Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Faith

Closeted Atheist Pastors Converge in Secretive Online Community — and This New Program Will Help Them Escape Ministry

Feb. 27, 2013 2:29pm Billy Hallowell

The Clergy Project Launches New Employment Transition Program | Stiefel Freethought Foundation

Photo Credit: The Clergy Project

The Clergy Project is an organization that doubles as a secretive support group and a rehabilitation program of sorts. What started as an anonymous online community devoted to helping pastors looking to escape the pulpit has grown into something more large-scale in nature. The faith leaders who join have secretly turned away from their faith, but have few options for gainful employment.

So, these religious-leaders-gone-astray continue preaching until they can find a way out of their current positions. While the group, which describes itself as, “a safe haven for active and former clergy who do not hold supernatural beliefs,” has already launched scholarships to help non-believing clergy, a new “Employment Transition Program” is launching next month.

According to a press release explaining the new initiative, the project will be implemented through Rise Smart, a career services company. Those participating in the effort will be religious leaders who are currently members of The Clergy Project. These individuals will receive six months of assistance, ranging from resume help to skills assessments. In the end, a recruiter will help to place them in new, non-theistic positions.

With a $100,000 grant from the Stiefel Freethought Foundation (SFF), the organization is working to setup a framework for the program that will ensure it operates both now and in the future. The SFF, run by atheist millionaire Todd Stiefel, has been responsible for funding a plethora of groups and projects associated with the activist movement.

TheBlaze interviewed the advocate this week to learn more about his part in this effort. First and foremost, we asked Stiefel what led to his $100,000 gift to the transition program. He explained that the pain the clergy feel, including the loss of family, friends and career, moved him and his organization to action.

Todd Stiefel (Photo Credit: Todd Stiefel)

“Talking to some of the pastors — some of the ones were were in the process of trying to escape and those who had already gotten out — to hear them talk, it was emotional,” he said. “To hear their stories — people who have essentially de-converted or converted to a different faith system [was emotional].”

Stiefel explained the difficulty that some pastors face when they realize they no longer subscribe to the faith. Many remain, in their view, trapped in the ministry, as they need to continue making money, feeding their families and paying their bills. But, inside, these people desperately want to leave the confines of their faith systems, as they no longer embrace the existence of a higher power.

The atheist activist told TheBlaze that job training is the key to their ability to flee the pews.

“I was really mostly hoping to help all of these people out of a really tough situation — and frankly I hope a secondary motivation is that these people will become future leaders in freethought movement,” Stiefel explained.

The activist also spent some time explaining the transition program, which does more than simply provide direct funds. Instead, Stiefel described it as, “taking the concept of teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fish.” It’s about educating new-found non-believers in how they can survive in the secular world — a concept that is foreign, especially to those who have spent years, if not decades, in religious ministry.

One of the more complicated aspects of The Clergy Project is its secretive nature. As mentioned, the clergy continue at their jobs and seek out the online community for emotional assistance and help in finding the best way to exit their churches. But in the meantime, congregations rely upon these individuals and trust in them.

It’s a conflict of epic proportions. One side is desperately trying to escape, while the other has no idea about the internal battle raging inside of their coveted faith leaders. This dynamic will inevitably leave people on both sides of the debate with some emotional harm or baggage, ranging from anger and frustration to feelings of abandonment.

Watch a Methodist pastor describe her transition to atheism:

Currently, Stiefel says the project has 400 current and former faith leaders from around the globe (about two-thirds of them are active and desperately trying to leave their positions). And if and when these clergy members exit, it’s only natural to assume that the congregations they leave behind will be devastated. TheBlaze asked Stiefel if he understands the feelings that these parishoners will have, especially considering that they will likely feel as though they’ve been lied to by their faith leaders who continued preaching despite being covert non-theists.

“I can understand how somebody could be frustrated if they didn’t understand the story or think through what they would do under the circumstance,” he responded. “Yes, I think some people might find that frustrating.”

Stiefel said that critics should ask themselves what they would do in a similar position. Many of these preachers, he noted, put their children first by continuing in ministry to bring in cashflow. And with few resources for them to escape into something more secular, they feel they have no other option. The atheist activist believes this Employment Transition Program offers a potential avenue.

Stiefel also encouraged believers left behind by these preachers to consider how they treat them in the wake of their departures. Regardless of their feelings, he said it’s important to support them as they transition into secular roles.

Editor’s Note: Todd Stiefel previously participated in a Blaze series called, “Ask an Atheist.” The secular activist answered readers’ most pressing questions about faith and non-belief. Be sure to read part one, part two, part three, part four and part five.

This story has been updated.

–

Related:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (145)

Knightnblu
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:52pm
While I can certainly sympathize with anyone who finds themselves in employment where they are unhappy, the clergy is different. The fundamental heart of religion is faith. Without it you do not have a religion. A pastor who no longer believes in the Almighty does more than a disservice to his congregation if he continues to preach from the pulpit because he lies to his congregation, he betrays his own personal beliefs, and he defiles the house of God. If anyone should understand the wrongness of such an act, it is those who once took up and bore the standard of God.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:06pm
  “The Clergy Project is an organization that doubles as a secretive support group and a rehabilitation program of sorts.”
  
  I have a question: When is it supposed that you are rehabilitated: when you no longer believe in God, or when you believe in God again????
  
  Report this comment
- hayesstephen
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:31pm
  This is ridiculous!! If you have lost your faith well fine and good, quit!!!! Oh I just can’t stand another minute being a preacher, but what else can I do! If a man or women who has no faith can stand up week after week in front of believer and convince them oh wait, T.V. preachers do it week after week. Never mind.
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:58pm
  For anyone who has “COME HOME” to the Catholic Church from being in one of the ‘break aways’ from the 15th century…they fully understand what has been missing in their “faith’ has been the undeniable truth. For too many years certain faiths have said “This or that can’t be explained” when their “doctrine” conflicts with what they know to be the truth… this is why so many, many COME HOME to the Catholic Church which is THE faith. Some day Glenn will come back home when he doesn’t need the implied discipline of where he is. Once back we realize that the questions we had before dissolve and the truth is the truth is the truth.
  There is no doubt about one thing: We are definitely in very strange times, if not the end times.
  The GOOD NEWS is that every effort of Satan’s will and does fail now. Of course he goes after Preachers and Priests…and of course with the huge onslaught against GOD and all that Jesus teaches us…faith can take a beating…but if you follow out their ‘logic’..it falls straight to hell which is
  where people who deny God will be. Not as punishment, but as reality. You have to want GOD first
  before you can find HIM (He actually finds the people who want Him) and if you are so smart that you think you’ve created all of this yourselves…then…hey….have at it…but you can NOT have it both ways…all the joy and love of GOD and this nothingness that is being tossed around by Satan. Choose.
  
  Report this comment
- mtman2
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:10pm
  Yes; it’s true + it’s been the case down thru the ages. Only many are more than insincere or incapable, but are intentional infilitrators as a subversive manipulation of what could + should be a blessing in the lives of any community! That’s right DNA did NOT invent itself…the miracle of life in a billion conventions surround us yet WE do not see + cannot hear as they are ‘spiritually discerned’. “HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH UNLESS THEY ARE SENT? It depends on who’s sending who! To say, do + bring ABOUT WHAT!
  
  Report this comment
- HOOT_OWL
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:16pm
  This Todd Stiefel is just like many other Atheist They’re trying to create this illusion that Christianity is a religion of hate like Islam. If you look down the comments on this first page , most comments basically say that the pastor should immediately get out and quit. Who wants someone like that as there spiritual advisor anyway.
  
  Report this comment
- Southerner01
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:17pm
  It’s a good thing that this group helps them leave. It would be far worse for them to stay. Both for the congregation and for them.
  
  Report this comment
- theotherberean
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:22pm
  12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
  
  Were you baptized into the name of the Pope? The Roman Catholic Church? Mary? Ingatius? Polycarp etc.?
  
  Then why do you have faith in them rather than Christ alone?
  
  Report this comment
- JRook
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:38pm
  There is a well known adage that an individual who pays attention in the seminary will leave an atheist. What exactly do they learn that would lead them to that. Now that would be a useful story for the blaze to run.
  
  Report this comment
- Thomas
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:46pm
  Good riddance.
  
  Report this comment
- hillbillyinny
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:09pm
  @ theotherberean
  
  Your posts never cease to amaze me! You are so misinformed about Catholic Church belief it is laughable. Are you still reading those old “Chick” cartoon pamphlets? Wherever you are getting your information on Catholic theology is very outdated and very skewed.
  
  A question back to you (without the awkward Bible quoting that has nothing to do with worship within The Church). Why do YOU have faith in “Christ alone”? What happened to the other members of the Trinity in your belief system? Who do you pray to? Do you follow Jesus’ teaching that when we pray we are to pray like this:, “Our Father, Who are’t in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. . . “? Do you ask the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you as Jesus instructed us to do?
  
  Probably you never ask fellow Christians to pray for concerns of yours or you personally? If you do ask others to share prayer goals with you, you are accessing the Community of Saints in the world. Those of us who “prey to those Saints in God’ court and communing every minutes with Jesus are also accessing this Community, Saints who are still alive and who’s prayers “acend as incense from around the Throne in Heaven”! (See Revelation)
  
  Jesus is our Savior. He died “once for many.” He shares His Body and Blood in Holy Communion with us at every celebration of Eucharist (Thanksgiving). He told us that we MUST eat His Body and drink His Blood, or there is “no life within you”! (See John 6)
  
  One Mediator, lot
  
  Report this comment
- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:57pm
  Please. Just quit. How hard is it? What a bunch of losers.
  
  Report this comment
- theotherberean
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:09pm
  HILLBILLY. Rather than be so sure of yourself and then find out later you might be wrong, which you are, please read “Roman Catholics and Evangelicals” (agreements and differences) -Norman Geisler and Ralph e. MacKenzie. This is a very concise explanation of exactly where and why Catholics and Evangelicals disagree.
  
  Report this comment
- LindaJL
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 8:04pm
  Don’t be so sure these atheist clergy are lying to their congregations. They may be providing lessons in compassion and understanding that don’t apply only to Christian beliefs.
  
  Listen carefully to your pastor next Sunday. Is he telling you what to believe about god or Jesus or is he talking about how to treat your nighbor and how to get long better with your spouse?
  
  Report this comment
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 10:41pm
  Uh Oh, get the popcorn out.
  
  Berean and HillBilly are having another “Bible verse off” to determine who is the “TRUE” Christian.
  
  What’s even more intriguing is that they will both appeal to their infallible interpretation of “God’s word” and yet come to completely different stances.
  
  Let’s see who wins!
  
  Report this comment
- glassaudioguy
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 10:43pm
  @Hilbilly (and Patty, for that matter): I think the late Dr. Walter Martin, expert on cults and comparative religions, had an incredibly great line in his debate with Fr. Mitchell Pacwa “Why should I deal with a branch office [a humorous reference to praying to the departed saints] when I can go directly to the CEO [Jesus and/or The Heavenly Father]?”
  
  Report this comment
- Pontiaku
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 10:52pm
  “A pastor who no longer believes in the Almighty does more than a disservice to his congregation if he continues to preach from the pulpit because he lies to his congregation”
  Agreed. Belief or not, they’re still lies.
  
  Report this comment
- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on February 28, 2013 at 12:39pm
  “What happened to the other members of the Trinity in your belief system? ”
  
  What are you talking about? We believe in the Trinity. We also believe The Trinity is one God. How does the praying to saints and Mary equal the Trinity. Mary was a sinner. That is why she called Jesus her Saviour. If she were sinless, she wouldn’t need a Saviour. Even the angels refused worship from men. Jesus alone was the only person who ever allowed worship to Him. And as far as prayer goes, check out Matthew 6:6 about praying in vain repetitions next time you are praying your rosary. The Lord’s prayer in the context Jesus was asked, was an example prayer. Remember, he was asked “teach us TO pray”, not “teach how what words to pray”. By the way, I believe catholic teachings holds that Peter was the first Pope. Peter was married because Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Splain that?
  
  I don’t know what you believe personally. But I know what the Vatican says the catholic church believes. John Paul II claimed the Jews did not need to have faith in Christ for salvation. Funny, that the ONLY people Jesus preached to aside for the gentiles who happened to be there.
  
  Report this comment
jessieH
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:29pm
Hey, if you want out, get out. Don’t preach about it, do it. You’re probably not wanted, anyway.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- malbro
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:02pm
  Drama..I bet the sheep in the church don’t need it……………….
  
  Report this comment
- oneshiner
  Posted on February 28, 2013 at 6:58pm
  You can usually tell when a pastor feels inadequate in his/her Ministry. Not very anointed in sermons.
  
  Report this comment
malbro
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:27pm
Nice to see she found her faith or non faith or her faith in the faith that she doesn’t believe in faith …………….Damn it all to hell or as Dylan says; You have to serve somebody……….

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
amerbur
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:09pm
I think it is very wrong for a pastor to continue to work as a pastor if they do not believe. How horrible to stand before your flock and lie about what you believe – just tell them you have lost faith and cannot properly pastor them. I am sure they would help support your transition out if you were just honest.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:37pm
  That would be like KFC being out of chicken…she’d be out of business.
  
  Report this comment
- GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:53pm
  Somehow it’s the same when Barry talks about the Law and the Constitution of your country…or for that matter, when he talks about the 3 letters: JOBS!!
  
  Report this comment
- MrGeek
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:59pm
  In the long run, they are both lying. The now atheist pastors know they are lying to the congregation, while the “kosher” pastors are also lying to the congregation – they just don’t know it.
  
  Report this comment
bbatty
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:09pm
As most of these are Protestants, they already had one foot entrenched in atheism from the start. No surprises here.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- MRARGUELLES267
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:12pm
  What does that mean? I’m just curious about why you say that in your comment.
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:19pm
  Yeah what exactly does that mean, Protestantism is the exact opposite of atheism. That was a stupid comment.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:31pm
  BBATTY, Sounds like a Muslim kind of mindset.
  
  Report this comment
- Grannie4news
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:05pm
  I happen to be of the Mormon faith and certainly object to Protestants saying that we do not worship Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God; it makes me just as angry to see your remark about Protestants being part atheists already. Protestants are strong in their faith in Jesus, same as you or I. Just because someone who were good at giving sermons and didn’t want to go out and get a job working hard and just letting the congregation support them for giving a speech each week, does not mean that what they preached about was a lie. Years ago they took a survey about the Virgin birth of Jesus and I was shocked at how many Protestant preachers did not believe it was true so the Secular folks had already infiltrated these churches many moons ago.
  
  Report this comment
- HoopsHouse
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:32pm
  BBATTY: I think you owe the forum a bit of an explanation on this post. Are you Catholic and have an issue with Protestants, or a non-Christian? If it is from a Catholic perspective, all I can say is “what a shame”. I am a Conservative Evangelical married to a conservative practicing Catholic. While we have our differences, we both are smart enough to know that we no longer have the luxury of Christian on Christian hatred – not when the secular world hates all of us. Satan laughs every time that happens – nothing discredits Christians more. Two other quick points: First, this is not just a Protestant phenomenon. Second; painting all Protestants with a broad brush is pretty hard. Do you mean a liberal female Methodist, or a conservative Southern Baptist, or maybe a traditional Anglican? I certainly have a lot more in common with a Conservative Catholic than I do liberal Protestant.
  
  Report this comment
- theotherberean
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:57pm
  LDS may worship someone you “call” Jesus Christ, but LDS define Jesus Christ as someone entirely different than the Jesus Christ described in the Bible. These are LDs web sites but they don’t teach you this stuff at the Temple. See for yourself:
  
  http://tinyurl.com/8o2uzzl
  
  http://tinyurl.com/9e4ec97
  
  Report this comment
John.Galt
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:09pm
Uhh… some advice for athiests – DON’T BECOME MINISTERS!

Yeah, there might be a better choice of career for you…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Southerner01
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:21pm
  The article suggests they were not atheists when they became ministers. By the way, Ayn Rand was an atheist.
  
  Report this comment
- kegbuna
  Posted on February 28, 2013 at 2:41pm
  so dumb.. probably read the headline and jumped down here to put up that vacuous comment. John Galt INDEED
  
  Report this comment
Locked
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:02pm
I can’t see much wrong with the program’s goals. These “faith” leaders are obviously not leading moral lives by lying to their congregations; their congregations obviously aren’t getting the kind of leader they expect; and if these folks truly have no other marketable skill outside of being religious leaders, I think it’s great that PRIVATE (non-governmental) funds are used to rectify the situation.

Hopefully in the end it will work out better for everyone. The former leaders will be able to care for their families, and the congregations will no longer have leaders who lie every time they preach.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- deeberj
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:12pm
  Oh yes, the end result is great. People have jobs and support their families. How nice.
  
  But in the meantime they are lying to their congregations and continuing to be paid for living a lie. That is so wrong. If you become apostate you should leave your position as soon as you realize it. Your family would suffer the consequences of your choice, but that’s what happens in families.
  
  Report this comment
- Cavallo
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:16pm
  Hey, if they can lie so well, and fake emotion, they would be really good as politicians or as used car salesmen.
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:17pm
  locked- well said. I’ll probably get a lot of flak for this but here it goes. Even pastors are not exempt from Satan’s influence.
  
  Report this comment
- Locked
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:36pm
  @Deeberj
  
  “But in the meantime they are lying to their congregations and continuing to be paid for living a lie.”
  
  Indeed they are. So I’m all for this project if it gets those who are lying about their faith out of positions of power sooner. And it doesn’t do it on the taxpayer’s dime, nor does it add a new family to the unemployment line or sign them up for welfare.
  
  As said – this is a good program that will benefit all who are involved.
  
  @Cavallo
  
  I had a similar thought!
  
  @DLV
  
  You won’t get any flak from me; sin can strike anywhere.
  
  Report this comment
- Southerner01
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:24pm
  Deeberg,
  
  What you say is true, but this group is reaching out to those who already have lost faith and did not leave. They probably would continue on for years without the intervention of this group. Don’t blame the group for the lying ministers. They were already lying.
  
  Report this comment
Barbie
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:01pm
Judas had a money problem and pretended his love with a kiss. Thjere will always be one to follow him as a wolf among the sheep.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Kupo
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:55pm
This is one of the many reasons why it’s a bad, bad, bad idea to be career clergy. Having a lay ministry I think is the best way to go. In this there is nothing holding you back from leaving if, one day, you do apostatize, since you have presumably been holding down a job the whole time anyway.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- donotdrinkthekoolade
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:01pm
  That’s right. When Jesus called his apostles to the ministry, he sent them out without script or purse. I am always leery of preachers who get paid for preaching.
  
  Report this comment
- vendingdude
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:36pm
  agreed. It is a Biblical teaching to have a lay ministry. Now if there was church that worshiped the Father and the Son and the lay ministry had regular careers outside of the church. Hmmmmm, let me think, is there such a church? Hmmm……
  
  Report this comment
- theotherberean
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:02pm
  The Mormon Church comes to mind, but they define God and Jesus as someone entirely different than that of the Bible.
  
  http://tinyurl.com/8o2uzzl
  
  http://tinyurl.com/9e4ec97
  
  Report this comment
- Kupo
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:52pm
  theotherberean
  
  No, they define God and Jesus as something other than your man-made Nicene Creed defines them. Big difference. Anyway, that really has nothing to do with what I was talking about anyway. Whenever a preacher makes his living solely from preaching it opens to the door to greed and dishonesty. Such is proven with this story showing preachers preaching things that they don’t even believe in! It’s truly sickening.
  
  Report this comment
- Chuck Stein
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:17pm
  @ Kupo
  A little advice: don’t waste your time with Theothersideofreality. The guy thinks that there is more than one Jesus Christ. I know that the Jesus Christ that Mormons worship is the Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary, who testified of Himself as the Son of God, who performed many miracles in his Earthly ministry, who bled at every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane and who died on the cross to atone for the sins of all who repent and accept Him as their Savior. As presented previously to me by Theothersideofreality, though, the Jesus Christ that Mormons worship is a “different” Jesus Christ because Mormons adhere to a more “primitive” concept of Jesus Christ as Mormons lack the sophistication to incorporate Gnostic concepts into Christian theology.
  
  Report this comment
- theotherberean
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:30pm
  KUPO, my reply was to VEND, but the God and Jesus I believe in were certainly described at the first council of Nicea (325). I also disagree that your point was not to point out that “your” clergy (and I’m assuming Mormon?) is better than mine.
  
  CHUCK STEIN Of course you don’t want people to waste their time with me. They might find you out. During our last discussion you called me a liar in no uncertain terms. I then proved that you were wrong and asked you to apologize, but you arrogantly declined and then insulted me again.
  
  I never said there is more than one true Biblical Jesus Christ, and “that One” most certainly is not the same one LDS theology describes.
  
  And don’t even try and tell me that Bible has been corrupted by men and the true meanings lost, and the LDS Jesus is the true one. There is absolutely no reason to believe that Joseph Smith baloney.
  
  Report this comment
- Chuck Stein
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:43pm
  @ Kupo
  See? Q.E.D.
  
  Report this comment
- SonOfThunder
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 8:09pm
  Theotherberean is correct. When you have the wrong Jesus you have the wrong salvation. Mormons believe Jesus was the spirit brother of Lucifer. Where is that In the Bible mr. Mormon???? I hear crickets… It is not in the bible. Case closed. There is so much more evidence of Mormonism being a lie of satan.
  
  Repent and put your trust in Jesus alone. Not in the works of your Mormonism.
  
  Report this comment
- theotherberean
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 8:09pm
  See what? I posted links to the LDS web sites that prove beyond a doubt that what I said about the Jesus LDS worship, is true. It is clearly not the same Jesus described in the Bible. That means one of us worships an imposter, by Biblical description an “idol.” I insist that is not me. If you can prove that LDS Restoration doctrine is true, I might change my mind. Can you do that?
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:53pm
Why not practice what you preach?

Oh yeah I forgot…..

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:06pm
  Hi MONK, That just makes too much common sense.
  
  Report this comment
thibx
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:52pm
get your ass out of the church and tell the people why. it’s people like this that bringing this country down. judgement starts at the house of GOD and i hope he pours it out on you very soon.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:52pm
Many years ago I stopped by a local watering hole while on the way home from Ft McClellan to enjoy a cold one. A rather tipsy, bearded guy sitting next to me struck up a conversation, because he just had to talk a lot about himself. Found out that he was a seminary college professor at home on Spring break. Considering his lecherous conversation earlier I sat listening to him rather cautiously. He knew the bible inside and out and could essentially quote any part of it, but…..as intelligent as he was, he was nothing more than a predator who took advantage of his knowledge to chase women students. He said that it was against the college bylaws, but he did not care. These days his sordid stories remind me of nothing more than the homosexual predators who hide within the confines of the church, Boy Scouts, schools. etc, etc to be closer to their prey. One cannot blame any church for the existence of these predators, who sought out their jobs because of the proximity of their desired targets. Some just take advantage of a known surrounding. Predators regardless, go figure!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Fubared
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:55pm
  Imagine how many times that similar scene has played out. People suck.
  
  Report this comment
VoteRightDammit
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:51pm
Why is this news?

Hundreds of Pastors. Yet there are an estimated SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND actively working Pastors … just in the U.S.

So ~~~ this is 0.2 of one percent. And this is supposed to be news?????/

Anything and everything ant-God, anti-family, anti-good seems to be oh so important to the media.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Melika
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:06pm
  So important to the Blaze, you mean. They constantly have this trash on here like we’re supposed to care. Great, these few people are leaving or converting their faiths. Big woop-de-doo.
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:21pm
  Melika- I don’t care too much about it either but it is informative.
  
  Report this comment
Just_Us2
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:48pm
There is absolutely no spiritual reason or social reason why this decision would be difficult. It’s all about money. Seems like the lack of marketable job skills is the barrier to exiting the current employer. Transitioning from one industry to another is tough if your skill set does not translate well to your desired field of work. Lying to your current employer will not get you a good recommendation either. You may have to take a reduction in pay and your standard of living could drop.
So what good is salt if it loses its saltiness? It’s good for keeping sidewalks free of ice…to be trampled and forgotten. If your congregation is put in disarray by your departure, then they were following you and not God anyway. Their leaving is a win for everyone….at least in the short run.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Locked
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:07pm
  @Just_US2
  
  “There is absolutely no spiritual reason or social reason why this decision would be difficult.”
  
  I agree with you on the spiritual front, but you honestly can’t think of a social reason to remain in a position of respect and influence, surrounded by friends, family, and neighbors who may very well disown you if you revealed your true feelings?
  
  I don’t condone living a lie at all, but it’s pretty obvious that many people would have social concerns about “coming out” in this kind of situation.
  
  “Their leaving is a win for everyone….at least in the short run.”
  
  Absolutely agree. I believe that we Christians need to spend more time following the Bible’s words, and less time following the words of some preacher who claims to know the Bible.
  
  Report this comment
- donotdrinkthekoolade
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:06pm
  The atheists are scrambling for converts. Why? Because just like homosexuality, atheists are not born that way, they are brainwashed and conditioned.
  
  Report this comment
- ScienceGirl
  Posted on March 10, 2013 at 12:30pm
  Actually Kool-Aid, everyone is born an atheist. It takes years of brain washing when you’re young to believe all the religious nonsense.
  
  Report this comment
IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:47pm
They aren’t worthy to be a clergyman. Truth not lies

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
R o b
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:47pm
Hmm….I wonder if this is what Pope Benedict is doing…

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SUNTZU
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:45pm
Its called
The Great Falling Away

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- deeberj
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:53pm
  Wow. I wasn’t thinking that. Scary.
  
  Report this comment
- Jenny Lind
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:05pm
  Absolutely, why is anyone suprised when we were told that Satan would decieve the very elect? So the wishy-washey ones are leaving, I am sad for their families and those who trusted them. I even feel sad for them, they will not be held guiltless if they lead someone away by their disbelief. They should not lie-I thought that atheists say they have morals even if not from some “fake” God?
  
  Report this comment
- HOOT_OWL
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 5:41pm
  All things considered ..I definitely would rather see them ‘fall away ‘,..!
  Instead of having a deceptive desire to stay because of the free room and board
  a paycheck and the community status as spiritual leader.
  That’s also here , it‘s called ‘false prophets’ ..!
  
  Report this comment
SaturdaysWarrior76
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:43pm
They stop believing, but they continue to preach in order to keep the “cashflow” coming… hmmm.
Wow….

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- donotdrinkthekoolade
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:10pm
  Reminiscent of “thirty pieces of silver”….
  
  Report this comment
- donotdrinkthekoolade
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:13pm
  …In other words, some folks will do anything for a buck or a bowl of pottage,
  
  Report this comment
deeberj
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:42pm
Forgot to say that I would be very unhappy if I found out my minister, who is supposed to be teaching me about following God, is actually an athiest. That is living a lie and taking my money under false pretenses.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Jim S
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:41pm
..Excellent, please..anyway we can get non-believers out of our houses of worship I support 100%…please leave, quickly..we understand…no bad feelings..go…shooo…thanks…have a good life,be happy…bye-bye..

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
deeberj
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:41pm
Any other person who is not happy in his job finds another one. I don’t understand why a pastor, who chose to be one and is typically educated with a college degree, feels the need to “escape”. It makes it sound like being a pastor is being part of a cult that from which one has to escape to be free.

I know a priest who left and got married. He found a job. He didn’t need to escape or find someone to help him.

This is just a way for atheists to make Christians look bad.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Fubared
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:38pm
Get a job you faithless bums. On a side topic…
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-02-27/guest-post-50-signs-us-health-care-system-about-collapse
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-02-27/tim-geithner-hold-financial-crisis-seminars

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- woodyee
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:49pm
  Oh yeah -
  
  Algore foams at the mouth about global warming, while surreptitiously creating a billion-dollar ‘carbon-credit’ corporation.
  
  Tim Geitner, a tax cheat appointed to his gov. financial position by Obammy, helps the administration create the current fiscal crisis, then goes on a lecture tour about – the current fiscal crisis.
  
  Anita Hill attacks Clarence Thomas with false allegations about sexual harrassment, then goes on a lecture tour about women’s rights and sexual harrassment.
  
  Note a pattern?
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:54pm
  Perhaps a wee one.
  
  Report this comment
- woodyee
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:56pm
  Fubared – with the ‘healthcare system’ – those are all choices that individuals make – while they still have the freedom to make them. You can pull the plug or choose to go all out in saving yourself or a loved one from a terminal illness.
  
  With Gaybamafarce – you get SOME of the benefits of the current healthcare system, WITHOUT the choices, NOR the freedom to make them.
  
  Report this comment
gyro
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:38pm
This confuses me in are theres fellows ro relient on others giving everything from pay to housing they are afraid to be in the real world ?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Cavallo
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:37pm
So they’re liars, and charlatans. Just leave. There is nothing in Christianity that demands your death if you no longer want to preach or believe. Go. Stop lying. Pastors and Preachers step down and transfer all the time.
What is this garbage? Who writes this crap? Although more and more this evangelical atheism really is rearing its head as a religious faith.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ScienceGirl
  Posted on March 10, 2013 at 12:37pm
  These folks have a career and a family. Switching careers isn’t easy and I applaud them for sticking to their beliefs. Most folks I imagine would just lie and continue preaching in order to receive a pay check.
  
  Report this comment
MRARGUELLES267
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:35pm
If you’re an atheist or simply a nonbeliever than I can understand why many will want to do something else than religious services. It doesn’t make since to preach what you don’t believe in your life. Hopefully these people will find success in their lives.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.