An Atheist's message to us

[MrJim]

JeffreyLloyd posted this over in the Catholic forum~thought it would be good for us to hear it too~I've had this same conversation in my head, interesting to hear it from an atheist..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM

 

[Cris413]

Thanks for posting this...


...exactly

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Interesting video, Jimminy, thank you

He's right, too - if we truly believe someone is going to miss out on eternal life with God, how can we not tell them? I wonder if he's received any abuse from the New Atheists for making that video... do you think that's why he felt he had to reiterate he "knows there's no God"?

 

[Cris413]

Interesting video, Jimminy, thank you

He's right, too - if we truly believe someone is going to miss out on eternal life with God, how can we not tell them? I wonder if he's received any abuse from the New Atheists for making that video... do you think that's why he felt he had to reiterate he "knows there's no God"?

He seemed a bit uneasy with his statement...and I have to say I'm a bit surprised to hear this coming from Penn...but obviously...this gentleman had quite a profound impact on him.

I was also surprise Penn likened it to...of course anyone would tackle someone they knew was about to be hit by a bus.

I have a new perspective on Penn after hearing this but knowing what I do know about him...he's never impressed me at the type of man to say anything to please or appease anyone...so I think he reaffirmed his stance...to convince himself more than anyone perhaps...

...I thought a seed was planted...for sure....which is more than likely why he seemed a bit uncomfortable.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

He seemed a bit uneasy with his statement...and I have to say I'm a bit surprised to hear this coming from Penn...but obviously...this gentleman had quite a profound impact on him.

I was also surprise Penn likened it to...of course anyone would tackle someone they knew was about to be hit by a bus.

I have a new perspective on Penn after hearing this but knowing what I do know about him...he's never impressed me at the type of man to say anything to please or appease anyone...so I think he reaffirmed his stance...to convince himself more than anyone perhaps...

...I thought a seed was planted...for sure....which is more than likely why he seemed a bit uncomfortable.

When you say you're surprised to hear it from him, is he notoriously anti-Christian or vocally atheist or something like that?

I totally agree that a seed may have been planted. When he was saying how religion has done some terrible things and one good man doesn't change that, it felt like maybe there was an element of self-persuasion going on. I hope he calls one of those 5 numbers one day

 

[Cris413]

When you say you're surprised to hear it from him, is he notoriously anti-Christian or vocally atheist or something like that?

I totally agree that a seed may have been planted. When he was saying how religion has done some terrible things and one good man doesn't change that, it felt like maybe there was an element of self-persuasion going on. I hope he calls one of those 5 numbers one day

I wouldn't say he's anti-christian per se' but he is quite out-spoken and can be somewhat....ummmm....crude. He's quite well known for his political and social views which include atheism but I haven't watched Penn & Teller for years.

Back in my BC days...I thought Penn & Teller were the bomb...which that vernacular tells you how long it's been since I was a fan....

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I wouldn't say he's anti-christian per se' but he is quite out-spoken and can be somewhat....ummmm....crude. He's quite well known for his political and social views which include atheism but I haven't watched Penn & Teller for years.

Back in my BC days...I thought Penn & Teller were the bomb...which that vernacular tells you how long it's been since I was a fan....

Heh Actually, I think it's come in and out of fashion again since then

So not anti-Christian, but certainly not an easy person to approach and witness to, I imagine. He was right, too, about being afraid of sharing the Gospel for fear it'd make things socially awkward. Hmm.

 

[Edial]

JeffreyLloyd posted this over in the Catholic forum~thought it would be good for us to hear it too~I've had this same conversation in my head, interesting to hear it from an atheist..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM

I learned that the Gospel is to be proclaimed.
Not taught, nor explained or defended, but proclaimed.

Although our Lord could have "the rocks crying out" or the heavens declaring the glory of God, He chose us as His instruments to relay the Gospel.

Unfortunately, we often play a role of a "rock" and just "cry out" the Gospel without backing it with Godly behavior.
And Godly behavior cannot be faked. It could be faked for a little while, but not for long. Perseptive people pick it up right away.

God chose us to present the Gospel.
And if He chose us, He will work through us to connect.

Thanks for the video,
Ed

 

[livingsword]

There is a way to approach everyone with the good news, and this man seemed to know how. Sincerity goes a long way.

 

[porterross]

The Holy Spirit strikes again. I love how we are always so amazed when it happens to us.

 

[ReformedChapin]

I learned that the Gospel is to be proclaimed.
Not taught, nor explained or defended, but proclaimed.

Although our Lord could have "the rocks crying out" or the heavens declaring the glory of God, He chose us as His instruments to relay the Gospel.

Unfortunately, we often play a role of a "rock" and just "cry out" the Gospel without backing it with Godly behavior.
And Godly behavior cannot be faked. It could be faked for a little while, but not for long. Perseptive people pick it up right away.

God chose us to present the Gospel.
And if He chose us, He will work through us to connect.

Thanks for the video,
Ed

Can you explain further your point "the Gospel should not be explained?"

 

[Edial]

Can you explain further your point "the Gospel should not explained?"

The Gospel should certainly be explained to some who have questions, such as "What about the virgin birth?" , "Where did Jesus go for 3 days?" and so forth.
Priscila and Acquila explained the ways of God to that fellow who was proclaiming it inadequately. (Acts 18:24-26)

But when one is preaching the Gospel, this is presented as a Good News.

This is proclaimed as a fact, not explained.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[ReformedChapin]

The Gospel should certainly be explained to some who have questions, such as "What about the virgin birth?" , "Where did Jesus go for 3 days?" and so forth.
Priscila and Acquila explained the ways of God to that fellow who was proclaiming it inadequately. (Acts 18:24-26)

But when one is preaching the Gospel, this is presented as a Good News.

This is proclaimed as a fact, not explained.

Thanks,
Ed

Pressupositional...excellent. So we agree.

 

[Edial]

Pressupositional...excellent. So we agree.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Is atheistic activism primarily internet-based? I mean, there are an increasing number of "atheist organisations" (and apparently the States has its own "Freethought" [incidentally, "Freethought"??] radio station now or some such. But it seems like the internet sort of, coagulated it somehow.

See, the thing is, when I was an atheist, I was militant, but even I wouldn't have stooped to the level of referring to myself as a "Bright". I don't understand how and why New Atheism - very different from atheism - is such an ugly, angry movement.

 

[ReformedChapin]

Is atheistic activism primarily internet-based? I mean, there are an increasing number of "atheist organisations" (and apparently the States has its own "Freethought" [incidentally, "Freethought"??] radio station now or some such. But it seems like the internet sort of, coagulated it somehow.

See, the thing is, when I was an atheist, I was militant, but even I wouldn't have stooped to the level of referring to myself as a "Bright". I don't understand how and why New Atheism - very different from atheism - is such an ugly, angry movement.

In my old atheist days I was extremely combative. I bought into the stereotype that "religious" people are idiots and secularist are smart. When anyone tried to speak to me about God I would very quickly fight them and immediately ask for proof. To be honest in a large extent this stereotype tended to be true, even in my early believer days I saw that people weren't really trained to defend the faith. They couldn't answer my questions. There is only a handful of people in my church who were even familiar with their churches docrtine or could even discuss the reasons other than subjective notion why they came to faith.

Driving from school the other day I saw a announcement board with the message of "Don't believe in God? You're not alone." I was surprised since I haven't seen much commercialising by atheist even through all my atheist days.

 

[Nadiine]

In my old atheist days I was extremely combative. I bought into the stereotype that "religious" people are idiots and secularist are smart. When anyone tried to speak to me about God I would very quickly fight them and immediately ask for proof. To be honest in a large extent this stereotype tended to be true, even in my early believer days I saw that people weren't really trained to defend the faith. They couldn't answer my questions. There is only a handful of people in my church who were even familiar with their churches docrtine or could even discuss the reasons other than subjective notion why they came to faith.

Driving from school the other day I saw a announcement board with the message of "Don't believe in God? You're not alone." I was surprised since I haven't seen much commercialising by atheist even through all my atheist days.

Ya, they've been woken up & it's time for them to be active
& emboldened as the tides have shifted from Christianity to
humanism.

Honestly, to "prove God", it takes alot of work & history & background
imho. The general 'joe atheist' will only deny what they're shown even
from good apologists.
Alot of times with them it's best not to play the debate game & just
be around to be a Christian witness if you know them in person.

That's what my parents did w/ my uncle for some 40 yrs.
He'd mock God & not go to their house much for holidays/events.
But after my grampa died, he got a reality check on life - soon he
had his own health scare & all of a sudden he was showing up to
my mom's home bible study (she opens their house to a teacher
from their church once a week).

Him & his wife both go weekly now. So sometimes God just has to
be given time to reach them thru events that make them think or take stock in life.
I know 1 atheist who had a vivid nightmare & he knew it was from God
& he sought out conversion. I don't know what's become of him,
but God DOES penetrate some & debate isn't all that it's cracked up
to be with most of them (from my personal experience).

 

[AnneSally]

JeffreyLloyd posted this over in the Catholic forum~thought it would be good for us to hear it too~I've had this same conversation in my head, interesting to hear it from an atheist..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM

Wow. That brought tears to my eyes....rather profound and encouraging.

Thanks for sharing Mr J.

 

[Christian Soldier]

Is atheistic activism primarily internet-based? I mean, there are an increasing number of "atheist organisations" (and apparently the States has its own "Freethought" [incidentally, "Freethought"??] radio station now or some such. But it seems like the internet sort of, coagulated it somehow.

See, the thing is, when I was an atheist, I was militant, but even I wouldn't have stooped to the level of referring to myself as a "Bright". I don't understand how and why New Atheism - very different from atheism - is such an ugly, angry movement.

Yes, they're primarily internet-based, which gives the illusion that there are large numbers of them.

As for the oft-repeated atheist claim that "Christianity is dying around the world", they need to get a reality check.

Thousands of people per day are accepting Christ in Asia, Africa etc.

According to the CIA World Fact Book, the estimated number of Christians in China is over 85 million, and increasing daily.

More people worldwide have accepted Christ from the beginning of the 20th century until now, than all the other centuries COMBINED. Not to mention that the rate is rapidly accelerating in multiple regions of the world.

 

[Kodos]

I have always thought Penn to be a very nice man. After seeing his show in Vegas one night, he stood around outside of the Exit with Teller and they signed autographs and waited for people to come up to them. He also speaks his own mind and doesn't filter himself or obey the PC police.

I've ALWAYS disagreed with him wrt atheism however. Even when I wasn't a Christian. How someone can completely deny that there is a God is beyond me. I understand that when I was an atheist I was just trying to be cool, and fit in with my "smart" brethren. I also was a little angry and like many teens more than a little anti-authority. And God had laws and Supreme Authority.

Anyhow -- it is quite clear that Penn was more moved than I would think he would be if some kind soul offered him spiritual advice.

No, there's something greater out there Penn Jillette. And I think you are starting to feel it. May God Bless You always and may you be receptive to His Love for you.