ExChristian.net ExChristian.net A site aimed at encouraging those who have discovered, or are discovering, that Christianity is false. Articles
My emancipation from the Bible cult
2008-02-15 10:43:00 Sent in by NickMy first doubts began when I was 8 or 9, wondering why I never saw the god I was learning about in Sunday School, while he seemed to put in so many appearances in biblical times. Was he really watching our every action from up there in the sky and jotting it all down to be used against us on Judgment Day?Though I was "confirmed" at the age of 18, mainly to please my parents, I was never a religious person, and Christianity never formed a big part of my life, until my 8-month-old daughter died. I received kind, moral support from my Seventh Day Adventist neighbors and this period in my life was the closest I ever got to becoming involved in church activities.But I gradually drifted away, mainly over the requirement to literally believe everything contained in the Bible , though much, obviously, stretched one's imagination.So my doubts grew, though to be quite honest, I really didn't give it all that much thought, nevertheless, I guess you could call me a dormant fence... More About: Cult , The Bible
Atheism Freed Me from All Life's Superstitions
2008-02-15 10:38:00 By xraymanMost of my life I have been very superstitious. Just the thought of an upcoming Friday the 13th made me very anxious. Anything with the number 13 made me very nervous. I would avoid black cats, walking under ladders, and of course a broken mirror caused me great distress. I had lucky numbers and unlucky numbers. The same was true for colors. Along with all my superstitions I also suffered from extreme obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) which is superstition gone mad. OCD is manifested by many ridiculous rituals. I used to tap each door knob I walked by seven times and if I didn’t feel I did it right I had to do it again. My shoes had to be placed a certain way, my shirts had to hang in the same direction. I had to rinse my hair a certain way or I would have to do it again. With the obsessive compulsive disorder I became a prisoner to my rituals. They controlled my life. With OCD one gets this irrational belief it they don’t perform their daily rituals so... More About: Atheism , Superstitions
Watch Out for those Terrible Atheists
2008-02-13 22:50:00 by Lee SalisburyA recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota shows that atheists are more distrusted and despised than any other minority and that an atheist is the last person for whom Americans would vote in a presidential election. “Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians” all ranked higher than atheists in public acceptability. Furthermore, Americans are “least willing to allow their children to marry” atheists. State laws instill and perpetuate this attitude. Article IX, Sec. 2, of the Tennessee constitution states: “No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments shall hold any office in the civil department of this state.” Arkansas, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas have similar laws.George H. W. Bush while campaigning for President in 1987 exhibited this same attitude, “I don’t know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This i... More About: Watch , Atheists
Baby Bible Bashers
2008-02-13 22:32:00 Showing on UK Channel 4, Thursday 14 February 2008, 9pmSamuel Boutwell is a seven-year-old preacher. He takes his vocation to save sinners from rotting in eternal hell extremely seriously.Most Saturdays he stands in front of his local abortion clinic in Jackson, Mississippi and, bible in hand, bellows:'Don't kill your child! Repent! God loves the little children!'View picture gallery >> Baby Bible Bashers follows the extraordinary stories of three of the Lord's 'chosen children', and their relationships with God, their families and their congregations.In addition to Samuel, we meet nine-year-old Florida firebrand Terry Durham, who likes nothing more than to don his oversize blue suit and alligator shoes, and whip the crowd into a frenzy. Terry holds the honour of having been the world's youngest ordained minister at just six.Brazilian sensation Ana Carolina Dias began preaching at just three years of age and regularly commands TV audiences of millions. Her mission: t...
Anatomy of a Christian Hate Letter - Part Three
2008-02-13 13:54:00 This post is part of a dialogue, In Two Minds: The Anatomy of a Christian Hate Letter , between former minister Brian Worley and psychologist Valerie Tarico . In the series, Brian Worley, an ordained Baptist, describes some of his encounters with Christian friends and family since he deconverted and Valerie Tarico responds.Dear Valerie,I have never forgotten that I was once a true believer (Fundamentalists type) for 23 years. I suppose that it was the expressed passion of the Fundamentalist preacher types that initially attracted me into the faith. What I found appealing was: 1) the urgency of the message 2) the earnest defense of the faith 3) denunciation of sin 4) music 5) the assembling together 6) the unquestioned “truth” of Christianity 7) the camaraderie of standing for something. All of these helped to bring me into the fold. Thinking back, I cannot recall anyone questioning the legitimacy of Christianity prior to my graduation from Bible college. I knew many that didn... More About: Part
Once a Baby-Killer...
2008-02-13 03:45:00 For some reason, pro-life Christians think their God is against abortion and baby-killing. I don't get it! There are lots of examples to the contrary in the Bible. I mean, who has killed more babies than the Christian God? Have you read these passages?Hosea 13:16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.Exodus 12:29 "And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt..."2 Samuel 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.Isaiah 13:16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.Isaiah 13:18 Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their e... More About: Baby , Killer
I once was a born-again Christian…
2008-02-12 12:32:00 By writerdd of Skepchick.com…but I’m not any more.Every once in a while I get an email or a comment accusing me of being a liar, saying it’s impossible for me to once have been a “real” Christian and now to be an atheist. Of course, the people who are so sure of my history have never met me and certainly didn’t know me in my past life as a Christian. Even so, their assuredness that what I’ve said cannot possibly be true always makes me think. Reading Infidel, I’ve been made acutely aware that Muslims don’t have this problem of understanding. They are quite certain that people of their faith can fall away, and therefore have a solution to stop the apostasy from spreading: kill the infidels. Hmm. It might be the only sure-fire way to control the flock. I just finished reading an article from Psychology Today, called An Atheist in the Pulpit, by Bruce Grierson. In the article, Grierson interviews several ministers who have lost their faith for a wide range of reasons... More About: Born Again
Stop praying, start reading
2008-02-11 14:11:00 The secularization of American public education has bred a nation of devout religious illiterates. By Patrick Grumley and Matt LeightonWhile it seems to be a growing trend for religious enthusiasts to claim that secular, and even atheist, ideologies are hugging the public square, evangelicalism seems to have more than just outlived the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. To date, Christianity has been the self-proclaimed founder of American morality. More recently however, Jesus and the divinely inspired have found competition at the book store by atheist authors such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins on the subject of morality and divinity. This dichotomy of ideals has fostered the public war between the religious and secular State, much to the amusement of European onlookers. For many elementary schools in Europe, students are taught compulsory religious education. By middle school, students are well aware of the holy books of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and have some understandin... More About: Reading , Start , Stop
I once was a born-again Christian…
2008-02-10 16:51:00 By writerdd of Skepchick.com…but I’m not any more.Every once in a while I get an email or a comment accusing me of being a liar, saying it’s impossible for me to once have been a “real” Christian and now to be an atheist. Of course, the people who are so sure of my history have never met me and certainly didn’t know me in my past life as a Christian. Even so, their assuredness that what I’ve said cannot possibly be true always makes me think. Reading Infidel, I’ve been made acutely aware that Muslims don’t have this problem of understanding. They are quite certain that people of their faith can fall away, and therefore have a solution to stop the apostasy from spreading: kill the infidels. Hmm. It might be the only sure-fire way to control the flock. I just finished reading an article from Psychology Today, called An Atheist in the Pulpit, by Bruce Grierson. In the article, Grierson interviews several ministers who have lost their faith for a wide range of reasons... More About: Born Again
More than $1 billion annually funneled through ORU?
2008-02-10 12:18:00 A former Oral Roberts University accountant revised his lawsuit on Thursday to allege that more than $1 billion annually was funneled through the university, possibly to individual regents."It appears that many of the former board members were actual participants in the funneling of money through the university for their own eventual personal use, and thus, the foxes were watching the hen house," says former accountant Trent Huddleston's lawsuit.ORU spokesman Jeremy Burton said, "The allegations of inappropriately funneling money through accounts as alleged by the plaintiff have no basis in fact."Huddleston's attorney Gary Richardson said Huddleston had seen the account when he worked at ORU, between July 2006 and October 2007. In the lawsuit, Huddleston claims he was wrongfully fired because ORU, Oral Roberts Ministries and their leaders' fears he would talk about the alleged "'unrestricted' account" and because he regularly questioned expenses.Richardson said he received conf... More About: Billion
I was conveniently ignoring the not so nice stuff in the Bible
2008-02-10 11:52:00 Sent in by Sandra I was raised by my great-grandmother who during my early years taught the small children in the Mormon church we went to. I was a sickly child so she often read the lessons aloud. So I was reading "Little House on the Prairie" when I was five years old. At the age of eight I was reading from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible . I was a voracious reader. The library was my favorite playground and curiosity my playmate. And I had questions by the bucketful. I would read the Old Testament and would feel really confused, so around the age of nine I started pestering Mama with many "Why does the Bible say...?" and "Why do we (Mormons) believe...?" Now here is the answer she gave that put my feet down the path of not accepting vague answers. She looked me square in the eyes and simply replied "I don't know." And then we would look stuff up together. Fast forward four years and I am living on my own, pregnant and dumped by baby's daddy. The Mormons excommunicate ... More About: Stuff , Nice , The Bible
Church music director charged with rape
2008-02-09 18:13:00 The 31-year-old music director of Bethel AME, a high-profile West Baltimore church, has been accused of rape and child abuse in a case involving a 13-year-old girl who is a member of the congregation, according to city police and church officials.Timothy D. Price III was charged with second-degree rape, assault and child abuse, and multiple sex offense counts, city police said. Since his arrest Wednesday night, Price, who lives in Owings Mills, has been held on $1 million bail at Baltimore's Central Booking and Intake Center, electronic court records show.Price and the girl had sex on three occasions in his car, off church property, between early November and January, police said. Twice the meetings occurred in a West Baltimore alley and once in the parking lot of Druid Hill Park, according to police charging documents.The documents allege that one encounter occurred after Price obtained permission from the girl's mother to bring her home from church Bible study class. Police said... More About: Church , Music , Rape , Director
"Creation Science 101"
2008-02-09 13:55:00 Roy ZimmermanWhat's funny about war, poverty, ignorance, bigotry, neo-conservatism, homophobia, greed, lust and fear? Ask Roy Zimmerman. He's been writing satirical songs for twenty years.The Los Angeles Times says, "Zimmerman displays a lacerating wit and keen awareness of society's foibles that bring to mind a latter-day Tom Lehrer." "Creation Science 101" is on my album "Faulty Intelligence" available on my website and on iTunes. -- Roy Zimmerman
A few words of caution
2008-01-21 19:15:00 A letter from WilliamWhile I am 100% behind your endeavours to bring common sense and enlightenment to the religious masses, I would just like to add a few words of caution:Either in your Audio, your Video, or your written text take every care not to come accross as arrogant, self assured and demeaning:In fact you may be well advised to take on an old Christian principle and be "HUMBLE" as you march forward into the light of reason leaving behind the religious zealots, biggots and hypocrites struggling in your wake:It is possible to be humble and proud if you get the mixture right:Stir Carefully:RegardsWilliam More About: Words
A letter to Marc
2008-01-19 11:31:00 Dear Marc ,Your recent manic postings on this site have been quite entertaining. Thank you for making the site more popular and more interesting by demonstrating so wonderfully well how religious delusion can severely cripple and hobble the rational ability of a person's mind.Marc, you said this: I post for these people dear WM. I have told you before that I will not stop shouting to the world about the reality of God. Unless you remove this site from the Internet, or force people to become members of this site, I will continue to post.Marc, you are quite insane. There are literally thousands and thousands of Catholic websites out there spreading your message. Do you really think this one little website is more powerful than the combined influence of thousands and thousands of Catholic websites, the prayers of all the saints, and your magical godlett? You really need help. You actually believe your god needs YOU to help defend the world against one little ole' website? HA HA HA HA ... More About: Letter
THANKS FOR THE GREAT RESPONSE!
2008-01-11 03:58:00 From Ex-Pastor DanWow! you guys & gals are fantastic! It was so encouraging to my sweet wife Joyce & I to hear from so many of you after my posting two days ago. Thanks for all of the wonderful and helpful comments & questions.Tonight I will try and answer just one point. "What really helped me to adjust my Mind so I could begin the exodus from misguided thinking into enlightenment?"To really help my haggard and "washed" brain, I knew I needed to input some new and real information. Following is a list of some of the most helpful books that I devoured over about 2 years. This information helped me to "re-set" my mind and start thinking about reality in place of fiction.The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture - Bart D. EhrmanLost Christianities - Bart D. EhrmanWhen Jesus Became God - Richard E. RubensteinBeyond Belief - Elain PagelsDoubt- Jennifer Michael HectThe End of Faith - Sam HarrisGod is not great - Christopher HitchinsThere were others that I can't think of off the top of my he... More About: Great , Response
Discrimination, irrational fear, or ?
2008-01-09 12:10:00 From Brother JeffI don't even know where to start, but I'm very upset. I lost an excellent doctor (physician's assistant PA-C) and someone I considered a friend today.I have been seeing (name omitted) for a long time and was established with her, but until my recent major bipolar issues, the issue of religion never really came up. I'm seeing a social worker there too (name omitted), and I've been totally honest with her. It's a long story, but the issue of religion came up of course because it's still such a large part of my life, and I told her (the social worker) about my site. She looked at it and wasn't that bothered by it. But, the physician's assistant saw it too, and she became afraid that I would go out and do something like Columbine, and she won't see me anymore. I've been moved to another doctor. I like her fine, but I'm pissed that my physician's assistant would think something that terrible of me simply because I'm an atheist and I run an atheist, anti-Chr... More About: Discrimination , Fear
I can't seem to free myself
2008-01-09 08:55:00 From PhilipI'm still hanging onto this emotionally and physically destructive death-cult by a mere thread. I'm wondering how to finally get rid of the pain and guilt and fear forever. Has anyone else been in such a position where 1) They know it's ludicrous, 2) They know it's based on hearsay and "visions" of desert hermits, but 3) They couldn't quite step over the line and end it once and for all?I go through the motions, prayer and thanks for food all the time, but I don't want to. It's become so ingrained in my habits and psyche that I can't seem to bring myself to free myself.It also doesn't help that Christians do apparently have "all the answers," even though I know their "answers" are merely appeals to ignorance or emotion. I've come to the point where even IF the Bible was true, I wouldn't want to worship such a god. But I still do it!?Suggestions? Comments on habitually praying to and giving thanks to a god you don't believe in, and hate the very idea of? More About: Free
Will I ever be free of religion bondage?
2008-01-06 08:00:00 Last May, I wrote my testimony... since then, I really wanted to get away from "JC" and Christianity. Problem is, my wife, her mother and most of her family are persons of faith. See the issue?Also, we have a 16-month old daughter, and my wife is expecting another baby. So there's also the kid issue: how to raise kids when parents do not share the same "beliefs". Heck, I don't even know if there is a God!!! Am I a Deist? an Agnostic? an Atheist who doesn't realize it?!?Imagine what I can feel when we say "Grace" for her meals or when I attend church with my dear ones... Let's say it is really unpleasant.I am in deep sh.. right now. I am so f....d.Any advice?"Religion . It's given people hope in a world torn apart by religion."- Jon Stewart More About: Free , Bondage
Thank you for hiding the truth...
2007-12-12 14:29:00 From Gina:Dear Webmaster,I came across your site by accident. Since I don't believe in coincidence I read your testimony and comments from other people.What stood out most in your testimony was the following:Later that night, in the dark and quiet of my room, I got down on my knees confessed my sins, repented as much as I knew how, and accepted Christ into my heart. It was a mind-altering experience for me. In my mind?s eye I visualized the Creator of all physically with me in the room. I felt overwhelmed with what I believed was a personal and direct manifestation of the LORD. I cried and cried. The emotional cleansing and reality of that moment has never left me, and as I write about it now, it comes alive once againThis is where you find God, and come to truly know Him. Find that quiet place again, grab the NIV bible and fall to your knees. Like one other person said " Stop looking for God in man, religion, churches." Many people are not honest with themselves about how they fee... More About: Truth , The Truth
I am confused, and I am a Christian still (maybe)
2007-12-12 07:54:00 Sent in by NaudiaI am confused. I am a Christian still (maybe). I have been browsing this site for a year or 2 now I guess. I have had a lot of questions and read many more things on this site that has disturbed me to the point of lots of research. I have found an answer that has been satisfying for me at least to most of the questions that I have been faced with about the Bible's authority in our lives.I however can not make myself truly believe without doubt about Christ anymore. I can not see how we can trust the way the Bible was canonized. I'm speaking of the canonization of the New Testament. I am scared because I don't want to burn in hell. Which I suspect is why the majority of Christians actually came to Christianity in the first place. I am afraid that if I come to the conclusion Christ is a fabrication and I am wrong thenI will burn in Hell for eternity or for however long it is.Does anyone have any information or know where I can read more about the authenticity of th...
Need some advice
2007-11-21 07:27:00 From Jackie:I have been an ex-Christian for about a year now. I work with a guy who desperately wishes I would "come back to the fold". Too bad... I won't. I overheard him and another gentleman talking about the evidence for Christianity and authors like Tim LaHaye and CS Lewis, who used to be atheists. They mentioned the book by Josh McDowell, "Evidence that Demands a Verdict". I have not read this book yet. I was wondering if anyone here has and if you could tell me how ridiculous it is. I'm still learning to be tactful. Sometimes, just coming back with the "no evidence" argument isn't enough when they think they have all they need. More About: Advice
I would love to debate you all
2007-11-15 17:00:00 A letter from Kyle MI only do this because this is the only place a care to post. God forgive you all in the end of days i pitty you all. Remember, no matter what God will forgive you for your transgressions against his holy name. I know that without God I would have killed myself by now and you need to wake up to the world you live in if any of you would like to debate me I would love to talk to you. Thank you. More About: Love , Debate
What church do you attend? Or are you Atheist or Agnostic?
2007-11-12 08:37:00 Sent in by Eris DiscordiaWhat I find interesting and a little disturbing is the fact that so many people feel it is necessary to pry into my personal belief system! When I finally broke free of the bonds of my prison religion I was made to feel uncomfortable by old friends and relatives, and even people I meet in the coffee shop who insisted on quizzing me as to how I spend my Sunday mornings! "What church are you going to now?" "What happened?" "Why don't you attend church any longer?" "How can you survive without a church family to give you strength in the Lard?" Blah blah blah blah..............When I reply that I no longer attend church the barrage of questions ensue. The inquisition gets under way! At this point I am afraid that I have been less than tactful and lashed out inappropriately. However, looking back on it, it still angers me that my Christian friends and family are so nosy about my personal beliefs. It has been several years now and I still don't handle these ques... More About: Church , Agnostic , Atheist
The Sacred Book of Kush
2007-10-21 15:48:00 Keep a copy with you. When confronted by a religious fanatic quoting the Bible, pull out The Sacred Book of Kush and ask what the difference is. You will notice that The Sacred Book of Kush has everything that the Bible has, including circular reasoning, extravagant and unfounded claims, threats and promises (both equally unlikely ever to be fulfilled), arrogance, jealousy, stupidity, and sales pitches for the priesthood. It also has two things the Bible doesn't: a sense of humor and a merciful brevity.Chapter 11) This sacred book was revealed by Kush to his prophet, Rocko S. Fitch, who wrote it down word for word and added the punctuation later. 2) This book is absolutely 100% completely true, and if you fail to believe any part of it, you will be cursed forever by an itchy spot in the middle of your back right where you can't scratch.Chapter 21) Kush is the supreme being — all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, immortal, and a pretty decent guy once you get to know him. Chapt...
Origin of Vision Discovered
2007-10-21 14:41:00 From LiveScience.Com: You are reading these words right now because 600 million years ago, an aquatic animal called a Hydra developed light-receptive genes—the origin of animal vision. It wasn't exactly 20-20 vision back then though. Hydras, a genus of freshwater animals that are kin to corals and jellyfish, measure only a few millimeters in diameter and have been around for hundreds of millions of years. Scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara studied the genes associated with vision (called opsins) in these tiny creatures and found opsin proteins all over their bodies. Though they don't have eyes or any specific light-receptive organs, researchers think that the light-sensing proteins concentrated in the mouth area of the Hydras help them to use light sensitivity to search out prey. Because studies of animals that evolved earlier, such as sponges, don't show the same light sensitivity, scientists were able to pinpoint the Precambrian date that a... More About: Vision , Origin
A couple of comments on Pascal’s Wager and the Hellfire and damnation fac
2007-10-20 17:20:00 Sent in by Bob BI hope readers will forgive me if these arguments have already been beaten to death on this site. I am new to this venue and have not had the time or the inclination to read every post. That said I will just jump in on the issue in question here.I have always regarded Pascal’s Wager as an inherently fraudulent argument. It is invariably trotted out by the Theists with the false confidence that it somehow ultimately trumps any argument that can be thrown against it. First of all, PW is an argument of accommodation not logic. What if God is real and we have renounced him? Isn’t it better to hedge our bets that we should believe, against our better judgment, just in case there is a Heavenly reward and Hellish punishment?I would hope this argument would be as repugnant to “people of faith” as it is to atheists. If I were a loving God, who also has conditional restraints on this love (if that in itself is not inherently contradictory) I would reserve a hot ... More About: Comments , Couple , Damnation , Ager
Oral R.U. Without Dick ?
2007-10-20 15:10:00 By Alan of The Whited SepulchreOral Roberts University may lose Dick "Richard" Roberts, the current university president.A THREE-RING CIRCUSThree instructors have been fired, there are allegations that current ORU first lady Lindsey Roberts likes 'em young, that money has been misplaced, and that documents have been shredded. The University comptroller has been fired. In a faith-healing gone bad, three blind men were made lame.Oral Roberts, the university's founder, started his career with small tent revivals and faith healings. This grew to a multi-media empire, including radio, TV programs, and Oral Roberts University. Because of a unique fund-raising vision of a massive Christ, Roberts also inspired one of the great rapper names: MC 900ft JesusMy first exposure to these clowns was through my grandmother. She had been crippled by a severe stroke, and lived with us most of the time. I can remember her watching this charlatan's TV programs, and watching Roberts "heal" shills from...
Religion: Threat to Public Health?
More articles from this author:2007-10-20 14:12:00 Reposted from: Freethought Café by J.C. SamuelsonAs any parent can tell you, fear is simply part of the job. Beginning even before one's child is born, fear is a constant companion, an ambient ocean that swells and subsides at every stage of the child's life. Even otherwise joyful or thrilling moments are sometimes laced with fear, such as when one's son or daughter stands for the first time, steps onto a school bus, rides a bike, gets a driver's license, or even graduates from school. Indeed, the altruistic concerns of parents are so extensive and diverse that quantifying them is effectively impossible. Some of them are, of course, justified. Some of them, well, not so much.One of the many perceived fears that at first glance appear to be justified is fear of doctors, or of medicine in general. Medical professionals poke, prod, and otherwise involve themselves deeply in the physical health of our children throughout their lives. It is a profoundly intimate involvement that som... More About: Religion , Health , Public , Public Health , Threat 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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