“How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible, and not tell them that?”
Monday, 22 December 2008
An honest atheist
New Advent has a very useful blog which rounds up stories from all over the place. One source often used is The Anchoress. Yesterday there was this interesting video of Penn Jillette, an American entertainer who is an avowed atheist. He tells of how a good, honest man complimented him and gave him a bible, admitting that he was proselytising. He speaks of his respect for those who proselytise, saying:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
avowed atheist
The word "avowed" is often used to talk about somebody who is admitting there is something wrong with him, so your "avowed atheist" sounds insulting. Would you call yourself an "avowed Christian"? Probably not. The word atheist doesn't need any adjectives.
I'm a big fan of Penn because he is a real atheist. He obviously has zero respect for religious ideas. In this video he talks about a Christian who he obviously liked and respected. That's fine with me, but I don't think he should be encouraging Christians to push their religion on atheists. Atheists have already heard everything before and they are quite sick of it. Also, a real atheist would never throw out his common sense to become a Christian or have any other religious belief. A Christian trying to convert an atheist is wasting his time and he's wasting the atheist's time. Many atheists keep quiet about their atheism because they don't want to invite the preaching they usually hear every time some Christian extremist finds out they are not one of the religiously insane.
This is a very inspiring post, in light of Christ's command to go and teach all nations.
I was struck by the atheist's own example which we hear in this video, where he says,(and I don't have his exact words,) if you see a truck bearing down on someone who is unaware of the truck, or who simply doesn't believe it is a danger, you don't just do nothing.
Not a bad analogy for warning people that they are in danger of losing their soul, even if they remain unconvinced.
It occurs to me that anyone (including bishops !) could use this analogy to explain to an unbelieving world the urgent necessity of seeking salvation, and why therefore Christians proselytise.
Bob - I was using the word in its common meaning as confirmed by Merriam Webster:
1 : to declare assuredly
2 : to declare openly, bluntly, and without shame
I'm sorry you took it as insulting. In the context of the post, there was clearly no intention to insult Penn.
Atheists have not "heard everything before" nor have Christians. We all have more to learn. Penn's readiness to accept this is one of the things that makes his contribution helpful to all.
One thing that many atheists and many Christians agree on is the importance of rational discourse. Keeping quiet about our beliefs (atheist or Christian) and refusing to listen to others does not further anyone's search for the truth.
Thanks Fr., that was a very useful comment in response to Bob's very interesting point of view.
“How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible, and not tell them that?”
We should remind ourselves of the above every time someone mentions religion and we keep quiet or shy away from talking even a little about the beauty of our faith.
Just an after thought:
There are no atheists on a sinking ship - suddenly everyone turns to God!!!
Bob might like to know that his 'name-sake' and patron Saint - St. Robert Bellarmine was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1930, and declared a Doctor of the Universal Church in 1931. He just happens to be the patron saint of catechists - quite ironic really, given that Bob considers himself a real atheist. Perhaps Bob, through the intercession of St. Robert, you may be catechised yourself one day. By visiting Catholic blogs such as Hermeneutic of Continuity my friend, you are definitely on the right path.
Bob, it is never a 'waste of time' to do what you can to help save a soul from eternal seperation from God (ie - Hell). Let's go back to that quote, “How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible, and not tell them that?”
God Bless and have a Happy and Joyous Christmas.
Do you suppose the stalwarts of the NSS and BHA, Toynbee, Dawkins and their ilk have any respect for the creepy trendy vicars and right-on-lets-move-on interfaith dialogue merchants?
In a word. No.
Atheists have already heard everything before and they are quite sick of it. Also, a real atheist would never throw out his common sense to become a Christian or have any other religious belief. A Christian trying to convert an atheist is wasting his time and he's wasting the atheist's time. Many atheists keep quiet about their atheism because they don't want to invite the preaching they usually hear every time some Christian extremist finds out they are not one of the religiously insane.
Who knew atheists were so monolithic and ... doctrinaire?
In the first post above, Bob states that "a real atheist would never throw out his common sense to become a Christian or have any other religious belief."
Christianity is a topic that I have often struggled with; in some of my darker times over the last 30 years, one thing that has kept me going is the fact that I have a number of close friends who have chosen to dedicate their whole lives to their religious beliefs, by pursuing their vocation and becoming priests.
Throughout this period, I believe it was my own "common sense" that enabled me to maintain hope in the teachings of my religion, and it is only recently that I have started to experience an inner calm which has come from an awakening of my own faith.
I for one would be intereted to see if Bob has any further comment to add to this post.
I once gave a lift to an atheist on the back of my motor bike. I was intrigued to see that upon arrival at our destination, he was praying with every appearance of lively devotion.
CPKS - that's funny!!! I can imagine the scene you with your new Kawasaki 1500cc racing bike with slightly obscured 'L'-plates taking off with a 100 metre 'wheelie' then after an hour at over 150mph screeching to a halt on a 'sixpence'!!!
Yep!!, I guess that would break the most hardened atheist!
In my opinion, proselytising is wrong. An atheist would have to be living in a cave to not be aware of the existence of religion, and so the argument that they need to be informed is wrong.
As for the old 'no atheists in foxholes' / 'no atheists on a sinking ship' gambit - it's not funny. It's actually quite offensive - imagine if a bunch of atheists were found laughing over "how many Christians in a church on fire? None, they've all lost faith in God!" and you'll get the picture.
Tufty
(see my blog against atheophobia)
'atheophobia'!!!!!! - Haaaaaa Haaa Haaaa Haaaaa!!!!!
Tufty has got to be having a larf!!! Tufty - in that 'ole tennis players famous words 'YOU CAN NOT BE SERIOUS???!!!!'
I've never heard of anything so ridiculous! Next we'll be having the secularists screaming seculophobia, the humanists with humanophobia, satanists with satanophobia (although of that one we definitely have the right to be VERY AFRAID).
Ye gods in heaven - the world has truely gone bananas, stark raving barmy politically correctfully BONKERS!
Oh yes, just to round this one off - Tufty wouldn't you agree that the entire atheistic, secularist, humanist and hedonistic culture that we live in is PROSELYTISING 24/7 via every conceivable and available medium known to mankind!!! Frankly they're doing a great job so to even the playing field I believe that Christians have every right to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ - Our Lord and Saviour.
God Bless.
In my opinion, proselytising is wrong.
Why?
when you have something so wonderful it is natural to want to share it with everyone you come across.
Offense doesn't come into it.
Post a Comment