www.nomorechristians.com
Signs and commercials in the area with a “No More Christians” slogan raised a few eyebrows ” and some ire •” around the community over the past week.
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UPCOMING: The story behind the "No More Christians" signs
April 08, 2009 1:12 PM
Mosaic Church of Crestview, you have the area’s attention.
Signs and commercials in the area with a “No More Christians” slogan raised a few eyebrows — and some ire — around the community over the past week.
Those who visited the “www.NoMoreChristians.com” Web site found out the signs actually promote a series of discussions planned at Mosaic Church of Crestview.
The discussions have potentially eyebrow-raising and ire-raising titles such as “Why You Should Be an Atheist Instead of a Christian” but actually are intended to “creatively and aggressively try to show (people) that God loves them so much that even though they are still sinners, Christ died for them!” in the words of a letter from Mosaic Church Pastor James Ross.
Ross said the church used the potentially controversial awareness campaign to catch the attention of those leaning away from Christianity. Mosaic Church hopes to reverse the trend of declining church attendance in the area.
“We were really trying to catch the attention of people who are searching,” Ross told the News Bulletin. “Newsweek published a special about the decline and fall of Christianity in America, and a lot of people are searching and leaning away from Christianity. We were specifically trying to target them with the commercial and the signs.
“Unfortunately, we also attracted some negative attention.”
The discussions are part of the Mosaic Church of Crestview’s 10 a.m. Sunday morning worship services. The discussions will be part of the next five Sunday services.
Read the full story in the April 11 edition of the Crestview News Bulletin
MOSAIC CHURCH OF CRESTVIEW “NO MORE CHRISTIANS” DISCUSSION TOPICS
April 12 — Why you should be an atheist instead of a Christian
April 19 — Why you should be a Muslim instead of a Christian
April 26 — Why you should be Jewish instead of a Christian
May 3 — Why you should be a Mormon instead of a Christian
May 10 — Why you should be a Hindu instead of a Christian
Learn more about the series at www.nomorechristians.com or www.mosaiccrestview.com.
See archived 'News' stories »
Reader's comments
| If you are still actually interested in atheists and atheism then consider a google search for Answers in Atheism.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for nonbelievers, works for the total separation of church and state, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. |
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| Steve Schlicht - Apr 19, 2009 12:33:27 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Does anyone reading this ever deny the possibility of anything someone claims to be true, but is unproven or utterly unprovable?
If so, what would that claim be and what methodology did you use to assert the denial?
Now, if you want to know any other facet of the life, morality, ethics, artful passions, cravings, hopes and philosophical musings of an atheist then y'all really need to ask each one you come across!
Thoughtfully yours,
Steve Schlicht
Biloxi MS
PS Evolution does not assert randomness. Please go out and study it for yourselves.
PPS If complexity always requires a creator then, by default, such a being would require an ever more complex creator, ad infinitum.
PPS I think you are wrong in return, James, and on the basis of sound reasons stated both here and in our wonderful email discussions! |
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| Steve Schlicht - Apr 18, 2009 11:11:16 PM | Remove Comment |
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| In my opinion, we certainly should not rely on interpreters to tell us the views of others, especially if the speaker is from the home team resulting in simple confirmation bias.
Atheists don't avoid religion.
As an atheist, I immerse myself in comparative religious study and found them to be rather interesting mythology depicting a wonderful cultural psychology which tries to fill the gaps in our knowledge.
Humans are curious and fearful of the unknown so they will fill these gaps with the gods.
This is an observable fact.
I am fearful of many unknowns and, as a criminal investigator specializing in violent crimes, truly love a mystery!
No deities required.
That said, just because something cannot be known or is not yet known doesn't mean we should accept any of the religious claims as possible or even probable until it is known.
That is why it is reasonable and practical to reject the claim that a talking snake beguiled two human creations into disobeying a deity thereby causing the illness of sin into every newborn child.
It is also reasonable to fully reject the illogical notion that a burning bush that did not burn spoke divine messages to Moses for humans to obey.
I also find that it is equally reasonable to reject the notion that the angel Gabriel provided new divine messages to the prophet Mohammed for humans to obey.
It is also equally reasonable to reject the notion that the angel Moroni provided even newer divine messages to the prophet Joseph Smith on golden plates for humans to obey.
One doesn't have to believe in disbelief to come to a conclusion beyond a reasonable doubt until actual evidence is presented.
Atheism is a conclusion based upon a critical analysis of the respective religious claims. It isn't a belief in disbelief.
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| Steve Schlicht - Apr 18, 2009 11:09:52 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Hi Everyone,
We had a wonderful time exploring the natural beauty of Tennessee and the LeConte Mountain Range and are just as pleased being back in the loving warmth of our home and family routine!
Was there any input from an actual atheist at this last event at Mosaic entitled, why you should be an atheist?
James and I have been discussing social and political issues with regards to religion and morality via email, however, I listened to his sermon and found that it didn't really address the issue, why you should be an atheist.
In fact, I was very disappointed in that the approach was novel, but the sermon was the same one I have been hearing from Protestant evangelicals for many, many years.
The conclusion, complete with emerging muzak, asking for a monetary offering was just classic.
James, a theist, presented some fairly tired straw man arguments that he easily burned in the public square which does not seem entirely fair or constructive given the bait and switch of this entire endeavor.
My view is that everyone should review all of the assorted religious claims deeply and sincerely and critically examine the alleged empirical evidence, if any, for them to determine if there is any for the existence of any of the purported Gods and or Goddesses and come to their own conclusions.
I am sure many Mosaic church members have concluded that they are not Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Mormons or Zoroastrians based upon some methodology that examines the claims and finds them lacking in evidence to support their belief.
Atheists merely include Christianity into that set.
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| Steve Schlicht - Apr 18, 2009 11:08:26 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I consider myself a nonFANATICAL christian I keep to myself dont tell people to honk there horn if they love Jesus or go around praying loudly or rub oil on others nor have I ever had the holy ghost to where I spoke in tongues and a certain local preacher told me I was not going to heaven until I did please I live a good life and am kind to others and perform random acts of kindness everyday and dont boast about it I dont need credit from my peers God sees what I do So I dont convert others Thats why Im not Jehovahs witness Quit being misleading about what you think is a good idea to get people in the church I notice the flock has been lead by Jesus to leave a couple verses I understand your church is trying the tactic of angering the christianity back into folks but to a lot of folks it makes them think church folk are loco and yes I know there are lots of locals that love that and dont care about imposing on others. |
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| realist - Apr 17, 2009 09:07:43 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Incase you missed it Mosaic Church posts their sermons on their website and on itunes. I dont think they are up yet but it should be in the next day or two. mosaiccrestview dot com Go down to the listen online link |
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| believer - Apr 13, 2009 09:41:22 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Nope Matthew, don't know of anything like that around, and yes I might be interested. Shoot me an email, slf98 at aol dot com. |
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| ME - Apr 12, 2009 04:40:19 PM | Remove Comment |
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| He is risen indeed! The empty tomb forms a veritable rock on which all rationalistic theories of the resurrection dash themselves in vain. Dr William Lane Craig |
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| Matthew - Apr 12, 2009 03:02:10 PM | Remove Comment |
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| HE IS RISEN |
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| Truth - Apr 12, 2009 01:32:43 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Hey Me
A few others and I want to start some sort of apologetics meetings in Crestview. OK just me and one other person right now. The idea is some kind of semi regular meeting where we could present and or discuss topics related to the defense of the Christian faith authenticity of the bible maybe creation etc. Let me know if you would be interested. Or better yet if theres something like that allready established in Crestview! |
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| Matthew - Apr 12, 2009 01:12:10 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Steve,
Just noticed you won't be in town tonight. 'Open' will continue the next 4 following Sundays as well. Same time/place. |
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| Matthew - Apr 12, 2009 08:11:46 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Steve,
Did you hear about the open forum at Starbucks in Crestview tonight to discuss the sermon topic? I think it's at 1730. |
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| Matthew - Apr 12, 2009 08:08:58 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Steve, Do you believe in right and wrong? If so from where do you derive your standard? |
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| Mark - Apr 11, 2009 09:38:47 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Mormons definitely believe they are followers of Christ, but in fact they are followers of Joseph Smith's Christ, so they are JS Christians |
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| Mark - Apr 11, 2009 09:37:07 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Have a good one! |
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| ME - Apr 11, 2009 04:37:58 PM | Remove Comment |
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| My family and I will be on our way to a well deserved vacation in Gatlinburg TN tomorrow morning so I cannot make it to Crestview.
It isn't very far for me to drive to FL from Biloxi, so I will definitely be open minded to planning another date to attend their open invitation to educate folks about atheists and atheism.
I write for the msatheists blog, have posted at James and Tripp's linked forums and have sent an email offering to provide some additional insight they seem interested in, but they must be rather understandably busy.
Anyway, thanks for the great exchanges, take care and be good.
Steve Schlicht |
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| Steve Schlicht - Apr 11, 2009 04:35:42 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Hm you should go tomorrow and see what they have to say. Then let me know how it goes as I can not make it tomorrow. |
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| ME - Apr 11, 2009 04:18:35 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I came here because of the asserted effort of the Mosaic Church leaders who proposed an open forum for discussion of views without proselytizing.
As an atheist, the invitation was specific for the April 12 educational series for their gathering.
As of yet, I've received no response to my posts taking them up on their offer on their website or via email, but I am hopeful.
That said, I am vocal and proactive socially and politically because of some of the flawed claims specifically promoted from the bully pulpit that affect human liberty and community.
None of the Gods or Goddesses motivated me to this cause.
Folks who perpetuate false and flawed assertions about atheism and atheists actually did.
I am not a big proponent of absolute knowledge and am happy to situate my views well within the beyond a reasonable doubt standard, while remaining open to further theories and empirical evidence otherwise.
I often wonder if Christians are ever able to be comfortable with this standard as well or if every single event is attributed to the absolute knowledge that their deity exists and intervenes in all walks of life, especially internet discussion forums.
Wonderful series of tangents, though, and I hope everyone is learning as much from this as I am! |
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| Steve Schlicht - Apr 11, 2009 04:15:09 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Like man, the angels were created perfect, and with a free will. You could read around Ezekiel 28 12 or so to 28 19 or so. Sorry, it won't let me put punctuation like colon or semicolon in. |
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| ME - Apr 11, 2009 04:05:46 PM | Remove Comment |
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| In simple terms, In the beginning, before God created the Heavens and the Earth there was an angel. This angel decided he wanted to be God or as good as God. God cast him away from Heaven to his own place, we call Hell. Lucifer, Satan, now rules over his own dominion in Hell.
So God created Hell as a place for Lucifer to live and rule. Hell is also the place that we choose to go when we die if we do not choose to live with God in Heaven.
Hell is the default destination. If we drive down the interstate and never take an exit we will keep going down the interstate. The interstate is our default destination. BUT we can choose to take an exit and head to a different destination.
Man is headed to hell, unless he choosed God and heads in a different direction, which is Heaven to live with God for eternity. |
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| ME - Apr 11, 2009 03:57:28 PM | Remove Comment |
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