Comments on: One Stock That Needs To Drop

By: The Not-so-angry Atheist

The Not-so-angry Atheist — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:49:03 +0000

As someone who originally left the faith out of disgust over the very things you describe in this entry (and the hostility to science, but that’s neither here nor there as far as this topic is concerned), I’m very glad to see that the abuses and problems that cause so many people to be ground between the gears of the monstrous machine of contemporary evangelicalism (especially children of strongly evangelical parents who deviate in some way from the norm) are being addressed and recognized as problems.

By: Snickers

Snickers — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:00:53 +0000

Your post heartens me.

I am an agnostic, but I have never had a problem with those who believe. I only have a problem with those who, as you say, viciously fight the culture war.

I know that atheists can sometimes be as vicious and fervored as far right evangelicals, and I apologize for that.

I hope that one day Christianity will return to your ideal, where those of the faith lead by example and not parading, and that spirit and knowledge will replace rhetoric.

By: Gordon Hill

Gordon Hill — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:59:47 +0000

I’m a recovering Mormon and ex Christian but I have to say that I like the things I read on this site (even if I don’t always agree).

George W and the corporate christians have done a huge disservice to the christian message.

Even though I’m not a christian, I believe that the message could be used to help mankind instead of hurt humanity.

It was refreshing to read here!

By: black swan

black swan — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:38:11 +0000

similar to the banks, evangelicalism needs to mark its bad assets to market, dump the toxic assets, and rebuild from there. nevertheless, yes we are entering the age of intellectualism, however, the answer is not intellect…it is relationship.

God came to earth as Jesus, so we could relate to God. God is incomprehensible to our feable brains. Who are we kidding? the message is simple, the intellectual banter is noise.

as far as the money drying up…it is God’s money.

the current global financial crisis…well, that is God making an asset allocation.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:18:21 +0000

Very interesting take, and timely here in March 2009. This is possibly even better than the series on the collapse of evangelicalism – which together gives me plenty to ponder.

By: H. Lee

H. Lee — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:03:24 +0000

Some (not all) of these comments remind me of a story about the early 20th-century evangelist, Billy Sunday.

Someone said to him, “I don’t go to church; there’s too many hypocrites there.”

Billy replied, “Oh, don’t worry about that. There’s always room for one more.”

I think we have to start where we are, with the church and people we have. Now, obviously, if there are doctrines coming from a pulpit that make your brain hurt, week after week, it’s probably not the church for you. But no church is perfect, and no person is either. When I get fed up with my church or minister or congregation, I generally think it’s time I take a look at myself and change what I can change right here. Otherwise I end up with a huge collections of TEAPOTs (Those Evil Awful People Over There).

By: iMonk

iMonk — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:54:21 +0000

Charis: Your comments were in the moderation cue. I’ve been gone all day.

I stopped the confessional blogging because I did not want to lose my job.

IM comments are moderated and do not appear immediately.

However, your comment about my mentors is overly personal and I will delete if you place another comment of that sort on the thread.

By: Charis

Charis — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:13:03 +0000

Those “confessional” pieces made at least half of this blog’s reputation and most of its good friends.

Reality ensued, and about fifty posts disappeared permanently, with another 20 going into retirement. I broke the news that the authentic voice of Michael Spencer- broken, questioning, wondering, doubting, ranting- was going to have to be substantially muted.

I’ve not been happy with this turn of events, particularly on weekends like the one just completed. My mind and heart are full of things worth saying to those of you who come back here looking to know you’re not alone. But I’ll have to disappoint, at least for now.

What motivated you to stop being transparent?

By: Charis

Charis — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:03:55 +0000

I noticed your blog is male dominated (an all boys club?) and every mentor you mention in your bio is male. Why are you deleting my comments? I have not been rude. I noticed the Esther connection with Palin IMMEDIATELY upon her selection. Sarah Palin is HOT! USA’s Pin-Up Politician Maybe its a MALE thing that you don't "get" the connection between Esther and Palin. They were BOTH beauty queens. And I expect my comment will be deleted again... (((((sigh)))))) Suit yourself, IM. Your loss.

By: BrianD

BrianD — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:11:45 +0000

Somehow, if things really do get bad like some Christians think they will (and seem to be falling all over themselves to tell everybody), evangelicalism will be of no comfort nor use to us in those hard times.