Why should outsiders have to work so hard at pointing out the flaws in Christianity when Christians do it just fine on their own?
I can take that vacation now!
What you’ll hear: an interview on Way of The Master Radio with Todd Friel interviewing an ex faith pentecostal faith-healer, Mark Haville. They discuss how “being slain in the spirit,” faith healing, and revival services are a sham. The irony is that the same arguments about emotional manipulation, pastor preaching styles, and it all being in the person’s brain still work for fundamentalist anti-pentecostal Christianity. Maybe they’ll realize this one day.
Your thoughts?
Good ol’ Bible literalist John Shimkus (R-IL) is a member of the United States House of Representatives. He’s an evangelical Republican who also sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
This committee has jurisdiction over a large portion of legislation, such as public health, biomedical research, travel and tourism, national environmental policy, alternative energy, and conservation. That sure is a lot of power, wouldn’t you say?
So whats the problem with Shimkus being on the committee? Let’s see what he thinks about preserving the environment:
During a hearing in 2009, he dismissed the dangers of climate change and the warnings of the scientific community by quoting the Bible. He uses God’s promise to Noah (Genesis 8:21-22) [as proof.]
“I believe that’s the infallible word of God, and that’s the way it’s going to be for his creation,” Shimkus said.
Oh goody, someone who thinks the flood was literal and pretty rainbows mean climate change is a lie.
He then uses Matthew 24:31 (which has nothing at all to do with the environment) to defend a position that:
“The Earth will end only when God declares it’s time to be over. Man will not destroy this Earth. This Earth will not be destroyed by a Flood,” Shimkus asserted. “I do believe that God’s word is infallible, unchanging, perfect.”
(source)
Shouldn’t there be a requirement for learned people who actually know an industry—or at least (dare I say it) science—to lead the major committees in the House? Pretty please with intelligence on top?
Oh gee, it reminds me of this:
photo by Clare & James
How diverse is your circle of friends? Are you surrounded by people of one belief system? Do you ever avoid getting to know people with vastly different opinions and convictions—even without consciously doing so? Why or why not?
I don’t understand why someone would choose to discount an entire group of people because of their belief or non-belief in deities. Unfortunately, I see this happening on both sides of the theism debate.
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photo by Br Lawrence Lew, O.P.
I just enjoyed a talkative lunch with two hilarious, intelligent women. My tummy is jolly and full. Thanks, Qdoba!
Both ladies are passionate Christians, and eventually our discussion turned to amusing aspects of Mormonism. I admit it took a sort of sarcastic, mocking tone (my fault, perhaps, since I scoff rather openly), but I tried to use the opportunity to bring up aspects of Christianity that are also unbelievable and rather hilarious. For example:
Jonah and the whale. Supposedly, this prophet was swallowed by a whale and lived in its stomach for three days before being spat out. I said to one of my friends, “You have to admit, to an outsider, this seems pretty ridiculous.”
Protesting, she replied, “But at least there’s some scientific evidence that shows that there are big fish out there that can eat animals whole without them dying. Mormons believe weird things like they become gods and that you get your own planet or something.”
I could barely contain my laughter when I said, “I’d love to see those studies! I haven’t read them before.” Honestly, I would love to see the evidence that shows the literal interpretation is true. Who wouldn’t love to chillax in a gigantic pool of stomach acid without oxygen for that long and live to tell the tale?
Funny how one religion’s myth is ridiculous and laughable, while one’s own myth is “logical and scientific.”
Chuckling over her burrito, she concluded, “Sometimes you just have to shake yuor head and wonder, ‘How can anyone believe this junk?’”
My thoughts exactly.
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