My article in American Theist

[kowalskil]

My article about futile confrontations between theists and atheists*appeared in the April 2012 Issue of*American Atheist Magazine. The link is:

atheist

Please share this link with other potential readers. Thank you in advance,

Ludwik Kowalski (see Wikipedia)*

 

[Quantum Windbag]

All I can say is you appear to know less about mathematics than you think you do.

 

[waltky]

Atheist Burger Joint Owner Becomes Christian...

Local Culver’s Owner Finds Solace in Religion
September 24, 2012 - Justin Obriecht, who opened his first Culver's location in Tinley Park in 2001, shared his conversion from atheism to Christianity during a talk at an Orland Park church.

Justin Obriecht thought he had it all. "I had a good life,” said Obriecht recently at Hope Covenant Church. “I had enough money, I didn't have a lot of stress. Things were really good for me as an atheist." Starting with his first restaurant opening in Tinley Park in 2001, Obriecht went on to open Culver’s locations in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, Homewood and Matteson. But he later found something was missing. Today, Obriecht is a member of Willow Creek Community Church. His talk at Hope Covenant Church in Orland Park was his second testimony. “The nice thing about a testimony is it's a story about what happened in my life,” Obriecht said. “It's not about me shoving anything down anyone’s throat. A testimony is the quickest way to get to know somebody. I have put that out to all my employees. I have not received any negative reply about my relationship with Jesus Christ."

Obriecht came bearing Butterburgers, custard, a few of his employees and his testimony. More than 100 people came out to enjoy dollar Butterburgers and Culver's custard before listening to Obriecht’s story. "I opened up a business when everyone thought the world was coming to an end," Obriecht said. Days after the 9/11 attack, Justin was preparing to open his first Culver's restaurant in Tinley Park. Just 25, Obriecht was the youngest person to open up a Culvers restaurant. Three years later, the Tinley Park Culver's had $3 million in sales, more than any other Culver's. Five years after he found the success in Tinley Park, Obriecht opened restaurants in the other four nearby towns. "The south suburbs have supported us amazingly,” he said. “I give a lot of that credit to the people of the south suburbs."

Obriecht gave back along the way. He participated in cancer walks, fundraisers for area schools and other philanthropy. "I was an atheist but I wasn't a bad person,” Obriecht said. “I wasn't cheating, I wasn't stealing but I swore a little too much. The only difference is when you have a belief in God and you know God, he expects you to be more disciplined.” Obriecht was traveling when he stopped in Tennessee, and began meditating around 2 a.m. He suddenly felt a warmth and peace come over him. He said that Jesus came into his life at that moment. Obriecht immediately called his mother, who had become a Christian a few years before. She had almost the same experience. Rather than open more restaurants, Obriecht and his new wife Tara are working on helping others.

"As far as charity work, I started a program three weeks ago,” he said. “When I was saved I went around and told my testimony to all the homeless people that lived around me. One day one of the ladies named Carrie asked me to take her to church. A light bulb went off. Maybe there are others that would like this opportunity. I decided to set up a program where I hand out flyers throughout the week. Whoever shows up at the bus stop near my building, my wife and I pay for them to get on the bus. We go to church together. After church my wife and I buy them lunch and give them tickets to do laundry the following Saturday."

Source

 

[amrchaos]

I have a question


Why do you wish to stop the argument/debate between atheists and theists? It seems to me that the only way ideas are transmitted between opposing group(without violence) is through argument and debate.

As long as the theists and atheists are not hurting each other, where is the problem?

 

[waltky]

Granny says, "Quick, get the fumigator - dey's commin' outta the woodwork!...

Pew Study: More Atheists Now than Mormons
October 9, 2012 - - There are now more atheists than Mormons in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life.

In a report issued Tuesday, Pew's poll on religious beliefs found that 2 percent of Americans identified themselves as Mormons in 2012 -- a percentage which has been unchanged since 2007. But over the last five years, the percentage of atheists in the U.S. population has risen from 1.6 percent (in 2007) to 2.4 percent (today), according to Pew. Agnostics – those who say they can’t know for sure that there is a God – went from 2.1 percent of the population in 2007 to 3.3 percent in 2012, an increase of 1.2 percent.

According to the Pew report -- based on polling conducted by Princeton Survey Research and the National Opinion Research Center of the University of Chicago -- the number of Americans who do not identify with any particular religion, or say they have no religion, has grown to one-fifth of the U.S. population. “In the last five years alone, the unaffiliated have increased from just over 15 percent to just under 20 percent of all U.S. adults,” the Pew report noted. The poll found that, taken together, the 13 million self-described atheists and agnostics account for nearly 6 percent of the U.S. public.

However, Pew also noted that nearly 33 million people (14 percent of the population) say that they have no particular religious affiliation, but are not specifically atheists or agnostics. Among U.S. adults, 73 percent identify as Christian – 48 percent are Protestants; 22 percent are Catholics, 2 percent are Mormons, 1 percent Orthodox, 6 percent are adherents of “Other” religions; 19.6 are “unaffiliated” and 13.9 percent say they are “nothing in particular.”

Pew Study: More Atheists Now than Mormons | CNSNews.com

 

[Steelplate]

I don't have a problem with discussion with atheists. I do have a problem with the "sky fairy" talk....I have a problem with them not respecting my beliefs.

But then again, I have a problem with people of faith playing God and telling others they are going to hell too. I also have a problem with the "my God is better than your God" thing.

Respect and love should be the tenets of any religion....hell, it should be the tenet of humanity itself. If we all kept to those basic principles above all else, the world would be a much better place.