About Me
I am a former Protestant minister currently living in the southeastern USA. I am now an atheist, one who does not hold any belief in any god. If there is any divine or creative entity, I believe that he/she/it is probably conceived most accurately in deist terms. On Richard Dawkins’ 7-point scale of belief, I am a 6. This blog discusses my indoctrination into evangelical Christianity and my escape from that worldview toward a more enlightened, rational position. It is also a place for philosophical and political musings, and occasional attempts at humor.
Miss Kitty
January 21, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Hello darling,
I so wanted to read the rest of “Bride Advice” but it goes from English to who knows what. The devil’s work! LOL! Can you please look, edit and fix…it is too good to miss.
XOXO
Miss Kitty
the chaplain
January 21, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Kitty:
Thanks for your note. I followed the link to the original pamphlet (which appears after an introduction from the group that posted it) and it worked for me. Anyway, we’ll give it another try here. I hope this one works for you.
Just in case the fancy link above doesn’t work, either click on this one or cut and paste it into your toolbar:
http://www.themediadesk.com/newfiles2/youngbride.htm
Altoona Atheist (Disgustipated)
February 2, 2008 at 11:30 pm
You are an an inspiration, Dear one!
Longing for Holiday
March 13, 2008 at 10:11 pm
What suburb? I’m from Annapolis.
Oh, and I have blog or two about crap too.
I probably have the opposite trek than you: from agnostic family into faith. FYI, my husband is a pastor and I’d kick his butt if he acted like those guys.
Jack Hartford
March 23, 2008 at 9:45 am
Hi, I just found your blog today. I am also an apostate. I was “saved” at 18 and went straight to an independent Baptist Bible college. Upon graduation I went to the infamous Bob Jones University where I earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Theology. Then I went to Arizona and taught in a Baptist College for 9 years. Sometime during the last year my faith just evaporated. Not overnight but over a period of about a year. I have since left the faith entirely and consider myself an agnostic. Its great to meet you.
Jack
satoruvash
May 3, 2008 at 4:48 pm
This is a fantastic blog.
After dedicating so many years to Faith, it takes great strength to step back, look at the situation, realize it no longer is an accurate representation of your belief system, and to take it to the next level by leaving the Faith lifestyle altogether.
The universe needs more people such as you.
oatisobserver
July 19, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Friend,
I hear your concerns… I want to respond, but don’t even know where to begin. In fact, as my four boys and wife are currently in the other room waiting for me to finish up for tomorrow night’s class I wonder if my attempt to share would even make a difference? I just want you to know that I’ve read some of your thoughts… and my heart is heavy. I read your passion and conviction for the beliefs you have and am saddened at how people can come to different worldviews and then attack one another. My passion is to know God (Jesus Christ) more fully with each passing day and to help others come to know Him. Blessings to you, your husband, and your two sons.
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Mike
The Exterminator
July 19, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Oaty:
My passion is to know God (Jesus Christ) more fully with each passing day and to help others come to know Him.
And why exactly are you announcing that here? Did anyone ask what your passion was? The title of the post was “About Me,” the “me” being The Chaplain. When she publishes an essay “About oatisobserver,” I think your comments will be appropriate.
the chaplain
July 20, 2008 at 9:00 am
Oatisobserver:
Thanks for dropping in. I’ve heard and read everything you could possibly share. I wasn’t hurt by people in the church, I wasn’t in the wrong denomination and therefore deprived of the the “real” gospel or the “relationship not a religion” that is evangelical Christianity, etc. You may stop wondering: whatever you share won’t make any difference.
As for your heart being heavy, that impediment is part and parcel of your religion. The only advice I can give is to refrain from being heavy-hearted on my account, or anyone else’s for that matter. My heart is much lighter since I shed the burden of Christian belief a year ago.
DB
July 24, 2008 at 5:16 am
Ex, that was by far the funniest comment I have read in a while. Hey Chap, thanks for adding my new blog!!
(((Billy)))
November 25, 2008 at 7:32 pm
TAG!!!
http://iambilly.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/the-6-things-meme/
Rycharde Manne
December 12, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Hi, not sure if comments are moderated or I just screwed up yesterday, so here I am again. Feel free to delete one of my selves.
http://aggregatedinfidels.blogspot.com/2008/12/apostates-chapel.html
Just added your blog to my Aggregated Infidels.
the chaplain
December 12, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Rychard:
Thanks for adding me to your list.
S in Ohio
March 1, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Thank you for this site. It is tremendously helpful to me, a person who has finally told others that I am, indeed, not a believer anymore.
the chaplain
March 1, 2009 at 9:29 pm
S in Ohio:
Thanks for your comment. I’m humbled by the thought that my ramblings here may actually benefit someone. I hope you’ll make yourself at home here and join in the conversations.
Anna
April 14, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Thank You! This is a wonderful, inspiring, happy, positive site! I just found it today (through a link on About Atheism.com) and I can SO relate. Will visit here often!
the chaplain
April 14, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Anna:
Thank you for your comment. I look forward to your visits and hope you will share more comments with us.
Scotlyn
April 23, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Nice, welcoming warm blog – the homilies are lovely. I hope your holiday is going well. I just want to say thanks for suggesting the word “apostate” – which according to the yahoo dictionary means, “One who has abandoned one’s religious faith, a political party, one’s principles, or a cause… from Greek apostatēs, from aphistanai, to revolt…” Princeton University’s Wordnet gives this more neutral version – “not faithful to religion or party or cause.” I’m not yet sure if this is the word I want to describe my own position, but it may turn out to be. I’m not an atheist, because my departure from my fundamentalist faith (which occurred over 28 years ago and continues to carry me further away each year) has made the whole question of whether there is or there isn’t a God totally irrelevant for me. But apostate might just work …
the chaplain
April 23, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Scotlyn:
Thanks for reading some of my blog and leaving a comment. It doesn’t matter whether you ever attach a label to yourself, as long as you are comfortable with your beliefs (or lack thereof, as the case may be).
Scotlyn
April 24, 2009 at 4:54 am
You’re right of course! and while labels are very limiting, the ongoing search for the word with the most descriptive content is a very interesting one… it may still fall short of conveying the full complexity of what is being described, but the search itself is a productive enterprise and often turns up curious surprises…
Andrew Demcak
May 23, 2009 at 10:46 am
You rock! This is indeed a wonderful blog. Keep up the good work. If only this came in brochure form, like the Watchtower.
-Andrew
Robert Deidrick
August 29, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Is there freedom to express opinions here or is it tightly regulated?
I wonder why it took some people many years to find out that they
did not believe ? A big question is believe in what ? The church ?
I think the apostasy spoken about could be partly the church as
an organization and not always the individual. Religion comes in
many forms. It is often cold , brutal and impersonal, unfriendly.
Church leadership is often to blame. Man has interfered much in
the freedoms of individuals. Could that be part of the problem ?
the chaplain
August 29, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Robert:
Thanks for the questions. To answer the first one, freedom of expression is encouraged and I don’t censor anyone’s comments.
As for your question about why it takes some people a long time to figure out their disbelief, I’ll note that, for many of us – including me – it takes a long time to overcome childhood indoctrination. That’s why many of us – again, including me – find child evangelism particularly repulsive.
If you’re interested in gaining a better understanding of deconversion from Christianity, you may want to check out the De-Conversion blog.
(Full disclosure: I occasionally cross-post at the Decon blog.)
Robert Deidrick
August 29, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Do you think that you may have never been a believer in Christ and were just deceived?
Some would say that you never had a true faith anyway. Or you may have and you basckslid.
I would be interested in your response. I think of a Bible quote that mentions the words “Many in that day will call me Lord, Lord and He will say I never knew you”.
Interesting site.
Former pastor
the chaplain
August 29, 2009 at 11:06 pm
@ Robert:
Do you have any idea how often former believers hear the “perhaps you were never a true believer” line? Do you have any idea how insulting that is to those of us who sincerely believed and lost our faith? I’ll give you a hint – it’s very insulting! If you’re comfortable with understanding what happened to me as backsliding, so be it.
In your first comment on the Death and Heaven post, you said, “Seek God and He will reveal Himself if you are sincere.” If you read this post, you’ll discover that, when I was losing my faith, I desperately wanted God to erase my doubts and reveal himself to me. Like most other people who have rejected religion, I was a sincere believer and I did not give up my faith easily; I fought hard to keep it. I wept when I could no longer believe, and I mourned my loss of God as if my best friend had died. De-converting is earth-shattering. I know now that I’m in a better place intellectually, psychologically, emotionally, socially, etc., than I ever was as a Christian. But, I also know that you can’t fathom how that’s possible.
I understand how hard it is for true believers to believe that people who believe just as fervently as they do, who love and worship God with all their hearts, who make substantial material sacrifices to advance the Christian mission, can turn away from faith. After all, if one such Christian could do it, how can others, perhaps people like you, be sure that it will never happen to them? Honestly, I never imagined that I would reject God and Christianity. But, when I looked at the data, all I could say was, “Here I stand; I can do no other.”
brian nilson
January 10, 2012 at 9:51 pm
well written. i feel for you in that painful journey. i wouldnt try to pretend that i understand all of your circumstances. I was quick to write you off earlier but maybe your story is more interesting than i thought. (kind of a reversal of the B.S. Saul story)
Robert Deidrick
August 30, 2009 at 2:44 am
I am not attempting to be hurtful or mean -spirited. I may be a bit blunt but
I wanted to cut the crap and get to the point. Were you of Calvinist or Arminian
persuasion ? Not trying to stereo-type but it is helpful to know some back ground.
I find that you are an interesting person that is somewhere in the doubt stage somewhere.
You are sharing like you were a “true believer” and now you are not. If you were
and now are offended because of sincerety that should tell you something. I often reject
religion and some of the spiritual leaders. They have burned me more than once but my faith
in Christ is firm. I have bad days and have questions. Most of the time I am to blame for what happens to me. I do not blame God for everything. I blame others when it is due but I still
believe in forgiveness but also accountability.
You will know where I am going when I share of the free-will teaching. We do live in a sin
sick world and we have freedom of choice . We are not robots and God gives us choices.
What I choose to do tomorrow may be helpful to you or hurtful. I wish that God
would intervene right now on some issues but He has reasons that I do not understand at
this time.
Evidently you went through much pain in the past when you rejected God. It was like a
divorce. Be assured that God still cares. After 25 years as a pastor I can say that I do not
understand all that you went through and all your view points but I am not lifeless
and cold. I care too. We have a hole in our soul and we need it filled.
Thanks for your understanding and time.
Bob
the chaplain
August 30, 2009 at 9:42 am
@ Robert:
Thank you for your concern for my soul. You don’t need to bother sharing your Free Will doctrine with me. My spiritual heritage was Wesleyan-Arminian and I’m well versed in the teachings of John Wesley. I also think that Charles Wesley was certainly one of the greatest hymn writers ever, perhaps the greatest. I’m also familiar with Calvinism and agree that Wesleyan-Arminianism seems like a breath of fresh air compared to that school of thought.
No offense intended, but, I thought I made it clear in the previous comment, and my post about the way I grieved my loss of faith, that I’m not in the “doubt” stage at all anymore. I passed that stage two years ago. Again, no offense intended, but do you have any idea how presumptuous one appears when one makes such pronouncements about another person’s spiritual state? Especially when the pronouncement is based on a superficial and short-lived acquaintance, such as ours?
Let me state clearly that I do not blame God for anything – I don’t believe in any gods anymore. Perhaps I could return the favor you’ve extended and share with you why evolution, which is a fact, creates significant theological issues for belief in the Judeo-Christian deity. If you don’t believe evolution is a fact, then I assume you don’t get flu shots every year or otherwise depend on modern medicine, because all of the advances in medicine in the past 150 years have been founded on evolutionary theory. Why do you think testing new medicines on mice and chimpanzees is so effective for predicting the effects of medicine on humans? It’s because we have so much genetic material in common.
Or, I could share with you why much Christian theology is based on poor reasoning practices. When one doesn’t assume God as one of the premises of one’s argument, one doesn’t get a conclusion that leads to him. When one does assume God as a premise, one ends up with an extra assumption that inevitably leads one to say something along the lines of “X happened because of Y, and God did something too.”
I understand where you’re coming from when you speak of disappointment in spiritual leaders. Anyone who has spent more than a couple of months in a church has experienced it. You may be surprised to learn this, but I’m actually more sympathetic when leaders fail now than I was as a Christian. The reason for this is that I no longer expect humans to behave as if they’re guided by a supernatural being. This doesn’t mean I give people free passes when they do wrong; it just means that I understand that they are as human and fallible as I am, and the only tools they have to work with are the same ones I have – human intellect, human empathy, etc. There is no deity to prevent child molesters from molesting children or committing other harmful acts. I expect Christians to behave no more or no less morally than I expect non-Christians to behave. I’ve also become much more adept at negotiating social and professional situations since I started evaluating everyone by identical standards.
Contrary to your belief, I don’t have a hole in my soul. As I mentioned in my previous comment to you, I’ve found more peace as a nonbeliever than I ever did as a believer. I know you can’t fathom that. Nevertheless, it’s true. I no longer wonder whether I failed God in some way today, whether I did or said something stupid that may prevent someone from grokking the gospel and doom that person to eternity in hell, why my prayers for healing for friends and loved ones are answered inconsistently, etc.
Robert, I respect your sincerity, but I honestly don’t think there is anything you can share with me about God that I haven’t heard before. You’re free to come and share your gospel, this blog is a free speech zone, but don’t be surprised if people respond to your good news with jeers, catcalls, mockery, sarcasm and disbelief. You’d be surprised how many atheists and agnostics were once committed Christians – often leaders in their churches in lay and professional pastoral roles. You’d probably also be surprised, and disappointed, that many atheists and agnostics are more familiar with the Bible and more theologically knowledgeable than many professing Christians. I understand your interest, but honestly don’t think this blog will be a fertile ground for sowing your gospel seeds. You can try if you want, but you’ll probably find it will have been a waste of your time.
Becca
December 23, 2010 at 2:57 am
The more you understand grace, the less you worry about whether or not you have disappointed God. He sent his son to die on the cross, so we wouldn’t have to live in peril 24/7. I know God exists because he answers my prayers all of the time. My boyfriend was raised catholic but became a staunch atheist. He said he’d never believe God existed unless God gave him absolute proof. Well, he kept me up all night one Saturday night threatening to kill himself because he said his life was pointless. So I went to my church on Sunday without any sleep and stopped the whole service to ask for everyone to pray for him. When I got home, he was fine. He heard God tell him to stop trying to kill himself because it wasn’t his time to die. So, now he believes in God and has no problems discussing the bible with me. Tell me God doesn’t exist. I’ll tell you I know that you are wrong. Evolution or not. God loves you, even if christians don’t. P.S. I couldn’t call the cops because he’s smart enough to make me look crazy to them. Only God was going to solve this emergency.
PhillyChief
December 23, 2010 at 9:02 am
Just the other day, my wife called up to me to reset the modem and router because she couldn’t connect to the internet and she desperately needed to send a file. 5 minutes later, it was working. She has no idea how any of the equipment works, so I was the only one who could solve her emergency. She brought a cup of tea and a cookie to thank me a few minutes later but I wasn’t there. I had been out that whole morning.
Becca
December 23, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Good thing I could thank God because he was there that morning.
the chaplain
December 23, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Becca:
I guess it was a good thing that god stayed with your suicidal boyfriend while you went to church.
Honestly, if I’d been in your position, instead of leaving a suicidal person alone, I would have called my pastor or prayer circle, explained the situation, and asked them to pray for him. I certainly cannot imagine leaving a loved one alone in such a depressed state of mind while I went to fucking church!
PhillyChief
December 23, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Yeah, my wife thought I was there, too.
Robert Deidrick
August 30, 2009 at 11:57 am
Thanks for an honest and open discussion. You are right about the jeers.
I think that this is a place where some formers share and compare. I would
agree with some of your comments too. Some things I do understand and
others not at all. I am cetainly one that has questions and looks for answers where possible.
You have been helpful in what you have shared.
jbiii
September 1, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Dude–
Go to Gr. Orthodoxy, and spend several years studying..
See what you find out.
Your change of mind is not Christ’s change of mind.
You should know . . .
Bob
September 5, 2009 at 9:30 pm
jbiii
I have studied over the many years. Greek Othodoxy has
a belief of praying for the dead. That is about the only thing
that atheists and I have in common. Neither I nor they pray
for the dead. They do not believe in eternity and so they do
not pray at all. I pray to Jesus. I am of protestant conservative
background of mostly the holiness movement but high exposure
to Neo-Calvinism. Most of my German relatives were Roman Catholic.
When I responded to the chaplain I understood where she was
coming from somewhat as an atheist and I respect her opinion.
I agree with some of her statements and understand some of them
but I have not changed my mind about God and my understanding of
theology. I do not claim to know everything , but I do know this “I
do not know what the future holds but I know who holds the future.”
I hope even in a small way I have responded to your statements so
you are aware of what I meant.
Thanks
jbiii
September 5, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Bob
Theosis.
jb
cl
October 3, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Re: your “Atheist Quotes” feature this week – Thomas Aquinas was a Christian.
the chaplain
October 4, 2009 at 9:16 am
cl:
I know very well that Aquinas was one of Christianity’s most brilliant scholars.That doesn’t change the fact that his quote supports the position of many atheists. I’ve got a dandy of a quote from Pope Leo that I’ll post sometime.
Herb
October 27, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I have trouble fitting myself on the Dawkins Scale. I am a 7 if by “God” one means the patriarchal God of the Fundamentalists (Roman Catholic and Protestant Evangelical) – I am absolutely certain that God does not exist. OTOH the God that one sees in the face of a little child – I am pretty sure that one exists and at least I am going to live as if she does so I guess that makes me a 2. Appreciate your insights.
jb
October 27, 2009 at 8:30 pm
A most interesting thread . . .
I wish all of you well in your journey through this life. I pray for your journey into the next.
It is no surprise that Western Protestants, on the whole, reject their faith–it is ultimately the only logical conclusion, in the end. Who would ever wish to worship a pissed-off God. No one–the “success” of Calvinism in the West.
One either accepts Scripture, which Calvin ultimately did not, and studies to allow it to interpret itself, or rejects it. Again, passing no judgment–”you” have to decide.If you wish to blame God for Calvin . . . well . . .
Will it matter? Now that is a question for the ages–about which none of us breathing can truly admit we know. At best, we all “stab at the dark”–which the true atheist will admit. There is nothing beyond that, that anyone can rationally defend. God is a “yes or no” question. Trying to work some wiggle room in-between is simple dishonesty. Yes or no, and live with teh consequences.
The understanding of the western view of sanctification is to become holy after justification–viewed as a judicial act–not sacrificial. Calvin insisted on “obedience”–and the result is clear for all to see–a bastardized faith that can’t even recognize the meaning of the word “Gospel.” Luther tried to communicate with the Greeks, but that was upset by the Moslems. Rome was so pre-occupied with Petrine succession that they lost millions.
The Greeks kept pressing forward, and still do. Theosis. It is there, for those who do believe, and even, for those who can’t decide if God does exist. Herb–you came so close . . . and missed it all. But someday, maybe . . .
I won’t argue this any further. It’s your call. Always has been. It is not merely history or existential experience. If it were, you would be your own “god.”
In XP–
jb
goddamnathiest
October 31, 2009 at 12:15 am
enjoy your blog. I was never “saved” because I’ve been an atheist since age 6. Did try religion, but well, it just didn’t “figure out” for me.
Thorum
February 2, 2010 at 10:56 am
Hi Chappy,
Happy New Year!! Hope you and the Herd are doing well. Still miss you guys and gals over at AGP!! I ran across this feller and thought you might be interested. I just ordered his book, “No Gods, No Guilt”. Here is a link to his podcast and website: http://nogods.libsyn.com/ and http://www.NoGodsNoGuilt.com
Cheers, Leigh (Thorum)
Stephen H. Haliczer
February 28, 2010 at 8:17 pm
As the designer of the “Vatican” board game I would like to thank you for recommending my game in your blog. I think that if your readers were to purchase and play the game they would find that I have tried to come close to representing the church as it is-that is not sugar coating anything-but at the same time indicating that on the institutional level the principal of hierarchy works to provide a high quality of leadership at the top.
Your readers might also like my new informational website “Explore Church History” at http://www.explorechurchhistory.com The site (which has a page on Facebook) is filled with interesting material on all aspects of church and has thousands of links to good reference sites. I am experimenting with creating a whole series of modules that will engage site visitors with the content. My first effort is a Lenten themed crossword puzzle linked to a newly created reference page.
Regards and Best Wishes,
Stephen H. Haliczer Ph.D.
Designer The Vatican Board Game
Distinguished Research Professor
Stephen H. Haliczer
February 28, 2010 at 8:18 pm
The Facebook page for “Explore Church History can be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Explore-Church-History/174515101280?ref=ts
Annie
March 14, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Thank you for such a fantastic blog. I greatly enjoy reading it every day. As a former Catholic and present atheist, it interests me greatly.
the chaplain
March 14, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Annie:
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad my musings give you some food for thought.
Colin Ferguson
May 23, 2010 at 7:22 am
Nice, welcoming warm blog – the homilies are lovely. I hope your holiday is going well. I just want to say thanks for suggesting the word “apostate” – which according to the yahoo dictionary means, “One who has abandoned one’s religious faith, a political party, one’s principles, or a cause… from Greek apostatēs, from aphistanai, to revolt…” Princeton University’s Wordnet gives this more neutral version – “not faithful to religion or party or cause.” I’m not yet sure if this is the word I want to describe my own position, but it may turn out to be. I’m not an atheist, because my departure from my fundamentalist faith (which occurred over 28 years ago and continues to carry me further away each year) has made the whole question of whether there is or there isn’t a God totally irrelevant for me. But apostate might just work …
+1
ed13666
September 2, 2010 at 9:46 am
Love your blog and (hopefully) am now subscribed (please add this to your page: http://en.support.wordpress.com/widgets/blog-subscription-widget/).
As for Dawkins’ 7-point scale, it seems rather simplistic to me. He’s missed a whole category — 8 Rejects the concept of religious belief/faith.
#7 or #6 might be what believers would lump me into but I don’t think either are correct. Both #6 and #7 require the answerer to accept that God is real before they can reject her.
“Have you stopped beating your child? Yes or no?”
“Do you believe in God? Yes or no?”
You’re damned if you say yes and you’re damned if you say no because in both situations you’ve accepted the basic premise, in the one case that you were beating your child, in the other, that God is a valid description for anything more than a physical structure in a brain representing an abstract concept.
Then again, though I like Dawkins’ biological work I can’t say I’m the greatest fan of his popularisation of atheism — he’s not done a good job at all of addressing the short-comings of atheism in describing the state of mind of most “atheists”.
Most “atheists” are better described as non-theists or anti-theists since the word atheism accepts theism but just posits that the atheist is without theism — it doesn’t describe the situation where someone actively rejects religious belief (non-theism or anti-theism) which is what I think is a better description of most “atheists”.
Thanks for running a great blog!
the chaplain
September 2, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Subscription widget added to sidebar. Thanks for the request.
Moe
October 13, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Chaplain – just heard that our friend hippieprof passed away this weekend. The announcement is in the last thread at his site. This truly sucks.
the chaplain
October 14, 2010 at 9:32 am
Oh my goodness, Moe! I’m sorry to hear that. Thank you for letting me know.
Tex Taylor
October 14, 2010 at 11:08 am
Chaplain,
Hippie mentioned you to me as recently as last week. You and I are diametrically opposed about anything of importance, so I won’t bother with debate. As sure as you are in your religion, and make no mistake atheism is a religion in and of itself as attested to be your continual dialogue about something that supposedly doesn’t exist, I am as assured in my faith as Christian. The ongoing chatter would be meaningless.
But I’m just curious now that our friend Hippie Professor is gone and I’m quite sure buried with an accompanying Mass – with me believing he had met you at the most inopportune of times, what consoling words would you provide Hippie Professor’s family given the chance? Ashes to ashes and no more?
It’s moments like this that I think your mindset exposed for its completely unedifying nature – with the reality of death making it abundantly clear you can provide no hope, no future, rendering our existence meaningless.
PhillyChief
October 14, 2010 at 11:52 am
So since you see debate meaningless, you instead go with pontificating bullshit. Is there a specific directive in your religion to be such an asshole, or is the spirit simply moving you, as your kind likes to say?
It’s moments like this, where the religious feel compelled to exploit another’s tragedy, that the truly despicable nature of religion is exposed as being anything but what it advertises itself as which is peaceful, moral and unifying.
Tex Taylor
October 14, 2010 at 12:54 pm
It’s something you wouldn’t understand – it’s called truth.
I’m not exploiting anything. I had debated with Hippie far more than your blog owner, and indeed called him a friend. Ironically, I’m the last person in the world he left a message. The fact you don’t like the nature of the question because you have no answers and it points out the inherent weakness of your mindset, can only be answered with your garden variety amorality toward religion. ** yawn **
Like I told Hippie, there is nothing edifying about your type. Though Jim was a gentleman and friend, he was foolish to cavort with you. You may very well have assisted with a tragic ending beyond anything you can possibly comprehend. You stick that feather in you cap Chief.
PhillyChief
October 14, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Exploiting the death of someone to either advance your religion or attack its detractors is far from exemplary behavior and thus, far from edifying your belief. Of course if the truth, as you say, of your religion is to be an asshole, then what’s the point of repeatedly arguing over edification?
As for whether I have anything to say which would comfort his friends or family, I don’t see the point of the question. What exactly does that say to the issue of religious belief? If I could give comfort, does that make your belief foolish or show your god doesn’t exist? Likewise, should you fail to comfort them, does that show your belief to be bullshit?
Lastly to hope and comfort, I’d rather show Dumbo he can fly on his own than make him believe in a feather, and you can stick that wherever you like.
Tex Taylor
October 14, 2010 at 2:11 pm
The only exploitation going on here is what’s advertised on a daily basis, with the fact it might appeal to the weak minded and foolish. The dead aren’t exploited, but the living are.
Chief, I think you vastly overestimate your importance to me or the grand plan. I’m not here to witness to a reject and worm like you – your website is an abortion attesting to your deviancy, and you look the rube in your picture. I’m here to witness to anyone that would read a feckless website like this and believe for a minute that any of it true.
The author may think himself unique in his cause or his argument, but I’ve seen the same song, same verse a hundred times over – as if somehow that adds credence to the message. Faith is not based emotion, or the fact it made you “feel” dry, or that God didn’t choose to act your benevolent grand daddy and make you rich, or happy, or satisfied.
Faith is based on the realization of what just happened to Hippie, will happen to us all. And that’s something even a punk like you is going to have a difficult time denying. So here’s a challenge Chief.
Why don’t you grab a set and go over to Hippie’s blog and provide for the family your consoling message you transcribe on that jumbled abomination of a personal blog – direct them right to it which you brag of and so proud. Then explain to them in your ringing message “of love” about how the Mass was waste of time and for the imbeciles.
And that is exactly the message you parrot day in and day out. There’s another feather for your war bonnet Chief. Maybe you can share a neat sports story – that looks about the depth of your capacity and character.
PhillyChief
October 14, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Make no mistake, you’re exploiting your friend’s death by using it to advance your belief and attack non-believers like myself. If you leave the address, I’ll happily leave a message for his family, however unlike you I will not exploit the situation to preach my views nor attack those who don’t share my pov because that would be highly obnoxious and insensitive to his family.
the chaplain
October 14, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Here’s a link to hippieprof’s blog.
the chaplain
October 14, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Tex:
Your purpose in coming to this blog was… what? All you’ve managed to do so far is to come across as an arrogant, angry theist. If you’re so sure of yourself, why are you so angry?
Tex Taylor
October 14, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Tell you why I am angry Chaplain – it’s you.
A little more than a week ago, seems you or one of your ilk directed Jim Dougan to some scale, and I may be making this nomenclature up, but I believe it was the Darwinian scale of belief. I didn’t bother to look or take Jim’s suggestion of debating here because there are countless blogs across the net full of deluded atheists, those who “debate” endlessly about something that supposedly doesn’t exist. Why should I add to your confusion? I frankly find that deranged and believe your presupposition of “freeing” you a huge ruse. It is you that is angry, and this blog a testament (no pun intended) to as much.
Undoubtedly, you had a measure of influence with Jim and he bragged how his thoughts were changing as he got older – in your book reason – in mine absolute foolishness. And Jim explained that after the conversation, he would rate himself between a “5″ and “6″, then explained what that meant.
And that was one of the last posts Jim Dougan, aka Hippie Professor, left me.
And so I ask you the question Chaplain, or apostate, or whatever you boastfully call yourself today. Are you going to call Jim’s family “foolish” for conducting the Mass at his funeral, which is I’m sure the auspices of the service? And don’t give me the baloney like that useless Chief from above, because he can’t even be honest with his own basic tenets.
Because if you’re going to be honesty in your witness, that is exactly what you should convey. If not, you’re a coward and I’m calling you on it.
PhillyChief
October 14, 2010 at 4:03 pm
In what way am I dishonest? It appears to me that you’ve concocted this straw man atheism and then pass judgement on me based on that. I’d say if you’re looking for honesty, try it on yourself first. As you appear to not understand atheism, I or another atheist can tray and explain it to you, otherwise you shouldn’t speak of things you’re ignorant of. THAT is truly foolishness.
I think this image humorously addresses the issue of why blogs like this exist. I agree, the debate over whether a god exists is a silly waste of time. That’s really not the issue. The issue is how you believers act and what you do in the name of this ridiculous belief, like exploiting someone’s death to be a salesman and general asshole.
Tex Taylor
October 14, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Hey Chief,
Why? You market your POV everyday sport for the world to see. If it’s highly obnoxious and insensitive now and your humanistic belief is your basis as you state, the belief is highly obnoxious and insensitive all the time. Have a little difficulty being truthful warrior…hey?
PhillyChief
October 14, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I’m willing to bet that in the middle of a meeting at work, watching a movie at the theater, dining in a restaurant, or some similar situation you don’t leap up and start testifying or pontificating about anything. Why? Not the time or place. To impose on others like that is both obnoxious and extremely narcissistic. You’d understand that if you had any empathy, but of course Christianity discourages human empathy.
John Evo
October 14, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Once again we see how closely the bullshit of religious dogma is tied to fear of death and/or that “life is meaningless”. People can cry about these things all they like and it doesn’t make their god true.
Evidence, Texy-boy. Evidence. Got none? That’s what I thought.
I have to agree with you…. your life IS meaningless. YOUR life. It is because you spend each minute of it dwelling on some Happy Bullshit Land that is waiting for you AFTER this life, instead of living this one to the fullest.
Tex Taylor
October 14, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Let me count the ways. Your entire message is dishonest schmuck.
Lib and atheists (generally one and the same) love the use of the logically fallacy argument, somehow believing that makes them sound intelligent – that’s one course in Kant gets you; that should be made illegal. You jackboots read like penguins look.
Don’t understand atheism?
That’s parody, right? Kind of like my dad once accused me of not understanding what “off” meant, as in turning off the lights. I’ve got to add that to repertoire of atheistic euphemisms. Your depth of intellect like your blog is mind numbing. Let me guess? Liberal Arts major?
PhillyChief
October 14, 2010 at 11:31 pm
As if we needed more evidence for you being an irrational buffoon, now you’re claiming that making flawed arguments is a sign of intelligence, but noticing those flaws isn’t? You know you were right about debate being pointless, but you were mistaken as to why. You’re an idiot, that’s why.
Tex Taylor
October 14, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Well Johnny boy – it’s really difficult to explain when one’s “opponent” can not fathom where there is a creation, there’s a Creator. The fact you’re here apparently escapes you. Chief is the Fermi Lab to your Arby’s assistant manager.
I guess it’s that living life to the “fullest” where you spend countless “meaningful” hours ranting about something that supposedly doesn’t exist to the fullest? Uh huh.
Frankly, you and the “Chief” are not my concern – I don’t care what either of you think, believe, feel, or live. My advice to you is to do exactly what you said: “Better live it up!”
I simply wanted the Chaplain to know what had transpired with Hippie before he passed. I think it fitting that’s the last ‘enlightenment’ in a man’s life provided around here.
PhillyChief
October 14, 2010 at 11:44 pm
It’s not difficult to claim a creator when you assert something is created, considerably more difficult if you were to try and give evidence for this alleged creation. Of course if you could accomplish that feat, then you’d have to solve the creator riddle. Wakantanka? Ptah? Hœnir? Yahweh? A lot of work, especially for a lazy idiot like you. Far easier to simply assert some bullshit and insult anyone who calls you on it, right?
You Texans are so used to spouting shit because you’re all insulated down there surrounded by like minded idiots. That shit don’t fly up here in the North East, you know, the civilized part of the country, where we actually care about education and don’t try to rewrite it according to religious bullshit.
If your hope was to give testimony here for others, you’ve done that admirably, but not in the way you hoped. You’ve testified that you’re an idiot and your religious belief is obnoxious and evil. For that, I salute you! Please comment more on atheist blogs. You do more in one comment than any of us could hope to accomplish in a 100. Excelsior!
Tex Taylor
October 15, 2010 at 12:59 am
Yeah Philadelphia – the civilization of the New Black Panther Party, your brother Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the perfection of bankruptcy and dependency. About on par with the rest of your reasoning. If God were to give the world an enema, He would set the plug right up the chute of
GomorrahPhiladelphia.I’m not from Texas Chief. And my evidence is staring you straight in the face – you couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Clueless.
I didn’t come here to give testimony as you couldn’t answer my first question about anything relevant except maybe how to be vapid and vile. Anybody that spends an inordinate amount of time adamantly arguing against something they propose doesn’t exist, is but a fool.
Trust me. From science to theology, there is nothing you or your brother-in-arms and fellow lost cause John John could teach me. I came to tell the euphemism called ‘The Chaplain’ about his edifying influence and no more. Now that you’ve demonstrated how to be a pompous ass, I’ll demonstrate your incompetence to your fellow lost souls to read.
Welcome to the New Christianity Chief – the days of being a doormat to the hostile are over, and I’ll happily give you reason to disdain me. And if I have my way, we’re going to start steamrolling you in about 18 days and hand you over to Usama and his cronies. Then you’ll get a new epiphany about real intolerance. You’ll wail or you will lose your head. There’s my peace pipe. WOO WOO WOO WOO!
PhillyChief
October 15, 2010 at 7:28 am
Oh yes, you poor Christians are so oppressed that you have to fight back. LOL! I don’t know what’s more comical, that idea on its own or how contrary that is to the whole ‘turn the other cheek’ thing. Please, keep spouting inane crap. This is great stuff. There are so many times when believers challenge me on my characterization of believers, so stuff like this is great to show them as evidence so I thank you for this.
the chaplain
October 15, 2010 at 8:10 am
Thanks for the compliment. I stumbled across Jim's blog just a few months ago and left, at best, a couple of dozen comments there. Probably more like a dozen or so. I'm flattered that I could have had such a significant influence on him with so few words. How much metaphorical ink did you spill trying to convert him to your religion, Tex? No wonder you're angry.
Here's the thing, Tex: you shouldn't be angry with me. I'm not the one who made up the alleged rules about heaven, hell, and who goes where after they die. If you're right and I'm wrong, and you're pissed off because your friend, a good man, didn't come to Jesus before his sudden death, take it up with your god. He's the one who supposedly has the power of life and death, and he's the one who made up the manifestly unfair rules about eternity.
I know you're grieving and I'm sorry for your loss. But, really, you shouldn't take out your frustration and anger on people you don't know.
Tex Taylor
October 15, 2010 at 10:06 am
You’ll be disappointed in your mocking and patronizing manner to know that Jim the Gentleman and I had few discussions about religion – we generally left it at politics, or kids, or life’s experiences. As angry as I am with you, I am equally angry with myself for not trying to witness to Jim, which is usually not my style. Had I had any idea Jim’s death that imminent, you can rest assured I would have attempted as much. When I read what Jim had said last week, it saddened me greatly.
I leave it to Almighty God to dole out justice. I’m not qualified to be your judge. You’ll be gone soon enough…you think this is all there is, I won’t argue with you. I don’t know you, nor do I care about you. But I did Jim.
Tex Taylor
October 14, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Johnny Boy,
I took a look at your enlightened blog too – and like the Chief’s, it is an abortion – without Chief’s diabolical and busy graphical design. I’m not sure what is worse – your understanding of one’s religion, or your understanding of genetics. What a buffoon!
You’re at least 30 years behind the times there genius. And using a paternity test to at least partially explain natural selection? You don’t even understand organelles, much less genetics. Unbelievable – I could spend hours simply mocking you “superior” intellects.
Tex Taylor
October 15, 2010 at 9:53 am
Chief,
What a wiener like that picture of yours on your feckless blog. You looked like the kid who had sand kicked in his face his entire life, now with a giant chip on the shoulder. “I’ll show them whose master.”
If Christians were really as abusive as you believe, we’d roll you in a Philadelphia second. I’ve never felt oppressed in my life dummy. What I am getting weary of is the pitiful, irreligious type claiming they are oppressed.
I am just ready to leave you and your ilk hanging in the wind and leaving the welcome mat out for those who know a little about oppression. I want to hear you squawk about “separation of church and state”, or mock Mohammad. I don’t think you’ve got the gonads to do it Chief. In fact, I know you don’t. I think you hide behind a bunch of moral platitudes, knowing brave men are standing in the way of you having your head lopped. Now that does send a tingle up my leg thinking about it.
afinebalance
January 5, 2011 at 10:14 pm
I have been reading blogs like these for many months but this is my first time commenting. My dilemma is that I don’t just have to deal with the emotional side of losing my faith. I am actually scared of admitting publicly that I don’t believe any more. I was raised Muslim in a country that has become more and more fanatical about Islam and though I live in the US now, I may have to some day return. Recently a prominent politician in my country was murdered because he apposed state laws against blasphemy. Many Muslims believe apostates should be killed. Not exactly conducive for me to merrily proclaim I no longer believe in a god. I try to hide my true emotions behind humor but it is very difficult to have to pretend on a daily basis to be someone that I am not. I wonder if anybody else on this web site has had to deal with actual fear of being harmed for your belief or rather disbelief.
l_ouiphil
January 16, 2011 at 2:21 pm
I have just stumbled on your site and have found it for the most part extremely interesting. What is less interesting is the predictable invective of one or two of the imitators of Christ for whom graceful speech ‘seasoned with salt’ appear to be non sequitors.
On another note I have one or two burning concerns I’d like to dialog with you (very) briefly by email if you don’t mind. I can see already that airing my concerns on your forum is likely to incur the wrath of the gracious.
the chaplain
January 16, 2011 at 4:58 pm
l_ouiphil:
My email address is at the top of the sidebar, in the section labeled Contact the Chaplain.
Eit Neves
March 15, 2012 at 9:26 pm
The gospel is foolishness to them that perish. But to us who believe, it is the power of God unto salvation.
We can not convince anyone what the truth is – only God can do that.
The fact is EVERYONE will eventually come face to face with reality – the fact that god exists. We will all stand before him in Judgement one day.
I’ll share this quote I heard: it’d be better to live your live as if God exists then find out after life that He doesn’t than to live as if God doesn’t exist then you realize after life that He does exist.
PhillyChief
March 16, 2012 at 7:22 am
Valhalla is foolishness to them that perish. But to us who believe, it is the power of Odin unto salvation. We can not convince anyone what the truth is – only Odin can do that.
The fact is EVERYONE will eventually come face to face with reality – the fact that Odin exists. We will all stand before him in Judgement one day.
I’ll share this quote I heard: it’d be better to live your live as if Odin exists then find out after life that He doesn’t than to live as if Odin doesn’t exist then you realize after life that He does exist.
___________________
The Ghost Dance is foolishness to them that perish. But to us who believe, it is the power of Wakantanka unto salvation. We can not convince anyone what the truth is – only Wakantanka can do that.
The fact is EVERYONE will eventually come face to face with reality – the fact that Wakantanka exists. We will all stand before him in Judgement one day.
I’ll share this quote I heard: it’d be better to live your live as if Wakantanka exists then find out after life that He doesn’t than to live as if Wakantanka doesn’t exist then you realize after life that He does exist.
_____________________
The Church of the SubGenius is foolishness to them that perish. But to us who believe, it is the power of Bob unto slack. We can not convince anyone what the truth is – only Bob can do that.
The fact is EVERYONE will eventually come face to face with reality – the fact that Bob exists. We will all stand before him in Judgement one day.
I’ll share this quote I heard: it’d be better to live your live as if Bob exists then find out after life that He doesn’t than to live as if Bob doesn’t exist then you realize after life that He does exist.
_______________________
The Church of the FSM is foolishness to them that perish. But to us who believe, it is the power of FSM unto salvation. We can not convince anyone what the truth is – only the FSM can do that with his noodle appendages.
The fact is EVERYONE will eventually come face to face with reality – the fact that the FSM exists. We will all stand before him in Judgement one day.
I’ll share this quote I heard: it’d be better to live your live as if the FSM exists then find out after life that He doesn’t than to live as if the FSM doesn’t exist then you realize after life that He does exist.
Eit Neves
March 16, 2012 at 7:35 am
Lol, very funny.
I’m not here to debate the topic.
Everyone gets to see the truth someday. And on that day, nothing can be undone.
PhillyChief
March 16, 2012 at 7:45 am
Then I suggest you get right with Wakantanka now, or Odin, or the FSM. Bob of course is willing to overlook a lot, provided you’re not an uptight tool.
the chaplain
March 16, 2012 at 8:30 am
Of course. You’re just another drive-by-preacher. We really needed (another) one of those around here because we’ve never heard your message before. Ever.
J. Randall Stewart
June 11, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Nice design to your blog. I like the whole set up and look. Good job. And I do appreciate the dialog. It’s good to be challenged in our beliefs, that’s how we come to know them well. I have most appreciated your tone and demeanor, even in the midst of your dissagreements. Thanks.
Austin Gun Trust
February 19, 2013 at 1:33 am
So atheists also go to chapels? I just assumed this because of your website’s name.
clown warszawa
February 26, 2013 at 10:13 pm
I have read so many articles or reviews on the topic of the blogger lovers
except this post is really a pleasant paragraph, keep it up.
Spanish Inquisitor
February 28, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Well, that’s Chappie. The prolific poster of pleasant paragraphs.
the chaplain
March 15, 2013 at 9:55 am
Thanks for the spam, clown. I don’t have nearly enough of it in my wordpress diet.