I often think one of the biggest mistakes we as Christians make is thinking that all atheists are raging pagans: Getting drunk, shooting hard drugs, pushing old ladies over, robbing banks, etc.

Some of the atheists I know are actually a lot nicer than me. Probably more moral in some ways. Thanks for posting this.

peace|dewde

There are a lot of Christians that don't seem to be Christians. As a rule I judge people by how they act, not by what they say as words are cheap. But Christians do have a higher standard – the one set by Jesus – and I find it highly respectable that they try to live by that standard.

Now there are a lot of Christians that don't even try to live by that standard, and while I won't say so to their face, I don't think they're Christians at all. Words mean nothing.

The Phelps gang most certainly is not scripturally sound. Jesus did not condone many of the actions they take. Sure there's a lot of Old Testament stuff that they lean on, but even then I bet it's twisted. And to think they're not more radical? That's stupid man. How many churches say "we opposed the homosexual lifestyle" as compared to the number that go to the funerals of homosexuals and hold up signs saying "GOD HATES FAGS"? Sorry, they're way off the chart.

I admit I'm not well-versed in Fred Phelps and his gang, but I always thought they weren't all that hypocritical. They talk the stupid talk, and they walk the stupid walk. They do seem to claim that Bible verses support their ideas, so they do seem to follow a brand of Christianity that's based on scripture. Their anti-gay stance is only a little more radical than many other prominent evangelical groups', IMO. They just stick out more because they're such in-your-face assholes about it.

Now, *Landover* Baptist… those guys…

It's not fair to call them weak or hypocritical for failing to live up to that standard. Really, it's quite brave – an attempt to reach for the stars even when they know that success is virtually impossible.

I reserve the right to call the Westboro Baptist Church folks weak and hypocritical though. Jerks.

As the unofficial godless representative of Dewde's blog, I must confess that I also feel some sense of awe in seeing many of nature's wonders. Of course you want to share it with others. It's like a secret that you just can't bear to keep inside. It can be magical without being supernatural. Things don't have to be divinely inspired to be important. Crater Lake is an awesome sight unlike anywhere else in the world. Even if you totally disregarded any religious vibes, there's plenty of geology, history, and clean air to get you excited. I've never been there, but I thought Arenal was really cool in Costa Rica, and for cool lakes, Tahoe is gorgeous. I'd venture to say that almost everyone gets the same sense of awe and that it's independent of what you attribute the awe to.

I did have a point to your original post. Its very hippy-ish, blame my trip to California. My thought about atheism is different than what you listed. Every time I see something beautiful or experience pure joy, my heart leaps. All on its own, and with no logical thought or action on my part, it sings. I have always interpreted this as my soul singing praise to my creator. I wonder what people who don't believe in a creator do with this when it happens. I think it happens to everyone, I just wonder what others interpret it as. In my mind, its a heavenly experience and when it happens, it makes me wish it could happen to everybody, so it makes me sad to think otherwise. For instance, when I saw Crater Lake for the first time, or when Lily opened her eyes the first time, or the still quietness when I smell my dad out of no where.

Ugh. Wave a wand, I'm an engineer again.

http://www.thebricktestament.com/genesis/the_sedu...

Which definition of "just" is in play here? Do you get a "get out of jail free" card when you Capitalize Words?

Is that better?

Hell, I'm just kinda thrilled to see someone acknowledge science as a legitimate way to learn about the world. After that Facebook thread from a couple weeks ago, I'll take my moral victories where I can!

Keep it up and I'll block all your IP addresses. You serve a purpose here. This isn't it.

peace|dewde

I believe that there is an observable change in how a person lives after they truly believe in Jesus but I would also argue that it would be different dependent on the individual. I'm not going to limit that shift to moral behavior, or even say that any moral shift would occur because morals are universally given to everyone. But there may be other behaviors that could be apparent by a new found belief.

I won't even say that this is limited to the Christian experience because anytime someone finds a truth (and I would say truth is key) that they can understand and relate to, they will change themselves to be more aligned to that truth or deny it and run.

The problem we all face is our desire to cling desperately to the truths we already know. If more Christians could learn to understand the truth of discovery in science more Christians would be open to the wonders of Gods universe. If more scientists could be open to discovering things currently outside the realm of scientific scope and let their minds ponder spiritual truths, they may be more willing to acknowledge that maybe we aren't alone in this universe.

So observable change is destined to happen to anyone who begins to believe in Jesus. But it'll be different for everyone and it doesn't have to be a moral shift. The idea of Jesus and God is in fact the search for truth, if not in a purely scientific setting though science definitely aides in the how of creation and wonder of God.

If I could include one other observable shift, it would be a faith, a belief, that no matter what there is a good God and he loves us. Just this one truth can change someone when they truly believe it with all of their being.