Pastor "tries on" atheism for a year, is promptly fired by his Christian employers.

[Cinjin]

Elsewhere the opinions vary as to whether he's an atheist-in-the-closet or evangelical fundie troll about to launch a book about how atheism is wrong.
Given his history I tend to edge on the first case though not enough to gamble actual money.

An interesting hypothesis. I can definitely see the possibility with both options.
If he was indeed a fundie troll looking to write a book, make some money and strike a blow against atheism, that makes his firing so much more enjoyable, and his defense of christianity that much harder to sell.

Totally awesome.

If he truly is on his way to de-converting, than he now has even more reason to leave the stupids behind and join us here in the light of reason and freedom. Christians, they're the iceberg to their own Titanic. Just a bunch of fucking idiots walking around waving a stupid old book.

[The Valkyrie]

Bell decided to run an experiment where he would live like an atheist for a year

I'd love to know what that means. Actually he sounds like a twit.

Agreed.

You can't just pretend to be an atheist while still believing in a deity.

[Esquilax]

..So the pastor was not a pastor when he was fired at all? Then how does the head line read true? I get he was a pastor at one point but was not a pastor in any capasity when fired correct? If so then shouldnt the story read "Former pastor gets fired from a Christian university for trying atheism?"

And now we land squarely in dodgeball territory: rather than simply admitting your error and moving on, you have to harp on something else to distract from it. Can't ever just admit things like this, eh?

Yes, perhaps it should read "former pastor," but in case you didn't notice, there was a whole article below the headline that explained the facts in detail. That's something called "context," which you admit you didn't bother to read beyond the parts that confirmed what you already believe, and yet somehow... your failure to read counts as intentional dishonesty on the part of the writers?

There is all kinds of dishonesty written into this artical to try and frame Christians/7 day avt in a negitive light, and I am the one being scrutnized?

How were they dishonest? What facts were misrepresented? And how would you know?

To be clear, he got fired from two positions that have nothing to do with the religious practices he keeps, based solely on the fact that he's openly decided to investigate his faith. That's what happened, and it's what the article reflects: the author didn't need to lie to paint christians in a bad light.

As usual, you guys did that all on your own. As you're doing right here, right now.

[là bạn điên]

how can anyone challenge Drich?

Anyone who can come up with the argument ' Your name means you are mr poopy head' and is still happy to come and talk shit to us must be so ineffably superior.

[earwaxyness]

Agree with a few others here:

I wish the article had explained better what it means to 'live like an atheist'? It seems to me that we atheists are a pretty diverse group. Even if it's simply not attending religious ceremonies he'd be off since I'm an atheist and regularly am present for prayers or ceremonies (working in a hospital provides ample opportunity for prayers, baptisms, and other religious ceremonies).

In my opinion the best he could do would be to question his belief but he can't be called an atheist for not attending religious services and studying atheism. You can't turn such a core belief completely off overnight - it's part of who we are.

[FlyingNarwhal]

[Lemonvariable72]

Drich, you understand that pastor is often used as a honorific title after said pastor has moved on from that church in good terms right?

[houseofcantor]

I didn't get much out of this article beyond finding this guy to be pretty dumb.

and all 4 of you fall somewhere beneath me...

There is no "beneath you."

[pocaracas]

[Jacob(smooth)]