Posted by Jim Henderson on: 02.10.2006 /
“This is a really interesting project you have taken on. I never would have believed that an ebay auction could spawn a cyber community inter-religious/atheist econversation and xperience. I hope everyone remains civil. We have much to learn from each other”
“I never thought I’d see the day when there would be mega-church atheists. Great blog”
“Oh, and by the way, I don’t think I’ve said this yet, and I really should.I was very happy to find Off The Map here. What an amazing and inspirational approach to ministry. There is a great openness and charity of spirit evident in the whole approach. I’m genuinely impressed. Keep up the good work.”
“You clearly are treating the whole project and the people you encounter with respect and I look forward to hearing more of your honest reflections on the places you go, the experiences you face and the people you encounter. I’m so often guily of characterising and labelling the people beyond church its gonna be a refreshing insight to hear from you and for you to turn the spotlight on us!
Comment by: GoodOlClint
1I think this is a really cool idea.
I get into arguments with other Christians all the time about how to reach lost people. Most of my friends take the they-are-wrong-and-I-am-right road. I have always thought I don’t agree with you but I will listen to what you say if you will give me the same courtesy worked a whole lot better.
One thing I wish more Pastor’s where in tune with was science. It’s very frustrating for me to hear a preacher talking about how evolution is wrong because it says the universe is millions of years old and humans evolved from Monkeys; which it does not. I think a basic course on evolution should be required of all seminary graduates.
Clint
Comment by: Ben Askew
2This is a great idea, thankyou to eveyone who is involved. Its very refreshing to see real conversation and engagemet. I will watch the journey with a lot of interest.
Comment by: tolerance
3http://www.antichrist.net/
Comment by: Siamang
4I have to say, as an atheist, one of the things that emotionally brought me away from church was their insistance that science was a giant conspiracy theory. It just seemed paranoid and nuts. “Satan buried dinosaur fossils, and made them look old to fool people. There were no such animals as dinosaurs.” That was what creationists argued back when I was a kid. They’ve changed their story now, but back then, they denied that dinosaurs were real.
To me, the universe is God’s law written into fact. If there is a God, the one undenyable fact is that the Universe is His creation. To have a church, any church, act like it knows more about science than NASA, is crazy.
God’s Truth is written in the stars. And our DNA, and the wonders of the universe.
Any True Church would not ignore the stars, or the atom, or the law of gravity, or DNA evidence of common descent, or the absolute wonders of quantum physics and relativity.
Anyway, that was a big thing that pushed me away from religion. Their stubborn rejection of any inconvenient scientific fact in the pursuit of stale dogma.
God is not restricted by the superstitions of the past. Unfortunately religion is.
Comment by: Siamang
5Sorry my comment was off-topic there.
My real comment about this diablog was in the entry itself. There is a real desire for good and honest communication in off the map’s work.
It’s a very refreshing approach.
Comment by: Jim Henderson
6Siaming
Thanks for noticing
Comment by: Lisa W.
7I am delighted to watch the progression of this dia-blog.
And I love to see Hemant, a person with an honest conviction to keep an open mind, receive so much visability. The more he pays attention the more attention he will receive. Thank you Hemant
Comment by: JD
8TO JIM and the others at OFF-THE-MAP:
I know Hemant has only visited 2 churches so far, but please have him visit a great variety of churches, so he can see what is out there. Though sometimes I think it is sad that there is so much division within the Christian cmty., I appreciate knowing that there are some churches and some Christians out there who do not persecute me for my more progressive, scientific, environmental, multicultural, global interests… I would like Hemant to see that not all churches are Intelligent-design espousing rich white congregations… I am sure you will agree as well and have some great church visits planned for him! Thanks!
Comment by: cindy
9How does Hemant pronounce his name?
Comment by: Hemant
10Lisa– Thanks for the thoughts :)
JD– I am planning on visiting several other churches; I assume not all have the same ethnic makeup…
Cindy– Pronunciation (that I usually go by, anyway) is Heh’-mint.
Comment by: just killing time
11Hemant,
I know I probably shouldn’t do this, but I am tempted to make a prediction. I am skeptical, so (no offense) I don’t know if you are being completely honest. I have no reason to think otherwise, so I will do the right thing and trust you.
My prediction is that on one of these church visits, you will notice how happy everyone is. As you continue to notice how happy the people are at church after church (and the ignorance is bliss argument fades), you may at some moment have a fleeting thought, “maybe there is something to this God thing.” When that thought hits you, look out. You might feel grace pour into you. I hope you aren’t afraid to keep going. Best of luck. Do you know how many people are praying for you?
Comment by: Jim Henderson
12Dear “Just Killing Time” (why not leave your name??)
This is the only part of your comment that worked…
“I know I probably shouldn’t do this”…
The rest is Christian blather
Manipulative and veiled threats of “you better convert or else” all of us who are praying for you will not know how to make sense out of our prayers.
Don’t you know how “obvious” this kind of communication sounds to those who are not part of the “inner circle” of Christians?
Comment by: darci
13…if Hemant has any thoughts of “maybe there is something to this God thing”, my guess is that is wont be from observing “happy” Christians in churches. Hemant, as we have seen, is a very observant, honest and real person. What he will see, sadly, is how proficient many Christians are at faking happiness and ‘all is well’ in the church setting. Most of us have mastered the look of piety and the art of fake conversation. I hope we see that we have A LOT to learn. I hope too, that we see that Hemant may turn out to be one of our best teachers. If we could only figure out how to be students!!
Comment by: Siamang
14I wasn’t put off by Just Killing Time’s post. I just find it curious. If the degree of happiness of the adherants are the rubrick by which we are to choose a religion, should we visit all the different religions to see who’s the happiest?
I mean, maybe people who worship tantric sex should be the true religion, since their adherants are without a doubt the happiest!
I’m being sarcastic, but hopefully to prove a point that is important to me as an atheist:
I don’t want to decieve myself into a religion just to make myself happy. Sometimes the truth is painful. ANY religion can make the pain of reality go away… fear of death gone, POOF!
But at the expense of life. It may be painful to face death, but the reward is to really live.
To acknowlege death is to live your life with your eyes wide open, your face turned full into the brisk wind of reality, and your heart full of love for those who journey through this all too brief existence.
Comment by: cindy
15Thanks, Hemant.