Pastor Becomes Atheist, Church Dissolves

[mrmody]

"This story is fascinating and perhaps telling about the cult of personality that fuels many churches today.

Mike Aus, featured in the video below, is the former pastor of a church named Theophilus in Houston. For a variety of reasons, apparently theodicy was chief among them, Aus has become an atheist.

Here’s his story via MSNBC…."

http://theamericanjesus.net/?p=6698

[FmrMarine]

There have been several of these stories lately, including a UMC female pastor on CNN. I think there are many more who just haven't admitted it yet. In fact, I think there are many regular church goers who don't really believe. I was reading another thread here where two members are arguing about the biblical story of evil Sodomites gang raping some angels. I just sit back and think, "Wow. I really believed that stuff happened at one point in my life." I mean, I don't believe in Santa. I have no problem identifying the absurdity of Scientology or Mormonism. I just never viewed my own religion with the same critical skepticism. When one does finally do that, the delusion becomes apparent.

[Hollandmichigan]

http://m.npr.org/news/front/151681248?ad...=151705701

This is the story of a pastor who just quit her church in florida.

[Hollandmichigan]

(05-03-2012 01:42 PM)FmrMarine Wrote:  I think there are many more who just haven't admitted it yet.

quite a few actually, have you heard of the clergy project? Its an entire community of non-believing clergy members who are trying to make the move to a secular life.

Quote:I was reading another thread here where two members are arguing about the biblical story of evil Sodomites gang raping some angels. I just sit back and think, "Wow. I really believed that stuff happened at one point in my life." I mean, I don't believe in Santa. I have no problem identifying the absurdity of Scientology or Mormonism. I just never viewed my own religion with the same critical skepticism. When one does finally do that, the delusion becomes apparent.

its the same for me all around. It's crazy: i can cut through other people's bullshit like a steak knife through butter; but with my own it's like like bringing a sword to a gun fight. Very depressing

[formerHACgirl]

Perhaps you all might enjoy reading at http://brucegerencser.net/ The man who writes this blog is a former IFB pastor who turned atheist. His writings and testimony (if you don't mind the term) were very influential in my deconversion.

It is really funny looking back on the Bible stories that I believed were absolute truth and realizing that I had my doubts for years, but just wouldn't explore them. It all seems so ridiculous now.