Is secularism spreading?
-
- Newbie Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2015 1:08 pm
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Male
- Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
Is secularism spreading?
After my father passed away five years ago due to sudden cancer, I am the only remaining believer in my family. In fact my two siblings and my mother are now self proclaimed atheists. Ugh!
I have to put God away and keep Jesus out of conversations and such or else they will become offended. This is all very subtle but you get the picture. In addition to this, they each have two children so
they have made the decision to keep it real simple for their kids, "there is no God". They tell their kids that God is just a made up fantasy from our ancestors so that they could have hope.
Can anyone relate to this story? Its very difficult because I happen to know for a fact that they are so wrong about God. LOL However, I also know that there is nothing they can do to change my mind,
and that there is most likely nothing I can do to enlighten them either. The worst part of this story is that they are my family. It is like losing a family to atheism. Hush hush now, or you wont be invited to
the next pop up family gathering. Wowzers!
Just looking to hear other stories or situations from those who can relate. Not sure about advice, however if someone has a special key I will accept it. Thank you...
I have to put God away and keep Jesus out of conversations and such or else they will become offended. This is all very subtle but you get the picture. In addition to this, they each have two children so
they have made the decision to keep it real simple for their kids, "there is no God". They tell their kids that God is just a made up fantasy from our ancestors so that they could have hope.
Can anyone relate to this story? Its very difficult because I happen to know for a fact that they are so wrong about God. LOL However, I also know that there is nothing they can do to change my mind,
and that there is most likely nothing I can do to enlighten them either. The worst part of this story is that they are my family. It is like losing a family to atheism. Hush hush now, or you wont be invited to
the next pop up family gathering. Wowzers!
Just looking to hear other stories or situations from those who can relate. Not sure about advice, however if someone has a special key I will accept it. Thank you...
-
- Board Moderator
- Posts: 9224
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:29 pm
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Male
- Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Is secularism spreading?
People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
-
- Ultimate Member
- Posts: 3502
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:41 am
- Christian: No
- Sex: Female
- Creation Position: I don't believe in creation
- Location: USA
Re: Is secularism spreading?
PaulSacramento wrote:People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
Good example of the kind of bigotry so common among nominal christians.
-
- Ultimate Member
- Posts: 3755
- Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 1:17 pm
- Christian: No
- Sex: Male
- Creation Position: I don't believe in creation
Re: Is secularism spreading?
A quick look at the people in prison tells me you don't need to be a secularist/atheist to do what you want; lot of Christians in prison.PaulSacramento wrote:People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
Ken
RickD wrote
"What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence".
"What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence".
-
- Board Moderator
- Posts: 9224
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:29 pm
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Male
- Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Is secularism spreading?
Audie wrote:PaulSacramento wrote:People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
Good example of the kind of bigotry so common among nominal christians.
Bigotry?
really?
bigotry
[big-uh-tree]
Spell Syllables
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
noun, plural bigotries.
1.
stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.
Pot meet keetle.
-
- Board Moderator
- Posts: 9224
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:29 pm
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Male
- Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Is secularism spreading?
Absolutely.Kenny wrote:A quick look at the people in prison tells me you don't need to be a secularist/atheist to do what you want; lot of Christians in prison.PaulSacramento wrote:People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
Ken
No ideology has a monopoly on stupidity.
Of course Christianity does NOT say that Christians WON'T misbehave and do bad, on the contrary.
As Augustine said, the body of Christ is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of saints.
- Storyteller
- Ultimate Member
- Posts: 3059
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:54 pm
- Christian: No
- Sex: Female
- Creation Position: Undecided
- Location: UK
Re: Is secularism spreading?
That's a great quote.PaulSacramento wrote:Absolutely.Kenny wrote:A quick look at the people in prison tells me you don't need to be a secularist/atheist to do what you want; lot of Christians in prison.PaulSacramento wrote:People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
Ken
No ideology has a monopoly on stupidity.
Of course Christianity does NOT say that Christians WON'T misbehave and do bad, on the contrary.
As Augustine said, the body of Christ is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of saints.
Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof - Kahlil Gibran
- Storyteller
- Ultimate Member
- Posts: 3059
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:54 pm
- Christian: No
- Sex: Female
- Creation Position: Undecided
- Location: UK
Re: Is secularism spreading?
There's also a lot of people in prison who find God and turn thier life around because of it.Kenny wrote:A quick look at the people in prison tells me you don't need to be a secularist/atheist to do what you want; lot of Christians in prison.PaulSacramento wrote:People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
Ken
Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof - Kahlil Gibran
-
- Ultimate Member
- Posts: 3502
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:41 am
- Christian: No
- Sex: Female
- Creation Position: I don't believe in creation
- Location: USA
Re: Is secularism spreading?
PaulSacramento wrote:Audie wrote:PaulSacramento wrote:People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
Good example of the kind of bigotry so common among nominal christians.
Bigotry?
really?
bigotry
[big-uh-tree]
Spell Syllables
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
noun, plural bigotries.
1.
stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.
Pot meet keetle.
If you dont like that one applied to you, then you might try not earning it.
What word, exactly, is the one to use for your making such a ridiculous prejudiced statement of a fact that you could not possibly know to be true? Something about invidious stereotyping, and pants on fire?
How do you, as, you know, a nominal christian, justify such behaviour?
- RickD
- Make me a Sammich Member
- Posts: 22063
- Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:59 am
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Male
- Creation Position: Day-Age
- Location: Kitchen
Re: Is secularism spreading?
Audie, you might want to remove the redwood tree from your own eye first.Audie wrote:PaulSacramento wrote:Audie wrote:PaulSacramento wrote:People don't like rules and things that they feel infringe on their right to do whatever they want to feel good.
So yes, secularism is increasing and understandably so.
Good example of the kind of bigotry so common among nominal christians.
Bigotry?
really?
bigotry
[big-uh-tree]
Spell Syllables
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
noun, plural bigotries.
1.
stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.
Pot meet keetle.
If you dont like that one applied to you, then you might try not earning it.
What word, exactly, is the one to use for your making such a ridiculous prejudiced statement of a fact that you could not possibly know to be true? Something about invidious stereotyping, and pants on fire?
How do you, as, you know, a nominal christian, justify such behaviour?
Paul is not a nominal Christian.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Christiannominal Christian
The Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE) defines a nominal Christian as "a person who has not responded in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord." The LCWE notes that such a one "may be a practising or non-practising church member. He may give intellectual assent to basic Christian doctrines and claim to be a Christian. He may be faithful in attending liturgical rites and worship services, and be an active member involved in church affairs."
In other words, a nominal Christian is one in name only. That's why it's called nominal.
John 5:24
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
-Edward R Murrow
St. Richard the Sarcastic--The Patron Saint of Irony
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
-Edward R Murrow
St. Richard the Sarcastic--The Patron Saint of Irony
- 1over137
- Technical Admin
- Posts: 5329
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 6:05 am
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Female
- Creation Position: Undecided
- Location: Slovakia
- Contact:
Re: Is secularism spreading?
I may relate to your story only very remotely and kind of vice versa.
My family being mostly atheists, you know, when you become Christian they may take it as betrayal.
I have no idea what is going on inside the heart of my dad. He was so proud of me. Even obtained phd.
Now I am Christian. But now I recall that he is already fine with me believing in God. What he does not want is me having friends from particular denomination which I myself find most Christian.
Anyway we do not speak at all about our thoughts/feelings/opinions. I wonder what they think about my deep poems. I have no idea.
You know, Jesus said to his mother about disciples: this is my family.
My family being mostly atheists, you know, when you become Christian they may take it as betrayal.
I have no idea what is going on inside the heart of my dad. He was so proud of me. Even obtained phd.
Now I am Christian. But now I recall that he is already fine with me believing in God. What he does not want is me having friends from particular denomination which I myself find most Christian.
Anyway we do not speak at all about our thoughts/feelings/opinions. I wonder what they think about my deep poems. I have no idea.
You know, Jesus said to his mother about disciples: this is my family.
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:21
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 1:6
#foreverinmyheart
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:21
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 1:6
#foreverinmyheart
-
- Ultimate Member
- Posts: 3502
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:41 am
- Christian: No
- Sex: Female
- Creation Position: I don't believe in creation
- Location: USA
Re: Is secularism spreading?
My impression of a couple of other moderators here is that they lean toward the partisan hack side of fair minded. You, I respect, so I will take your word as final here.1over137 wrote:I may relate to your story only very remotely and kind of vice versa.
My family being mostly atheists, you know, when you become Christian they may take it as betrayal.
I have no idea what is going on inside the heart of my dad. He was so proud of me. Even obtained phd.
Now I am Christian. But now I recall that he is already fine with me believing in God. What he does not want is me having friends from particular denomination which I myself find most Christian.
Anyway we do not speak at all about our thoughts/feelings/opinions. I wonder what they think about my deep poems. I have no idea.
You know, Jesus said to his mother about disciples: this is my family.
Phil said quite a number of things about me that he simply made up, and which are not true at all. I declined to enumerate them, or have any commerece at all with phil; RD hops in to make fun of me as sidestepping. Paulsac there above said something invidious about "secularists", it being something he could not possibly actually know, and as such is, in my opinion, a most unreasonable and unchristian thing to say.
RD has jumped in and added to it in both cases.
IF you feel that I am altogether in the wrong here, and that there is nothing partisan or unreasonable about what phil or rd have said, please say so now.
A single word will do, if you do. And if so, my single word response is given here:
bye.
-
- Board Moderator
- Posts: 9224
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:29 pm
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Male
- Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Is secularism spreading?
First off, like Rick pointed out, I am not a nominal Christian.Paulsac there above said something invidious about "secularists", it being something he could not possibly actually know, and as such is, in my opinion, a most unreasonable and unchristian thing to say.
Second, I pointed out that you were not using the term "bigot" correctly and under he correct use, you are far more than I.
Third, stating an obvious observable generalization is NOT an unchristian thing at all.
Now, before you go on a rant about generalizations realize that they ARE applicable to the MASSES but NOT to the individual.
-
- Board Moderator
- Posts: 9224
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:29 pm
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Male
- Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Is secularism spreading?
Just to make it clear again:
bigotry
[big-uh-tree]
Spell Syllables
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
noun, plural bigotries.
1.
stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.
Nowhere does my comment show intolerance of any creed or belief.
I have no problem at all with secularism.
I used to be one.
bigotry
[big-uh-tree]
Spell Syllables
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
noun, plural bigotries.
1.
stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.
Nowhere does my comment show intolerance of any creed or belief.
I have no problem at all with secularism.
I used to be one.
- 1over137
- Technical Admin
- Posts: 5329
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 6:05 am
- Christian: Yes
- Sex: Female
- Creation Position: Undecided
- Location: Slovakia
- Contact:
Re: Is secularism spreading?
I wanted to react to the topic and not some strife here.
Audie, I know you said bye, but still, you may pm me and we can talk.
Audie, I know you said bye, but still, you may pm me and we can talk.
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:21
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 1:6
#foreverinmyheart
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:21
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 1:6
#foreverinmyheart