I came across this story posted by KIRO news radio concerning some new advertisements that will be posted on some Seattle metro buses. Here’s part of the article:
“Mike Gillis with Seattle Atheists shared some of the messages that would be featured on the ads. One of them by Thomas Jefferson, from one of his letters is that, ‘Religions are all alike, founded upon fables and mythologies,’ another by Ben Franklin, ‘The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.’”
So, how would you respond? Does this suggest that some of our founding fathers were not so ‘Christian’ after all, especially now that they are being quoted by atheists? What would be a loving, thoughtful response? Does this make you mad . . . or does it present you with a great opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation with others on the bus?
Full post at: http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=228360
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
There are some things I have thought of in response to the article “On the Bus, or Under the Bus.” I have thought about a response that would point out, what I believe, are errors in the thought process behind the premises for the argument of atheism. But I then, I ask myself whether pointing errors would truly convince anyone or plant any “seeds” for the future. Would that just put our brothers and sisters on the defensive and create further distance and a longer “stream” of doubt in believing and having faith in God? Would my discussion with an atheist just “stir up” anger to the surface and further resentment toward politically motivated modern day Christians; and a belief system that they may believe has hurt them and countless others in current and throughout the history of the Judeo Christian ideal/ethic? Would they just take whatever comes out of my mouth as just a biased opinion or an attempt to “convert” them to the cause of someone’s personal ajenda and self-righteous crusade? Maybe to them I would seem to be suffering from a mental illness with “religiousity” as a symptom?
Lately, I have been coming across conversations and sections of a couple of books I am reading related to my thoughts on this article. There are a couple of things that seem to “stick out” in my mind the most in regards to the question that Eric Spangler poses: “So, how would you respond?” (in response to this article on atheism). One of them is Galatians 5:22-23 about the fruits of the spirit of God–my most favorite line of scripture. The line reads, in part: “But the fruit if the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” The other thing that “sticks” out for me is a line in the bible, unfortunately I cannot remember the scripture, which discusses being “gentle” in regards to others in situations like these. I will also say, that as a long time skeptic and newly committed pursuer of the Christian way, I have experienced being on both sides of the argument of atheism throughout my life–and I have seen many ways that seem to only “fester” further and greater distance.