Spaniard VIII, a proud Fundamentalist Christian, runs a boutique blog titled, Spiritual Minefield: Exposing the spiritual landmines of the devil through the Word of God. Spaniard VIII attracts a small band of like-minded apologists, people who are unwilling or unable to see anything other than their peculiar brand of Evangelical Christianity — which they arrogantly and self-righteously call “True Christianity®.”
Spaniard VIII has written about me, long-time commenter John Arthur, and the readers of this blog now and again. He routinely lies about people and refuses to understand why people leave Christianity. In Spaniard VIII’s mind, everything is reduced to Satan and spiritual weakness. Atheists such as I were never True Christians®, and when life got hard, we left Christianity so we could “sin.”
Recently, Spaniard VIII wrote a post titled, (Part 10) The True Darkness of Atheism. Here’s some of what he had to say:
This John Arthur is full of hatred, bitterness, and rage against a righteous God, Jesus Christ because John Arthur is in darkness and serves his father the devil. If you notice that all these godless people hate the Word of God, proving its power and truth in it. Satan hates God’s Word because it saves those who believe in what it says about Jesus Christ. No wonder Satan’s followers also detest the Scriptures.
People who are godless, like atheists, have a pure hatred towards the Living God, Jesus Christ, who is the Savior of the world because Satan is their god. You see this with their vile and filthy mouth against Jesus Christ and His saints. If you are a Christian and have dealt with one, you know exactly what I’m talking about. There are even atheists who have committed their blogs to attack the person of Jesus Christ and even try to persuade believers, if they can, to abandon their Lord and Savior as they have done. They never had a spiritual backbone, the Holy Spirit, from keeping their faith from collapsing
….
Anyone who curses God by blaspheming and attacking God’s Word, calling the truth, a lie, and the lie [the theory of evolution] the truth, comes from demonic spirits who live in their hearts.
If you notice, when a fake Christian apostatizes, they become full of rage against Jesus Christ. Why does this happen? Well, what happens when the light is turned off? Darkness appears, resetting them to default, sin. The absence of light is darkness, not the other way around. So, when a person abandons God, darkness fills their heart, and you will see them get from somewhat good, to bad, then worse, and finally unapproachable with the gospel.
- Atheists hate the Evangelical God
- Atheists hate the Protestant Christian Bible
- Atheists speak vile, filthy things against Jesus
- Atheists speak vile, filthy things against True Christians®
- Atheists have demonic spirits living inside of them
- Atheists rage against the Evangelical God
- Atheists are filled with darkness
- Atheists are unapproachable with the Evangelical gospel
Calling me a “fake Christian” — meaning I never was a True Christian®, I never was a follower of Jesus — Spaniard VII says “I committed my blog to attack the person of Jesus Christ and even try to persuade believers, if they can, to abandon their Lord and Savior as I have done.” This, of course, is a lie, but Spaniard VIII is convinced that my goal as a writer to attack the dead Jesus and persuade his followers to become atheists. Evidently, telling my story and critiquing Evangelical Christianity are attacks on Jesus and attempts to lead people away from the one true faith. Amazing the “power” I have over Jesus’ followers.
Spaniard VIII refuses to give the readers of this blog credit for thinking for themselves. I write, people read, and it is up to them to weigh the merits of what I’ve said. Have people deconverted after reading my writing? Sure. But I am not an atheist evangelist. As I have stated countless times before, my objective as a writer is to help those who have questions and doubts about Christianity and to help and encourage those who have left Christianity. I make no effort to evangelize, nor do I take my show on the road, commenting on Christian blogs or engaging believers on social media. I am never the initiator of contact. Having bullied and abused unbelievers during my preaching days, I am sensitive to the harm caused by such tactics.
Spaniard VIII also refuses to let atheists comment on his blog. He’s known for deleting the comments of anyone who disagrees with him. I suspect, deep down, he fears what “truth” other than his might do. So, he makes sure that the only “truth” his readers hear is his — or what he perceives is God’s. Granted, blog owners are free to make their own rules of engagement. I do so on this blog. However, Spaniard VIII walls off his blog from outside intrusion, not even allowing those he preaches against to comment.
Let me conclude this post with three comments lifted from Spaniard VIII’s latest blog post. I think readers will find them enlightening:
Caeli:
Only the Holy Spirit can reach the most calloused soul. There comes a time when being miserable becomes so miserable and for some, this becomes the pivotal point to salvation and to the believers, growth.
I can understand the temptation to abandon God when things blow up. As believers, we expect God to step in and when He allows us to go through the most trying times, it’s hard to see past the pain. But without the pain, we will never have an experiential grasp on the nature of choice, faithfulness, and above all, love. Jesus says, “Follow me” and to follow leads to no other road but one.
Londoninvestigates:
It’s best not to engage with these demonoids who hate. The same people who wanted Christ crucified.
Be true to yourself and Christ.
Spaniard VIII:
These series are for exposure, to show people what is in the heart of atheists.
Spaniard VIII says that he KNOWS what’s in the “heart” of atheists. First, what evidence does he have for his claim that atheists have “hearts?” Second, how does he KNOW what’s in the hearts of unbelievers? Third, why does he make no attempt to see atheists as they are, and not as the caricature he has built up in his mind? Fourth, does he really believe that atheists are vile, evil people, filled with Satan; that we are empty of love, kindness, and decency?
While I pointedly address Spaniard VIII’s errant beliefs, I have no doubt that he is a good husband and father. I know numerous Christians who are decent people, despite holding beliefs I consider irrational. Can he not see that I am more than an atheist; that I am a loving and kind husband (of 42 years), father, and grandfather; that I love my neighbors as myself and go out of my way to not cause harm to anyone — mosquitoes and flies excepted? Spiders, for example, co-inhabit with the Gerencsers. It is not uncommon for us to be watching TV and see a spider rappelling down from the ceiling. And then there was the mouse who entertained us a few years ago. We’d be watching TV and out he would pop, running across the top of the entertainment center, sometimes stopping to say, “how ya doing, folks?” My grandchildren have heard Grandpa’s lecture numerous times about not stepping on ants, pulling the wings off of insects, etc. I have a deep love and admiration for all living things. This is the kind of man I am, but unfortunately, all Spaniard VIII sees is a man he thinks is vile and wicked; a man condemned by his God and his peculiar interpretation of the Bible. Not to toot my own horn — oh, hell I am going to do it — Spaniard VIII is missing out on knowing (and understanding) a good man; he’s missing out on knowing people who may be unbelievers, but are some of those most loving, humane, and sympathetic people I know.
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.
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He is missing out on who you really are. But he’s got such a narrow mindset, and he won’t allow anything in it that changes his thoughts. Pity.
Yep. I am really not Satan incarnate. Santa incarnate, yes, but not Satan. 🙂 Had someone call me Santa yesterday when we were in Bryan. The first time that has happened since I started wearing a mask. Masks tend to kill my Santa vibe. 🙂
But Santa incarnate is good!
Spaniard VIII is whistling in the graveyard where his moribund faith will one day be buried.
You would think he would have found something better to do instead of constantly bearing false witness about atheists. He could always go talk to the ceiling or just agree to disagree and move on.
I’ve had run ins with this guy too. He’s an extremist whose posts reflect a mental instability. He has a background involving witchcraft (or so he says) and is certain he’s surrounded by demons and demonic non-believers, hell-bent on attacking him and other believers. The Holy Spirit and the armor of God are the only things that stand between him and spiritual destruction. Naturally they’re up to the job.
Thank God for that I hear you say.
Sounds like you doubt Evangelicals who say they were witches/Satanists/atheists/mob hitmen/etc. Me too. While I am certain some of these stories are an admixture of truth and lie, so many of them are just testimony time fodder. Even as a pastor, I concluded that a lot of “testimonies” were lies. In Evangelical circles, deliverance stories have great value and make the teller seem “special” in the eyes of their fellow Christians. I have heard some real whoppers, especially from preachers.
Of course he deletes contrarian comments on his blog as otherwise he’d have to engage in actual intellectual arguments, which he’s incapable of doing. He reminds me of the religionists who ring into Atheist Experience, assuring Matt Dillahunty that they can absolutely prove there is a god, only to come away, every single time without exception, with their tails scraping the floor. It’s called faith for a reason; and reason has nothing to do with it.
Polly and I listen to the Atheist Experience every Sunday evening before God to bed. Every week, theists are sure that they have the argument that will turn Matt to the one true faith. Such discussions never end well. 🙂
Hi Everyone,
I was hopping mad with Spaniard when I wrote that anyone who believes in the verbal inspiration and inerrancy of his barbaric book is an idiot. I was reading one of his posts where he was lying about atheists. This guy only quotes part of what I wrote. He has banned me from his blog. Never mind! He is totally ridiculous in his assertions about atheists, agnostics, same sex oriented persons etc.
This guy has demonamia on the brain. He has even claimed to have seen demons, but he never describes what he has claimed to have seen. He’s mentally unhinged and should visit a psychiatrist to have his mental well being assessed.
It is a badge of honor to be banned from his blog. I am not banned per se, he just won’t approve any of my comments. So, I comment from a distance. 🙂
Span is a coward and an idiot. He is a great example of how Christians don’t care what their god or bible supposedly say. They have no problem lying as much as they want. Alas, they forget romans 3, and the poor things are damned, if we go by that garbage.
Hell will be full up with TrueChristians(tm), if this god exists.
Aw, bless his little heart. He obviously has a lot of fear in his life.
Demonoid – I can’t wait to start using that word! I love it!
OB, Demonoid rang a bell in my old head and I remember using it as a tracker with BitTorrent years ago…. It is a great word!
I remember Demonoid now, from music “borrowing” days. 🙂 I was a big BitTorrent user.
Another example of using the tool (Evangelicalism) to batter and ram. Thank-you, sweet Lord, for your gentle message of love through Spaniard Hate and showing us how to love our neighbor so biblically.
What better tool than Christian fervor to beat others down (not to mention ruin yourself!)
i remember meeting people like this guy years ago. they were medieval in their thinking in that they attributed literally everything to demonic activity. they were also mentally unstable. i avoided them and they eventually moved on from our then church as the pastor kept them from teaching or preaching. i would imagine this guy is very alone in his real life. sad about the consequences bad theology causes.
The internet, of course, is a Loki-send for such people. It allows them to find and connect with likeminded people. His approved commenters typically support and reinforce his ideas about Satan/demonism/atheism. It’s easy to “think” you are right when everyone is the choir says AMEN!
Looking over Bruce’s bullet points, it looks as though Spaniard VIII is 1 for 8. None of the first seven points apply, since I do not hate, rage against, curse, or speak vile, filthy things against Jesus or his followers–because I do not believe, most days, in one god or many. I’m agnostic, so I am open to the possibility that I’m wrong–but not (this is where Spaniard VIII gets it right) from Evangelical Christians.
My unbelief does not mean that I am under demonic influence or filled with darkness. I have thought the matter over carefully, and for right now, I do not believe. Nonetheless, I try to be a kind person, helpful, caring, and decent, even without religion. So does Bruce Gerencser. That is all.
Yep. I just wish Evangelicals would seen the “person” instead of their “relationship with Jesus.” Today, I had lunch with the local United Church of Christ pastor and a long-time Lutheran pastor who is leaving the ministry. We talked politics, religion, family, swapped ministry stories, etc. What a delightful time, with nary a thought about whether the other is saved/right with God/believes the right things. Just people enjoying the company of others — with masks and social distancing, of course (we ate Subway at a nearby park).
This guy isn’t thinking or reacting, he’s just spouting pre-programmed clichés. Debating with him would be like “debating” with one of those dolls that plays back various pre-recorded phrases when you pull the string on its back.
Superstition dominates Catholic cultures, and Spaniard is of Cuban descent. There’s a lot of syncretism in those cultures also, which is why he mentioned having witchcraft in his background. Most witches aren’t atheists. I find his choice of moniker interesting, because of the horrible oppression Spain unleashed in the world, starting with Columbus. It’s no accident that ultraconservative admire and defend Columbus at every opportunity. You hear this on Christian radio constantly. By the way, pride and Spain go together. The version I’m thinking of is Mediterranean. Like the pious Mafiosi. The Taliban. I saw examples in L.A. a lot. It’s next to impossible to have a dialogue with these sorts. I witnessed frequent imprecatory prayers and statements against those Christian leaders had a problem with, like ex- members. No surprises with the ” Hateful VIII”.
I now remember where I heard that term ” Demonoid”. Its from some B- movie from the I980’s, if my memory is working.
Span is a complete idiot. He’s one of the best reasons no one should believe in this Christian god. If it has to rely on fools and liars like Span, then it is a failure as a god and nothing to be afraid of.
I could be wrong here, but it’s possible that 8-Ball got started on this crazy road by joing an offshoot church that is heavy on fear and hierarchy, and obsessed with demonic realms and the supernatural. A grim bunch.
I’m half Spanish, having a Spanish father and being born in Spain. When I saw the name this twit uses, ‘Spaniard’, I felt a little embarrassed, thinking I shared a cultural background. I’m extremely relieved that he appears to hail from a another Spanish country, especially as I find mainland Spain is becoming incredibly secular and tolerant.
This guy would be much more at home in a place that still reveres witch doctors, where he’d be prancing round praying for rain, and conjuring spirits. He’s incapable of engaging logically.
Even if you did share a cultural background, his difficulty with reality doesn’t reflect on you. Everyone’s family/tribe/group/etc. has some folks who get caught up in their own imaginations and enter a realm that is really, really difficult to escape from. It’s actually very sad.
I was just reading on Yahoo News about ways the Trump team plans to bypass election results if he loses,and I always marvelbthatvgiven what Trump says and does every day,that any Christian anywhere,could even stand this insane man,to vote for him. That said, Spaniard should be outraged by the behavior of those whom Bruce has criticized on this blog,instead of yelling about the criticism of “the saints” and their very unsaintly actions which have traumatized uncounted numbers of people. And while on this subject, no one person who is a reader,has been driven away from God by what Bruce writes. Events and deeds done to them beforehand accomplished that. Keep this in mind,Spaniard, before going off again.
And besides the above, many who comment and are readers here are also either Christians or not athiest. And are quite fond of Bruce and his writing. Plus,Spaniard,try to understand you can’t ever browbeat faith into anyone. It makes no sense to comment here when doing that.
According to Spaniard VIII, ALL aliens are actually demons masquerading as aliens
I actually heard the same thing in IFB churches.
Whoa. I’m glad I never attended a church that had that belief. The most conservative was the (non-instrumental) Church of Christ. They might preach that but I never heard it when I was a member over 40 years ago. I mean, wouldn’t it make more sense to believe there are no aliens, since there is no proof? sigh
Hi Elliot,
Yes! I read his post on “Aliens Are Demons” and your discussion with him. He continually refused to consider the possibilty of life somewhere else in the universe, inspite of their being billions of gallaxies and the discovery of many suns with planetary systems.
You raised several questions with him, but he didn’t take much notice. He kept asserting that aliens are demons.
Spaniard has a screw loose. He is mentally deranged because he claims to have seen demons.