Here’s something I just read from a guy who’s cashing in big from promoting himself as a former Christian (it’s all the rage - don’t you know?) now turned atheist. He’s speaking about the benefits of no longer being on team Christian. Actually he was a Captain on Team Christian; not much of a Captain but a Captain nevertheless.
“[Since joining team atheist] I don’t have to try to justify what I do from the Bible. I don’t have to try to justify why I never tithed the whole ten percent (Christians do not do this by far–as a former minister I know they don’t), or why I never spent enough time in prayer, or why I did not give thanks for everything, or why I did not evangelize all of the time, or why I didn’t do more in response to my belief that God sent his son to atone for my sins.”
It really does sound like he’s a lot better off now that he’s left the fold. So are a lot of other people, I suspect. It’s a little bit like saying, "Since I quit playing hockey, I no longer have to justify coming late for practice more than anyone else on the team. I don’t have to lie to the coach anymore about why I couldn’t meet curfew. I don’t have to endure the looks of my teammates for staying out of the corners to avoid being hurt. I don’t have to feel angry about having to go to the gym to stay in shape (especially when I know not everybody on the team went to the gym like they were supposed to). And I really don’t have to feel guilty for smoking dope every day ‘cause it made me short of breath. The good thing about leaving hockey is that I don’t have to conform any longer to all those stupid expectations that teams seem to have. I can do whatever I want. I’m free. I’m really, free. Do you know anybody who wants to buy a used pastor, I mean used hockey equipment?"
Oh, and if the book deals don’t pan out, I hear they’re hiring atheist pastors in the Netherlands.
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2 comments:
Mak
about 75-80 lbs ago, I remember quitting my job. (I wasn't appreciated, woe poor me) anyways it felt pretty good for awhile. Like a big weight lifted off my shoulders. I didn't have to worry about getting out of bed, fighting traffic, meeting my quotas, or putting up with all the "losers" at work. Plus I had all this free time on my hands, it was great.
But then my wife (who pays the bills) told me to get off my ass and go get a job. I ended up with a worse job and it paid much less.
I can understand sometimes about the feeling of "freedom" some people get when they leave religion behind. But, what I see in most of these deconversion stories is that a lot of these people were to religious to begin with. They didn't take advantage of any Christian liberties. And when they became these great "men of god" the top of the Christian food chain, they think, is this all there is?
I love my church family, but I'm seeking God's approval, not anyone in the Christian communities. If they like me, fine, even cool, but if I want to drink a cold beer or smoke a cigar, I will. I can't judge an Atheists motives, I just wish they would realize how great God really is and how they can have life, and have it abundantly?
Sure it felt good to quit my job, but it was a lazy decision. And I paid for it, maybe not in a major way, but I paid for it. Unfortunately an Atheist might have to pay an eternal price? I hope they don't, but I'll let God sort all that out.
I'm pretty sure I know who this ex-preacher is your talking about. I actually follow his blog quite regularly. I know he might scoff at this, but I have been praying for him for several months.
Sorry to ramble, thanks for the space, peace out, feeno
Hmm, you're a good man Feeno. Loftus needs our prayers, no doubt. As I read his stuff, it sounds to me that he is like most of the others. He had beliefs in a belief about God, he had religious behaviours, albeit ones driven by guilt, but like you said, he had none of the freedom that comes with a healed relationship with Jesus. God Bless and keep you.
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