ExChristian.Net

What determines Morality? What determines right and wrong?
For those who believe that God is responsible for your morality consider the centuries old argument raised by Socrates . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthyphro_dilemma

The concepts of original sin, scapegoating, and eternal damnation are ridiculous, unfair, and disgusting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGkgmU9vG_o

@Virginia have you seen Hamlet 2? Four words "Rock me Sexy Jesus"
Certainly agree with what you're saying re the "art" which appears to be either the lowest class sentimental vomit, or the old school martyr dismemberment. Bob Jones U used to have the largest collection of "Christian art" in the country. Let me tell you that was one creepy gallery.

Yeah, I watched Hamlet2. Laughed hard....I'm dying to take a tour of Bob Jones U because I photograph creepy xian art. In Dallas, we have an insufferable xian mural at Dallas Baptist University...It's a bizarre interpretation of Fundy American History all on one wall with Jesus & George Washington in the mix...too funny!

Some people let go of their baby blankets and many don't.

these guys are a pretty fair example of most of the backwoods churches in my area. i always find it funny when people get so hung up on the KJV bible. it was just another translation, ironically paid for by a king who was violent and openly gay. when others in england wanted to continue with other translations of the bible KJ had them killed.

When you say you "decided to become an atheist" it sounded like you became some "thing" you weren't before. Which implies you can change your mind again and become another "thing" (Christian) and this feeds into the Christian "choice" issue.

I like the nonstampcollectors flick on youtube called "How Many Gods Do You Not Believe In?" You could even use this approach when you have another heart to heart with him--ask him if he believes in Zeus and when he says no, then explain to him he is an atheist when it comes to believing in Zeus. Then go on down the line of a whole bunch of gods. Then you can point out in the end of all this that you are exactly like he is, except you disbelieve in one more god than he does.

It's in cases like this that the word "atheist" (a noun--thing) so loaded with emotional connotations I think Sam Harris has it right. A thing is some"thing" other than "me" --something I can attack, rather than an opinion, a way of seeing the world, ie no noun to attack/label.... See More

Anyway, why do we need such a term --what is the term for someone who doesn't believe in demons, or witches, etc. Why label yourself?

Thought--I wonder what it would be like for your hubby if you decided to quit being an atheist but didn't believe in god?

Charley Smith apparently never read what's posted here.

As is typical, the parents checked out somehow (otherwise, why would he be depressed, attempt suicide and such) and from the pain (whatever it was), he blames God, the Church and etc for having no effect?

Interesting.

I think the parents were proactive in procuring a religious environment for their child. Unfortunately, mental health & brain science take a back seat to the bizarre machinations of snake oil salesmen/local witch doctors/preachers.

As someone who deals with depression, I can only state that religious beliefs make it worse. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), religious scrupulosity and depression are linked.

The best book I've read that illustrates the nexus between god delusion, OCD and depression is Brain Lock.... See More

Medication helps but abandoning the religious straight jacket (the self-imposed lunacy of faith) is the beginning of recovery & resiliency.

Glad the young man valued his mental health over his "soul" and was able to walk away!!!!

To reflexively blame parents for their child's depression and suicide attempts out of hand is judgemental and ignorant. While childhood neglect/abuse can play a role you don't know if this was the case--he doesn't mention it so no reason to assume. Major depression is a brain disorder that can exist independently and MAY run in families but you cannot blame the parents for this either.

Wow - the anger is palpable.

I no longer believe in hell, no longer believe that Jesus hates everything secular, that he hates the whole world... It's stupid