Freethought & Rationalism Archive

beekay · 05-04-2002, 05:50 PM

I was a confused agnostic and afraid to admit it.

Now I'm a clear-minded atheist and not afraid to say so. II helped me organize my thoughts and validated my 'hell-bound' thoughts.

Haran · 05-04-2002, 06:12 PM

It's funny how very religious you all sound about your experiences.

Haran

ex-preacher · 05-08-2002, 05:14 PM

I deconverted (and lost my job) thanks largely to the library on this site - I didn't join the forum until after I was well on my way out of Christianity.

Top factors in my deconversion:
1. reading Bart Ehrman's Introduction to the New Testament

2. questions from my students that I couldn't honestly answer (I was teaching Bible at a Christian university)

3. the Bible

4. my brain

5. persistence

6. 3 websites: this one, talkorigins, and religioustolerance

Haran, these stories are distinctly unlike most conversion stories I've ever heard since they lack the elements of emotionalism, irrationalism, and subjectivism characterized by most religious experiences.

luvluv · 05-13-2002, 03:36 PM

Ex-preacher: Did you ever undergo a "conversion experience" into Christianity? If not, why did you become a Christian? And become devoted to it enough to become a Bible teacher? What was the appeal?

I would ask the same question of those who "used to be Christian"... Did any of you ever have a "conversion experience"?

Marduk · 05-13-2002, 03:43 PM

"I would ask the same question of those who "used to be Christian"... Did any of you ever have a "conversion experience"

I think most of us, like me, were simply dragged along to church as children.

"Church is there to remind you that there is something even worse than school" I forget what comic said this.

Anunnaki · 05-13-2002, 04:09 PM

I was an atheist who really didn`t give a crap when I got here,but now I`m a militant atheist thanks to the daily stories on the newswire.

The forums and library haven`t changed my position at all,but they`ve both been indispensible to my understanding of both sides of the debate.

ex-preacher · 05-13-2002, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luvluv:
<strong>Ex-preacher: Did you ever undergo a "conversion experience" into Christianity? If not, why did you become a Christian? And become devoted to it enough to become a Bible teacher? What was the appeal?</strong>

One of the standard responses I get from Calvinists is the assertion that I never was a "True Christian." Of course, it's a circular argument since they believe that a TC can't fall away.

Yes, luvluv, I had a conversion experience. I grew up in the church (parents were missionaries), was baptized at age 10 and was a very devout, committed, spiritual person. I prayed regularly, read my Bible, "felt the presence of God," etc. I never spoke in tongues or did any miracles though. I'm fairly sure though that if I detailed mt entire life, you could probably find something to prove to yourself that I wasn't a TC. But, believe me, I was.

The appeal? I wanted salvation.

05-15-2002, 11:47 AM

A medical student is more dangerous when prescribing any sort of medication than someone who has had no formal education in the medical field.

This can be clearly seen on this site.

luvluv · 05-15-2002, 07:01 PM

And ex-preacher in all that time in your Christian life you never had a single incident of answered prayer?

Were you happy after you were saved? Did you ever feel any peace?

Did you ever "feel" the Holy Spirit? When I was first saved I was blissfully happy for about a month, and I felt very good about everything for no apparent reason. For months afterwards, I could just think about the fact that God was good and I felt giddy. Most Christians who have had a conversion experience that I have talked to have a similar experience. Did you ever feel that? I'm not trying to prove anything I am just curious. But I get the feeling that most of the folks on this forum who claim to have been Christians never had a conversion experience.

bonduca · 05-15-2002, 07:27 PM

I felt that when I first realized I was an atheist. That was my conversion experience.

[ May 15, 2002: Message edited by: bonduca ]</p>

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05-04-2002, 05:50 PM	#41
beekay Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 121	I was a confused agnostic and afraid to admit it. Now I'm a clear-minded atheist and not afraid to say so. II helped me organize my thoughts and validated my 'hell-bound' thoughts.

05-04-2002, 06:12 PM	#42
Haran Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 1,490	It's funny how very religious you all sound about your experiences. Haran

05-08-2002, 05:14 PM	#43
ex-preacher Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: University of Arkansas Posts: 1,033	I deconverted (and lost my job) thanks largely to the library on this site - I didn't join the forum until after I was well on my way out of Christianity. Top factors in my deconversion: 1. reading Bart Ehrman's Introduction to the New Testament 2. questions from my students that I couldn't honestly answer (I was teaching Bible at a Christian university) 3. the Bible 4. my brain 5. persistence 6. 3 websites: this one, talkorigins, and religioustolerance Haran, these stories are distinctly unlike most conversion stories I've ever heard since they lack the elements of emotionalism, irrationalism, and subjectivism characterized by most religious experiences.

05-13-2002, 03:36 PM	#44
luvluv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Planet Lovetron Posts: 3,919	Ex-preacher: Did you ever undergo a "conversion experience" into Christianity? If not, why did you become a Christian? And become devoted to it enough to become a Bible teacher? What was the appeal? I would ask the same question of those who "used to be Christian"... Did any of you ever have a "conversion experience"?

05-13-2002, 03:43 PM	#45
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	"I would ask the same question of those who "used to be Christian"... Did any of you ever have a "conversion experience" I think most of us, like me, were simply dragged along to church as children. "Church is there to remind you that there is something even worse than school" I forget what comic said this.

05-13-2002, 04:09 PM	#46
Anunnaki Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: I`ve left and gone away Posts: 699	I was an atheist who really didn`t give a crap when I got here,but now I`m a militant atheist thanks to the daily stories on the newswire. The forums and library haven`t changed my position at all,but they`ve both been indispensible to my understanding of both sides of the debate.

05-15-2002, 11:47 AM	#48
raindropple Guest Posts: n/a	A medical student is more dangerous when prescribing any sort of medication than someone who has had no formal education in the medical field. This can be clearly seen on this site.

05-15-2002, 07:01 PM	#49
luvluv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Planet Lovetron Posts: 3,919	And ex-preacher in all that time in your Christian life you never had a single incident of answered prayer? Were you happy after you were saved? Did you ever feel any peace? Did you ever "feel" the Holy Spirit? When I was first saved I was blissfully happy for about a month, and I felt very good about everything for no apparent reason. For months afterwards, I could just think about the fact that God was good and I felt giddy. Most Christians who have had a conversion experience that I have talked to have a similar experience. Did you ever feel that? I'm not trying to prove anything I am just curious. But I get the feeling that most of the folks on this forum who claim to have been Christians never had a conversion experience.

05-15-2002, 07:27 PM	#50
bonduca Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: . Posts: 1,653	I felt that when I first realized I was an atheist. That was my conversion experience. [ May 15, 2002: Message edited by: bonduca ]</p>

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