Quote:I was astonished to learn that so many pastors don't actually believe what they preach

Given the stupidity of it, it's astonishing that so many do.

(January 15, 2015 at 12:41 pm)Davka Wrote: I gotta wonder, how many pastors out there are simply going through the motions? Do any of them outside the spittle-spewing iggorant fundy crowd actually believe the crap they're saying?

What a weird thing.

For the most prominent amongst them it's foremost a lucrative business. The Pat Robertsons make millions by selling shit to their viewers. I'm not sure what they believe, but money certainly is the god they put before the jealous one.

(January 15, 2015 at 12:52 pm)abaris Wrote:

(January 15, 2015 at 12:41 pm)Davka Wrote: I gotta wonder, how many pastors out there are simply going through the motions? Do any of them outside the spittle-spewing iggorant fundy crowd actually believe the crap they're saying?

What a weird thing.

For the most prominent amongst them it's foremost a lucrative business. The Pat Robertsons make millions by selling shit to their viewers. I'm not sure what they believe, but money certainly is the god they put before the jealous one.

This is especially true with those preaching the prosperity gospel, like Osteen. "Buy my shit, and I'll give you empty platitudes that you'll naively think will lead you to the kind of wealth I currently enjoy!"

I've heard a lot about this on AXP, it's a brilliant thing for sure. People that are heavily entrenched need lots of support to get out. I think they protect their identities so that they can get the help while still in, until they build up the strength and the right situation to finally leave. It's sad to think of just how many pastors and such out there are putting on a show because their belief has died, and they're just waiting for a way out.

(January 15, 2015 at 1:20 pm)robvalue Wrote: I've heard a lot about this on AXP, it's a brilliant thing for sure. People that are heavily entrenched need lots of support to get out. I think they protect their identities so that they can get the help while still in, until they build up the strength and the right situation to finally leave. It's sad to think of just how many pastors and such out there are putting on a show because their belief has died, and they're just waiting for a way out.

Agree completely. Depending on the venue the soon to be former pastor's entire family could seriously suffer.

I am not surprised i mean after awhile a pastor is going to question what he is preaching and be like....
this makes no sense none of it makes any sense.

This is why I was so dissapointed with Dan Barker's interview on The Daily Show. He is largely responsible for the Clergy Project, so I really wanted to like him.

I read Dennett's book on this topic "Caught in the Pulpit". I was most surprised by several of the Episcopalian priests interviewed who did not believe in a supernatural deity but still claimed to be fully Christian. This relates to the other thread about Christian atheists.

Personally, I feel much more comfortable with an atheist priest or pastor than I do with a theist. My last priest was probably a secret atheist. I think this priest was covertly trying to promote skepticism. At the time I was extremely religious.