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SympleArts — Hatred: Confessions Of An Atheist
Published: 2013-08-05 15:23:12 +0000 UTC; Views: 2580; Favourites: 44; Downloads: 23
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Description
Penn Jillette is an illusionist and comedian most known for his work with fellow magician Teller in the team Penn & Teller. He is also known, though, for his advocacy of atheism and scientific skepticism. He posted a vlog with an extraordinary take on evangelism ("proselytizing" in his words) and what he considered to be an act of extreme hatred. (The act is more a constitution of omittance; non-action.)"I've always said, know you, that I don't respect people who don't proselytize*. I don't respect that at all. If you believe that there's a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward... And atheist that think people shouldn't proselytize. 'Just leave me alone. Keep your religion to yourself.' Uh... How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean if I believed, beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you, and you didn't believe it, but that truck was bearing down on you, there's a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that."
Can be viewed here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCdCVt…
*Proselytize:
-to induce someone to convert to one's faith
-to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
-to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause
How then will they call on Him (Jesus) in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15
Images Used:
previewnetworks.com/blog/wp-co…
raleighlittletheatre.org/store…
pricetravelmx.files.wordpress.…
www.miabonyunk.hu/images/truck…
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Comments: 25
So to anyone who's annoyed by 'preachy' Christians, think of it like this.
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I have a question. If Penn Jillette doesn't believe in God, why does he care whether or not those who do believe in God share their beliefs? His words would make perfect sense coming from a religious leader or even an ordinary Christian, but not an atheist.
It's like the scene in Frozen where Kristoff asks Anna, "Who marries a man she just met?". Why would Kristoff care? It makes no logical sense. When Elsa objected to Anna marrying Hans, it made perfect sense.
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He is what's know as a Worldly Wise man. I read about such people in The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. He seems like a cunning sort of fellow, but his philosophies are founded upon the sands.
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Well technically, Pilgrim's Progress is based partially upon the opinions of a regular mortal man, so his words could be faulty as well.
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I know a lot of atheists, and most of them are well-grounded on their lack of belief. And to 'proselytize' them otherwise seems like stepping boundaries and disrespecting their right to believe what they want.. it's a confusing thing, actually. Because what most of us do is be 'afraid' for them and scaring them to believe (Believe God or else you'll end up burning in hell forever)...as if God is mad at them
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” The good news is God is not mad at them...He loves the world, in a passionate intimate way and the methods of fear that we do is only going to push them away. And God's not mad at you either. That's what we ought to see.
(Just my two cents)
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I am an atheist, and I DO think that proselytizing is stepping on boundaries and is very disrespectful of my right to choose my beliefs. Most people who try to convert me just assume that I haven't read the bible or that I've never heard whichever argument they're trying to use. They don't consider how insulting it is or how hurtful it can be.
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I must say there is much folly in what you've said.
Stepping boundaries... People are dying in the worst ways to preach this Gospel to the lost, atheist or not.
There is no respect for lies, and their is no right to believe them. "Whoever does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of the only Son"
If there is care and love, there most certainly should be fear for those on a path to destruction. "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
It is a strange thing to think God would sentence a man to an eternity in a place composed of His wrath... but He's not mad at them. Even now "the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness" The Good News has never been that God is not mad. What kind of just and holy individual does not hate wickedness? I love my children deeply, but I most certainly become angered with them as they act in rebellion, and that is due to the fact that I love them. The Good News is that "He loves the world, in a passionate intimate way" despite His anger, because He does get angry... and sad and jealous and disappointed and vengeful and every other emotion He gave us. The difference is He's righteous in all He does. If making someone aware of the consequences of sin is a "method of fear," our God is guilty above all. I wonder if Jesus knew when he told that individual, "go and sin no more lest something worse happens to you" that he was pushing them away?
I could go on and on, but you were right about one thing, He is no longer mad at me and praise God. By His grace, through faith, I've partaken in the sacrifice of His Son.
God bless you, brother in Christ.
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*Sigh* Usually, I'm pretty good about throwing my faith out there and making sure everyone knows, I'm known for my faith, the one area I struggle in is telling people I am really close too, because I've lost so many people, I fear I will lose them too. Then God whisper to me, that I may be there last hope and if I love them, I have to tell them. God's really good at reminding me how much I need to lean on him, and not any mortal being.
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Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Cor. 2:4-5) Evangelism is not always about talking. If one can deny the power of God, then there's nothing much you can say anyways. We live Christ, so if men are offended by the Gospel, our very lives should be an offence before we ever preach a word to them.
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This 'atheist' reminds me of the guy to whom Jesus said 'you're not far from the kingdom of God'...
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and that's what we're not doin' D: it's really bad when we need an atheist to tell us what to do :/
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Couldn't have said it better.
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