|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
"I am sort of a believing atheist"...
isn't that kind of like agnostic? You're not sure what to believe, but you're open to the possibilities...??? When I went "off the path" I never actually stopped "believing", I just didn't want to get stuck with all the rules... |
|||||||||
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-05-13 11:36, yosef_dov wrote: If you never stopped believing then you're not an atheist. You're probably not even agnostic from the sounds of it as you seem to acknowledge the existence of a higher power. You sound to me to be spiritual but not religious. You have a belief in god(s) but reject the dogmatic human constructs that have been built up around their worship. This isn't unusual. A recent poll found that 33 percent described themselves as spiritual but not religious and 40 percent of the population do not belong to a church nor find that religion plays an important part in their lives. America,it seems, is finally catching up with Europe and becoming a much more secular nation.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
|
|||||||||
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-05-13 15:43, Payne wrote: Or winding down. Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
|
|||||||||
MagicBus Inner circle Kalamazoo, Michigan 2869 Posts |
Nah, recent national polls (such as Gallop) have the U.S. general population with general "belief in God", or label themselves as "Christian", tremendously higher than Europe, not even close. Europe pales by comparison in population percentage attending church services compared to the U.S.. I am too lazy to look it up, but go to questionable Wikepedia or whatever to confirm this.
But no question the U.S. is becoming more "secular", although I would not personally say "finally"- I would instead say "quite sadly." Theologians such as Dr. John MacArthur or Dr. Erwin Lutzer have stated the U.S. is no longer a "Christian" nation by Biblical definition by any stretch for many years now... None of that has to do with the validity of Christianity, once again, and of course I completely reject the "dogmatic human constructs" statement of Payne. I think Payne may say stuff like that just to inflame us as he knows we would obviously disagree. It would be like me posting in the card section that I believe all card magicians are delusional. What this has to do with the FCM Forum on the Magic Café to discuss Gospel magic ideas- I have no idea. I suppose you could go to another forum in The Café' and argue to the magicians there that magic as a popular art form is statistically dying if that would help... Or discuss the circulation trends of MUM, MAGIC, LINKING RING, etc.. Even if the "trends" for magic magazine circulation, or magic sales, or brick and mortar magic shops staying open may be rapidly declining (and I don't know if they are), I still very much enjoy and personally benefit from these... So what other people do or do not do does not invalidate my magical enjoyment any less because these magical trends in the areas I participate in may be in current decline. There are probably less vents than ever before, but if I were a vent and enjoyed being one, that negative numbers of vent decline would not really matter to me that much. Yikes, I'm outta here before I really go off track even further. Have a good day all- carry on. Psalm 67. |
|||||||||
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Hah, more recent polls show the number of people who claim no religious affiliation has nearly doubled in the last two decades. Rising from 8 to 15 percent.
The majority of Americans still claim to be affiliated with Christianity. But that number in on the decline. At least according to the 2009 American Religious Identification Survey which shows most traditional religions declining. For example the percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 percentage points since 1990, from 86 to 76 percent. At this rate of decline we'll have caught up to Europe in a few more decades. http://www.newsweek.com/id/192583 And yes, I do believe that all card magicians are delusional Keep Calm and Carry on
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
|
|||||||||
Dan Bernier Inner circle Canada 2298 Posts |
There maybe more people calling themselves Christians, but from what I've seen is that the word Christian, and what it means to be a Christian is not fully understood by some who call themselves one. For instance, Oprah Winfrey calls herself a Christian. Anyone who has heard her talk will know that she is not a Christian
Christianity in North America has been sliding down a dangerous slope as of late. I won't be one to turn a blind eye to it. Chrisitans have been turning a blind eye to it for the last 50 years. Most children who have given their life to the Lord at a young age, have stopped going to church in their teens and adulthood. The churches have tried to solve this issue by making church more fun and appealing to our youth by watering down the message, and turning the worship time into a rock concert. And, should I also say, turning Jesus into a circus act. Those of us who truly worship God, and fear the Lord should take heed of this. The time will come when many more will fall away from the truth and follow a new doctrine. One that will entice them with promises and riches.
"If you're going to walk in the rain, don't complain about getting wet!"
|
|||||||||
MagicBus Inner circle Kalamazoo, Michigan 2869 Posts |
Just to be fair, I saw Nathan Kranzo's super duper lecture last Saturday at Michigan Magic Day, some of which involved very involved card tricks. Wow- is he terrific. Funny, entertaining, and a real fooler dooler. I could watch him do card tricks or his form of semi-serious "mentalism" all day. His Webster's regular pocket dictionary book test (pick a page, look at the top word, he tells you what it is) blew me away. Go see him if he is anywhere near your area.
So yep, I like card guys, Jest Kidding as Sheldon Rhodes says... My favorite card guy is "The Great Normando"--- Pick a card, he tears off a corner of the card; he then cuts open a lemon, and a corner of a dollar bill is found in the lemon. Pretty funny stuff... |
|||||||||
Steven Conner Inner circle 2720 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-05-13 18:14, Payne wrote: True, many are making a bad choice and for that reason, we see and will continue to see a decline. Remember: Rules without a relationship creates rebellion. Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. Now back to Magic!! Steve
"The New York Papers," Mark Twain once said,"have long known that no large question is ever really settled until I have been consulted; it is the way they feel about it, and they show it by always sending to me when they get uneasy. "
|
|||||||||
bobn3 Special user Wichita, KS 718 Posts |
Have you noticed that the person who started this has never responded back.
Bob Phillips |
|||||||||
MagicBus Inner circle Kalamazoo, Michigan 2869 Posts |
That's a great point above Bob- what a hoot.
|
|||||||||
Doug Peters Special user I have a life, so I only have 591 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-05-13 18:14, Payne wrote: This might actually be good news for Christianity. We know that a significant segment of the "church" claim religious affiliation for their own self-aggrandizement. Perhaps those seven percent haven't actually changed heart-affiliation -- they've just become more honest.
"if you have any answers, it's time to ask harder questions!"
|
|||||||||
Robin DeWitt Regular user 187 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-05-23 18:55, Doug Peters wrote: I seriously doubt that the self aggrandizers, if there is such a word, are *not* the ones falling away from the church. That'sthe reason they are *in* the church.
I am the fakir, you....
<BR>Robin DeWitt |
|||||||||
Doug Peters Special user I have a life, so I only have 591 Posts |
When culture changes (as it has) so that association with the church involves more ridicule and less opportunity, folks who are in it for the wrong reasons will leave. This can only be good.
"if you have any answers, it's time to ask harder questions!"
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The Good News! » » Greetz from an atheist (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |