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If these people aren't about their hatred of God and Christians then why is their symbol the the mocking Christian fish?
American Atheists Announce 'Atheist T.V.' | Truth Revolt
American Atheists Announce 'Atheist T.V.' | Truth Revolt
I don't really know how to convince Xtians of this, I have tried many different ways, but this still keeps coming up.
One cannot hate, that which we don't believe exists.
Just like I don't love the Easter Bunny or I am not angry at Santa, I don't hate your god. I reject the concept of a god, but I can't hate what doesn't exist, it isn't rational.
Unlike Xtians, atheists are completely unorganised, we have no leaders*, no rules, not even guidelines.
We have only one qualification that we insist our 'members' have, they must not believe in any god or gods.
Consequently, the walking fish is a badge that some use, others use the pink unicorn logo and still others, the Dawkins 'A'. Tomorrow someone may invent another symbol that will inspire and help unite all atheists, but it probably won't happen.
Regarding mockery, I personally use mockery sparingly, but then only to mock the idea never the person. Ideas are fair game, people are not. A Xtian has to be pretty rude to be before I will resort to that. But I have done it.
For example, I have no problem with saying, "The concept of a global flood is laughable. Not a shred of evidence supports it and there is lots against it." But I wouldn't say "Anyone who believes in a global flood is an idiot."
*There are people who lead the debate and who are famous atheists, but they don't carry any authority, and atheists are free to ignore any or all of them as long as they still have no belief, they are still with us. Personally, unless Dawkins is talking evolutionary biology, I rarely listen to him. I met him once and didn't like him.
One cannot hate, that which we don't believe exists.
Just like I don't love the Easter Bunny or I am not angry at Santa, I don't hate your god. I reject the concept of a god, but I can't hate what doesn't exist, it isn't rational.
Unlike Xtians, atheists are completely unorganised, we have no leaders*, no rules, not even guidelines.
We have only one qualification that we insist our 'members' have, they must not believe in any god or gods.
Consequently, the walking fish is a badge that some use, others use the pink unicorn logo and still others, the Dawkins 'A'. Tomorrow someone may invent another symbol that will inspire and help unite all atheists, but it probably won't happen.
Regarding mockery, I personally use mockery sparingly, but then only to mock the idea never the person. Ideas are fair game, people are not. A Xtian has to be pretty rude to be before I will resort to that. But I have done it.
For example, I have no problem with saying, "The concept of a global flood is laughable. Not a shred of evidence supports it and there is lots against it." But I wouldn't say "Anyone who believes in a global flood is an idiot."
*There are people who lead the debate and who are famous atheists, but they don't carry any authority, and atheists are free to ignore any or all of them as long as they still have no belief, they are still with us. Personally, unless Dawkins is talking evolutionary biology, I rarely listen to him. I met him once and didn't like him.
Is there such a thing as an Atheist?
Well, I believe in Atheists just as much as I believe in the flying spaghetti monster - oh wait, according to Atheist Bobby Henderson, I might as well believe in the flying spaghetti monster!!!
Leave it up to Atheists to form an argument that is based on a food that is messy, full of starch, and adds unhealthy weight gain.
Hey Atheists, can you please pass me the meat-balls (and I'm don't mean Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris!!!).
P.S. No Spaghetti Monsters (or Atheists) were harmed during the writing of this post.
All in good fun, my Atheist friends. All in good fun!!!
Well, I believe in Atheists just as much as I believe in the flying spaghetti monster - oh wait, according to Atheist Bobby Henderson, I might as well believe in the flying spaghetti monster!!!
Leave it up to Atheists to form an argument that is based on a food that is messy, full of starch, and adds unhealthy weight gain.
Hey Atheists, can you please pass me the meat-balls (and I'm don't mean Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris!!!).
P.S. No Spaghetti Monsters (or Atheists) were harmed during the writing of this post.
All in good fun, my Atheist friends. All in good fun!!!
In ancient centuries, polytheism was common and atheism was rare. Polytheism still exists today in Asian and animistic cultures but is rare in Western civilization.
Why was polytheism much more common in the west (example: Greek and Roman mythology)?
Why was atheism rare for many centuries but more common now?
I've thought about it but don't feel like I have all the answers on this.
Also, there have been multiple, recent headlines and atheists do appear to be getting more organized.
Why was polytheism much more common in the west (example: Greek and Roman mythology)?
Why was atheism rare for many centuries but more common now?
I've thought about it but don't feel like I have all the answers on this.
Also, there have been multiple, recent headlines and atheists do appear to be getting more organized.
Even though correlation is not necessarily causation, I feel the link between the growth of the atheist movement and the growth in information availability cannot be denied.
i.e. as the internet exploded onto the world, the demise of religion accelerated.
I conclude from this that when people can get access to accurate information about religion, they reject it.
i.e. as the internet exploded onto the world, the demise of religion accelerated.
I conclude from this that when people can get access to accurate information about religion, they reject it.
Your post is laughable in it's hypocrisy. The reason atheists mock Christians with a walking fish is to take their symbol and pervert it to mean that evolution is how life began and Christians are stupid to think God created it. Further, YOU appear to mock Christians on a Christian site by purposefully removing Christ by X-ing Him out. So don't try and take the high road and say you don't mock people.
OK. We've debated some of the evidence for and against theism here in the past.
"Knowledge puffs up but love edifies" is a Bible verse that comes to mind but it doesn't need to be applied here.
People feel more independent with their technology, I think. Primitive cultures were more dependent upon nature.
Q. Why was polytheism much more common in cultures with ancient roots (Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Hindus, Buddhists, tribal cultures)?
Comment: Old Testament history shows us that Israel's neighbors often practiced idolatry or polytheism and that Israel, at times, practiced some of the behaviors of their neighbors.
Why was polytheism once so common?
"Knowledge puffs up but love edifies" is a Bible verse that comes to mind but it doesn't need to be applied here.
People feel more independent with their technology, I think. Primitive cultures were more dependent upon nature.
Q. Why was polytheism much more common in cultures with ancient roots (Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Hindus, Buddhists, tribal cultures)?
Comment: Old Testament history shows us that Israel's neighbors often practiced idolatry or polytheism and that Israel, at times, practiced some of the behaviors of their neighbors.
Why was polytheism once so common?
The atheist symbol is more likely the red uppercase 'A' which Dawkins is promoting. Atheists who've outed themselves more typically wear this, I think. The fish with legs is not a symbol of hate. Think about it. Christians who want to advertise their Christianity have all sorts of ways to do it. They wear crosses, sport fish symbols on their cars, and so. That's all this is, a means for atheists to tell others that they are atheists. No big deal. It is not about mocking and it is not about hate.
The number of time I have read an atheist saying they have no evidence and I can't remember how many times I have directed them to the evidence, myriad examples, and despite this they STILL SAY they don't have any evidence.
Facing the truth, they DON'T WANT evidence, all they want is an argument. If they wanted evidence they would check up on all the evidence available.
So next time an atheist says there is no evidence reply with "And your next joke is...."
Facing the truth, they DON'T WANT evidence, all they want is an argument. If they wanted evidence they would check up on all the evidence available.
So next time an atheist says there is no evidence reply with "And your next joke is...."
I don't know where you get your information from but it is obviously not from those that tell the truth as this article shows.....
WEST AFRICA: DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION AMONG MUSLIM PEOPLES
“Dramatic transformation is the key to rapid multiplication of churches among Muslims,” says Jerry Trousdale of missions organization CityTeam International. He relates the story how one time their West African ministry partners were having their midday prayers, when they suddenly were surrounded by Muslim leaders. The team had been seeing breathtaking breakthroughs among highly resistant Muslim peoples, so they had anticipated opposition. They had reason to be fearful, but kept praying. Surprisingly, the Muslims just stood around them observing the proceedings and making no signs of hostile intentions.
When the Christian leaders finished praying, the group approached and turned out to be a delegation of Muslim civic leaders from a distant region. They had come with their imam and with a request. They said: “We have not come to harm you, but we beg you - could you please send us the storytellers?” They meant the Christian workers who were making disciples by telling stories. The Muslim leaders from this community had observed other communities in their area that had become Christian, and they had noticed a dramatic change in people’s lives. They wanted the same thing in their community!
After some rearranging of schedules and responsibilities, the ministry was able to send out a team of storytellers to the distant village. Nobody imagined at the time that events like these would be repeated again and again, and that even entire mosques would come to faith in Christ. “When Muslims observe the types of dramatic transformation that only the gospel can bring in individuals, families and whole communities, they are often jealous to experience the same,” explains Trousdale. What does transformation look like among Muslim-background believers? These are some of the most common changes seen among Muslims who accept Christ:
1. Healed families. In families where women and children have been treated almost as slaves, wife beating becomes no longer acceptable, and love begins to heal broken marriages. Children are given permission to attend schools and are treated with new appreciation. Fighting between parents and children diminishes. Polygamy is no longer the choice of Christian men, and prostitution dies out.
2. A Spirit of Freedom. When people discover freedom, it affects everything in their lives. They find release from fatalism, they are willing to try new things, and they expect God to bless their lives.
3. A Spirit of Love. Many Muslim people report that God puts love in their hearts for the first time. In many cases, they have a new passion for fellow Muslims who are still in the mosque.
4. Diminished violence. There have been instances in which, upon becoming Christians, former Muslims refuse to participate in ongoing ethnic warfare. In one case, when the Christian men were called to account for why they no longer ‘supported the tribe’, they shared the message of Jesus. This caused tribal elders to rethink their reasons for fighting, and the fighting stopped. Today, the two men who stood up for their conviction, are church planters.
5. Less addiction. The levels of addiction to alcohol, khat, and other things that consume people’s lives are greatly diminished as these people receive prayer for deliverance.
6. Redemption and hope. Historically, when lost people become obedient disciples of Jesus, they typically exchange fatalism for optimism, have new energy and initiative, and become more productive people. In addition, they abandon expensive addictions, and they see the blessings for God on their family situation.
7. Evidences of Divine favour. Many new Christians share with joy how, after they became followers of Jesus, and during a time of prolonged drought, the Lord caused it to rain on their farms or on the pasture where their livestock was, but not on their neighbours’ land. And it became so obvious that the Muslim neighbours came to them to find out why these Christians had such favour. Farmers in every region that City Team International workers have interviewed report that, since they have become Christians, they have begun praying over their fields and have ceased using Muslim or spiritist blessings on their land, and their harvests have dramatically increased.
8. Grace in persecution. Many new Christians in Muslim areas face harsh persecution. But these believers, though persecuted in cruel ways, have been transformed so deeply that they find the courage to speak a blessing on their persecutors. This forgiveness in the face of persecution can, over time, be the way that God gets into a persecutor’s heart to transform it as well. Numerous Muslims who formerly persecuted the Muslim-background Christians in their areas have come to faith as a result of those whom they persecuted responding with grace and kindness to the evil things done to them.
9. Freedom from demonic oppression. Many Muslims have experienced years of torment from demonic powers. But when they repent of sins and receive Jesus as Lord, those spirits are successfully cast out. These deliverances are very tangible witnesses of the power of the gospel in Muslim families.
10. The power of individual prayer. Common people discover that they can pray and God moves. Even the Muslims see this and thank God for the changes in the communities, as many who used to disturb them are now peaceful Christians.
WEST AFRICA: DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION AMONG MUSLIM PEOPLES
“Dramatic transformation is the key to rapid multiplication of churches among Muslims,” says Jerry Trousdale of missions organization CityTeam International. He relates the story how one time their West African ministry partners were having their midday prayers, when they suddenly were surrounded by Muslim leaders. The team had been seeing breathtaking breakthroughs among highly resistant Muslim peoples, so they had anticipated opposition. They had reason to be fearful, but kept praying. Surprisingly, the Muslims just stood around them observing the proceedings and making no signs of hostile intentions.
When the Christian leaders finished praying, the group approached and turned out to be a delegation of Muslim civic leaders from a distant region. They had come with their imam and with a request. They said: “We have not come to harm you, but we beg you - could you please send us the storytellers?” They meant the Christian workers who were making disciples by telling stories. The Muslim leaders from this community had observed other communities in their area that had become Christian, and they had noticed a dramatic change in people’s lives. They wanted the same thing in their community!
After some rearranging of schedules and responsibilities, the ministry was able to send out a team of storytellers to the distant village. Nobody imagined at the time that events like these would be repeated again and again, and that even entire mosques would come to faith in Christ. “When Muslims observe the types of dramatic transformation that only the gospel can bring in individuals, families and whole communities, they are often jealous to experience the same,” explains Trousdale. What does transformation look like among Muslim-background believers? These are some of the most common changes seen among Muslims who accept Christ:
1. Healed families. In families where women and children have been treated almost as slaves, wife beating becomes no longer acceptable, and love begins to heal broken marriages. Children are given permission to attend schools and are treated with new appreciation. Fighting between parents and children diminishes. Polygamy is no longer the choice of Christian men, and prostitution dies out.
2. A Spirit of Freedom. When people discover freedom, it affects everything in their lives. They find release from fatalism, they are willing to try new things, and they expect God to bless their lives.
3. A Spirit of Love. Many Muslim people report that God puts love in their hearts for the first time. In many cases, they have a new passion for fellow Muslims who are still in the mosque.
4. Diminished violence. There have been instances in which, upon becoming Christians, former Muslims refuse to participate in ongoing ethnic warfare. In one case, when the Christian men were called to account for why they no longer ‘supported the tribe’, they shared the message of Jesus. This caused tribal elders to rethink their reasons for fighting, and the fighting stopped. Today, the two men who stood up for their conviction, are church planters.
5. Less addiction. The levels of addiction to alcohol, khat, and other things that consume people’s lives are greatly diminished as these people receive prayer for deliverance.
6. Redemption and hope. Historically, when lost people become obedient disciples of Jesus, they typically exchange fatalism for optimism, have new energy and initiative, and become more productive people. In addition, they abandon expensive addictions, and they see the blessings for God on their family situation.
7. Evidences of Divine favour. Many new Christians share with joy how, after they became followers of Jesus, and during a time of prolonged drought, the Lord caused it to rain on their farms or on the pasture where their livestock was, but not on their neighbours’ land. And it became so obvious that the Muslim neighbours came to them to find out why these Christians had such favour. Farmers in every region that City Team International workers have interviewed report that, since they have become Christians, they have begun praying over their fields and have ceased using Muslim or spiritist blessings on their land, and their harvests have dramatically increased.
8. Grace in persecution. Many new Christians in Muslim areas face harsh persecution. But these believers, though persecuted in cruel ways, have been transformed so deeply that they find the courage to speak a blessing on their persecutors. This forgiveness in the face of persecution can, over time, be the way that God gets into a persecutor’s heart to transform it as well. Numerous Muslims who formerly persecuted the Muslim-background Christians in their areas have come to faith as a result of those whom they persecuted responding with grace and kindness to the evil things done to them.
9. Freedom from demonic oppression. Many Muslims have experienced years of torment from demonic powers. But when they repent of sins and receive Jesus as Lord, those spirits are successfully cast out. These deliverances are very tangible witnesses of the power of the gospel in Muslim families.
10. The power of individual prayer. Common people discover that they can pray and God moves. Even the Muslims see this and thank God for the changes in the communities, as many who used to disturb them are now peaceful Christians.