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e-mail: j
Meet Mr. W.
From: "Mr. W."
To: Jordan
Subject: Your
Testimony
Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 12:50:17
-0500
Jordan,
I just thought I would let you
know that I really enjoyed your testimony and must say that it is the best I
have ever seen. That is really just
awesome how God worked His way into your life.
It is something that you can never comprehend until it happens. I really found it interesting that you said, when you were an atheist, that theists believed
secular humanism to be a religious faith.
Just yesterday, in a government class I am taking, we watched a film
recorded in the early 1980's. It was
about the separation of church and state in Alabama, where I live. Peter Jennings was the commentator. In the film, theists called Secular Humanism
a form of religion. Now, I know that
many atheists and/or humanists would disagree with this assertion. My thought on this is that atheist
organizations that you used to be associated with seem to have religious
structures but is it appropriate to label them as a religion? I feel that to be an atheist takes just as
much faith as believing in God. Would
you agree? My point is,
I see atheism more as a faith and not a religion. However, since you have been involved in
atheist organizations and are now a Christian, do you see a similarity between
faith in the existence of God and faith in His non-existence?
I appreciate any response.
P.S. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
In Christ,
Mr. W.
Jordan Response Dated 18 August
2002:
Hi there,
To answer your question: yes, not
only do I see a similarity now but did back when I was a member. Noticing that
similarity fueled much of my dissent, for I saw us as religious bigots of our
own non-theistic breed. Many non-theists take offense when it is implied (or
more accurately put, OBSERVED) that they have their faith rested on the
scientific method to answer all there is to know. What they can't answer, such
as Christ's follower's post-crucifixion visions, they trust science will
eventually reveal and explain away. (See Resurrection Response Three at (http://www.theism.net/authors/zjordan/debates_files/locks3.htm).
However, keep in mind that labels
such as "Freethinker," "Atheist," "Agnostic,"
etc., are as broad as the label "Christian." For example,
"Freethinker" is generally affixed to a non-theist. Nonetheless, I
consider myself a freethinker, for I reject hierarchical authorities as
ultimate. Christianity is a personal walk with Christ. Granted, church and
religious leaders can and do aid to facilitate that walk but Christ is
the ultimate authority. Infidel Jeff Lowder, I
consider, expertly depicted a freethinking theist (http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/features/2000/lowder1.html).
Overall, based on my experience
in both camps (theistic and non-theistic), I venture to claim that activists of
either breed have a greater tendency to be "religious" rather than
non-activists. Both activists are proclaiming the veracity of their position on
religion and desire that other persons adopt their perspective. Conversely, there
are many Christians and atheists who keep their position to themselves
throughout their daily lives. These comments take into consideration that
"religion" and "religiosity" are broad terms, also. Such
terms by definition and by practice can be argued ad nauseum.
As for me, while an atheist, I took a pro-active role in advocating the truth,
as I understood it. When I became a Christian, Skeptics and Theism.net
approached me soliciting details of my conversion. Let that mean what it will.
In any case, the non-theists I
mostly encountered in my atheism days do, indeed, have faith in science; they
do not like that word because, in their minds, it reduces them to mere
believers like their counterparts. Christians tend to be aware that their
worldview is faith-based. Non-theists tend to view their worldview as actual
knowledge. That's been my experience. I hope this helps.
In Him,
Jordan
e-mail: j
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