Part One (First Draft)

[John_Silver]

I am posting the first section of the Part One draft here in red (not bright red...that's really annoying). The article will be written in 3 parts and I will not bring it live on the site until all three are written and ready to read. I will post the second section of Part One in here next week. It may be difficult to see where I am going with this but wait until you read all 3 parts and it may become more clear. Thank you so much to everyone who has been involved. It really means a lot to me.


I have a confession. I've been hanging out with Atheists.

It is abundantly clear that my recent articles about the pagan roots of Christmas, the now infamous “Eldergate” and the dubious deals involving expulsion of troublesome parishioners made behind the closed doors of more than a few pastors' offices nationwide have not sat well with many of you. Let me start out here with as much transparency as one human being can possibly muster in one sitting. My intention with this series is to bring you around your inhibitions to trudge the depths of my beliefs. It's my website, I've earned the right (to the tune of $9.99 a month...we're talking real commitment here). I intend to reveal to you the pulsing, blue crystal that illuminates the cellar of my heart. I believe that after 33 years of exploring my Faith, I have finally found the Holy Grail. And for the right price, I'll sell it to you.

No. I'll just let you see it. For free. Just don't touch the glass! And remember...I have been hanging out with Atheists.

Have you ever heard the phrase "god/religion is a crutch"? This applies to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). For those that have success with AA it is because they needed to believe someone very powerful was helping them in order for them to find within themselves the ability to overcome their issues.

Meet “Whitney”.

I liked her straight away. My impression of her (if any meaningful impression can be had of one you encounter through a liquid crystal screen) was that she was no-nonsense and very weary of folks who might question her world-view. I can respect that. But what I truly found telling about the whole notion of life without a god was a portion of something she said in response to a forum post about the success of Alcoholics Anonymous either resultant from (or in spite of) its religious overtones.

“...The problem with this is that if they lose their faith they will quickly fall off that wagon if they aren't able to very quickly figure out that it was their self who got over the addiction rather than being helped by god.” (sic)

This is a monumental statement. It appears to be fundamental to Atheism and applies to virtually any event a Believer might think to be supernatural. And it is certainly not without merit. Quite Ironically what Atheists say outright, some Christians decry...but still believe and even teach!

Take, for instance, Kenneth Copeland. He, in essence, believes that if you are not able to stay on the wagon, so to speak, than God wasn't really helping you at all. If you fail, according to Copeland and his ilk, it is because you didn't have enough faith to begin with. “God cannot help you unless you loose Him to help you!” This is the mantra of prosperity Gospel laureates. So while this brand of Christian reveres God as omnipotent they are the first to offer Him the blue pill.

According to these Christ-followers, God can only be invoked through carefully formulated incantations of Scripture after which time, provided you have enough faith (blue pills to offer), He shall spring to life and work whatever magic His handlers “loose”. And here's to hoping God's sudden omni-potency doesn't last longer than four hours. He would need a doctor at that point and let's not travel down that road just yet.

The only real help AA provides is a support group and there are secular alternatives that don't involve self delusion. In many ways, AA is just replacing one addiction with another; trading alcohol for religion.

The truth in this statement is so staggering that it deserves its own article. However, I am so giddy with the prospect of speaking to this truth that I simply cannot wait that long. The implications are enormous. Can one become addicted to God? Can one be so dependent upon what God does for him that he comes back like a congressman to a brothel? Let's just have a look.

Ok, I know it's short right now but more will be forthcoming. Thanks for reading, guys.

John

[AlP]

I would like to remind my fellow atheists that John has a right to his own opinion and by posting his work in progress here and giving us an opportunity to provide feedback, he is showing respect. Although it is entirely possible I will disagree with what he writes, I will limit any criticism to things like misrepresentation of my world view, quotes I am not comportable with, etc. Sermon over.

John, The word atheism isn't a proper noun so and I don't think it should be capitalized.

[John_Silver]

I would like to remind my fellow atheists that John has a right to his own opinion and by posting his work in progress here and giving us an opportunity to provide feedback, he is showing respect. Although it is entirely possible I will disagree with what he writes, I will limit any criticism to things like misrepresentation of my world view, quotes I am not comportable with, etc. Sermon over.

John, The word atheism isn't a proper noun so and I don't think it should be capitalized.

Thanks for that, Alp. My intention was one of respect. From my view, I have heard pastors who actually advocate not capitalizing Atheist ...or Satan for very different reasons. Ridiculous, I know. Mine was a revolt against such willful disrespect. But I will strike the capitals if I am starting to look like an idiot here. Thanks again, and yes, feel free to clear up and ignorance you might find. But as Alp suggested, I will ultimately write things how I see them.

John

[AlP]

Ironically, I think capitalizing "atheist" might actually antagonize some atheists; among other things, it implies it is a religion because religions tend to capitalize words like "Christian" and "God".

[John_Silver]

Ironically, I think capitalizing "atheist" might actually antagonize some atheists; among other things, it implies it is a religion because religions tend to capitalize words like "Christian" and "God".

Ahhhh. Fair enough. Thanks!

[templeboy]

I think it is very balanced and well thought-out. Keep up the good work John Silver

[McQ]

John, this is going to be a really cool piece that you're writing. So far, so good. It's been nice having you here to ask the questions you've asked and to interact with everyone here. We all gain from meaningful interaction.

I look forward to the other parts of this.

 

[John_Silver]

Here is the remainder of Part One. This weekend I will post Part Two. Which will address the terminology both sides use to describe atheism. This will be a fun one.

God and Addiction

I stumbled across an article while reading Dr. Gerald Mays epic work Grace and Addiction.
Here are some symptoms of religious-addiction from the article (note to forum: citations forthcoming)

-Religious convictions are stated as black and white.
-Isolation from people who do not share the same beliefs. Think of the world and flesh as inherently evil.
-Obsessive about praying, going to church, reading the Bible, attending crusades, watching television evangelists, sending money to missions.
-Excessive fasting.
-Hearing messages from God.
-Judging others, often angry and violent toward "heathens."
-Brainwashing - attempt to persuade family and significant friends to their way of thinking.
-Compulsively talking about God, religion or quoting from Scripture.
-Conflict of ideology with hospitals and schools.
-Discourage thinking for oneself, doubting or questioning.
-Sexuality seen as dirty or bad.
-Cannot accept criticism.
-Suffer tension, stress, often develop physical illnesses, such as eating disorders, depression and anxiety.
-Often stare, go into trances.
-Erratic personality changes.

Now, these are symptoms sited by Christian counselors; some trained psychologists and some board-certified psychiatrists (Like Dr. Mays).

Let's put this into perspective. In Yeshua's day, His followers (and even those opposed to Him) lived lives which were built around their faith. Nothing wrong with that at all, in fact, it is paramount to remaining strong and vibrant in faith. Reading the Scriptures, spending time with fellow Believers, fasting and prayer (sometimes even all day prayer which is quite exhilarating I must say) are all an integral part of the life of a Believer. However, there is a fundamental difference between this express belief and its practice and addiction. And it is the motive to the approach and the outcome which makes the difference.

In the first century, the idea of community was a given. It was a way of life and in some cases a way of survival. But now, in the west, we've replaced that with compartmentalization of our daily lives. And we turn to the religious parts of our lives for a fix. When we feel despair we pray. When we feel lonely we go to church. When we feel guilty we behave ourselves more. This is addiction! Our friend, “Whitney” is quite right.
 
If we approach faith with the intention of receiving from it what can also be supplied by a good dowsing of alcohol (or shot of methadone or puff of nicotine), we will eventually fall off the wagon. The purpose of faith is not to make one feel a little better about oneself. It is an act of complete surrender. And the end result of that surrender is eternal relationship.  

But before my atheist friends fall out of their chairs completely, I must turn back to my conversations with them. It is important and in fact central to this article.[/color]

[John_Silver]

Templeboy and McQ:

Thank you guys! It will be part three that will make the difference. Either way I hope you will all be honest (even if brutally so) in sharing your thoughts.

John

[LoneMateria]

so john does that mean when you complete your article you will disappear?

oh and so far i like what is said.  Is this whole thing going to be about AA?

[John_Silver]

so john does that mean when you complete your article you will disappear?

oh and so far i like what is said.  Is this whole thing going to be about AA?

No, I will most likely stick around. Although in February I'll be gone for a month so it might just look like I've disappeared.

No it's definitely not all about AA. Just was just the jumping off point.

john

[AlP]

Correct me if I'm wrong John but you'll be touring Israel and Egypt, in order to get perspectives from Jews and Muslims. In some ways the search engine has become a monster.

Edit:
I'm being an ass. John commented on the differences between the responses he got on different forums. Being anally retentive, I looked into it. Sorry John, if I scared the hell out of you; it wasn't deliberate. I suggest there might be a lesson to be learned here in terms of anonymity. This one is for everyone. If you don't want someone to follow you from one forum to another, use a different username, phrase posts so search engines can't pick up on the similarities and don't use the same profile picture. I can follow all those things.

[LoneMateria]

so john does that mean when you complete your article you will disappear?

oh and so far i like what is said.  Is this whole thing going to be about AA?

No, I will most likely stick around. Although in February I'll be gone for a month so it might just look like I've disappeared.

No it's definitely not all about AA. Just was just the jumping off point.

john

Cool cool.  I enjoy theists who actually come here to promote discussion not proselytize.  If the majority of Christians were like you I think there would be many less anti-Christians out there.

[John_Silver]

Cool cool.  I enjoy theists who actually come here to promote discussion not proselytize.  If the majority of Christians were like you I think there would be many less anti-Christians out there.

Yeah, I admit to being caught be surprise by the civility in here. It's a vicious cycle we (as humans and societies) engage in naturally. Hell, it may even be instinctual to attack and defend. But the promotion of civil discussion sure helps me sleep better at night. I look forward to more dialog with you.

John

[John_Silver]

Correct me if I'm wrong John but you'll be touring Israel and Egypt, in order to get perspectives from Jews and Muslims. In some ways the search engine has become a monster.

Edit:
I'm being an ass. John commented on the differences between the responses he got on different forums. Being anally retentive, I looked into it. Sorry John, if I scared the hell out of you; it wasn't deliberate. I suggest there might be a lesson to be learned here in terms of anonymity. This one is for everyone. If you don't want someone to follow you from one forum to another, use a different username, phrase posts so search engines can't pick up on the similarities and don't use the same profile picture. I can follow all those things.

Ha! it's no problem, Alp. If it's out there, it's out there. Yes I am taking a trip to Egypt and Israel. The purpose of the trip is to take my nephew to see the pyramids as he is an archeology buff (even at 12). But I wanted to stop in Israel to see some friends and find some things out for my self. The questions I will be asking are sort of ancillary to the trip though. That's another article entirely. But you can follow us day-by-day on the our travel blog. Should be fun!

John