‘There Is No God’ Billboard Created By…a Christian Church
- Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:35pm by
Billy Hallowell
- Print »
- Email »
AP Photo / Mansfield News Journal, Jason J. Molyet
In recent memory, atheists have found some unique ways to catch Americans’ attention. In addition to well-publicized lawsuits against the Ground Zero cross, among other religious relics, non-believers have flown airplane banners, hijacked polls, posted billboards, and used a variety of other means to ensure their faith-less message reaches the masses.
So, when a billboard that reads, “There is no God. Don’t believe everything you hear,” began popping up in Mansfield, Ohio, most people instantaneously began to credit it to atheists. However, the local community was in for quite the shock, as it wasn’t non-believers who were behind these seemingly anti-faith messages. As it turns out, the billboard space was purchased by the McElroy Road Church of Christ.
Why, you ask?
Pastor Frank Moore explains that the church decided to post Christian billboards back in mid-July. Rather than posting overtly Christian messages, he claims the church decided to follow in atheists’ footsteps:
“I was using their (atheist groups) format. I got the idea from them. We have had a lot of feedback. Most of it has been negative. Some Christians were asking us to take it down. But it’s the kind of sign designed to make you think.”
While the church has put up six billboards, it was the “There is no God” message, in particular, that has spawned discussion and caught a great deal of attention. The controversial message was posted, Moore says, to try and drive traffic to the church’s web site.
Not all of the messages are so discrete, though. Another billboard reads, “Don’t believe in God? He believes in you,” clearly highlighting the faith-filled intentions behind the church’s billboard campaign.
Despite the fact that a Christian church was actually behind the messages, a local atheist group, Mid Ohio Atheists, has been receiving messages of congratulations from individuals who thought the group had purchased the billboard space.
Ron Stephens, the group’s president, made it clear that his organization wasn’t behind the billboard, but he did, indeed, thank the congregation for its support, saying, ”We earnestly thank the McElroy Road Church of Christ for advertising our thoughts.”
But forget the local chatter. Stephens claims that the billboards have gained national and international attention, as atheists are abuzz about a Christian church that is seemingly advertising non-belief. In the end, the entire controversy is truly a misunderstanding.
The church, looking for ways to branch out, thought it would be intriguing to do a play on a common atheistic message in order to attract supporters. At the least, the message has started a conversation.
(h/t MansfieldNewsJournal.com)
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 587 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 378 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 375 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 378 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (183)
DanWesson455
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:38pmWhatever it takes. Get a dialogue going. Heated debates. Doing the Lord’s work. Great job there Pastor.
Report Post »scarebear83
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:59pmJust making this clear to The Blaze and readers, in the churches of Christ we do not use the term “pastor” to describe the preacher. Rather the term ‘preacher’ or ‘minister’ is used. And it was most likely the elder‘s decision to put it up not the preacher’s (although the preacher could be an elder in which the term “pastor” would be appropriate but not to describe the person doing the preaching). Sorry for the rambling but I just thought it should be made known.
Report Post »chucknfw
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:14pmYes Scare, we wouldn’t want a C of C preacher doing any counseling or pastoral care. It is also very important to differentiate between the Baptists and the Methodists.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:26pmWe don’t need anymore of “breaking down into groups”. You‘re a follow of Christ or you ain’t… period!
Report Post »benzo13
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:56pmNice…Very nice!!
Report Post »scarebear83
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:15pmBiblically speaking the term pastor is to be reserved for the shepherds of the flock (elders) not people who solely preach God’s word (minister) and are not in a position of eldership (the greek words are different). Could the preacher be a pastor? Possibly but he’s not the only one, for the Bible speaks of elders (pastors) plural (Titus 1 is a good place to read about the plurality of elders. There is also Acts 14:23). So if there is one “pastor” in a church it is unscriptural. http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1178-what-is-a-pastor
@cessna- I can agree with you, either you follow Christ or you don’t. When one says “I’m a Baptist“ or ”I’m a Methodist” they are a follower of that ideology and not following Christ. So one either trusts and follows man’s doctrines or they trust and follow what Christ had to say and use the Bible.
Report Post »Wake up and discern the truth
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:59amScare,
Report Post »And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound , and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters. I Cronicles 16:42.
AnAppealToGod
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:54pmI hate watching Atheists and Christians debate. (i realize this is not really much of that) On one hand it is fascinating on the other hand, it’s depressing as all hell to think that we are mindless matter floating through space with absolutely no purpose. In the words of Richard Dawkins “the universe is bleak, cold, and empty. but so what..” I refuse to believe such mindless views of our existence. He is right though, the world is bleak, cold and empty but Jesus offered us a way out of it.
Report Post »scarebear83
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 3:43pm@ Wake Up- I don‘t understand the point you’re trying to make? If it is that musical instruments were used in worship in the Old Testament as to say we should use them today is the wrong example we need to follow. For the Old Testament law was fulfilled and nailed to the cross (Col 2:14). Therefore we are under the law of Christ. Christ nor the Apostles ever stated to worship with trumpets or cymbals etc. Besides if we look to the OT for worship practices then we need to bring back such things like animal sacrifices high priests etc. not to mention divorce would also be ok for any reason. The reason they were allowed to do such things in the OT was because of the hardness of their hearts (Matt 19:8) But today we are commanded to follow Christ and are told to sing (Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16-17; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13) Nowhere in the NT does it say we are allowed to use mechanical instruments. Let’s put it this way, the Bible doesn‘t state you can’t use orange juice for the Lord‘s supper but you wouldn’t do that would you? Why? Because no command was given to do otherwise and to go beyond the Bible would be adding to God’s word. We need to ask ourselves, what do we follow, man’s doctrines? or Christ and His commands? Which one will help us reach the goal?
Report Post »Darren
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:35pm‘There is no God. Don’t believe everything you hear,’
Hmmmm…
“29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20)
Seems to me there’s many important things to believe *without seeing*. I find McElroy Road Church of Christ lacking in spirituality in their billboard. I think they are too focused on raising discussion that they’ve forgotten their prime mission which is to testify of Christ. Such s a thing nobody should forget.
Report Post »tangonine
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:44pmcontext, to the uneducated, is like water on a fire. Think. Then post.
Report Post »Fernyyy
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:34pmAtheists have plenty of faith. Look at evolution. It takes a lot of faith for those folks to believe in something they call science that is rather easily disproved by that same science.
Report Post »ApokTheGreat
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:55pmHonestly Darren I agree with you.
Report Post »And context is missing here, so we are left to surmise the context.
Is the billboard one in a continuous series of billboards in a linear line or are they scattered throughout the area by themselves.
By the picture and story we are left to surmise that the billboard is alone and not in a linear series. The atheist group is getting calls in support of the billboard, which means there are no follow up billboards to clarify the eye catcher billboard. In this context I highly disagree with the billboards as they are not doing the intended job but the opposite. The church is not getting good calls but the atheist group is..something is amiss. The church is advertising atheism.
But then again, who am I complain here? Glenn Beck stood at the Temple Mount and declared we don‘t need God to solve the world’s problems, we only need a collective human effort. In fact, Glenn said we should stop the plan and will of God through a collective human effort of “good works” and earn our own collective salvation.
So a billboard by a church on a highway that is wrong but good intentioned and misunderstood is not so bad as an overt middle finger to God in God’s own yard.
Flame if you wish, but read the speech with open eyes and heart and see that I am correct.
Darren
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:23pmTang & Apok;
While I do agree that we should not believe everything we hear, there is an element of faith to walk upon in order to learn important eternal truths. In the 20th chapter of John we read that we are blessed for believing without seeing. In that particular circustance, it is to believe that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer without ever actually seeing Jesus. So whikle we should literally not believe “eveything” we hear, where‘s the element of faith in the McElroy Road Church of Christ’s billboard? It doesn’t seem to matter to me what context the billboard is displayed, it‘s mere lack of any faith or anything that is good seems to fail the task of testifying of Christ’s truths which is the inherent responsibility of all Christians.
Tang;
I did not read ro hear Beck’s speech at the Temple mount. What are you talking about?
Report Post »Darren
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:33pmTang;
Sorry, my last response in my last post was for Apok, nto you. however, my response to you is that I understand what McElroy Road Church of Christ is intending but I think the connotation is utterly missing on their billboard. If they took the decarative “The is no God” and changed it to an interrogative “There is no God?” then their billboard sign would be much more effective. That would promote faith instead of confusion. While I like using liberal/atheistic arguments against them, I just find MRCC’s sign ineffective at achieving their goals.
Report Post »Aloha Kaleiohi
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:10pmI agree!….too bad we can’t click a like click.
Report Post »avgconservative
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:34pmCongratulations! Keep up the good work! The Christian Churches and Churches of Christ salute you! Take it to the people, with love and loving the Lord with all your MIND!
For the latest liberal lunacy flipped on its lid, see:
http://flipthelib.com
Report Post »Grace1798
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:33pmWhoever thought this up isn’t very wise.
Report Post »Southern Rebel
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:29pmPathetic. Christian Churches are ‘marketing’ as the world does in order to attract more butts to the pews, to be fed a steady diet of leavened bread. (Part truths for those of you that don’t understand that)
Report Post »Surely, the gates of Hades is prevailing against the Christian church…which begs the question; is the ‘Christian Church’ the Lords Bride? HELL NO!!
“Come out of her my children, lest you share in her sins and partake of her plagues.” Rev 18:4
ghost-of-elvis
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:00pmLet me see if I am understanding you correctly, you are saying that the Christian church is Babylon from Revelation 18? I disagree, as that sounds completely wrong to me. I have to agree with you though when it comes to these churches and their marketing strategies to get more web traffic or fill the pews. A church should not be run like a business or even viewed as one. Let the Word of God speak for itself. If a person is of God then he will come to it eventually anyway, without worldly persuasions. The pastors running this church and others in the same mold are off base here. Love God, not the world. Quality not quantity. To fill your church with thousands and preach a distorted gospel does no good at all. If you preach the true Word of God to just 2 souls you have done more than any one of the stadium preachers putting forth half truths and bending the gospel to suit their own agenda, increase the flock or sell books. Anybody, and I don’t care who it is, who profits monetarily from anothers faith is a false teacher and a charlatan not to mention a common con artist to boot. I am including just about all the mainstream Christian personalities(cant really call them minsters, pastors, or teacher with a straight face) in this group. The watering down and pc’ing of our Faith is a cancer and the true followers of the Lord and His Word are the cure. If we don’t stand for what we know to be the truth then who will? Do not be afraid to challenge those who would distort the Word
Report Post »child of God
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:36pmThe Bible says if you preach the truth God WILL add to your numbers, you just have to stick the Bible.
Report Post »G0ddessM0ther
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:49amI love how those who don’t know God will use bits and pieces of the Bible out of context to try and prove their faulty theroies. Churches are not trying to get “butts in the pews” they want to help get as many souls into heaven as possible. Once you are born again, Christ Himself changes you from the inside out if you are just willing to allow Him to.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:28pmDid not Jesus say… you have heard, but I tell you…. and goes on to explain.
Report Post »I believe the principle of this billborad is in the same spirit.
What would Jesus think…. I think alot of people would be surprised
what He would think. I say this due to a number of bible verses that have gone
against the grain of MY thinking of what Jesus would say/do !!!
CaptMickeyd
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:41pm2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Jesus would think that this is apostasy, if you want to know the truth. A bilboard claiming there is no God? Please! Jesus would tear it down. Then He would condemn the leaders of that “church” for spreading false teachings. Sure, the church may have had good intentions, but as the old saying goes “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” How many people saw that billboard and it merely confirmed what they already thought they knew? The money would have been better spent teaching people about Jesus, not playing up some “We want to start a dialogue” garbage.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 11:36pmYo Captmickeyd:
Report Post »The verse you use does not apply to the billboard, because the billboard does not do that!
I also do not know how we are to make disciples unless we dialogue with them.
It is in some ways an optical illusion.
gramma dee
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:23pmHumans are forever trying to out-think God by coming up with their own sometimes tricky ways to sugar-coat the Gospel. **sigh**
Report Post »jzs
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:29pmI think their marketing guy/girl needs to be replaced.
Report Post »gopack
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:20pmI agree with Boxy that drivers will only have time to read a few letters. The message will be lost, “seeds won’t be planted”. No doubt athesists will think the same and will love the free publicity. The Bible tells us to sow in good soil. This billboard message is not good soil.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:39pmYO Go pack:
If I may correct you, Gods Word does not tell us to sow in good soil. It tell us to scatter seed, and that some of the soil will be good, ( please read Matthew 13: 1-23)
That sign CAN be used by God to plant seed. Some my take and some my not. The fact that so much talk is being generated would indicate to me that it is indeed being read. Some will see and some will not.
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:20pmBe careful of the religion or philosophy you choose to follow.
Embarrassment or shame often result from bad decisions.
Report Post »Pheasant Hunter
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:19pmI play this game all the time, but instead of word bingo, make it a drinking game. That way you don’t even remember there was a speech
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:28pm@Pheasant Hunter—-Are you drinking now? just askin because the post doesn’t match the article. Troll?
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:59pmPheasant Hunter,
Report Post »That’s right and just look at the national debt in European countries. Besides, Angus cattle are not raised for dairy products, mostly because ethanol is actually more expensive to produce than pure gasoline.
8jrts
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:00pm@qpwillie
Report Post »LOL Good one!! Bet that flew right on past the hunter!
SquidVetOhio
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:19pmHow about “God does not believe in athiests”
Report Post »GodHatesFigs
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:23pmI am an atheist. Are you saying your god is not omniscient?
Report Post »dpselfe
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:36pmAs a Christian, I have to say I have a special place in my heart for atheists. Were I only able to have the faith required to look at all the magnificence of Creation, and “believe” that it’s all a big cosmic accident. Everything came from nothing, or God is eternal and created everything. It all comes down to which you choose to believe. I choose God. You may choose as you wish. One of us is 100% wrong, and when we die, we’ll both know who that is (if I’m right). If there truly is no God, then neither of us will ever know. Forever is a long time to be wrong.
Report Post »GodHatesFigs
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:03pmUnless the true god is Allah, Odin, or one of the other many gods to choose from. Your logic is very flawed.
Report Post »GodHatesFigs
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:03pmUnless the true god is Allah, Odin, or one of the other many gods to choose from. Your logic is very flawed.
Report Post »GodHatesFigs
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:03pmUnless the true god is Allah, Odin, or one of the other many gods to choose from. Your logic is very flawed.
Report Post »biggreenboo
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:46pmThird times a charm, Fig.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:16pmWhy certain branches within Christianity have the need to treat their God as some kind of marketing tool for their church, doesn’t seem very respectful to me. But since they paid for it, my distain doesn’t go much further than that.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:29pmPardon the bad editing on my part. :)
Report Post »Ples12
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:56pmGODHATESFIGS:
Report Post »I guess He does like figs. He made them. I know He likes fig leaves because He made aprons of them for Adam and Eve to hide their nakedness. A lot of people these days need a lot of fig leaves. If everyone would study the Bible, they wouldn’t have to argue about what is right. The Bible tells us plainly what is right. May God give you wisdom and knowledge and understanding. May He open you spiritual eyes and hears so that you can see and perceive and hear and understand. Jesus loves you.
Greenwood
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:13am@Ples12…………..Fig leaves ?
Report Post »Genesis 3: 21 ……………..long garments of skin.
I think you are getting your info from the art world not the bible
Dragonfly92667
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:14pmI think their sign is ingenious. Good for them. When I have been told my Faith in God is misplaced or foolish because there is no God, I simply smile and say, “Well, you will have to die to test your theory, and boy, will it really suck to be you when you realize how very mistaken and foolish you were.”
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:09pmGod is good and God is love and it is rigiculous and silly to believe that He would punish people simply for not believeing in Him. God loves all His creatures and people can’t help what they truely believe or disbelieve about God . Oh and Allah simply means God.As a catholic I believe non christians and non believers encounter Jesus in their fellow man hence they too get to heaven through Christ. [belief is a mental assent that not all are created to be able to make].Christs’ salvation is for all mankind however.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:45pmYo Rose-Ellen:
God does not punish people for NOT BELIEVING.
They are punished for SIN.
SIMPLE PICTURE: you are in a boat headed down stream about to go over a waterfall that will surely kill you. Someone reachs their hand out to you to prevent you from going over the falls (to SAVE you).
You refuse for whatever reason. YOU MAKE THE CHOICE You can imagine the rest of the picture.
No disrespect to you, but who cares what you think…. or me. That is why God gave us the bible which buy the way is vastly different from the koran.Follow it or not ,you are quite capable of deciding
Report Post »daledor
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 7:06pmROSE ELLEN
Yes, God is love but we make the choice to accept or reject Him. He will be sad at those who reject Him because they can’t be with Him in Heaven and as renegades along with Lucifer, they will have to keep Satan company – restrained from spreading their throughout the universe.
Practical Question: If your son went to defend America overseas and your neighbor only ridiculed him and rejected him then would you want your neighbor in your house? God must reject those who reject His Son’s salvation. Does He delight in telling them that they can’t be with Him? No! It grieves His heart. —- Why hell? It was constructed to restrain and punish renegade angels and Satan (Lucifer fallen). It was not built for mankind!! When man follows Satan and rejects God and His Salvation then they have to join their master- Satan (who eternally will soon be eternally ‘in Jail’ in hell.
The sad thing is that it will be to late to accept Salvation and the rebellious spirit has to be restrained so that the Universe can be fully restored to the way it was before Lucifer fell (and 1/3 of the Angels). They will know that God loves them even in hell and that they can’t be with their Creator – that is the real hell!!!
Report Post »D.C.J
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:13pmI was not confussed at all once i seen the picture. He is saying don’t beleive what you hear, and what you here is “their is no God.” so he is saying don’t listen to that…
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:12pm“Don’t believe everything you hear”?????
You know, it’s rather ironic that a Christian sect is using this line in response to the line “there is no god.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear” can also apply to all who claim to know the mind of some invisible sky daddy who kills his son just to impress you 2000 years later and demands you worship him like a slave.
I mean, if you want to use a skeptical inflection to justify your superstitions you just opened up a whole new can of worms without even knowing it.
“Jesus loves you”??? don’t believe everything you hear.
cheers
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:17pm“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God”
–You’ve been warned
Report Post »capecodsully
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:28pmI’ve never read in the Bible that the Lord was trying to impress anyone. His message for us is one of freedom not slavery. He makes no demands, He’s all about free will. Maybe you should spend some time getting to know Him. I dare you to ask Him a question and wait for the answer.
Report Post »dewman
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:46pmPssst…Mr Butcher, He didn’t kill his son…the Roman’s did at the behest of some Jewish authorities.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:56pmYo Mr Butcher:
Report Post »You believe what you will,
and I’ll believe what I will.
And when we die we will
both know if any of it was His will.
4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:17pmPssst.. Dewman, God the Father poured out His wrath on his son (Jesus)
Report Post »Jesus said no man takes my life from me I freely lay it down.
The Jewish religious leaders and people (not all) asked for him to be put to death
and the Roman government carried that out. (you state this)
God uses the evil of mens hearts to accomplish His good will.
So I believe that God did indeed kill His Son who is God
which in some ways means he killed Himself to save us from himself.
joe1234
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:18pm@butcher you brain-dead atheists sure do believe everthing your racist god of evolution, darwin, says though without a second thought…when you hear ‘darwin’ you drool like pavlov’s dogs.
Report Post »ApokTheGreat
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:45pmMrButcher,
FYI: God is one God with three persons; God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
God the Son was made flesh and His name is in Yeshua (Jesus).
Jesus gave His life, no one took it from Him. He died so you can die to sin (to predict your next ridiculous comment it is not suicide, it is sacrifice…there is a difference)
Jesus rose from the grave so we rise from our graves if sin to live eternally.
Mock all you want. God still loves you, and He paved a way for you to be saved well before you were born. But in the end, if I am wrong no harm no foul for me, I lived a good life of honor and courage to stand for what I believe and loved my fellow man having an upright and honorable epitaph; BUT if you are wrong, eternity in hell is a long time to mull over your mistakes.
Report Post »Ded-Bred
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:01pmNothing could justify a pastor to assist in confusing others. And when there’s confusion, there will be the devil’s presence.>>> “THERE ARE NO ATHEISTS”..before I became a believer in Jesus Christ, I had no opinion about God. I certainly had no time to waste arguing with those who DID believe. So those who spend so much time and energy arguing God’s nonexistence: They are NOT atheists. They are angry with God for some reason.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:11pmThey should have a picture of he77 fire and molten rock with the phrase
Report Post »“Relax,it will only feel like an eternity”
GodHatesFigs
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:19pmI am an atheist. I do not believe in a god or gods.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:36pmDed-bred, let me try to explain to you why non-believers like meself come here and argue against supernaturalism.
In America, there is a strand of political thought that is highly religious and power thursty. Over time it has been regulated to the Republican Party. Largely kept in its place, we are entering a time when this weezing and wicked ideaology thinks it is strong enough for a power grab. A weak and inadaquate President is up for re-election. No sane person wants to see Obama re-elected. However, within the disfunctional GOP the group that has the most organization and thrust is the Tea Party (which has been coopted by the Religious Right)–The vast majority of independents, conservitive democrats and moderate to liberal Republicans are put off by the Radical Religionist wing of the right. If you have followed the careers and babblings of David Barton, Rick Joyner, Frank Gaffney, Bryan Fischer and Pat Robertson etc. you’ll know what I mean.
If the Republicans don’t keep these nutbags away from the levers of power and cater to their perverted ideas of justice and culture they will lose in 2012. Its as simple as that.
They are just as much a cancer to freedom and liberty as progressives are.
hope this clears the air.
cheers
Report Post »Infidelephant
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:52pmI don’t believe in Zeus, Mithra, Zoroaster, Poseidon, Apollo, Ra, or Isis…
I don’t believe in unicorns, leprechauns, fairies, imps, trolls, elves, or bogey men…
But I can honestly say that I am NOT “angry” at a single one of them.
Report Post »Ddrummer68
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:14pm@Butcher,
Why do athiests point to the bad behavior of some professed Christians to indict the entire concept? Pat Robertson, et al, are not in any way relevant to the discussion. As a Christian, I can’t think of a single member of the supposed “religious right” who represents me or my beliefs.
I don’t know this for a fact, but I suspect that Michele Bachman, Rick Perry, etc., are no more interested in creating a theocracy than you are. The Bible does not advocate a theocratic form of government, and I would be scared to death of any prospective leader who claimed to be sent by God to take the reins of power in America.
So, my belief in a caring God who wants to have a relationship with His creations is deluded? Meanwhile, militant athiests, who are equally faith-assured that there is no God, insist on converting America into a theocracy of faithlessness, and this is supposed to be OK??
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:17pm@butcher, you can thank that ‘wicked ideology’ for what few freedoms we have left. you atheists extinquish freedom whenever possible.
without christianity, slavery would be worldwide, you atheists didn’t do a thing about it…in fact you side with the slavers…the muslims.
you fascist athiests are more bloodthirsty than the muslims, and have wreaked more death and destruction than all the other religions put together.
Report Post »Infidelephant
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:38pm@joe
‘”you can thank that ‘wicked ideology’ for what few freedoms we have left. you atheists extinquish freedom whenever possible.”
For instance?
“without christianity, slavery would be worldwide, you atheists didn’t do a thing about it…in fact you side with the slavers”
A little something from your Bible:
“…you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way.” (Leviticus 25:44-46)
“you fascist athiests are more bloodthirsty than the muslims, and have wreaked more death and destruction than all the other religions put together.”
Quite a claim. Do you have anything to back it up?
Report Post »Infidelephant
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:47pm@Joe
Here’s another fun little nugget:
“When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property.” (Exodus 21:20-21 NAB)
Report Post »Infidelephant
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:50pm…and just in case you’re one of those Age of Law/Age of Grace (OT/NT) types:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)”
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:03pm@Infidelephant ever hear of WILBERFORCE??? hmmm?? who do you think it was who led the fight against slavery? it sure wasn’t you fascist atheists.
oh I guess you missed this verse…
“He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.” (Exodus 21:16)
slavery in the times of the bible was a bit different than we think of it today..I would say get a clue, but you atheists are remarkable resistant to logic, truth, history, etc.
So, although there are rules about slavery in the Bible, those rules exist to protect the slave. Injuring or killing slaves was punishable – up to death of the offending party.1 Hebrews were commanded not to make their slave work on the Sabbath,2 slander a slave,3 have sex with another man’s slave,4 or return an escaped slave.5 A Hebrew was not to enslave his fellow countryman, even if he owed him money, but was to have him work as a hired worker, and he was to be released in 7 years or in the year of jubilee (which occurred every 50 years), whichever came first.6 In fact, the slave owner was encouraged to “pamper his slave”.7
http:// http://www.godandscience.org /apologetics/slavery_bible.html
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:05pm“you fascist athiests are more bloodthirsty than the muslims, and have wreaked more death and destruction than all the other religions put together.”
Quite a claim. Do you have anything to back it up?
uh yeah ever hear of Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, etc? hmmmmm???? communism??
and of course your favorite ideology…evolution…..ie eugenics…which led to the gas chambers of nazi germany…..
A direct line runs from Darwin, through the founder of the eugenics movement-Darwin’s cousin, Francis Galton-to the extermination camps of Nazi Europe.” (Brookes, Martin.,”Ripe old age,“ Review of ”Of Flies, Mice and Men,” by Francois Jacob, Harvard University Press, 1999. New Scientist, Vol. 161, No. 2171, 30 January 1999, p.41).
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:07pm13.And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. (Ephesians 6:9)
14.Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 4:1)
Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. (1 Corinthians 7:21-23)
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:09pm@infidel…so list all those atheist abolitionist societies…I guess I just missed them….oh and since I know you bow at the altar of darwin..
why don‘t you list the ’lower races’ he refers to…
“The more civilized so-called Caucasian races have beaten the Turkish hollow in the struggle for existence. Looking to the world at no very distant date, what an endless number of the lower races will have been eliminated by the higher civilised races throughout the world.” (Darwin, Charles R. [English naturalist and founder of the modern theory of evolution], “The Life of Charles Darwin”, [1902], Senate: London, 1995, reprint, p.64).
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:29pmYo Joe:
You beat me to the stalin, hitler part.
I still suggest a little sugar in the cake.
Yo Infidelephant:
A man can be free in prison,
and the free man imprisioned.
The devil quoted scripture to, He always mis-used it.
Report Post »You may want to rethink the spirit by which you speak.
I do not speak in hatred of you.
Infidelephant
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:44pmNo hatred here, brother…
People of faith often claim that the crimes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot were the inevitable product of unbelief. The problem with fascism and communism, however, is not that they are too critical of religion; the problem is that they are too much like religions.
Such regimes are dogmatic to the core and generally give rise to personality cults that are indistinguishable from cults of religious hero worship. Auschwitz, the gulag and the killing fields were not examples of what happens when human beings reject religious dogma; they are examples of political, racial and nationalistic dogma run amok.
There is no society in human history that ever suffered because its people became too reasonable.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:16pmYo Infidelephant;
Report Post »I am not a history buff. But from all I ever learned and have been taught these man were anti- christ. Did they have a belief system, a religion if you will; I suppose.
A copy of the origional ain’t quite it.
A SIMLPE STATEMENT…… If these men were “men that feared the Lord”, and that adhered to His Word, it never would have happened as it did, and that is as simple as it gets.
Wisdom does not come in complexities.
joe1234
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:33pm@infidel…LOL get a clue, atheism IS A RELIGION…how hard is this?
you have your racist god, darwin, and your creation fairy tale, evolution.
your lame response speaks volumes. no surprise you didn’t have the guts to answer my question about your racist god darwin….
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:34pmof course the countries that have the most freedom are founded upon judeo-christian principles…those founded upon atheism are despotic to the core…
but don’t let facts get in the way of your ideology there infidel, you liberal athiests never do….
Report Post »Infidelephant
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 7:34pm@joe
No – I didn’t respond to you because I found you to be boorish and rude. Way to show the love of Christ. If you are the “typical” christian, no thanks.
Report Post »Infidelephant
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:02pm…except to say:
1. Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color
and
2. I am a conservative. Just because someone disagrees with you on religious matters does not automatically make them a “liberal.”
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:43pmYo infidelephant:
Report Post »religion: 1) the service and worship of God or the supernatural
2) a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
faith: 1) belief and trust in and loyalty to God
2) something that is believed with strong convictions
believe,trust
I know you did not respond to me, that is fine.
By the words themselves an atheist does indeed have a faith and thus a religion.
Words spoken in truth will not vindicate you.
This is why God says that words have the power of life or death in them.
I try to use my words for life, though I do at times fail.
At this moment I use them for life……YOURS
joe1234
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:37am@infidel…boorish and rude? have you ever read the drivel you post? poor baby, you can dish it out, you can’t take it..and you want the love of Christ? why cast pearls before swine?
and yes atheism is a religion with its own worldview, beliefs, cosmology, etc….I would say get a clue, but you atheists are clueless, or you wouldn’t be an atheist.
Report Post »CaptMickeyd
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:46pm@infidelephant
Ephesians 6:5
King James Version (KJV)
“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;”
Try using a better version. The word is servant, not slave. Besides, the Age of Grace is still going on, and there are plenty of slaves out there. The point of this passage is not to promote slavery, or even servitude, but to accept your job, and do everything you do as if Christ Himself had asked you to do it. Unless those in authority over you ask you to do something against God or Christ, God expects you to obey them, “as unto Christ.”
Report Post »Darren
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 3:46pmJoe1234;
” you can thank that ‘wicked ideology’ for what few freedoms we have left”
Not only that but more than anyone else in the world, Christians know the true source of our freedom: God. Our freedoms come from God; not man, and therefore only God can take them. Since its founding, the makeup of the United States has been that of a Christian nation. There is no way we would have had the blessed freedoms enumerated in the Constitution and declared in the Delcaration of Independence had this nation not been a Christian one; namely, of the Protestant pursuasion. Of course freedom is not exclusive to Christians (nor were you arguing that) but all modern-day democracies were created under Christian nations. India and Japan were both forced to accept democracies and then later chose to keep it for themselves. And South Korea was significantly influenced by Christianity before becoming a democracy itself. Christians do not inherently establish theologies; but democracies. In fact, Christians practice true religion and true religion cannot exist if it is coerced by government. The very core of Christianity: coming unto christ, can only be realized when done by an individual’s own free will and choice. The more our nation moves away from Christianity, the more it jeopradizes its own freedoms.
Report Post »WhatsYerProblem
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:52pmSo you‘re trying to convince people that there’s a God with a sign saying there is no God. Makes perfect sense to me!
I‘m going to go home and tell my wife I don’t love her. That will “start a conversation.”
Report Post »HADEN0UGH
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:24pmWell you would need to say ‘I don’t love you. Don‘t believe everything you hear’ for it to be a good analogy.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:52pmGod is going to shake the foundations of EVERYTHING. What is not built on His truth will fall.
Report Post »I say… shake it up… stick to the truth of scripture,
forget the self righteous.
godlovinmom
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:49pmWRONG message McElroy church…I don’t think GOD would approve!
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:15pmI agree!!!!!!
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:48pmIt should have read “There is no Palin” – then it would be accurate.
Report Post »ZenJedi
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:26pm@SimpleTruths
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:48pm
It should have read “There is no Palin” – then it would be accurate.
What does PALIN have to do with this? She really must infuriate you BUT look at this this way. Since this is about signage that states “THERE IS NO GOD” BUT DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR! THEN your quote THERE IS NO PALIN (then it would be accurate) IS WRONG. Instead of simpletruth you should have used the moniker SIMPLETON.
Report Post »Ranubis
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:37pmand on the seventh day Palin helped raised up the United States and place it back on the mountain top, overlooking the rest of the world, to be the beacon of light God meant it to be.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:46pmhere is a game you can play during obamas speech……………………..enjoy guys lol
http://www.americanthinker.com/cartoons/
Report Post »db321
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:10pmObama’s – Job Speech Bingo – Fantastic Idea – I’m printing mine out right now – Everyone one need to click the link above. Any bets on how many time Obama says “I”.
Report Post »Pheasant Hunter
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:20pmI play this game for every speech, but instead of playing bingo, take a drink every time he says the word. That way by the end, you don’t even remember he gave a speech.
Report Post »Ples12
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 2:12pmI guess Obama is getting a little worried. His hair sure is getting gray!
Report Post »Pilgrimsarbour
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:46pmThat would not be my choice. I should think it’s wrong for Christians to advocate the opposite view of what they believe merely to “create a buzz.” How about creating a buzz with the truth of the gospel? The gospel is offensive enough to fallen man–no need to make the messengers offensive by using trickery to get people to go to your church’s website.
Report Post »NO-GODS-NO-MASTERS
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:45pmI’m really anxious to see the abortion billboards this “church” is going to use
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:43pmHmmm.
Report Post »boxy
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:41pmI think its stupid. Everyone only has the time and attention span to read the first 3 letters in the billboard so they assume that “There is no God” is all it said. What a waste of tithe/offerings.
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:19pmI agree…. This church is spending other folks money in foolish ways…
Report Post »Rapunzel
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:38pmIf your logic is true, all they will read is “The…” ;-)
Report Post »