News-Record.com

The opinion that faith is a silly concept is a matter of faith; therefore, it makes sense to place such a column on the "Faith Matters" page.

The letter writer has a point and it's too specific to be lumped into Letters to the Editor.

I propose a LTTE table of contents and the writer's letter could be filed under "Whiners, Religious".

Other categories could be "Whiners, Political", Whiners, Taxes", etc.

Just trying to help.

I agree with Paul. An atheist's faith is that he has no faith in a higher power. That, in itself, is a type of religious conviction.

Furthermore, I often find that atheists can be just as vocal in spreading their faith (in terms of "educating" people) as any true blue Southern Baptist.

I have no problem with Eric or other atheists expressing their opinion, but it should be under a column labeled "Faith Doesn't Matter" or "Only Faith in Darwin Matters" or "Only Faith in the Goodness of Man Matters" or "Only Faith in Eric Matters". You get the point.

Unfortunately, to reject the notion that God exists is the height on man's hubris. In my view it is worse than being a pacifist in that you reject all responsibility, yet cling to all the benefits.

Now I have tons of questions for God when I get my chance before him, but to flatly reject the concept of his existence is not something I am prepared to do.

anyone who has been on this blogsite for awhile realizes that eric harrington aka nemo0037 openly professes his faith gone bad story, i.e i am now an atheist. also most would recognize his posts on "religious" issues are intended to denigrate those of faith (in this sense faith meaning a belief in God) and are not intended to "educate" anyone....here is a direct quote from him on a recent blog....."But the biblical miracles are simply the normal intervention of the Creator in the affairs of an otherwise orderly and predictable universe - when and where he so wills."
I'll bet Nikos doesn't even realize the moral implications of this concept. If he did, he might not continue to be such a fan of his God..."
imo this is denigrating and apparently nemo0037 believes he is the only one on these blogs who thoroughly analyzes implications of concepts (such as a belief in and existence of God) and everyone else is just a dunce with no thought process.
eric pretends and masquerades as someone who has command of scripture when in reality all he has to offer is his opinion. he has admitted in these blogs that he is no scholar of the scriptures yet he consistently tries to present himself in a manner that would have you believe he knows what he speaks of (scripturally speaking). imo the column "faith matters" is generally understood to be comments directed towards concepts based on a belief in God, which should preclude comments from those who have no faith (in God). erics agenda is to stir up the pot of those of faith and sit back and laugh at those who come to the defense of their faith (in God). i am in total agreement with ECUMAN's comments.

even a better question..why have a religion page?

Why have a Sports page, Tony?

I identify as a Christian but Eric's lack of belief in God does not threaten me in any way. He has the freedom to express or identify himself as he chooses. And if he chose to do it in the middle of my church, it still would not affect my own faith.

So what's the big deal about where his POV appeared? Eric has always, imho, conducted himself in a respectful, courteous manner. And his dialogue is thought-provoking. Must he think like everyone else to be entitled to print in a "special" place?

Hugh,

I enjoyed your attempt to help. Nice to see you employ your sense of humor on this issue.

Buz quotes me:

" 'I'll bet Nikos doesn't even realize the moral implications of this concept. If he did, he might not continue to be such a fan of his God...'
imo this is denigrating and apparently nemo0037 believes he is the only one on these blogs who thoroughly analyzes implications of concepts (such as a belief in and existence of God) and everyone else is just a dunce with no thought process."

Um, Buz... where did you make the leap from my criticism of Nikos' statement to "apparently nemo0037 believes he is the only one on these blogs who thoroughly analyzes implications of concepts"? How is that apparent? I will only say that I try to limit my derision to people who fully earn it. And to ideas that IMO deserve it.

Further:
"eric pretends and masquerades as someone who has command of scripture when in reality all he has to offer is his opinion."

I think it should be clear to most folks that in matters of theology, "opinion" is all that ANYONE really has.

Fur further comments on the situation, be sure to check out the post regarding the LTE on the "Front Pew" blog. Doubtless, many fun exchanges will ensue there, away from the glare of TypeKey. {;-)

" Um, Buz... where did you make the leap from my criticism of Nikos' statement to "apparently nemo0037 believes he is the only one on these blogs who thoroughly analyzes implications of concepts"?".......does this sound familiar ?......
" I'll bet Nikos doesn't even realize the moral implications of this concept "............. no leap here, just observation....you're saying that nikos doesn't have enough brain power to realize the moral implication of the concept he presented...thus implying that you have the answer(s, for you stated " If he did, he might not continue to be such a fan of his God..." - so apparently nemo you do know the moral implications...why don't you share that knowledge with us.
eric you know what really kills me about you...you stated you were once a Christian and had certain beliefs concerning God, so perhaps you may have even defended that belief a time or two before you chose to become atheist...so having once understood why you once believed in God, have you now forgotten why others continue to believe in God ? yes you are entitled to your opinion and you state that "I try to limit my derision to people who fully earn it", thus this comment you made to a fellow blogger surely must fulfill your limit to deride him...."This, coming from a guy who thinks that he has special knowledge of the meaning of the Bible because a sky spirit reveals to him things that aren't plainly evident in the text. Bloody hilarious!"......eric to me you are a contradiction.

".so having once understood why you once believed in God, have you now forgotten why others continue to believe in God ?"

I once believed. I thought at the time I understood why. As I've grown older, and learned more about myself and the world around me, I've come to realize that I believed for diferent reasons than what I originally thought.

I also have much better understandings of why others believe. Which is why I'm not bothered by religios belief as such.

"eric to me you are a contradiction."

Well, you know, we're all contradictions in one way or another.

eric,
my final comment/question...which time were you wrong....then.....or now ?????? eternity hangs in the balance....................

Does Eric have to be wrong at either time?

Why is it that Christians feel so threathened by an open and avowed atheist?

Where is the strong belief that a Christian should have in his/her own personal faith?

It just seems to me that far too many Christian people are evangelizing the open atheist.

For me, the best evangelizing is my daily actions and words. If someone questions me, then I share. Otherwise, I just let the Light shine through me!

Just musing!

Shalom

god and religion are NOT THE SAME THING. god gave us spirituality. i think probably the devil [assuming there is one] gave us religion

Buz says:

" my final comment/question..."

Well, since it's your last bit here...

"which time were you wrong....then.....or now ?"

Mon, I'm just like you ... I believe that my current beliefs are correct. Otherwise, I'd believe differently, now wouldn't I?

"eternity hangs in the balance.."

It's a shame I've taken down my personal web site. I had a pretty good analysis of Pascal's Wager on it. But if you're interested, Im sureyou can google up any number of other non-believers who have done as well as I did.

Cheers!

Yes, Darryl, Eric does have to be wrong at one time.

He has held two conflicting beliefs in his life. The two beliefs are mutually exclusive. If he was right the first time, then he IS wrong the second time. If he is right the second time, then he WAS wrong the first time. The only other possible solution is that he was wrong BOTH times.

It is impossible for him to be right both times.

However, his belief does not make him "wrong" in the societal or moral sense. But at some point in his life, he has been incorrect in his beliefs. The fact that he changed from Christian to atheist makes me think that he believes he was incorrect when he was a Christian.

But I do agree with you in how to evangelize.

" Does Eric have to be wrong at either time? "

Yes................

initially eric believed there was a God.......

and now he does not believe there is a God.....

one is correct..........

one is incorrect........

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

" Why is it that Christians feel so threathened by an open and avowed atheist? "............

i don't feel threatened by atheist, " Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. "

" Where is the strong belief that a Christian should have in his/her own personal faith? ".....

translation required ! huh ??

" It just seems to me that far too many Christian people are evangelizing the open atheist. "......

don't know how what i've done here is to be construed as evanglizing eric ! ? read mat.7:6

"Otherwise I just let the Light shine through me!"

if you've got the Light in you, you are a believer
....if you don't you're a non believer (rom.8:9)
this scripture validates my point that eric is either right or wrong.

(i posted this about an hour ago but something seems amiss with n&r servers !?)

I noticed the server thing too Buz.

I'm not sure I agree that too many people are evangelizing. But I'm not sure of the meaning of the word evangelizing anyway.

But if it is meant like I think it is meant, then I would say that Eric does his own sort of evangelizing on his beliefs as much as anyone else here does on their beliefs.

I've seen Eric basically undermine Christian beliefs and I've seen others (probably myself included) basically undermine Eric's beliefs.

There is a huge difference between what Eric and Buz believe. So why would we not expect a debate?

For me, the steps in my faith journey and my life journey have been progressive. I fully believe that at the differing points of my faith/life journey, the point that I found myself each time was the correct point or belief for that specific time. While some of those points/beliefs seemed difficult, if not downright abusive, they suited me for where I was. When I look back, I can see how I have moved in my beliefs and thinking. I do not consider those other times incorrect, just teachable moments.

Is that not just like now?

Only musing.

Shalom

" I fully believe that at the differing points of my faith/life journey, the point that I found myself each time was the correct point or belief for that specific time "...............................

we've traversed this territory before - if i remember correctly you believe that everyone regardless of what decision they have made concerning Christ, makes it to heaven eventually...that would support your p.o.v. on being in the correct place at any point in your life......... as you know i do not ascribe to that theology, for at one point in my life i was just like eric, perhaps not atheist but certainly not a believer (however the consequence would have been the same) - therefore i believe that when i was in the unregenerate state, had i died i would find myself in the most unfortunate circumstance...so for me, once i found myself in the state of grace (i.e. having received Christ as Savior)only then i can believe i am in the correct place at any given time....these are my opinions and convictions.

ydog, i appreciate your insight into this subject.

Buz, is the security of one's soul in doubt? (Not saying your's now, just a general question.)

I believe that once a decision is made for Christ, the issue is settled for eternity. Regardless of what transpires, it is forever settled. Christian scripture supports this from my reading & comprehension.

Shalom

"Buz, is the security of one's soul in doubt? (Not saying your's now, just a general question.)".......
not completely sure what your question is referencing here...
--------------------------------------
"I believe that once a decision is made for Christ, the issue is settled for eternity (and here i would ask you, what is the fate of anyone who refuses to accept Christ as Lord and Savior?). Regardless of what transpires, it is forever settled. Christian scripture supports this from my reading & comprehension."..... i can't say i disagree with your statement, however the "decision" one makes goes beyond simply saying i believe there is a God to gain eternal life, b/c james says this "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
in erics case he says he once believed (does this mean he was granted eternal life ?, but now he doesn't believe. this verse comes to mind " And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."...as well as this "For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame." a lot of food for thought and prayer !