What follows is a discussion between an atheist friend of mine and an Evangelical. I no longer engage in such discussions on social media, choosing to focus on my blog, but the following discussion reminds me of the interactions I once had with Christian zealots on Facebook and Twitter. In just but a few comments, the Evangelical trots out an interesting version of Pascal’s Wager, threats of judgment and hell, with a zesty seasoning of “you are angry and bitter” to round out the discussion.
Enjoy!
Bruce Gerencser, 67, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 46 years. He and his wife have six grown children and sixteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
Your comments are welcome and appreciated. All first-time comments are moderated. Please read the commenting rules before commenting.
You can email Bruce via the Contact Form.
Typical, absurd allegations on the part of the evangelical. Assertions without evidence, which is all that any religion amounts to.
I continue to be bemused by the Pascal Wager proposition, something many comment on, here included. I cannot choose what I believe. I’m certain there is no god, of any type. Technically I have, as a fully certified sceptic, got to lay open the possibility there may be one (or many!), just that the evidence doesn’t suggest it, but in reality I have no doubt within myself. I can’t help it. If I utter the words ‘I believe’ so as to qualify for the wager then I’d be lying, and surely any half competent god would see that?
Pointless. Never understood why atheists piss their time away with these kinds of discussions
I have the reputation in my circle of Facebook friends of debating these types of people. The reason why I do it is not to convince the person I’m debating with of my point…it’s the ones that are on the sidelines reading without commenting that I’m reaching. The ones that silently question their faith. Those are the ones I’m going for. And trust me…they’re there! I get messages all the time from them.
Just like the Evangels…I’m changing one mind at a time. It’s a slow, painful process but worth it (to me). You never know whose life you touch or change.