… What method was the worst when people tried to share their faith with you? I know some people hand out pamphlets and other people tell you you’re going to hell on the street corner, all kinds of ‘fun’ things. As a follow up question, how has rude/mean/annoying encounters like that caused you to feel about the Christian faith ? My last question is, what method of sharing faith has made you at least open to talking to the other person about their faith?
I hope the wording hasn’t offended anyone. I’ve never talked to an atheist before (well I did over this forum for the past few days but not in person) and I would really like to learn more. Thanks for taking time and reading this.
In addition: Are there any methods of Evangelism you would actually consider listening to?
The new issue of Outreach Magazine gives their reader-submitted “Resources of the Year” in several categories. What came in at the number one spot for Leadership Training Resource of the Year may surprise some of you (and it greatly disappointed three authors who co-wrote a certain book that was a runner-up).
When he mentions his own book as a runner up to I Sold My Soul on eBay, he adds a side comment: “Cue the weeping and gnashing of teeth…”
All in good fun, of course
Meanwhile, I’m trying to get my hands on a scan of the actual magazine… if I get it, I’ll post a link to the page with the award!
I don’t think everyone who becomes an atheist does so because their religion was “harmful” for them, but this video by Willravel offers a seven-step program for getting over your former faith:
Martin L. Smith explains to fellow Christians the benefits of religious dialogue with atheists.
In the process, he actually gets most of his descriptions of atheists correct:
… adherents [of atheism or agnosticism] believe human beings can and must create for themselves lives that are worth living, that we must forge values that work now without the claims of a supernatural source. It believes that though human beings enjoy only a few decades of existence and our species is destined for extinction, yet the adventure of human existence is sufficiently glorious to be lived well.
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… Go deep in conversation with our humanist neighbor and we might discover a commitment to justice, decency, compassion, even to virtue, for their own sake. The idea that atheists are intrinsically likely to believe that anything goes morally is a slander. So in dialogue with humanists, Christians may find themselves more in agreement than they imagine. When I talk with an avowed humanist committed to social justice and strong personal ethics of compassion and fidelity, I find myself in hearty agreement that goodness is to be chosen from the heart because it is good, as our mystics have always held. Making a choice from fear of punishment is spiritually infantile.
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… There are millions of intelligent people who aren’t prejudiced against spirituality but who see no signs of the existence of God when they look hard at the same world we live in as people of faith. It is very healthy for Christians to realize how mysteriously hidden God is. We believe that God is hidden intentionally. If God were obvious, our devotion would be coerced. It is because we can say No to the being of God that when we do say Yes we are acting in real freedom.
I take issue with Smith’s mention of atheism as a stance of faith. But outside of that, it’s rare to hear that sort of respectful commentary about atheists coming from a priest.
Short answer: Only a few people know and they’re not saying much of anything. Yet.
Since Ellen Johnson left, Frank Zindler has stepped in as the (temporary) President of American Atheists.
But why she left is not all that clear.
On American Atheists’ website, a letter to members reads:
Following over 13 years of outstanding service to American Atheists and the cause of State-Church Separation, Ellen Johnson is leaving her post as President of the organization.
The nearly identical — and more recently updated — letter on AA Communications Director Dave Silverman’s website reads:
Following over 13 years of outstanding service to American Atheists and the cause of State-Church Separation, Ellen Johnson is no longer President of the organization.
A slight change in wording…
Ellen didn’t leave voluntarily. Rather, she was forced to step down from the AA board of directors.
The 13 year tenure of Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists, came to an abrupt end at a special meeting of the board of directors held April 29.
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While Zindler stated that Johnson left for “personal reasons”, in an e-mail response to an interview request to Humanist Network News, Johnson stated that she was “fired.”
By a majority vote of the Board of Directors of American Atheists, Inc, and by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors of two of the other four corporations, Ellen Johnson was involuntarily removed from the office of President of American Atheists, Inc. and from the office of President of the other four corporations.
The bylaws of each of the five corporations permit the removal of the President by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Out of deep respect for Ellen Johnson’s many services to American Atheists, in deference to her privacy, and with the desire that her Presidency be remembered favorably by history, American Atheists asks that this statement be accepted without calls for further explanation.
Be assured that the action taken was in the best interests of the organization and of its membership.
While I understand the need for privacy, there’s some issue (or issues) Ellen and the board disagreed about that led to the parting of ways, and AA members have a right to know what it was.
Dave, as any good Communications Director must do, is trying to keep things calm while under fire with questions. He’s responding to what he can, but since he can’t reveal much, it’s not too helpful.
He’s said that the Board will reveal what they can after they’ve spoken to the various parties involved. Basically, they want to make sure they’re saying the right thing.
What would be helpful is communication from Ellen herself.
Since she and her crew just ended the Freedom Walktoday, we’ll hopefully be hearing from her soon. (Incidentally, the Mississippi governor was not present to receive Bill Moore’s letter, but it was delivered as planned. Congratulations to the group for finishing their Walk.)
Zindler, who has been active with AA for over three decades, is the temporary replacement, but he has said he does not want the position for too long:
He told the Humanist Network News that “before the new year, hopefully, we’ll have someone else.” Zindler, citing his age, (nearly 69) said he would be happy to act in an advisory capacity in the future, but feels that “fresh ideas” are needed in a leader of the organization.
I’m anxiously looking forward to what changes may come from all this. But the delayed response of the AA Board is not a good omen for the future.
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What are some of the changes people would like to see in AA’s future? Silverman asked and the most popular response seems to be: a more modern and dynamic website.
I’m all for that, but it seems like an odd thing to request when being asked what major changes you’d like to see made to a national organization with AA’s history. Why is the focus not on more cooperation with other groups, major initiatives to organize atheists, or further legal action to support our rights?
Also, without a webpage-design volunteer, an update of the page would take some money. Without coming clean about what happened with Ellen in a timely manner, the Board is risking losing some of the precious memberships it has.
Ben Stein takes on the Germ Theory of Disease and discovers how doctors washing their hands led to the slaughter of the Armenians during World War I. Of course ‘all washed up’ also describes Stein’s career.
Congratulations to the winners! The top three will be receiving specially-made Friendly Atheist wristbands (in the color of their choice), sent to me by blog reader Shauna and her sister Danni!
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If you’d like to win your own wristband, here is the new contest (coincidentally also via Darwin’s Dagger):
What programming would appear on an atheist cable TV network?
Funny and creative answers will have a shot at winning.
Please donate any amount you'd like to the Secular Student Alliance by using the PayPal link below. The SSA appreciates your thoughts. (But not your prayers.)
