regular activities when posted but, I mainly do it for my wife's sake because it is important to her otherwise I think she knows that I probably wouldn't attend anymore but, sometimes I've learned in life you cannot always do what you want and especially when your married you have to be submissive to that persons wants as well. But, my point is I don't view myself as an Atheist but, rather I believe the Force is god's hand in our lives and yet he doesn't have any form or absolutes except what he has enforced on the universe and this planet. The Force is his will and The Force is it (I won't say he or she because I don't think The Force has a Gender Preference). The rest of religions I think are at the core good but, I think it's Mankind that has tainted it's original purpose and intention to live a better life.

ok ok ill stop fixing the internet lol

thanks for sharing Jestor (which i should have said in the first post anyway) it was a good read

That is Obi your right thank you Jestor.

Its more and more dangerous to be an atheist , so real or not , it needs to be said

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2016/04/watch-saudi-ambassador-claims-atheists-are-terrorists/

The way I see it, people often morph their surroundings to their perspectives. If their experience and observations lead them one way, they apply everything they have learned to that belief. It's sad when I meet someone that is anti theism or anti humanism to the point of an extreme, because ultimately they force your perceptions to become reality. I can't say that I'm any different. Music is one of my passions, but I have never held respect for pop, and I don't know if I ever will.

But faith is a much more dangerous thing to use. Not only does it reinforce personal bias, it causes conflict, which cements resentment all too often than not. Even if one person breaks the trend, there are plenty more to replace them. Our biases are one thing that makes us great but weak at the same time. A unified human race is most likely impossible, thanks to a handful of opinionated people.

The funniest part is that faith based conflicts seem almost like a fight over who likes vanilla or choclate ice cream better. I mean we're all going to die one day... But I hope you like chocolate otherwise eternity will suck for you bro.

I'm just sitting over here like 'I like Neapolitan. Problem bro?"