Atheistic preacher?

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Your notion that we are anxious to exit this life is silly. You're not responding directly to my post.

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. I never said you or any other christian is eager to leave this life. If you read my post, you would see that I said that IF you don't want to leave this life prematurely, you have no more basis to want to stay than an atheist. The ONLY reason to fight for this life is because there is something good about this life. An afterlife that is better than this life does not make this life worth fighting for more than a lack of an afterlife. There is no rational reason for a christian to want to stay alive that is not accessible by non-christians. There is no reason to say that atheists want to die more than christians. Without statistics to back up your statement, theres no reason to believe them And then of course any atheist that commits suicide is not a "true" atheist

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Not too much except that the universe was created by an omnipotent, all-knowing, all-loving God. Just that, because a lot of God's other alledged actions in the Bible completely contradict that statement.

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If that is all you can come up with as an answer to "What do you base your belief in God on?" then I suggest you pick another profession.As a preacher, people will look to you for answers and take your word as truth. A careless answer can send someone into a spiritual crisis.So I'm going to ask this again.

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remember that basically the entire old testament is a compilation of fictional stories with morals anyway

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Since you have thrown out the OT (which is the source that says God exists) and negated the NT by doing so, on what do you base your belief in God?Unless you are a Christian by tradition, you should have something that led you to believe that God exists, since it apparently wasn't the Bible.

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Then why mention it at all?A: Just to let you know that some people that talk to me are morons.B: Why did you call me a moron?A: I never said you're a moron. All I said was that some people that talk to me are morons.B: Then why tell me at all when we are talking about which one of us is a dumbass?Again, why mention it if you don't intend to imply anything? Well, I don't hate. I'm just angry, and I have good reasons to be angry. I wasn't patronizing you. I just wanted to point out that there are other texts that have just as good, if not better, ideas than the bible. If you know that there are good points in other religious texts as well, more power to you. Again, I ask you why mention something that is completely out of context when you are not implying?A: Just so you know that some people I look at are idiots.B: Why did you call me an idiot? You're looking at me right now.A: I didn't call you an idiot. I just said that some people I look at are idiots.B: But we're talking about how to prove the quadratic formula. Good, then we both agree that both atheists and theists have certain dark instincts. So what? How is this relevant to our discussion? Well, I'm not going to go any further than this because we're wandering off my field. Well, you'll be preaching about it once we start eating soylent green. Ok, I must admit that I was talking using my own personal experiences. For that, I apologize. That's the point. I'm trying to change your mind about becoming a preacher. You're wasting your time. Ok, going on.There is a typical problem in philosophy that I want to bring up. here is an article that you can read about it. Basically, can you prove to me that there is no such thing as an immaterial pink unicorn in your room? The other question is if we can't prove that there isn't an immaterial pink unicorn in your room, why not believe that there is an immaterial pink unicorn in your room?

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He's not dead. He's electroencephalographically challenged.The longest word in the English language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.

Hey Buz, I appriciate the input but could you please take your discussion to another thread? It's quite off topic. Thanks.

But you guys aren't looking to me for spiritual guidance, unless there's something you guys are holding back from me. When that time comes, I'll spring into action. Trust me. Direct answer:I was traditionally a formal Christian, but before I even went to church or was told about God I always felt like something was watching over everyone, and whatever it was had good intentions. I guess when I was brought to church it kind of reinforced the idea. Don't ask me why I felt it from the start, but I always have. Still do.Follow up:Even though I'm not an orthodox Christian anymore, I still have that feeling. And honestly, even when I was going through a spiritual crisis about this time last year, I never really lost it. I just felt like maybe God wasn't what I understood him to be. Now I realize that the preceeding concept isn't a bad thing.

i wish the grave were the end. it would make life so much easier. i want no hope. i want empty reasonless existence. but do i get it? no.

Okay, the reason I mentioned the dark savage instincts which all of us humans possess was that I've noticed a lot of the 'serve your fellow man' priniciples often found in the NT honestly work favorably for people. Yet our 'dark instincts' would dictate just the oppposite. You're right that it wasn't relevant, but it's an interesting observation. You certainly do. Once I get enough years at the pulpit under my belt for some of the more conservative types to take the tolerance idea seriously I'll do my best to put a lid on that reason. Keep in mind that some of those people won't listen to anything but a preacher in issues like that. Okay, the point is well taken. Sorry if I sounded(or, typed) like I was annoyed. Hey, no worries. It's good that we can get a fired-up discussion like this, anyway. Es bueno por la brain. Check it out: According to you, I'm wasting my time. According to anyone who believes that there's something divine out there, I'm not. If you think about it, being a preacher is anything but wasting time.1.I do the work of most social workers by setting up community service activities with my youth group.2.I do the work of counselors by helping people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. Unlike conselors, though, I don't get paid $70 an hour to talk to them.3.I do the work of daycare professionals after church should I participate in the junior youthgroups.(That's what my old church called youthgroup for ages 4-10. I don't know if that's what many others call them) But I don't get paid to have them hang around; at least not in cash. **After looking at what I just typed, I realized a sick-minded person could get a really disgusting priest joke out of that. Get your mind out of the gutter!**4.I do the work of party planners when I set up a Halloween party for the teens, or any event other than sunday services at that. Lots of stuff to plan.5.Lastly, I do the work of a spiritual guide. This is what I get paid for, albiet it's not a million dollar day job. Some people will look to me for answers on what's right and what's wrong. That anti-homosexual thing can come from preachers. If I preach tolerance, I know I'll influence at least one regular member of the congregation. Maybe that'll change somebody's perspective and as such his or her whole outlook on life. In fact, most of these that I listed could really change someone's life.People look to us preachers for guidance. Even if you think the afterlife bit is a bunch of BS, you can't deny how much influence I might wind up having on people's outlooks; some people get all their morals from what the ministers say. I don't like that idea seeing as I could be wrong and believe people should find the truth on their own, but some people will look to me for answers nevertheless. If the mindsets of however many people are in my hands, I don't think I'm wasting time at all. I think I've got a very important job ahead of me.Oh, and two more things: If I get promoted a share or two, and play my cards right, I'll be able to change some regulations and maybe get those guys off your nuts and get more denominations to at least learn about other religions before they mark them as blasphemy and wait for them to burn in hell.Second, since you can't prove that afterlife is true nor false, there is some chance that it exists. If there is an afterlife, give the people something to look forward to. If there isn't, give 'em something to look forward to. Not like they're gonna know once they get there anyway. (Sorry, bad joke )By the way, thanks for the eProps.

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God is far more powerful than what most have in mind. Imagine God as best you can. Now zoom out from that picture in your mind and imagine a God above the previous one, even more powerful than the first. Zoom out further and imagine an even greater God. Now do that endlessly. That, my friend, is but a glimmering sliver of God.Xanga 2.0 is Here! (WARNING:EXPLICT LANGUAGE)

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But you guys aren't looking to me for spiritual guidance, unless there's something you guys are holding back from me. When that time comes, I'll spring into action. Trust me.

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That's providing you know when the time comes. You have openly put yourself out there as a preacher-to-be. People looking for spiritual guidance don't always schedule a meeting.You've got a harsh web site that represents you and you have no idea who you are affecting. Do you care?

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I'll look forward to seeing why you knuckleheads think I should be doing something else with my life

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If you don't hold to the tenets of Christianity, what do you plan to preach or teach people?

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Let's start with this. Yes, I do care. However, the name 'Bad Preacher' does not imply a good example. I did that on purpose. I even state in one post that my complaints are exxagerated way beyond proportion,and that I don't really wish that any harm comes to anything that I insult on my site.Also, if people are taking to heart what some stupid kid writes on his web page(I have my birthdate on it, so one could do the math and tell I'm 17, as if my stupid complaints wouldn't reveal it anyway), then you have to wonder how long this person would've been 'uncorrupted', if you will, anyway.Like I said, I realize what I write on that webpage is not nice. It's not meant to be nice, it's meant to be funny. So far my friends' feedback suggest that its doing its job. There's a reason it's in my profile, and why I'll openly state that I am if someone asks. I've had a few people read my profile and then IM me to ask a serious question. I do my best to answer their question thoughtfully. I want to help people.But laughter is also a wonderful medicine, and as far as that goes my site's mission is to provide a wonderful medication. Maybe I wasn't clear on this one.Just because I don't believe OT events happened doesn't mean the stories don't have wonderful teachings. I can still teach the messages even if I don't believe the events happen, you know. After all, Jesus liked teaching in parables.

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God is far more powerful than what most have in mind. Imagine God as best you can. Now zoom out from that picture in your mind and imagine a God above the previous one, even more powerful than the first. Zoom out further and imagine an even greater God. Now do that endlessly. That, my friend, is but a glimmering sliver of God.Xanga 2.0 is Here! (WARNING:EXPLICT LANGUAGE)

You know, B2P, I think that if you follow your own path and are honest about what you do and say and the consequences, good and bad, that your actions have, I think you'll be a great teacher and a great preacher.I don't think anybody should give a damn about what you do, or the "example" you set, or whether you believe in God or what-have-you. If you conduct yourself with forthrightness and can talk, without fear or shame, about the good and bad experiences that you have (and choices that you've made), then you have nothing to be ashamed of, and I think you'd be a great role-model.Does any of that make sense? You strike me as a guy who's not afraid to be who he is, and takes ownership of his actions. If that is indeed the case then you have a lot of wisdom to offer.But hey, what do I know? We've never met. And you're only 17. There's a lot of time ahead of you to learn to view your life dishonestly; I hope you can steer clear of that path.This message has been edited by crashfrog, 11-01-2004 09:10 PM

In a good way, and I don't mean it literally because I don't talk when I type anyway.But seriously, when I read 'Crashfrog has replied to your topic' I thought you were out to kick some serious ass like you always do, but instead I recieve some serious encouragement from someone who I have learned is honest enough to point out any mistakes.I really appriciate the encouragement. I've been told I'm not ashamed to be what I am, and I'd like to think so. Part of the reason I wanted to start this thread is because if I'm honestly doing something wrong, I want to know. This site has actually played a small part in giving me an idea of what I need to do.Thanks a billion, Crash. If I'm ever preaching in your area, and if we're both still on the website by then, I'll be sure to let you know.

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God is far more powerful than what most have in mind. Imagine God as best you can. Now zoom out from that picture in your mind and imagine a God above the previous one, even more powerful than the first. Zoom out further and imagine an even greater God. Now do that endlessly. That, my friend, is but a glimmering sliver of God.Xanga 2.0 is Here! (WARNING:EXPLICT LANGUAGE)

And have my own pointed out, I hope.I hope you don't mind that I haven't participated in this thread; other than this, I don't feel as I have much to add. I'm not interested in trying to convince you of anything. In order to be a good preacher you're going to have to be the kind of guy that ignores what people tell him and finds out on his own, don't you think?Be an atheist, or don't. But you won't be much help to folks with spiritual struggles if you've never had any of your own, I guess. The struggle is good. That's what you should be doing at your age; thinking through things like this.

Did you see my post #29 yesterday where I apologized? As soon as I read your first request I have not posted since. I had not read that until I had already posted what I did. My last post was when I saw your first request. Check the times time of my posts and you will see this to be the case.

You know, that is the most depressing thing I've heard all day... all week... heck all month. If you need a preacher to tell you what's moral and what's not, you are no different than a child. You have no principles and no logic. It might be true that people who believe that there's something divine out there. However, what I am saying is that you are wasting your time because there is no evidence for the divine. It's like believing in an immaterial pink unicorn. You can't disprove it but it's kinda silly to believe in something that has no evidence. Please don't tell me you intend to brainwash the mental vulnerable. I am glad you have a social life. The thing is I did all of that, and more, when I was in high school and I was already an atheist. Ok, this is where I'm going to try to put the nail on the bull's eye.Rather than preaching to people how to deal with certain situations, why not learn to teach people how to think?Consider this. During times of slavery, many people thought slavery was evil, but they still believed that the white man was superior. I'm more than sure that there were preachers going around preaching about the evil of slavery but it never occurred to them that other problems would eventually arise after slavery had been abolished.Some started preaching tolerance for different races and different cultures out there, but it never occurred to them that homophobia was going to become a problem. Look at buzsaw. I'm sure he thinks that all are god's children and still he preaches hate of homosexuality.Not to be pessimistic, but I'm willing to bet 100 bucks that one day when you are grey you will preach some kind of message of hate and you will be convinced that whatever it is is evil even though it's really not.My problem with preaching is that it makes people depend to much on the preachers. When a new situation comes up they will not be able to deal with it. History have shown us over and over that your message of love just doesn't work. Who knows, may be one day, like buz, you will preach of hatred against aliens or something.This is why human reason, I think, is superior to any form of preaching out there. When you go to college, make sure to take as many philosophy classes as they offer and you will see that most of tolerance that we see today came from the various humanist philosophers rather than religious zealots. In fact, religious organizations have always been on the forefront of intolerance of every kind.Actually, now that I think about it, I'm convinced that if we ever make contact with an alien race that religion is going to be on the forefront of anti-alien policies.Anyway, just think about it. Would you rather people think things through or would you rather they depend solely on the preacher's view? Yes, but the same thing can be said about an immaterial pink unicorn. However, it's kinda silly to believe in it, wouldn't you agree? Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. The decision has already been made. An engineered virus will be released soon. The virus is designed to only target those that preach hate toward homosexuals. It will erase every trace of their human sexuality and turn them into beastiality addicts. However, there are those of us among the high rankings of our secret organization that think those homophobes will just turn around and start preaching hate against sex between 2 human beings of any kind. Immaterial pink unicorns are far more powerful than what most have in mind. Imagine an immaterial pink unicorn as best you can. Now, zoom out from that picture in your mind and imagine an immaterial pink unicorn above the previous one, even more powerful than the first. Zoom out further and imagine an even greater immaterial pink unicorn. Now, do that endlessly. That, my friend, is but a glimmering sliver of immaterial pink unicorns.

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He's not dead. He's electroencephalographically challenged.The longest word in the English language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.

You're right, I should've checked more carefully. Thanks for being a good sport.