Comments on Mississippi Atheists: A Non-Believer in Church: First Baptist in Oxford

I'm the pastor who preached that Father's Day serm...

2008-08-20T12:12:00.000-05:00

I'm the pastor who preached that Father's Day sermon. I'm glad you came and hope you'll come by again. Thanks for the review. Nice catch on the problem of Jesus' linneage in Matthew and Luke. The one time I decide not to explore a difficulty in the text and there's an atheist in the house--go figure!

I think I understand what Blue is saying here. Ord...

2008-06-21T06:20:00.000-05:00

I think I understand what Blue is saying here. Ordinarily, I'd probably agree. Thing is, this is Mississippi. I'd be extremely concerned that Oliver might be assaulted by legions of rabid Christians if he was too open about his feelings toward religion. Yes, I suppose there is some dishonesty in blending in. But some measure of that might be needed in this case.

I agree, Jason. It is a fascinating series, and I ...

2008-06-21T06:18:00.000-05:00

I agree, Jason. It is a fascinating series, and I find myself looking forward to each post. I think I've said this before, but it makes me feel like I'm reading a series of good anthropological work.

I find this series absolutely fascinating.

2008-06-20T20:35:00.000-05:00

I find this series absolutely fascinating.

I don't mean that Christians are lower than you--I...

2008-06-20T16:07:00.000-05:00

I don't mean that Christians are lower than you--I mean that a lot of religion involves being dishonest and tricking people, unfortunately. I don't mean Christians themselves, just the people who use the dirty tactics to draw others into it. Sorry for the mix up :)

And you're right, it would help to see what they say naturally, not when they're trying to convert people.

Hello, Blue! Thanks for your suggestion. I might t...

2008-06-20T15:13:00.000-05:00

Hello, Blue! Thanks for your suggestion. I might try that sometime: outing myself before a church service to see what happens. For the time being, I want to see a spectrum of Christian viewpoints as they occur naturally. As for being dishonest, I do not agree. I'm seeing what they have to offer without putting myself at any sort of risk. I do not see Christians as people lower than me. I see Christians as equals who are trying to understand reality in their own way. While I deplore what religion does to people, these people are content in keeping their religion. Going into churches is one way to find out why.

While I agree with what you're saying and agree th...

2008-06-20T12:22:00.000-05:00

While I agree with what you're saying and agree that it's good way of learning more about the faults of Christianity, perhaps this is a little too dishonest? It seems like you're lowering yourself to the level of them to learn about them. Just a thought. :) At the very least, perhaps you could lose the Bible and, if asked, admit that you're here to listen but are not a believer?