tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.comments2012-04-27T14:22:53.695-07:00Diary of an AtheistUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-24821225294393699202012-04-27T14:22:53.695-07:002012-04-27T14:22:53.695-07:00Seriously great post! I have been toying with this...Seriously great post! I have been toying with this concept for over a year now and recently set up a blog of my own to discuss this and similar topics:<br />http://jesusisnot.org/2012/03/06/jesus-is-not-an-asteroid/Godhttp://jesusisnot.org/2012/03/06/jesus-is-not-an-asteroid/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-76933347999478797342012-04-03T15:27:49.454-07:002012-04-03T15:27:49.454-07:00Here is the article:
http://www.humanismbyjoe.com...Here is the article: <br />http://www.humanismbyjoe.com/Christianity's_Social_Harms.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-21180021045330462492012-04-03T15:23:47.373-07:002012-04-03T15:23:47.373-07:00I just "replied to all" with the followi...I just "replied to all" with the following to a chain email sent to me at work : <br />I have strong feeling about these types of messages because I feel that they often cause more harm than good by placing a divide between “good Christian people” and the rest of the “heathens”. If you care to know more about the types of harm I’m talking about, feel free to read the somewhat lengthy article below. I don’t believe that Christianity and goodness are synonyms. While Jesus Christ did and taught wonderful things during his life, the aftermath has been less than desirable. I would urge that instead of spending 60 seconds to forward this, that you could maybe instead take the time to send a personal note of support to a friend or loved one or to maybe “Google” a social cause that you believe in and donate some time or money to further it. Much love and respect to you all. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-20727322221352790992011-12-28T23:22:33.868-08:002011-12-28T23:22:33.868-08:00I can't stand those either...and I'm a Chr...I can't stand those either...and I'm a Christian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-57375359174098384972011-12-01T11:12:50.878-08:002011-12-01T11:12:50.878-08:00That answer doesn't help me at all Anonymous. ...That answer doesn't help me at all Anonymous. Do you see that you aren't really providing me with any substance, you're just telling me stuff with no basis in reality? How am I supposed to be swayed by your comments when you aren't giving me anything to chew on?<br /><br />If you went to a car dealer and asked him why his car why the best, and his response was 'Just look at our sales literature, this says we're the best!', I don't think you would just blindly accept that. That's what you're doing here with me.Menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-21834060309609445822011-11-30T16:23:41.070-08:002011-11-30T16:23:41.070-08:00the bible. U just have not noticed it how much he ...the bible. U just have not noticed it how much he has done for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-29811608484526570482011-11-27T11:34:26.240-08:002011-11-27T11:34:26.240-08:00As evidenced by what?As evidenced by what?Menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-38990368246695594982011-11-26T15:23:48.934-08:002011-11-26T15:23:48.934-08:00Dislike! Believe in Jesus because he died for you ...Dislike! Believe in Jesus because he died for you and is always looking after you. Jesus loves you!:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-49776273182966385372011-09-01T11:34:02.167-07:002011-09-01T11:34:02.167-07:00Right on dude, this is the kind of stuff that Kiva...Right on dude, this is the kind of stuff that Kiva needs hear. Thanks for taking time out to send them an email, a couple years ago I used to hit the Kiva boards every month or so to remind and/or inform people. It really bothers me that new Kiva lenders are not aware of this stuff. What if an MFI's stated goal was to support a specific political candidate, would Kiva still not care to make this info transparent? I think they'd quickly disclose something like that, but for religion they're playing a double-standard and giving it a pass. That's not right, very troubling.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239962445275007246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-3095705561370482472011-08-26T19:20:00.870-07:002011-08-26T19:20:00.870-07:00My letter to Kiva:
I am a relatively new lender, ...My letter to Kiva:<br /><br />I am a relatively new lender, and have made 10 loans through Kiva so far, giving Kiva the default 15% tip each time.<br />However I will stop giving Kiva the 15% until you do one simple thing.<br />On the main lending page for each loan, indicate whether the MFI is religious or not. Yes, I know you indicate it on the MFI page, but I am not going to visit the MFI page every time I am thinking of making a loan. It has to be on the loan page itself.<br />I intend to continue making loans for many years. I am part of the largest group on Kiva, the Atheists, Agnostics, Skeptics, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and the Non-Religious, and we are aware that you have so far been reluctant to disclose in an easily accessible place the religious nature of MFIs, as you feel that shouldn't be the focus. We have no problem with Kiva dealing with them, we just don't personally want to. Many of us will not be financing you until you make this change. Its your choice. Continue to hide this simple piece of information, and continue to forego our contributions. Or do what Kiva Christians would also like to see (as they would probably prefer to lend via religious MFIs) - a simple checkbox next to the MFI name on the loan page.Michael Richardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09749767470702047659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-35422688568839606002011-06-21T11:12:27.072-07:002011-06-21T11:12:27.072-07:00No problem, glad I could help. I notice that Kiva ...No problem, glad I could help. I notice that Kiva now adds a $5 donation on top of all loans by default. The lender has to change that to $0 if they don't want to give Kiva a markup.<br /><br />I've recently made my 42nd loan on Kiva, but I still refuse to give them a donation. They aren't providing total MFI transparency to the lenders, and people like you and I are still being duped into giving our loan capital to religious orgs so they can teach poor people that abortion is a sin and suffering is the path to heaven.<br /><br />I used to periodically inform the Kiva atheist's group know about this issue, but I got burned out on it about a year ago. Feel free to grab the baton if you'd like ;)<br /><br />Thanks for your comment.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239962445275007246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-21164765964748634762011-06-20T23:02:29.429-07:002011-06-20T23:02:29.429-07:00Thanks for this information. This is the exact co...Thanks for this information. This is the exact concern I had when looking for an MFI to donate to. I appreciate your investigation and reporting of this and I have contacted Kiva to let them know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-53104184303033799152011-01-21T18:00:21.692-08:002011-01-21T18:00:21.692-08:00Agreed on both counts.Agreed on both counts.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239962445275007246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-6084020777303648042011-01-21T17:56:34.068-08:002011-01-21T17:56:34.068-08:00Lol @ Harry Potter, I've heard that whole book...Lol @ Harry Potter, I've heard that whole book deals with black magic and witchcraft!<br /><br />Thanks for the recommendation AnagramYYZ, I've added that to my <a href="http://atheismbooks.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">atheism book list</a>Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239962445275007246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-39144698196455649982010-09-22T07:14:39.971-07:002010-09-22T07:14:39.971-07:00The human caste system continues in heaven?
That&#...The human caste system continues in heaven?<br />That's a surprise.<br />Give me a breakArthurnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-44539599269887052852010-09-08T09:56:03.378-07:002010-09-08T09:56:03.378-07:00I remember being impressed with Atheism: The Case ...I remember being impressed with Atheism: The Case Against God, by George H. Smith. It's especially good for a Christian, as it takes rather direct shots at Christanity in particular.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-36693560264502848522010-07-09T11:10:55.877-07:002010-07-09T11:10:55.877-07:00I disagree. The factual basis and experience of J...I disagree. The factual basis and experience of Jesus' return is proved by his return. A scientist can know that something is true without observing it. Einstein knew of time dilation before it was proven decades later.<br /><br />My 'knowing' the day that Jesus will return is the same as the Christian 'knowing' that Jesus resurrected and flew up to Heaven like a beautiful bird. If my knowledge of this is null, so is that of the Christian. It is simply not fair to give credence to the Christian's knowledge of Jesus as their Lord and Savior, while not giving it to the person who believes they know when Jesus will return.<br /><br />But this is irrelevant anyhow. We cannot see into a person's mind to understand how they process or validate 'knowledge'. We can only take their word for it. If I say that Jesus spoke to me last night and imparted knowledge to me, am I lying or am I telling the truth? I imagine sermons are considered knowledge from God? Either you know that you spoke to God or you don't know. I can tell you that you didn't...does that mean you're wrong?<br /><br />So if a person says they know that tomorrow will bring a visitor from afar, and then Aunt Bertha appears, this evidence then validates the claim to knowledge. This becomes even more powerful when someone takes an opposing view, claiming that nobody can ever know when Aunt Bertha would arrive.<br /><br />Let's take an extreme case. Let's say everyone in the world, 7 billion people, agree that tomorrow is the day. How embarassing for Jesus to return tomorrow and validate their claim to knowledge! Would he hold a press conference to explain the intricate details of how 7 billion people didn't 'really' know? Not good for his popular appeal, and we know the majority of those 7 billion aren't even Christians. Hell, the guy could be crucified for that!Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239962445275007246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-6450826703017987472010-07-09T10:42:33.869-07:002010-07-09T10:42:33.869-07:00I think that you make a very important point, or a...I think that you make a very important point, or at least an assumption, in your last post here. You seem to suggest most, if not all, people who believe in Christ (Christians) do so because of some type of brainwashing, or intellectual bondage. <br /><br />I am in no way not a free-thinker. In fact, I rather enjoyed Dawkins "God Delusion"! Guys like him rather intrigue me, but his book nor his 'arguments' do not threaten me (even though he does seem to be quite intolerant and spiteful to any and all who 'believe').<br /><br />I know you are probably quietly, and with sympathy for me, saying to yourself, "Davie, come on, you grew up in this stuff, you had no other choice. You were told you were a cucumber, and you still believe it!). <br /><br />There are just too many millions of people in the world who DID NOT grow up with it, who actually believe in it. That in and of itself does not make Christianity true, it just means it is not just a result of childhood brainwashing, or an environmentally produced delusion.<br /><br />Well, I am 'freely' rambling now, and must head off to prepare some enlightening words for Sunday!<br /><br />Talk more soon. (By the way, hope I am not intruding too much on your blog!? I know it is primarily for free-thinking atheists:)A Theisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396522194332968589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-73350351473405784712010-07-09T10:30:12.017-07:002010-07-09T10:30:12.017-07:00I see that the issue is not that Jesus is coming b...I see that the issue is not that Jesus is coming back, but is Jesus coming back in my or your lifetime!? Now I understand from whence thou comest!<br /><br />The Bible does not in any way make any guarantees that the Lord would return in any certain time-frame. Is Jesus coming back? Yes. Does He have to come back within my lifetime? NO, of course not.<br /><br />There is nothing in Scripture or Jesus' own words whereby He set a time-limit on when He would return. <br /><br />So, maybe a better CHALLENGE would be to bet something on if the Bible and/or Jesus actually said what you are saying He said?<br /><br />Now that would be a challenge within the realm of possibility in that it would be based on FACTS and not on innuendo, faith, or prejudicial thinking. (Hmmm...could your scathing indictment of supposed Christian beliefs be not based on actual and empirical evidence.<br /><br />WE MUST TALK!<br /><br />I suspicion that your non-belief in the BibleJesus is actually correct in that the BibleJesus you deny actually doesn't exist!<br /><br />Maybe in this sense we are both "BibleJesus As Daniel Defines Atheists'!! :)A Theisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396522194332968589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-43076063817565313722010-07-09T10:15:56.528-07:002010-07-09T10:15:56.528-07:00Mr. Atheist,
You have to do better than this! Tru...Mr. Atheist,<br /><br />You have to do better than this! Truly believing in and having faith is something is not the same as 'knowing'. Knowledge of something presupposes a factual basis and experience of a thing. For someone to pick a day and really believe and hope and think that the day picked is the day of the Lord's return, is not the same as 'knowing' the day or the hour. <br /><br />I know it makes for good caustic writing, but, it just is not logical. But then, we Christians are generally not viewed as being very logical, so I suppose a lot of Christians would get their panties in a wad if they read your scathing and erudite challenge to their faith.<br /><br />I on the other hand...am waiting for something more challenging.<br /><br />Hey, I may take you up for some tea in Garden Grove some Saturday!A Theisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396522194332968589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-12473689523817662042010-07-09T00:08:39.852-07:002010-07-09T00:08:39.852-07:00This is perfect, I'm ready to do it! I'll...This is perfect, I'm ready to do it! I'll leave you everything under the condition that Jesus Christ returns and takes me away. By everything I mean all of it, the houses, the cars, <a href="http://diaryofanatheist.blogspot.com/2009/11/there-is-no-such-thing-as-free-bible.html" rel="nofollow">the free bible Jim Bakker gave me</a>, even my eternal soul.<br /> <br />On your end, you leave me everything you own, all assets, under the condition that natural death takes you away. I'll even let you call it "god" taking you away. As you declare a firm belief in Jesus' return, you have nothing to lose.<br /> <br />If my enrichment on the Lord's dime doesn't sit well with you, I am completely satisfied with having your estate given to a charity of my choice instead of directly to me. Potential charities include <a href="http://www.edfthai.org/support/paypal_en.asp" rel="nofollow">EDF Thai</a> and <a href="https://secure.operationsmile.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=v2_donate" rel="nofollow">Operation Smile</a>. Of course, this won't matter as I'll never win. But just in case this sits better for you, it's no problem for me.<br /><br />It's a perfect testament to Christian faith. We can even get on the news with the challenge. Imagine the converts you'd win for Jesus, upstaging this atheist by taking his silly challenge! Boldly declare your faith in Jesus, Davie, let's do this! What have you got to lose?<br /> <br />By the way, this comment inspired a new post, <a href="http://diaryofanatheist.blogspot.com/2010/07/checkmate-jesus.html" rel="nofollow">Checkmate Jesus!</a>. Check it out ;)Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239962445275007246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-8540473068560033272010-07-08T23:54:18.520-07:002010-07-08T23:54:18.520-07:00Well you weren't the pastor there when I was a...Well you weren't the pastor there when I was attending, just my cousin and I think the youth group leader? But I can't stop you from taking responsibility if you feel obligated somehow, so if you want to bear that cross then feel free. But understand that I don't feel that way in the slightest. Nor do I feel that way about your dad or Pastor Shoch who were the pastors at the time of my indoctrination. They are only working a job that they feel is helpful for people and have no bad intentions.<br /> <br />Your reference to 'you know who' is quite on-topic with my post on Christian brainwashing. How glorious it would be if I'd never been exposed to such nonsense, like Mod or the millions of other Buddhists/Atheists on the planet who didn't happen to grow up in the West. These residual effects I experience (which are negligible nowadays) are the same ones felt by everyone else on the planet who have been brainwashed by different cults. If I attended a church which told me I was a cucumber every day, and then left after realizing it was all make-believe, I'd probably still have a thing for cucumbers...Now that I think about it, Mod does make a divine Japanese cucumber salad...Is this god talking to me?<br /> <br />Davie, people speak of the light of Christianity, but I can testify that things are much lighter, brighter and fulfilling on this side of the fence. If it wasn't I would say so. Atheism has nothing to sell, nothing to fear, no tithing and no make-believe people...it's simply a removal of the leash that was placed on you in childhood, like me and millions of others. Sure you'll be excommunicated from your church, your friends and possibly your family. But if the 'Christian' part of you is all they care about, then they weren't very nice people to begin with and you'd be better served by people who like you for you. Look at Dan Barker <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569756775?ie=UTF8&tag=diaofanath-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1569756775" rel="nofollow">Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists</a>: Here's a pentecostal preacher that opened his eyes to the light of atheism/freethought, was excommunicated by everyone from his circle, but is now happier and more successful than he ever was selling that JC fantasy.<br /><br />Plus you'd have Sundays off :)Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239962445275007246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-20165751795495263012010-07-07T18:42:12.422-07:002010-07-07T18:42:12.422-07:00John Lennon for sure!John Lennon for sure!A Theisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396522194332968589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-59267406960169793852010-07-07T18:10:18.041-07:002010-07-07T18:10:18.041-07:00Ahh...I have found the Revelation Challenge.
Wel...Ahh...I have found the Revelation Challenge. <br /><br />Well, actually, if I did believe in the "Second Coming" of Christ to be an event imminent in my/our lifetime, I would require you to leave everything to me in your will in that the Bible teaches that it is those who DO NOT ACCEPT Christ who will be removed from the earth. <br /><br />Therefore, when the 'wicked' are taken away, who will get their stuff? It would simplify litigation in the post-apocalypse court structure (whatever that might be), if all that you and Mod were left to myself and/or Christiana.<br /><br />So, I do believe in the return of the Lord, could be in my lifetime, and would love to have your stuff willed to me!<br /><br />Check it out for yourself in Matthew 24.37-42. It is the wicked who are 'taken away', just like in Noah's days.A Theisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396522194332968589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497719264946976807.post-52813766659414487942010-07-07T18:02:05.148-07:002010-07-07T18:02:05.148-07:00Daniel (this is Davie),
Thanks for your kind rem...Daniel (this is Davie), <br /><br />Thanks for your kind remarks, but I suspicion that I was indeed involved with your 'brainwashing'. Having admitted to that, I do fear that the residual effects of it are not just my doing, or anyone else's, but you know who!<br /><br />What is your Revelation Challenge that you waft in front of me? (I will scour your site and see if I can find it, if not, you can enlighten me).<br /><br />DavieA Theisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396522194332968589noreply@blogger.com