You gotta love Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort. Moreover, you gotta love The Atheist’s Nightmare, Comfort’s attempt to use a banana to debunk evolution. If you haven’t already seen this short video, watch it. As did Brother Barry, this video comes highly recommended.

Yesterday, while methodically working my way through my morning routine, I experienced the supernatural. Looking down to reach for my toothbrush I saw the following:

At first glance, the following picture may seem a bit irrelevant.

After a quick zoom and crop in iPhoto I was able to focus in a bit clearer to present an obvious message.

Two pieces of MY hair had fallen onto the counter and formed a familiar symbol.

What symbol do we use to represent Christianity…could it be……a fish??

Atheists, I only have one question: What now? BAM. Game, set, match. If Comfort and Cameron couldn’t bring you over with their banana, I have full confidence that my two fallen hairs can easily provide all the proof you skeptics could ever need.

The good news: God has clearly proven his existence to me today.

The bad news: I’m losing my hair
For as long as I can remember, people have been finding Jesus (and other religious obviousness) in french fries, pancakes, spaghetti, and just about every other food out there. I’m willing to bet that eBay has seen its fair share of religious food findings as well.

I wonder if I can cash in…??

First time readers…this is a joke. The hair, however, unfortunately is real.

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What do you think the greatest challenge facing Christianity is today?

As an atheist I’d be inclined to say that it was the growing trend of people towards atheism.  As people turn away from the church it must lose support.  If society does not support a religion then it loses its influence and more people will turn away from it.  Of course, I assume a static church that does no move to gain support or to integrate with a changing society but I still see atheism as a challenge for a religion.

Do you agree or do you see something else as a greater challenge?

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Saturday morning. Starbucks. An elderly couple. 90 years old, minimum. Barely able to walk (literally). Sitting down next to me. Reading the paper. Drinking overpriced but tasty coffee.

Man: “Ah, this is the life.”
Woman: “Do you love me?”
Man: “Does the sun rise every morning?”

Incredible. I want that.

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I’m not gonna say much besides this: watch these. Trust me. This is a pastor (I guess that’s what you’d call him) from the 1980’s preaching his first message in a Pentecostal church. He was nervous. Very nervous.

Brother Barry 1
Brother Barry 2
Brother Barry 3

Spare the comments/emails saying, “Bill, that’s mean!” or, “How dare you be so judgmental?” It’s funny. Bottom line.

Thank you to Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church for pointing me to these links.

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Men hate going to church. That’s the rumor anyhow. It’s makes us feel like sissies. We sing sweet love songs to Jesus…a man. We’re expected to be emotional (which is about as easy as rocket science for many men).

Hold me close, let your love surround me.
Bring me near, draw me to your side.
I’m desparate [sic] for you, I’m lost without you.
Let my words be few.
Jesus, I am so in love with you.

So go the lyrics to a popular worship song.

The author of this article from chron.com has given a great list of statics and reasons why the percentage of men that attend church is significantly less than the number of women.

Christianity needs a resurgence of masculinity. We need men who, like the apostles, pioneers of faith, and missionaries take tremendous steps of faith and journey boldly forward. Families need men who are led of God and in turn, lead their families - not with coercion, but by example.

For this to happen, churches should consider becoming a more “guy-friendly” place. Encourage accomplishment and achievement. Invite tasks and challenges. All of these appeal to men. And maybe a song like “Onward, Christian Soldiers” could be sung occasionally.

Haha - I can hear it now. “Father, we thank you for ham, football, and double-layered toilet paper. You are a mighty King…kinda like Leonidas from 300…great movie…and God, *BURP*, thank you for blessing Mike, our worship leader, with the uncanny ability to play guitar solos like Eddie Van Halen. Amen”

Personally, I find this a bit humorous. I love Jesus and I’m not ashamed. Regardless, this is an interesting read.

Read the full article here.

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I’m not a huge fan of debating (which I know is a huge disappointment to many of you Atheist readers). When it comes to discussing sensitive subjects such as belief/non-belief, I choose a safer “friendlier” method. Here are some techniques I utilize to TRY to not come across as a know-it-all, arrogant, hypocritical jerk:

• When stating my opinion on a certain topic, I typically use the phrase “I believe,” or “In my opinion” or “I feel…”
• Rather than saying, “YOU should _____” I like to say “WE should ____”
• Try not to be so freakin’ judgmental!!
  • This is a tough one for me. I’m a pretty critical person (working on it). Jesus has this to say about judging others.
• I approach people as PEOPLE rather than projects.
  • I know this sounds silly, but it’s very obvious when a Christian approaches another individual with a “work required” attitude. I’ve been approached by this type of person before (as a Christian ironically). Truthfully, I want to smack them.
• Ultimately, I try by best to remember Christianity 101 and make it my daily approach: Love God and Love you.

Any other techniques ya want to mention?

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by Jason Horton (hoverFrog)

I’ve been wondering about the origins of personal faith recently.  Theists often tell me that they feel touched by God or, I suppose, have allowed God to touch them. 

I’m not sure if the distinction is important or not. 

I am an atheist.  I am well aware of the path that led me to atheism.  More accurately, I am well aware of the path that did not lead me to theism.  I was raised in a household that did not consider God in any way.  If it was not for contact with religious people through school and clubs I would have had no idea that the idea even existed.  Born an atheist, I remain one.

I toyed with Christianity and with Paganism in my youth but, if I’m honest with myself, I never really took either seriously.  It is really since the horrible events of 9/11 that I have paid much attention to matters pertaining to God or Gods.  What I have seen has not filled me with confidence and has not led me towards any religion.  Quite the opposite actually.

My view of religion had grown progressively worse as I had more contact with its proponents.  I was getting closer to a “Christopher Hitchens” level of atheism than a “Richard Dawkins” level of atheism till I found the friendly atheist and friendly christian sites.  The distinction may not mean a lot for those unfamiliar with their writing and public appearances.  Hitchens is very negatively outspoken and very anti-theist whereas Dawkins is more polite about his negative view.  It is still a negative view but I find that the latter manner is more conducive to discussion as the “other side” is more likely to listen when they aren’t being attacked. 

This works in both directions.

I have found FC to be largely lacking in this kind of negative judgementality.  I thought it would be a good place to freely share your own tale of how you arrived at where you are now.  Theist or non-theist we can get to know each other better.

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***Warning - gross***

It’s no secret that I’m dissatisfied with my prayer life.

I had to pee - badly. While peeing I though to myself, “Man, I’m sure glad I don’t have any problems peeing (blockage, pain, etc).” Are you like me where you never realize just how good it feels to be healthy until you’re sick/something doesn’t work correctly?

So I thanked God. “God, thank you for allowing my body to function properly so I can pee without anything hurting.”

Was this “pee pee” moment the moment that forever changes my prayer life? Or am I just happy that I said “pee pee” to God?

Win/win if you ask me
Boy, if this post doesn’t sky rocket our subscribe count, I don’t know what will (sarcasm noted??? good.)!!

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There’s a good chance that to many of my classmates I’m nothing more than an old stick in the mud. I’m 28, after all, and many of them are 18-20. They go out “partying” while I stay at home and study/relax. Just today, after finding out how old I am, one girl said to me, “There’s no way you’re 28…you’re too cool! Most old people are so strict!”

HAHA.

Anyhow, I say all that to say this: When did it become so popular for college students to be so dishonest in their studies? Honestly, not a day goes by where I don’t see someone copying another student’s homework before class, writing test answers on their hands, asking their friend to angle their desk differently so she can see her friend’s answers while taking a test, etc. Is this a fad of this new generation??

It really gets to me because I’m busting my butt…putting forth an HONEST effort into my work. I feel like I DESERVE whatever grade I make, good or bad. I find it very unfair that someone might get the same grade, GOD FORBID a better grade than me as a result of their cheating.

So I’m faced with a dilemma. Do I continue to sit back and watch this happen, finding peace that God will take care of them someday, or do I become a nine year old girl and tattle on these cheaters?

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I get lost in the weeds of Christianity waaaayyyy more often that I’d like to admit. With so many different rules, challenges, goals, and teachings, I find it very easy to understand why so many of you have given up on the faith (amongst many other reasons).

I have to constantly remind myself of my main two objectives: love God and love you. That’s it.

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: …love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Keep
It
Simple,
Stupid

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