I love this new trend in the "skeptic/atheist" community

Andrei D

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This is very close to my own journey away from Orthodoxy, to atheism and then back. Such simple truths and so hard to get them back. It is amazing how many recent re-converts from atheism are in the comment section as well.

 
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I’ll continue to say (speculation) that I think a lot of atheism comes from not properly having been introduced to the Lord. Juridical, justice-driven, wrath-focused prosperity gospel-minded weird understandings of the faith have been the norm in Christianity for decades. I don’t blame people for finding that untenable. But atheism is not the answer. It’s an overreaction and people know better in their heart of hearts imho.
 
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I’ll continue to say (speculation) that I think a lot of atheism comes from not properly having been introduced to the Lord. Juridical, justice-driven, wrath-focused prosperity gospel-minded weird understandings of the faith have been the norm in Christianity for decades. I don’t blame people for finding that untenable. But atheism is not the answer. It’s an overreaction and people know better in their heart of hearts imho.

I think this is likely for most atheists. Most of it is a reaction to the strange, pseudo-Christian beliefs that a lot of people hold. (A good example I've heard personally is that having the chance to steal something is a "gift from god").
 
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rusmeister

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I think this is likely for most atheists. Most of it is a reaction to the strange, pseudo-Christian beliefs that a lot of people hold. (A good example I've heard personally is that having the chance to steal something is a "gift from god").
Stephen R. Donaldson, anyone?
 
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rusmeister

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Never heard. Looks like he writes fantasy? Should I check it out?
Fantasy for intellectuals. But he does have an axe to grind against Christians, who he portrays as radical hypocrite fundamentalists. He was the son of missionary doctors to India, had some experience of leprosy, learned that lepers can’t allow themselves to fantasize about health, and wrote an entire popular series about a leper protagonist who falls into a fantasy world that he can’t allow himself to believe in.

I mentioned it in response to the comment about pseudo-Christian beliefs.
 
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MariaJLM

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I’ll continue to say (speculation) that I think a lot of atheism comes from not properly having been introduced to the Lord. Juridical, justice-driven, wrath-focused prosperity gospel-minded weird understandings of the faith have been the norm in Christianity for decades. I don’t blame people for finding that untenable. But atheism is not the answer. It’s an overreaction and people know better in their heart of hearts imho.

This is true. It's why I was an anti-Christian edgelord for years.
 
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The Faceless

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This is true. It's why I was an anti-Christian edgelord for years.
Protestantism, especially the western, right wing, cash grab, hellfire and wrath type, have plagued Christianity for a long time. It isn't real Christianity. They've hijacked the faith and turned it into something else completely, and I suspect those responsible will answer for it, both for their falsehoods and for turning people away from Christ.

That's not to say their Christians aren't genuine Christians, as I'm sure most of them are, but many of their leaders are snakes, many amongst their laity misuse Holy Scripture to justify hatred, and their religion is something that looks nothing like early Christianity.
 
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ArmyMatt

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Protestantism, especially the western, right wing, cash grab, hellfire and wrath type, have plagued Christianity for a long time. It isn't real Christianity. They've hijacked the faith and turned it into something else completely, and I suspect those responsible will answer for it, both for their falsehoods and for turning people away from Christ.

That's not to say their Christians aren't genuine Christians, as I'm sure most of them are, but many of their leaders are snakes, many amongst their laity misuse Holy Scripture to justify hatred, and their religion is something that looks nothing like early Christianity.

or, like the Joel Osteens of the world, you water down the faith and dilute it to a Christianity modern people want to hear, but not the kind they need to hear.
 
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Sorgen

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I’ll continue to say (speculation) that I think a lot of atheism comes from not properly having been introduced to the Lord. Juridical, justice-driven, wrath-focused prosperity gospel-minded weird understandings of the faith have been the norm in Christianity for decades. I don’t blame people for finding that untenable. But atheism is not the answer. It’s an overreaction and people know better in their heart of hearts imho.

Psychology is interesting when it comes to faith. As we develop, we begin to realize the contradictions within our faith. This might cause us a period of doubt, or years as an agnostic or atheist (or even a lifetime). As we become more accepting of contradictions in our lives in general, we become more accepting of a complex faith.

That means that even with the best exposure to religion a person might have, they can still end up being an atheist.
 
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Sorgen

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Protestantism, especially the western, right wing, cash grab, hellfire and wrath type, have plagued Christianity for a long time. It isn't real Christianity. They've hijacked the faith and turned it into something else completely, and I suspect those responsible will answer for it, both for their falsehoods and for turning people away from Christ.

That's not to say their Christians aren't genuine Christians, as I'm sure most of them are, but many of their leaders are snakes, many amongst their laity misuse Holy Scripture to justify hatred, and their religion is something that looks nothing like early Christianity.

What worse is that they deliberately ignore church history. There is a wealth of knowledge they should be a little curious about, but they have been taught to ignore it. All they want is a bible and an inspirational book by an uneducated, untrained author with no understanding of the fathers.
 
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Zummi

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I’ll continue to say (speculation) that I think a lot of atheism comes from not properly having been introduced to the Lord. Juridical, justice-driven, wrath-focused prosperity gospel-minded weird understandings of the faith have been the norm in Christianity for decades. I don’t blame people for finding that untenable. But atheism is not the answer. It’s an overreaction and people know better in their heart of hearts imho.
Exactly my thoughts. There are so many apathetic people that have turned away from Christ due to the watered down Protestant religion they have been exposed to, coupled with the seemingly endless scandal that plagues the Roman Catholic Church, and the modernizing forces within the RCC that are slowly "Protestantizing" the Mass and theology.



If this was my only experience of Christianity I would be turned away and turned off IMMENSELY.

EDIT:
I'm sorry but this makes me SO mad! Can you imagine an Orthodox Deacon, Priest, or Bishop BEING ANNOYED BY PEOPLE ASKING THEM TO PRAY FOR THEM!?!? ARRRRGHHHHH
 
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Andrei D

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Can you imagine an Orthodox Deacon, Priest, or Bishop BEING ANNOYED BY PEOPLE ASKING THEM TO PRAY FOR THEM!?!? ARRRRGHHHHH

Yes, but that's neither here nor there. I grew up with priests directly asking for money to pray for you, so? Or being so drunk they fell in the grave. And bishops kicking people out of their land with fake papers and with corrupt cops. It doesn't mean the Church is bad, it just means we are all fallen.
 
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~Anastasia~

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Yes, but that's neither here nor there. I grew up with priests directly asking for money to pray for you, so? Or being so drunk they fell in the grave. And bishops kicking people out of their land with fake papers and with corrupt cops. It doesn't mean the Church is bad, it just means we are all fallen.
I'm so glad God knows I'm weak. It is wrong I suppose, but if that had been my experience of Orthodoxy, I might not be Orthodox.

I'm SO thankful once again for my parish, and my priest, and others who have helped me. So that when I did peek up and see those that could discourage me, I don't equate them with the Church itself.
 
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