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Griffith University Society for Skeptics and Freethinkers 2007-07-26 05:02:00 My name is Jayson Cooke and I am a Psych Science student at Griffith University Gold Coast campus in Queensland Australia. I am in the process of starting an on-campus cultural group "Griffith University Society for Skeptics and Freethinkers." I was hoping you may be able to help out in some way, any way really. I really believe we can contribute towards something great here and any assistance would be greatly appreciated.The Centre for Inquiry On Campus group (http://www.campusfreethought.org/ ) has kindly provided promotional and educational material which has been a great help but in order to achieve our goals of not just preaching to the “converted� I will need all the help I can get. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated and I have just finished setting up a myspace group page to be found at http://groups.myspace.com/gussfThank you in advance for taking the time to read this and for the inspiration.Jayson D CookeTo monitor comments posted to this topic, use . ...

Finding a Way Forward 2007-07-25 19:53:53 by J.C. SamuelsonJust over two weeks ago, I wrote an article briefly discussing the controversy that exists, even among secularists, concerning the revitalization of atheism in relation to expressions of cultural or political bias against non-believers. The goal of that article was to show that a bias does exist, and that it does manifest itself in the public arena. Yet that article was woefully inadequate to the topic, particularly in terms of examining the public relations aspect of the issue, what relationship that might have to the persistence of bias, or how far secularism has come, where it might be going, and what, if anything remains to be done. For the record, I do not think of myself as a member of a downtrodden minority. Nor do I think non-theists should adopt that sort of attitude. In spite of its religious heritage, America functions as a pluralistic and largely secular society, not a theocracy. The instruments of government prohibit the establishment of a state religion, ...

How I Lived a Lie: My Anti-Testimony 2007-07-25 19:42:57 Sent in by MonkI was raised in the Church of Christ. Both my mom and dad have attended the same church since before I was born, and my dad has actually been an elder (think bishop if elder makes no sense to you) there for over 20 years. It’s a family tradition, going there. Ever since I was a child, I hated going to church…not once in my life can I EVER remember wanting to go.The bottom line: I never really believed, though I always pretended to. However, you can only live a lie for so long before it starts to eat you.I finally succumbed to my family’s pressure to be baptized (a rite of passage in the Church of Christ) in March 2001 when I was 19 years old and a couple of months away from entering the Marine Corps reserves (since this was pre- 9/11, there wasn’t an over-riding fear that I might die in war…yet). For the next few years, I managed to balance my reserve commitments with college, and life generally went on as always. Going through the motions of being a Christian ...

The so called "loving and truthful" faith of Christianity 2007-07-25 19:35:36 Sent in by Justine SSince this is my very first testimony (ever!), I just ask that you all please be patient and bear with me.I guess I should start at the beginning... there's two portions to my Christian life. I'll save the fundamental stuff for later. Growing up, my mother was somewhat involved with the Lutheran Church. She used to drag my sister and I almost every Sunday, although I believe this was more of my grandparents' conviction than God's. I don't remember too much about church services except stand up... say some things... sit down... repeat. I do remember being in the children's choir, and winter retreats quite fondly, however. They were really nice people, and they didn't seem to force religion. They were just happy to be helping children and giving them something to do. It was about the time for Confirmation Classes that I stopped going, and by this time, it was much to my relief. I had better things to do.My parents were having great marital distress aro ...

Hell and the Narrow Road -- A Letter to Kara 2007-07-25 19:30:19 By John John FraysseThis letter was inspired by a comment posted in response to a Testimonial by perianwalsh (Wanting Heaven and Escaping Hell) on July 23, 2007. The comment by Kara, presumably a fundamentalist Christian, suggested that leaving Christianity might help one enjoy life and even help others do the same. However, after these admittedly positive benefits, it was suggested that ultimately Hell was waiting for us all if we don't choose the "Narrow Road". -------------------------------Dear Kara: My reason for writing is not to de-convert you, but rather to help you understand just a few of the reasons (and there are many more) why millions have rejected Christianity.I assume it is the "God of the Bible" that you worship and serve and also his Eternal Hell that you fear. Of course you know that your god has a "Love Me or Burn Forever" kind of love. If you have children or one day hope to have them, would you consider them "your enemy" from birth and send them to an eternal ...

Can a god exist? 2007-07-25 03:53:43 By Bob PFor a god to exist, He (She, it?) must possess intelligence. I believe the faithful would agree. Let's take a look... Again, as usual, Occams Razor is the standard. Intelligence, as we know it, exists in (most) humans, and perhaps in some animals. Intelligence here will be defined generally as awareness, observation, understanding, acceptance/reconsidering, and a memory. There are additionally four basic conditions for intelligence to exist as we know it. Anything beyond these conditions can only be in the imagination of someone desiring it. 1: Location: Intelligence has only been observed on the earth. At no time or place has any intelligence been observed, elsewhere. Intelligent life may and probably does exist elsewhere in the universe, but we have yet to observe it. 2: Matter: Intelligence requires matter. There has never been any intelligence observed except in matter. There is no observation of intelligence in a vacuum. 3: Life: Intelligence requires life. There is ...

Why Atheist? 2007-07-24 05:21:12 By Brother JeffThe following is a glorious update to my original 2002 "extimony."I grew up in a nominally religious home. I was raised United Methodist, but at home religion was limited to occasionally reading some bible stories, and that's about it. I quit going to church when I was about ten years old, and didn't get involved in religion again until I was 19-years old. At that time, through the influence of my good friend Mike, I became a "sold out to Jesus" fanatic fundie. That was a huge change for me, going from a party animal alcoholic and drug user to Jesus Freak. It was a huge adjustment for my family too. I was still living at home at the time, and I remember when Mike and I came home one day and we were climbing the stairs on the way to my bedroom, my younger sister laughed when she heard us going on about how wonderful Jesus was. She thought it was hysterically funny, but of course I knew that she just wasn't saved - yet. I had religion, and I had it bad! I'm sure she la ...

A Lack of Basic Understanding 2007-07-24 05:07:03 By Micah CowanI have recently subscribed to Answers magazine, produced by Answers In Genesis, famous for their recent opening of the Creation Museum. I received my first issue a couple months ago. The chief reason I subscribed was that I wanted to keep abreast of anti-evolutionary arguments, and Creationist reactions to recent scientific discoveries as they occurred. The issue I first received was almost entirely dedicated to the stories of the global flood and Noah’s Ark. I was rather disappointed to discover that there was actually rather little in the magazine for me to actually evaluate, as most of the writing offered no references to back up their claims and assertions; thus, there was nothing for me to reason about—only rhetoric. I have just received the next issue, which I have not yet opened; I’m hoping there will be more interesting arguments in that one, and hopefully some references to back up a few of the claims. However, I was struck by this very brief snippet of an ...

Life and Religion 2007-07-23 21:00:49 By Chad MThis is the time of change.This is the time of wonder.Religion does not bring change.Religion destroys the sense of wonder.Religion is not courageous. It is fearful and cringing.Religion is not loving. It is tyrannical and abusive.Religion is not the truth, the way and the light.It is lies, misdirection and darkness.A cross on the wall and a nail in the coffin.Both are resounding and final.Both are found at the end of life.I choose Life and Wonder over Fear and Regret.Religion calls the brave man a coward and the wise man foolish.Religion acts with self loathing and hatred towards itself.Religion denies the nature of the universe and kills all hope.Religion is man dreaming of his God.Religion is man creating his creator.Religion is the man made controller of man.God is Dead as myths must dieto make way for the dawn of reasonand the limitless sky of curiosity .The blood of a human god does not spill easily and without cost.The free gift of redemption from our true selvesrequire ...

Life and rRligion 2007-07-23 20:59:43 By Chad MThis is the time of change.This is the time of wonder.Religion does not bring change.Religion destroys the sense of wonder.Religion is not courageous. It is fearful and cringing.Religion is not loving. It is tyrannical and abusive.Religion is not the truth, the way and the light.It is lies, misdirection and darkness.A cross on the wall and a nail in the coffin.Both are resounding and final.Both are found at the end of life.I choose Life and Wonder over Fear and Regret.Religion calls the brave man a coward and the wise man foolish.Religion acts with self loathing and hatred towards itself.Religion denies the nature of the universe and kills all hope.Religion is man dreaming of his God.Religion is man creating his creator.Religion is the man made controller of man.God is Dead as myths must dieto make way for the dawn of reasonand the limitless sky of curiosity .The blood of a human god does not spill easily and without cost.The free gift of redemption from our true selvesrequire ...

I am a former youth pastor 2007-07-23 20:57:50 Sent in by Caleb C I recently de-converted from Christianity a couple of months ago. I am still very conflicted and am struggling with the idea of telling my friends. I have told one though, and have had several conversations with him about it since. Every time I talk to him, I am ever repeatedly reminded of the fundamentalist way of thinking. In the face of whatever rational information / history / science you offer them, they can only respond with a confused and agitated look. In their mind, they keep thinking... "there must be some explanation, some conspiracy to this. I just don't know what it is yet." To me, the biggest problem is that the "Christian message" is always delivered in a very protected way. A way similar to brain-washing. Go to a fundamentalist with a question of doubt resulting from something you read or watched on TV, and they will often give the same response (they often did to me). They'll tell you to "guard your mind" from information of "that sort." ...

We are one with the Cosmos 2007-07-23 20:52:17 Sent in by Insanity_personifiedWell I guess it could be argued that I was bound to de-convert from the Christian religion. My testimony isn't as dramatic as many here but I'll give it to you anywayFirst my age. I'm 15 years old, 16 in August. Some around me take this to mean that I am incapable of making informed decisions about my own life, what I want it to be, what my ambitions are, etc. Unfortunately for me one of these people happens to be my own father. This may not seem important but it was ultimately one simple statement from my dad that sent my Christian belief to hell (pun, yes)I was/still am being raised Christian, in a Christian home, at a Christian school run by a Christian church. Religion is everywhere in my life much to my dismay, and thus I didn't think to question anything for a very long time... but one thing stayed the same no matter how much into Christianity I was. My father loves Jesus... even as a seven-year-old I felt neglected by his seeming indifference ...

I feel a connection with you guys 2007-07-23 20:39:00 A letter from Michelle N I have enjoyed reading this site for months now. I'm not good with computers and mine is an antique. I left the faith a few years ago. The main reason was the hell doctrine. My mother took me to a Lutheran church as a child (pretty laid back,no fire and brimstone). My dad would drop us off and go get a coffee. My mother had faith but was not fanatical: more of a "Sunday Christian." It was the warnings of hell by an elderly women at a friend's youth group that scared the shit out of me. I tried to feel close to god, but was convinced He hated me. I was also convinced at age 22 that I had somehow committed the Unpardonable Sin. I practically had a nervous breakdown, just waiting to die and face my unchangeable fate. Every night was spent weeping for all the people who were destined for hell. I started to realize that being a Christian meant shutting off the part of the brain that feels compassion. How could anyone accept their loved ones -- or anyone for t ...

Wanting heaven and escaping hell 2007-07-23 04:53:28 A de-conversion testimonial from Malaysia Sent in by perianwalshNoteIt was not until months later of my deconversion I decide to write down my testimonialchildhoodI was born in a part-deist/skeptic family. Being a timid child, I always take things at face value. I never dare to ask why, why that's wrong...I just accept it.It just happened that I was fascinated by xtianity -again being a timid child, I am shy from talking to others about my own feelings, so I convinced myself that there's some higher powers/God care about my welfare, my feelings. I was too influenced by CSLewis' chronicles of Narnia.it was after I Left xtianity then I realised he incorporated the jesus story into his book.before:the church members tried to tell me about Adam(I AM NOT from xtian countries so I rather devoid of the sinning concept) sinning then all men sin (that's the original sin concept) and why we need to be saved. i am amazed(some of my xtian friends,regarding to the issue,in fact are taki ...

Money for nothing -- checks for free 2007-07-22 21:03:00 Chicago -- The Rev. Mark Sorvillo loved taking his parish's money and spending it on himself. Trips to Rome, Venice, Paris. And $900 meals at New York restaurants.In 1999, Sorvillo found someone else to lavish his parishioners' collection-plate donations on -- a male stripper.Sorvillo -- who pleaded guilty Friday to stealing nearly $200,000 from St. Margaret Mary parish on the North Side -- gave cars, plane tickets and thousands of dollars in cash to James Sosnicki, a married Louisville man who stripped frequently at gay clubs in Chicago, law enforcement sources said."He was like a big uncle to me," Sosnicki, 30, said Thursday. "If it wasn't for him, I'd probably be living in a cardboard box right now."Sorvillo's lawyer, Brian Collins, declined to comment.Sorvillo resigned from St. Margaret Mary in February 2006 after parishioners caught him stealing from the collection bags. He had been under suspicion since threatening to close the church's school because of the parish's strai ...