Faith

Atheists May Actually Like These 10 Elements of Church Culture

Atheists May Actually Like These 10 Elements of Church Culture

Writers Joel Gunz and Amanda Westmont

Church every Sunday…for atheists? Amanda Westmont and Joel Gunz — both self-described non-believers — visit a different house of worship every Sunday, then write about each experience on their Beliefnet blog, “Year of Sundays.”

Gunz, a former Jehovah’s Witness, and Westmont, an agnostic, have compiled a fun-filled and intriguing list of 10 things that even atheists can enjoy about going to church. The first among them? The food. They write:

From pre-sermon pancake breakfasts to Sunday evening spaghetti feeds to fresh-baked egg rolls after a dharma talk, we’re big fans. You don’t have to believe in Communion to love the idea of breaking bread with your fellow man.

The second element the two find likable is the architecture. As most Americans (even the non-religious) know, churches often have unique designs. Additionally, beautiful art can be enjoyable to everyone, regardless of personal beliefs (or the lack thereof).

When it comes to community involvement, both Westmont and Gunz see the charity initiatives that churches engage in as yet another positive. Helping the homeless and launching poverty awareness initiatives are just two of the methods through which churches serve local communities.

Music, too, is another plus — even for atheists and agnostics. They write:

Whether it’s live jazz at a progressive Presbyterian service, the sublime mid-century chants of a Taize service or the pounding rhythms of a full gospel church, there‘s more live music happening on Sundays than you can shake a conductor’s baton at. Best part is—it’s all free!

Interestingly, both Westmont and Gunz claim that “the people” are a positive element for even non-believers to embrace. At church, they say, everyone is on his or her best behavior. And, the sermon — regardless of whether they embrace it — is an excellent conversation starter. In addition to the individual people, the writers find solace in the community as a whole.

And who can forget the rituals? While a bit light-hearted in their description surrounding why they like communion (particularly the wine), Gunz and Westmont also tout the serenity and quiet that church affords them.

For their last point surrounding what they love about church culture, the two chose “Jesus,” writing:

Jesus was a great man—a model of courage, humility, strength and love. You don‘t have to believe he was resurrected and whisked up to heaven if you don’t want to. Just do yourself a favor and give his words a chance. They’re easy to find. He spoke in red.

So, it seems church can be likable, even for those who do not subscribe to a particular faith system.

Comments (124)

1 2 3
  • DoctorElwinRansom
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:45pm

    If Jesus wasn’t the Son of God, then you could conclude from his words that he was NOT a great man. C.S. Lewis has a great quote. “I am trying to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I am ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claims to be God.” That is one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”

    Report Post » DoctorElwinRansom  
    • TH30PH1LUS
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 2:43am

      An excellent point. If the Gospel were preached with conviction & passion from pulpits, perhaps this “just a good man” idea would quickly loose steam.

      Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • longhorn mama
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 3:39am

      C.S. Lewis was exactly right. And I also wanted point out I think plenty of secular humanists, aka atheists, go to churches, mostly Unitarian.

      Report Post »  
    • Disciple4truth
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 5:46am

      You don’t hear words of truth like this very often in those buildings anymore… That’s why an Atheist can sit in a B.A.R.F (Building Appropriated for Religious Functions) and not be convicted of their enormous need for Jesus.

      Report Post » Disciple4truth  
    • JimmyChil
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 6:11am

      You’re assuming that Jesus was indeed a great moral teacher. There are a lot of atheists who think that way, but that’s because they think Jesus was progressive. Personally, I do not find Jesus’s teachings to be reputable. He teaches us to love everyone without condition, whether it be our neighbor, who cheats on his wife, our enemy, who wants to kill us, or the poor, who has contributed nothing for himself. He also wants us to turn the other cheek instead of retaliating and to refrain from judgment. Lastly, he wants us to give away all of our hard-earned possessions to the poor. Of course, liberals don’t follow these teachings despite claiming to. However, conservatives neither follow nor claim to follow these teachings and constantly reinterpret Jesus’s teaching to be something indistinguishable from what it really is. Clearly, Jesus was just an average person. The most you could say about him was that he had a way of saying things, but none of teachings were ever really rational.

      Report Post »  
    • KPEdwards
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:08pm

      I whole-heatedly disagree. I think this either or choice really just lowers that idea of what a human can become and achieve, and gives credence to the notion that a person can be dismissed completely for specific tenants of his belief and how he gets to his results.

      As an atheist myself, I personally believe what Jesus has become is a great man – an ideal. Much like what Martin Luther King has become. It comes off as selling humanity short to take the best of us and say that they couldn’t be human.

      Report Post »  
    • jeronadams
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:29pm

      You really DONT have to make a choice: Jesus was a great man, So was Buddha, Gandhi and Mandela werent that bad either… People can be Great moral teachers without being divine.

      Report Post »  
    • DoctorElwinRansom
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 3:14pm

      JimmyChil: I don’t think an “average person” goes around claiming to be the Son of God and healing people. I think you have the wrong idea of what Jesus wanted. Where does it say in the Bible that he wants everyone of us “to give away all of our hard-earned possessions to the poor” ? If you are serious about learning the true intentions of the Bible, I would suggest Pastor Chuck Smith (http://www.calvarychapel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=54).

      To the others who think don’t believe Jesus was the Son of God but think he was a “great man” or a “great moral teacher”, that is illogical. If he wasn’t the Son of God, then why would he mislead many people by saying he was, and tell those people to follow him? That’s not so great.

      Report Post » DoctorElwinRansom  
    • Disciple4truth
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:06pm

      Amen!
      An Atheist would not feel comfortable where truth is being spoken boldly and compassionately. Jesus is the only way.

      Report Post » Disciple4truth  
  • georgeisn6
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:40pm

    The nothing people belive in nothing have nothing will never have nothing are nothing and will never be nothing. So there is nothing we need to know about the nothing they are.

    Report Post »  
    • mlcblog
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 2:15am

      But we who were nothing in our own eyes can become something in God’s eyes and have something. That is, we can recognize that we always were someone to God. He loves us.

      Of course, it’s all invisible so we can believe what we want.

      Report Post » mlcblog  
    • taskmaster78
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 5:50am

      Well said! GEORGEISN6

      Report Post »  
    • SovereignSoul
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:57pm

      If we “never have nothing”, that means we always have something.
      If we “will never be nothing,” that means we will always be something.
      What is your point? Your post is as ambiguous and paradoxical as that book you worship.

      Report Post » SovereignSoul  
  • chigger
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:36pm

    It obvious by their pictures that they are mocking. I do hope they “hear” the Gospel, but I wonder with flippant attitudes like theirs if they really can hear it. I still do not understand why people who claim to be atheist still want to partake in things of God. Why do they need this social contact and entertainment from the church. There’s plenty of it out there in other places.

    Report Post » chigger  
    • JediKnight
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 2:45am

      I think they actually made that pretty clear. “Best part is—it’s all free!”. Whether it’s the after mass coffee and doughnuts, the music, or the wine (I really hope they aren’t receiving that, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised if they are) they‘re partaking in all of it because it’s free. The Church’s might ask for donations, but no one is obligated to give anything.

      Report Post »  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:39am

      <<>>

      Most important Jediknight, Salvation is free. And as far as communion, Anyone can participate. Jesus died for everyone and all are invited to His table.

      Report Post »  
    • teddyc73
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:54pm

      I didnt get the impression they were mocking. They actually said some pretty complimentary things. Dont always look for the negative.

      Report Post »  
    • jmaster67
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 7:49pm

      RRFLYER said:
      “Most important Jediknight, Salvation is free. And as far as communion, Anyone can participate. Jesus died for everyone and all are invited to His table.”
      This is not true.1 Cor. 11:27-29 says, “Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”

      Report Post »  
  • auhntr
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:20pm

    When I was in Vietnam (1969 – 1970) I had the opportunity ti visit a Buddhist Temple. At the time, I was very troubled. Several monks greeted me, and served me some tea. As I watched, and listened to the chanting, I found a feeling of peace and tranquility. I was, and still am a Protestant, but that feeling has stayed with me. I think anyone, regardless of their beliefs, can benefit from visiting the churches and temples of other beliefs. I still visit other churches on occassion, with one exception. I never have, and probably never will visit a mosque.

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:05am

      Hater!

      Report Post »  
    • 9111315
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:14am

      I also don’t want to go to a place where everyone wants to kill me. Wake up non-hater

      Report Post »  
    • Cesium
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:32am

      If you can feel that peace with the non jesus worshiping monks, than what does that mean for the legitimacy of judaism, christianity, or islam.? All religions are a myth.. it’s the communal, ritual, and meditative aspects that matter.. all religion does that, so there is no one religion… but unfortunately a great deal of christians along with their close muslim friends believe if you you arn’t one to believe in you belief, you are going to be punished… total horse dung

      Report Post »  
    • docmd
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:09am

      Why would you or anyone to want to visit a place where the __ANTI-CHRIST__pray to whoever !!

      Report Post »  
    • Lawlcat001
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:20am

      Rose-Ellen (n): From Latin for “Obnoxious Troll”. Meaning – Lonely Muslim Lesbian, Too Convoluted In Essence To Make Any Sort Of Sensical Statement.

      Common usage:
      [A]: Did you hear about Obama passing those Exec.Ord.’s to enforce stronger gun control?
      [B]: Guns kill people! Obama SHOULD take all the guns away!
      [A]: Quit being such a Rose-Ellen.
      [B]: RANTRANTRANTNONSENSEMORERANTINGMORENONSENSE.

      Report Post »  
  • I Love both Jesus and Israel
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:18pm

    So let me get this straight. You atheists out there bash our Christian traditions and holidays, find us offensive to you, and make a fuss when we say something like “Thank you Jesus” in front of you. BUT somehow you admire Jesus and our Church traditions.

    I think you atheists need to get your heads examined.

    Report Post » I Love both Jesus and Israel  
    • chigger
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:52pm

      Well said Ilove

      Report Post » chigger  
    • Cesium
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:39am

      No. many of us jews feel the same way about christians:) growing up I was constantly irritated by all this Jesus worship insanity… I know Glenn is supporting israel which is great, but don’t think for a second atheists are the only ones irritated by your obsessions with Jesus.. Jews think you’re nuts too:) and we know you misinterpret gods word.. god already described how a messiah would be and it’s not christ.. you guys are all wrong on that one… god explains the messiah will be human, of human mother and father and be appointed.
      http://www.jewfaq.org/mashiach.htm
      check the facts on jews.. We arn’t laughing with you.. we’re laughing at you
      Christian support for Israel? sure, we’ll take it… useful idiots can certainly be useful

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:48am

      We’ve been killing them for over 60 years by propping up brutal dictators who did our bidding and tyranized all dissenters [leftists,and religious fundamentalists and anti-colonialists]Thats why they want to kill you -because we messed with them in their homelands .Wake up and stop drinking the they hate us cause we’re not muslim irrational genocidal anti-muslim propaganda. And now that we invaded them they want to kill us cause we’re occupying them.Come on-we spent 60 years killing them .Funny how when you get attacked for political reasons it’s all about them wanting to kill us. When we do the killing all over the world it’s about liberation and the ends justify the means.The word killing only comes up when they resist us ,not when we invade them.No muslim ever killed an american because he wasn’t muslim but because of political reasons[our unjust meddling in their homelands].It‘s more satisfying to justify your killing of them then to look at what you’ve done to cause them to war with you!.Like we were just minding our business the morning of 9-11.You know all this though,you just hate them cause they dared to resist us and for the first time our policies abroad affected us at home.The day we could act with impunity in the world was shattered by those muslim resistence fighters and that’s the real reason you hate them.it’s not about “killing” since you are as mass murdering as you claim they are and always have been.its about them upsetting your complacent app

      Report Post »  
    • JimmyChil
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 6:15am

      First off, atheists can see the falsehood of religion and still see, despite the contradictions between all religions and within each religion itself, that most religions can provide a healthy social complex.

      Report Post »  
    • Mikhail Kennedy
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 6:48am

      Rose bin Ellen
      My offer still stands. Renounce your American citizenship and I will send you to the muslim nation of your choice where you can be free to hate all non muslims and have the voice of half a man in court when you are raped. I am guessing that you should probably want to wear your burka to hide your ugliness though.
      Allah Is Satan and mohamed is his demon.

      Report Post » Mikhail Kennedy  
    • teddyc73
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:52pm

      Wow, CESIUM, you seem like a really nice, tolerant person. Nice to see you are so open minded and respectful of other people’s beliefs. Good grief.

      Report Post »  
    • teddyc73
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:57pm

      What you say is true about a lot of Atheists out there but this article is about these two particular people. We don’t like it when Atheists lump us all together when they say defamatory things so let us not do the same in return. Maybe thees two are being sincere. They may not believe in God but look at all the good things that go on in churches.

      Report Post »  
    • ChristianLayman
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:42pm

      @Cesium

      Forgive me for saying this, but you do live in a historically predominately Christian nation where the faith is ingrained in the culture. BY sheer demographics you’re just more likely to have a Happy Easter or a Merry Christmas thrown your way rather than Happy Hannukah or Happy Passover. Now if it’s simply a matter of being fed up with overzealous street preachers and some of my seperated brethren who lack tact in evangelization among other things, I ask for your patience with regards to any inappropriate manner in which they conduct themselves.

      The “obsession” with Jesus is kind of like this. Jesus is God the Son. It is true that we have accounts of Moses, David, Jeremiah, etc. but Jesus is the closest we ever come to knowing God on a direct level because he is God and also the fulfillment of prophecy.

      Which brings me to your statement that the messiah is not Christ. Messiah, or the Annointed One comes from a Hebrew word mashiach to which we are in agreement. Christ, derived from the Greek word, Christos also means the annointed one, not savior. Jesus, which is Greek mistransliteration of Joshua means “Yahweh is Salvation”, or put in other words God is the Savior.

      That the Messiah would be born of human father and mother seems to be in contradiction with Isaiah 7:14.

      I also wonder how one reconciles Isaiah 53 with modern Jewish interpretation. No one outside of Jesus fits the image of the Suffering Servant.

      Report Post »  
    • Trance
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 5:12pm

      I’ve never bashed Christian traditions and holidays. In fact, I celebrate them with my family because it is so much a part of American culture. For instance, Christmas is more about Santa Clause and gifts than it is about the birth of Jesus. I always respond to people saying Merry Christmas, Happy Easter, etc. with a smile and I happily return the greeting.

      I’m not offended when people say “Thank you Jesus”, or pray in front of me. But, I don’t admire Jesus or church traditions. Nor do I take issue with them.

      However, I am offended when government tries to promote religious beliefs on our society. Religion is for the church to teach, not the government.

      Report Post » Trance  
  • Aerocog
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:54pm

    ??? So, we don‘t believe in anything but yet we’re going to chruch, we don’t believe in prophets but we follow the bible? We just don’t believe in God? Odd, very odd.

    Report Post »  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:47pm

    I think many believers don’t understand their non-believing counterparts.

    I for one think the poetry of the King James edition, some of the moral teaching of Jesus and lots of devotional literature and art from Milton to Gospel Music to Michaelangelo are wonderful and very inspiring. No human should be without a working knowledge of the beauty of Christianity from some of its moral preachments to the art and humanity inspired by it. But that doesn’t make any of its metaphysical claims true. Keep that in mind first and foremost.

    You see, most atheists, agnostics and non-believers view all religion as an anthropamorphic manifestation of societal order and control. What better way to declare the supremacy of your point of view than to say, “God told us.” This is where the problem arises. Obviously, nobody can prove that whatever gods may be actually told anybody anything. And when coupled with the fact that these preachments supposedly happened milliniums ago and not directly to any living person…well, if that does it for you in terms of proof then you don’t have a very enquiring drive for knowledge and truth.

    It is fair to assume there are no Gods but there are plenty of people ever-willing to evoke them in order to tell YOU what to do and think. This is the very definition of tyranny and totalitarianism. So that is what makes religion worth knowing about. You can‘t defeat an enemy if you don’t understand how it works.

    cheers

    Report Post » MrButcher  
    • hillbillyinny
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:09pm

      In other words, “non-believers” are too smart for the rest of us but can embrace the beauty of God’s creation, even that creation provided by man’s expression of his belief and love for God.

      Most believers are talking God not “gods,“ and as far as knowing and ”defeating” your enemy, I look forward to seeing this in real time, it’s call Good vs. Evil and is due for an ultimate showdown. Maybe we’ll both have “ringside seats,” or sadly, maybe we’ll be part of the battle. Try God.

      Report Post »  
    • MartyTr
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:04pm

      The bible is God’s absolute truth, He has given all the free will to choose Him or not. Play any word games you want. What you are saying is mocking God and making satan happy. Acts 4:12 Salvation comes only from accepting His son Jesus Christ as your LORD and savior. Choose differently and there will be consequences. Christians don’t have to understand non-believers, they would be wise to understand God.

      Report Post »  
    • Florida_Freedom_Fighter
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:57am

      A set of Morals would be nice with or without a God, and if that’s all someone may get out of a religion, sounds good to me.

      Report Post » Florida_Freedom_Fighter  
    • Cesium
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:06am

      Martyr.. you’re a brainwashed, wishful thinking, fool.. how can say anything about “truth” when the truth is we don’t know anything in any religious texts to be anything that can be regarded as fact when it comes to somekinda killer god?

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:43am

      You athiests may appreciate the artistic beauty of christian culture but only mystics see visions.

      Report Post »  
  • Gypsy123
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:10pm

    Even Satan sits in the Pews. And stands in the presence of God

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:21pm

      We are all sinners, no exceptions. It is just that some of us have chosen to accept the free pardon Christ gives us.

      I am happy these people enjoy going to services and I welcome them in my church. They NEED to hear the gospel! What the heck else is church for? I do not want to belong to a country club that only accepts the members of society they find worthy. Too many churches in the US fit that mold.

      Jesus ate with the sinners.

      Report Post »  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:24pm

      One of the ministers that I have learned the most about God’s love and power got kicked out of church at the age of 12 because he asked too many questions. Later in his life he set out to “prove that the Bible was not true and in fact contained errors”, as is asserted by many in the atheist community. He couldn’t find any and God “got hold of him” as the pentecostals would say. Now he goes all over the country and to many foreign countries teaching and preaching what God has done for him. Never underestimate the power of God to minister to people who hear ithe Word. I am all for atheists and agnostics going to church. Who knows what the Lord will slip into their hearts as they try to ‘game the system’?

      Report Post »  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:06pm

      Actually, Satan can no longer stand before God. Prior to Christ’s Crucifixion, he could stand before God and make accusations against man. But, when Christ died on the cross, Satan was ejected from the presence of God. And now Christ sits at God’s right hand and advocates for us. I am surprised that these two are allowed to take communion. Communion is a very important part of being a Christian and most people are not allowed to take it if they are professed unbelievers- it makes a mockery of its purpose-”Do this in Remembrance of Me.”

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
    • fliteking
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 6:57pm

      “We are all sinners, no exceptions. It is just that some of us have chosen to accept the free pardon Christ gives us. ”

      trolltrainer —- I am glad to see someone else understands. Thank you.

      Report Post » fliteking  
  • jb.kibs
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:03pm

    these poor fools…

    Report Post »  
  • Pelon
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:03pm

    I’m conservative and unsure of what I believe, (but I believe there is a power). I am encouraged that these atheists are at least listening. Listening is in short supply, these days.

    Report Post »  
    • michaeljay
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:25pm

      God works in strange ways. His ways are not our ways and He often writes in crooked lines. Who knows what plans lay it store for these non-believers.

      Report Post »  
    • Cesium
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:09am

      that whole “god works in mysterious ways” line is one of the most asinine lines I hear from believers.. Someone gets success, “god works in mysterious ways” Someone gets hurt “got works in mysterious ways” Such a self satisfying thing to say.. which is what religion really is about.. it’s about self satisfying yourself concerning purpose and existence …

      Report Post »  
    • troutfur
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 5:54am

      Pelon, I’m in a similar boat. I think it is great that they are exploring and hearing, even if they might not be conciously listening or even agree. There are lessons to be learned, regardless of Faith or lackthereof. Get your foot in the door (as with any persuasive argument) instead of “Convert or DIE!”.

      Report Post »  
    • Christabel
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 7:49am

      I agree Pelon. It‘s a shame that some posters here don’t understand that. Growing up Atheist myself, I opened my eyes and took interest in Christianity because the Christians I know never judged me, but we had great conversations. They knew that coming to terms with faith is in the heart. I thank them everyday for that. Besides, as far as I read, Jesus never forced God on people, he let people come to terms with God in his presence.

      Report Post »  
    • chigger
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:03pm

      @ Cesium: In another post you elude that you are Jewish, yet you bash God as a killer. Do you also hate the Jewish faith? Dont get your bitterness and hate expressed on this blog. WHy not go to another blog that agrees more with your value system? Why come here and bash? I dont get it.

      Report Post » chigger  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:53pm

    To atheists who want to admire Jesus, just remember that he himself made it very clear that he is the Son of God. He was a great teacher, healer, and prophet because he is the Son of God by his own claim. As God made flesh, death had no claim on Him and he was resurrected from the dead, and sits today in Heaven with God the Father. Either you accept him as that or must treat him as a raving lunatic. There is no in between.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
    • Luke21
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:08pm

      “You don’t have to believe in Communion to love the idea of breaking bread with your fellow man.”

      1 Corinthians 11:23-27 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; (24) and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (25) In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (27) Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:33pm

      Perhaps one day, they too will find that they have been caught in the nets of Christ!

      Report Post »  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:11pm

      Luke21- Thank you for that. I agree.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
    • imhunderdog
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:06pm

      @Luke21, During the Seder, Jesus was not breaking bread with people who did not believe in him. He was with the people he chose to be with him. The communion that Christ commanded us to “keep in remembrance of me”, infers that you must accept and believe in who he said he is. You cannot have communion and fellowship with those who do not believe. Communion is a deeply shared sacrament and covenant between God and His children, and it is not to be entered into lightly or without true and devout commitment. This does not prevent having a friendly relationship with those of different belief systems.

      Report Post »  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:51pm

    If it gets the message of peace, love, charity & fellowship out to more people that is not a bad thing. Hopefully a few agnostics will dip their toes in Faith & decide they like it.

    I thought we were to carry the message but it was up to the individual to accept the Lord into their heart – if this helps spread His word then I’m all for it!

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • Liberal Basher
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:50pm

    I’m an Atheist, and though I really don’t like going to church I do find myself there for varying reasons – from weddings to funerals.

    Report Post » Liberal Basher  
    • DeVain
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 7:29am

      I’m an atheist conservative myself. We ARE out there.

      Report Post » DeVain  
  • MotorMedic
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:36pm

    I really wish more athiests felt that way. So many athiests fight the church at every turn, even though they might agree with many of thing the church does, like feeding the homeless, loving thy neighbor, having community get-togethers and meals. Yet many athiests feel it is their responsibility to take on the church and all it’s beliefs. I find it strange that a person (athiest) can believe that nothing made everything! It really takes much more faith to believe that nothing made everything, than to believe that “something greater than us” designed such a perfectly funtional universe, and a DNA sequence that holds our entire personal structure code!

    Report Post » MotorMedic  
    • Pelon
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:05pm

      well said…

      Report Post »  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:05pm

      “I find it strange that a person (athiest) can believe that nothing made everything!”

      This is a popular misconception. Atheists don’t think that. Or at least, I don’t. The Singularity was not “nothing” it was something: all matter, space and time condensed into one tiny point. What caused it to suddenly start to expand was not “nothing” either. It was, most certainly, “something.” But what? We don’t know.

      …..and neither does anyone else.

      Hope this clears it up.

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • chigger
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:34pm

      But, MrButcher: “all matter, space and time” had to come from somewhere. It either had to come from nothing or be created by someone.

      Report Post » chigger  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:29pm

      No, not someone. SOMETHING.

      Big difference.

      Report Post » MrButcher  
  • Prolife Conservative Atheist
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:36pm

    I largely and mostly agree with these things.

    Also, by the way, there are atheist who are moral realists. In other words, not all of us are ethical relativists, or so-called moral relativists. The types of atheists who argue moral relativism are typically liberal atheists. Unfortunately, many atheists are liberal or very liberal. However, more and more conservative atheists are finding their voice and each other. While we don’t agree with the notion of absolute truth, we do agree that human beings have a common capacity to discern, if not intuit, a universal moral character. This universal moral character, which is derived from our moral sentiments, moral judgements, and moral traditions (see Kenneth C. Blanchard, Jr.’s “Darwinian Conservatism” and Adam Smith’s “The Theory of Moral Sentiments”) largely innate, ought to continue to be cultivated among our people and supported by our people through moral tradition.
    We have a lot in common with you believers. We love our constitution and we stand to protect and defend it, including our right to freedom of religion. Nature Bless!!

    Report Post » Prolife Conservative Atheist  
    • Pelon
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:00pm

      My brain hurts reading this- but I think I agree with you.

      Report Post »  
    • Prolife Conservative Atheist
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:17pm

      hahaha. Ohhh. Good laugh.

      Thanks.

      Report Post » Prolife Conservative Atheist  
    • michaeljay
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:27pm

      Jesus would enjoy your company and probably, reading your heart, would say that you are not far away.

      Report Post »  
    • Prolife Conservative Atheist
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:34pm

      In case anyone is interested, here is a link to a Conservative Atheists FB page:
      http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48625003215

      Report Post » Prolife Conservative Atheist  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 9:50pm

      Thanks, Prolife Conservitive Atheist.

      You said it perfectly.

      Cheers

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:32am

      The constitution can be interpreted to mean anything you want it to mean and where it can’t it can always be amended.Hence this oft tauted belief in the constitution is a meaningless meme said with great gravitas but signifying nothing or anything!Your religion therefore is really american nationalism-and like all nationalism a reactionary and outdated legacy of the previous millenium when people were divided by nation states and their ruling regimes. The new millenium is about the new meme of people forming common bonds based on common interests,independent of nation states and nationalist ties.The age of the people ,not nations,not regimes.The internet, the 9-11 attacks, the war on “terror”, the arab spring, the tea party etc, all are manifestations of it.

      Report Post »  
    • Cesium
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:43am

      You are one of the few commenters I’ve seen on the Blaze with an unbrainwashed brain when it comes to god, life and politics … Kudos!!! There arn’t many of us.. Maybe one of us will get lucky and marry S.E. Cupp. She is also one of the few on the right with a reality functional brain

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:07am

      If God can be eternal[uncreated] the why not matter space and time.?Who made God? no one says the believer.Well who made the singularity[matter,space and time]? No one says the athiest. it just always was. One is no more comprehensible then the other or more logical then the other. They’re both unfanthomable.Hence faith is a gift but scientifically has no credence greater then an athiest claim of an eternal singularity[time space matter]faith is unscientific but questions about Gods existence are unscientific .God is metaphysical [why there is a universe rather then none] and science is empiracal[how the universe works and how it got to work this way].Faith calls us to be humble since our beliefs are not of this world.We who are baptized in Christ are supernatural beings and the natural beings will not comprehend![though all partake in spirit as beings created in His image, we all understand darkly].

      Report Post »  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:39am

      Some good points, Profile!

      Ayn Rand was an atheist, but hardly a moral relativist.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:34pm

    I’m given to understand that there are Unitarian Universalist congregations that are essentially Atheist churches.

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
    • chigger
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:03pm

      I believe you are right. The one in our town worships nature, not God. They proudly celebrated the winter solstice instead of Christmas.

      Report Post » chigger  
  • MightyInfantry
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:33pm

    There is no one religion that has a monopoly on truth or faith. Not all our founders believed in Christ, but the large majority understood that the teachings from religion (the ones that say to be a good person) are good for everyone. They teach values and morals. Just because you don‘t believe in God or because you think there isn’t enough proof of God doesn‘t mean you can’t learn anything from the writings in the bible or other religious books. The hatred and animosity that many people hold for religion is wrong. Just because you don‘t believe in something doesn’t mean nobody else can either, doesn’t mean that you have to attack the institution. If you really don’t believe then what does it matter to you what others believe?

    Report Post »  
  • BIGJAYINPA
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:31pm

    I truly love going to Church on Sunday and Bible study on Weds. I was a big time sinner and non-beliver. I started attending my present Church and got to know the people and they got to know me. My past didn’t matter to them and they accepted me for what I am. Next thing you know and I’m getting baptizied and am now an active beliving member of the Church. I am happier than I’ve ever been and my marriage is on much better ground. All I can say is go, listen and try to understand. At some point if your heart is open Jesus will enter in and all will be made clear. I still have the occassional doubt and I am having a bit of trouble accepting that Love Your Enemy part, but I am trying and someday it will happen I’m sure….Just sayin’

    Report Post » BIGJAYINPA  
  • ryan
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:29pm

    Send illegals home back to Mexico!

    btw, I am southern baptist ;)

    Report Post » ryan  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:23pm

      I am also Ryan. And very proud of it….. I do understand people questioning the Belief. I don’t understand

      People Being OFFENDED by the mere mention of it or the disrespect shown because of it.

      Report Post »  
  • MartyTr
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:29pm

    American liberal/marxist churches are going the same way the German churches did when they put up pictures of Hitler. When the Christian Germans heard the Jews screaming they just sang louder. I can see our marxist churches do this while the True Christians, Tea Partiers, Constitutionalists are being carted away. Eternity in heaven or eternity in hell.

    Report Post »  
  • MartyTr
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:23pm

    Praying they stop mocking God or eternity in hell won’t be an element they enjoy!

    Report Post »  
    • Tankertony
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:32pm

      I wouldn‘t say they’re mocking the religious. This may be the Lords plan for them. After spending so much time around people ‘on their best behavior’, they then will clearly see the difference when hangin‘ out with a bunch of dope smokin’ godless leftist-progressives. In time, through his grace, they’ll probably come home to him.

      Report Post » Tankertony  
  • usmc1063
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:22pm

    Add your comments

    Report Post » usmc1063  
  • Prolife Conservative Atheist
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:22pm

    I largely and mostly agree.

    Also, by the way, human beings have a common capacity to discern, if not readily intuit, a universal moral character. So while we would disagree on the notion of absolute truth, us moral realist type atheists have a lot in common with social and economic conservative “believers.

    Unfortunately a lot of atheists are also very liberal if not militant left-types. Many of them believe in ethical relativism, commonly called moral relativism today. Us conservative types understand the folly of this system of ethic up and down, see Story of Omelas. There is hope however. Conservative atheists are finding their voice and finding each other. We love our constitution and stand to protect freedom of religion in our United States of America.

    Report Post » Prolife Conservative Atheist  
    • Cesium
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:46am

      We really need a more overt atheist/agnostic conservative group. We may be the loneliest people on the planet in that regard.. It’s tough having an extremely sane mind:P so many leftwing atheists, and right wing religious nuts… just goes to show how hopeless our species is… our types will always die out and be a minority to the mass of stupid

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:39am

      Be careful when you start with this universal moral character stuff.[derived from traditions?] Well the tradition of marriage just changed over night here in the west.A tried and tested recipe for disaster.We justified forced conversions, ahanililation of a culture and mas murder and torture of say native americans on the grounds that they didn’t subscibe to our “universal” moral character hence were demonic ,hence were evil and could and should be forced to convert, have their culture destroyed and masacred for their own good! Though all humans have ethical codes they do vary across cultures and time and all involve reward, punishment, apeasement of the God[gods], and currying favor with the powerful[gods or God] human relations and stability for the grounp in tension with the individual is also factored in to ethical beliefs. Very dangerous to human beings to have one group claim universal moral character when any perceived devience from their perception of what that is becomes ground to dehumanize those at variance with your sense of “universal’moral character.Sounds like a rationale for hatred,dehumanization and genocide.[the old good versus evil] where we’re good and anyone at variance with us [because we have the" universal moral character" is evil.A rationale for what in essence is more tribal warfare on this planet.[couched in quasi religious/philosophical terms to mask its primitive tribalism].

      Report Post »  
  • usmc1063
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:22pm

    Visiting a faith base source can be and inspiration to even an Athiest. Now if they could only feel the words and find their faith they might find Coffee hour a little more refreshing.

    Report Post » usmc1063  
    • MartyTr
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:31pm

      It’s not a feeling, it’s a choice. God or satan, that easy.

      Report Post »  
  • KICKILLEGALSOUT
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 8:20pm

    Now Dick Durbin is calling on churches to get involved with the DREAM Act
    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/07/12/durbin-urges-churches-to-discuss-dream-act-with-congregations/

    This sounds like the type of initiative that has hijacked the Southern Baptist Convention that caused them to support a proposal to support amnesty.
    http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110617/NEWS/306170039/Southern-Baptists-support-path-legality-illegal-immigrants?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

    Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love