The Lie of the True Christian™

[Godlesspanther]

I suspect that there are some people for whom god-belief is simply not available to (psychologically) and I think that I may be one of them. As I described, I do experience some rather inexplicable emotion -- but I know that is going on in the grey matter inside my skull. A supreme cosmic whatnot ain't got shit to do with it.

I have no doubt that I do have the full gamut of emotion and that I do not lack (as some theists will insist) anything essential. I examine religious beliefs and I see nothing profound, essential, transcendent, or amazing in any way. Religious beliefs appear to me to be shallow, stupid, vapid, and on a societal level can be very dangerous.

The more narrow-minded and bigoted types of theists will proclaim that I have no purpose and meaning in life. That I have no moral compass, no ability to tell right from wrong, and "hate god." I wonder if this is all projection. If I were to live my life revolving around some kind of boundless being that does not exist -- that, for me, would make my life purposeless and meaningless. But that's me. I see those who claim derive morality from a magic storybook as being morally bankrupt. But again, that's me. The idea that I "hate god" is just too stupid to address.

There is also the issue that comes up that I secretly believe in an almighty entity but stubbornly refuse to admit it. It is natural for us to question the sincerity of those who believe things that are very different from our own beliefs. Yes, I do look at the things that people such as Drich spout and I do think:

You.... can't..... possibly....... really....... believe...... that...... bullshit.

But I know that a percentage of them really do believe.

[pockystix]

Pentecostal Christians (me being one) and being Pentecostal is one of the hardest things in the world. To say that it is easy to become one and easy to manipulate others while having that position is truly unfair. The work, the dedication, and the denial it takes to become one is truly impressive and something I could only dream of achieving. In order to preach a sermon in the manner that a Pentecostal does takes eloquence, faith, and patience that only God can grant.
Unless you have personal experiences with a Pentecostal Christian doing such a thing, please, do not make claims. Making such theoretical aims can produce false and unnecessary claims that only hurt yourself in the end.
However, if you have experienced such a thing, then that person was never truly a Christian.

[pocaracas]

So it takes a lot of work to dress BS and to make it look pretty, huh?
Such a waste of mental power...

[xpastor]

Pentecostal Christians (me being one) and being Pentecostal is one of the hardest things in the world. To say that it is easy to become one and easy to manipulate others while having that position is truly unfair. The work, the dedication, and the denial it takes to become one is truly impressive and something I could only dream of achieving. In order to preach a sermon in the manner that a Pentecostal does takes eloquence, faith, and patience that only God can grant.
Unless you have personal experiences with a Pentecostal Christian doing such a thing, please, do not make claims. Making such theoretical aims can produce false and unnecessary claims that only hurt yourself in the end.
However, if you have experienced such a thing, then that person was never truly a Christian.

Smug pronouncements like yours are a true pain in the ass. You don't know what you are talking about. I was a Lutheran pastor (not Pentecostal or "charismatic") but I and most of my fellow Lutheran ministers worked as hard as any Pentecostal. I often put in 80+ hours a week on my ministry. I've been out for a long time (30+ years) and I am now in a group of former and current ministers who have given up supernatural beliefs. I can tell you it was hard for all of us, painful to give up beliefs we had held for decades, painful to leave friends, but we had no option. Once you really study the Bible honestly and thoroughly, the only conclusion is that it is bullshit, often evil bullshit. If you want Pentecostal, some of the members in this group are, and besides them Dan Barker was a very hard-working and successful Pentecostal minister but he is now co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

I presume you were talking about the Pentecostal minister mentioned above who left because it wasn't true. Well, he was right. It isn't true. Don't talk about what you have not lived through, because you will make an ass of yourself.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Pentecostal Christians (me being one) and being Pentecostal is one of the hardest things in the world. To say that it is easy to become one and easy to manipulate others while having that position is truly unfair. The work, the dedication, and the denial it takes to become one is truly impressive and something I could only dream of achieving. In order to preach a sermon in the manner that a Pentecostal does takes eloquence, faith, and patience that only God can grant.
Unless you have personal experiences with a Pentecostal Christian doing such a thing, please, do not make claims. Making such theoretical aims can produce false and unnecessary claims that only hurt yourself in the end.
However, if you have experienced such a thing, then that person was never truly a Christian.

Because only people who truly agree with you are truly Christians? Because only you have true insight into what is a true christian. Do you realize how much arrogance is needed to discount everyone's opinions and experience and say, "nope you weren't as christian as I am"?

[Zazzy]

In order to preach a sermon in the manner that a Pentecostal does takes eloquence, faith, and patience that only God can grant.

I have seen Pentecostals in action, and the speaking in tongues and seizure-y behavior is truly astounding. It looks physically painful and exhausting.

Xpastor, no offense to your former hard work as a minister, but did you tie your body up in knots, shriek and babble unintelligibly for an hour, and then handle a dangerous snake?

Those snake folks are pretty fucking dedicated to their stupidity in ways few others can manage to top.

[Polaris]

So it takes a lot of work to dress BS and to make it look pretty, huh?
Such a waste of mental power...

Well the OP does not have much of that and never makes it look pretty.

[pocaracas]

So it takes a lot of work to dress BS and to make it look pretty, huh?
Such a waste of mental power...

Well the OP does not have much of that and never makes it look pretty.

I was referring to the guy immediately above me... But thanks for playing.

[Godlesspanther]

In order to preach a sermon in the manner that a Pentecostal does takes eloquence, faith, and patience that only God can grant.

I have seen Pentecostals in action, and the speaking in tongues and seizure-y behavior is truly astounding. It looks physically painful and exhausting.

Xpastor, no offense to your former hard work as a minister, but did you tie your body up in knots, shriek and babble unintelligibly for an hour, and then handle a dangerous snake?

Those snake folks are pretty fucking dedicated to their stupidity in ways few others can manage to top.

I have also seen them in action at an Assemblies of God church. I think that it's based on the Pentecostals. I made a YT vid about my adventures with the holy rollin' true believers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuVEh5vRAqU

[xpastor]

In order to preach a sermon in the manner that a Pentecostal does takes eloquence, faith, and patience that only God can grant.

I have seen Pentecostals in action, and the speaking in tongues and seizure-y behavior is truly astounding. It looks physically painful and exhausting.

Xpastor, no offense to your former hard work as a minister, but did you tie your body up in knots, shriek and babble unintelligibly for an hour, and then handle a dangerous snake?

Those snake folks are pretty fucking dedicated to their stupidity in ways few others can manage to top.

Nope, you got me there. hock: