It has been my observation that many of the people whom you and I talk with on this board who have announced their former fundamentalist, evangelical, or theistic adherence to Christianity have not necessarily left the belief altogether.
Brian initially surprised me when I found out that he was essentially an atheist who taught Theology.
(Blasphemer!
) I have since found him to be a delightful chap with a sense of humor although, like you, I am mystified as to his motivation and passion for "telling the
true story of Christ".
Taz was repulsed by the behavior of the fundamentalists around him and soon did a 180 degree turnaround, supporting the people he once persecuted...(The gays are his favorite defense)
Nator saw the light of logic and empiricism and was convinced of the bankrupt apologetics of the church. Again, I think that much of her initial decision was because of the hypocritical attitude of the church which refused to critically examine its own beliefs and behavior. She probably found a delightful group of intellectually minded people who were much nicer! (I think she married one of them!
)
Jar grew up initially in an environment of Jewish friends and neighbors. He was taught critical thinking skills very early in life and was encouraged to question his beliefs and never to accept anything that was said without examining the validity of the belief for
yourself. (Also, the Anglicans and Episcopalians in general are more apt to embrace a progressive thinking mans Christianity.)
When taken as a group, our EvC former believers are far less militant than the militants at sites such as
Internet Infidels . Even our very own Crashfrog, although a proud atheist and advocate of naturalism, seems to enjoy talking with Christian Literalists even as he attempts to ridicule their belief system.
Many of the folks at Internet Infidels will trash you and then leave you bleeding on the side of the road with no attempt to get to know you. (Many Christian Fundamentalists do the same thing to atheists....no dialogue ever ensues between extremists of both groups)
After observing these behaviors, I concluded that Jesus was and is very much alive and well at EvC. He may not get the respect that you or I think He deserves, but I am a much stronger believer because of the disagreements rather than because of the agreements.