"One common myth is that the nonreligious lead empty, meaningless, selfish, self-centered lives. This is not only false, it’s ridiculous," Lindsay said in a statement. What makes life meaningful is not when a person "believes" in God, rather, regardless of one's beliefs, ultimate meaning is derived from the existence of God. If there is no God, it makes no difference how hard a person tries t...more

"One common myth is that the nonreligious lead empty, meaningless, selfish, self-centered lives. This is not only false, it’s ridiculous," Lindsay said in a statement.

What makes life meaningful is not when a person "believes" in God, rather, regardless of one's beliefs, ultimate meaning is derived from the existence of God. If there is no God, it makes no difference how hard a person tries to fill his or her life, it is still empty and meaningless as far as any objective understanding may be concerned. Apart from God, life is only meaningful in a very personally subjective perspective and that perspective is determined by each individual's subjective principles that governs their beliefs.

In a world devoid of God, it is impossible to determine that the atrocities committed under Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and company were any less meaningful than that of Mark Buntain, Amy Carmichael, William Wilberforce, etc. Without God, it can only be based on one's personal opinion.less

Hahaha! You are hilarious Rhi. I doubt you know much of anything about the Amish. For them, it is a way of life and when our power permanently lossed, who else will be running to for survival? Obama? lol

Ahhh, but what is it exactly that has facilitated the advance of science? Not naturalism, you can be sure of that!

What does "fundamentalism" have to do with the issue? Methodological natural evolutionists (i.e. Dawkins and co.) are just as much fundamentalist as six day creationists (which I doubt to be Mohler's position). Interestingly, both require faith.

Although I am unaware of any specific examples of this law being used to target a Christian organization, the law still stands as stated. The fact is, similar laws are implimented in the US with Bible colleges and the like. It is also the case in foreign countries where homosexual activists target Christian ministries with legal action to shut them down, which the courts give them the power to do....more

Although I am unaware of any specific examples of this law being used to target a Christian organization, the law still stands as stated. The fact is, similar laws are implimented in the US with Bible colleges and the like. It is also the case in foreign countries where homosexual activists target Christian ministries with legal action to shut them down, which the courts give them the power to do.

Think it can't happen? Here in Illinois there was one church that was doing a series on Genesis and the feds came to investigate the content. In my opinion that is a shocking expose' on the impact of the homosexual takeover.less

On what premises do you defend homosexuality if it is not from the naturalistic point of view; that they are born in such a way that they cannot help but act out their natural inclinations? Presuming this is the case, how is that you could exclude tendencies of pedophilia? Once you open the can of worms that whatever comes naturally to each individual person is acceptable for society, everythi...more

On what premises do you defend homosexuality if it is not from the naturalistic point of view; that they are born in such a way that they cannot help but act out their natural inclinations? Presuming this is the case, how is that you could exclude tendencies of pedophilia?

Once you open the can of worms that whatever comes naturally to each individual person is acceptable for society, everything should be tolerated.

Beliefs have consequences.

Homosexuality was once illegal and is no longer. Bible believing Christians by and large have learned to deal with that. BUT, when the homosexual activists desire to force it down the throat of America, don't be surprised if there is opposition.less

Rhi Bran, your comments continue to conflict with the name that you assume. As you are apparently enamored with the work of Stephen Lawhead (The King Raven Trilogy, for anyone curious), you should know that the historical context is all too relevant. There is a very big difference between capital punishment and murder. Lawhead understands this and it is obvious in his work. When the Bible says...more

Rhi Bran, your comments continue to conflict with the name that you assume. As you are apparently enamored with the work of Stephen Lawhead (The King Raven Trilogy, for anyone curious), you should know that the historical context is all too relevant. There is a very big difference between capital punishment and murder. Lawhead understands this and it is obvious in his work.

When the Bible says, thou shalt not kill, it is refering to murder (unjustified killing). When God calls for the implimentation of capital punishment it is the judgment for those who have broken this law (the sanctity of life). I see this common error on CP all too frequently. When God commanded the Israelites to execute his judgment upon particular clans in the Old Testiment, it was not arbitrary but quite specific. It was the result of evil and wickedness and the Israelites were warned that they themselves were not above God's judgment. As a matter of fact, God frequently utilized other nations to judge Israel's sin.less

If you really have an open mind Mr Skeptic, you should consider getting out more and getting to know some Christians. I apologize if I come across rude, but this is crazy. While it is true that we all (Christians and atheists) go through times when we doubt our committments, it is irrelevant to the homosexual issue. The fact is, it would not matter if it was homosexuality, pedophilia, polygamy, in...more

If you really have an open mind Mr Skeptic, you should consider getting out more and getting to know some Christians. I apologize if I come across rude, but this is crazy. While it is true that we all (Christians and atheists) go through times when we doubt our committments, it is irrelevant to the homosexual issue. The fact is, it would not matter if it was homosexuality, pedophilia, polygamy, incest or rape, if those practitioners desire to foist their deviant objectives on the rest of society. Homosexuality is no longer illegal. But that is not enough. They seek not only status, but the schools and curiculim. Perhaps you are unaware of the far reaching implications that they seek. In Illinois, state law requires every single business entity that operates with eight employees to be willing to hire homosexual personel. There is no provision to protect churches, Bible colleges and what not. I could go on. Do some research and you should understand.less

ROFL!

While that may be true, it is also true that you may be prohibited from doing the work of God if Christians yield to the growing secular powers that be.

Well, I would say yes and no. I think that TV evangelism and other massive strategies have in fact been used by God, although many on TV have become commercialized and extravagant. Word of mouth is one way, but one glance at the book of Acts and we quickly see that it was not the only method employed by the apostles. It is sad to see the Orthodox and Catholic churches in such serious decline t...more

Well, I would say yes and no. I think that TV evangelism and other massive strategies have in fact been used by God, although many on TV have become commercialized and extravagant. Word of mouth is one way, but one glance at the book of Acts and we quickly see that it was not the only method employed by the apostles.

It is sad to see the Orthodox and Catholic churches in such serious decline that they need to be evangelized from the inside out. I am no expert on such matters, but it seriously concerns me. What is worse is that people such as Franky Schaeffer travels the country attempting to proselytize for the Orthodox church. I wish you well on your journey and pray that your journey is more fruitful.less

//"Using politics to force our morality on people with different morals is not a winning proposition."// This is common misunderstanding about the role of legislation. Legislation is in fact a moral paradigm. The founding fathers of America understood that the Bible was the necessary corner stone for our legislation. Even freedom of religion was debated on the grounds of a Biblical understandi...more

//"Using politics to force our morality on people with different morals is not a winning proposition."//

This is common misunderstanding about the role of legislation. Legislation is in fact a moral paradigm. The founding fathers of America understood that the Bible was the necessary corner stone for our legislation. Even freedom of religion was debated on the grounds of a Biblical understanding. Has the homosexual activists forgotten that homosexuality was not made illegal by the Christian right, but the very founders of America, including the secular humanists' poster boy, Thomas Jefferson. Nevertheless, that law was struck down in Texas and the homosexual activists are not satisfied. They will not stop until every school indoctrinates their brand of ethics to our children, including various ways of sexual engagment.

Now then, should homosexuality be distinguished from other forms of sexual deviancy, such as fornication, adultery, beastiality, incest, rape, pedophilia, et al? Well, of course you are right that we should condemn all of the above. But, I doubt emergents would agree, including yourself from your comments above.less

Phat, you are assuming that homoseual relationships are normal, healthy (for individuals as well as society) and righteous in the eyes of God. I am reminded of when Abraham Lincoln was asked if he thought God was on his side, he replied that his concern was that he would be on God's side.

To say that "millions of Americans are good without God" simply begs the question. If there is no God, any kind of "goodness" is purely speculative and subjective at best. I say, bring on the conversation. Is man really good by nature? Is the atheist merely borrowing from the Christian worldview in asserting such a moral standard? After all, even Dawkins calls himself a cultural Christian. Perhaps...more

To say that "millions of Americans are good without God" simply begs the question. If there is no God, any kind of "goodness" is purely speculative and subjective at best. I say, bring on the conversation. Is man really good by nature? Is the atheist merely borrowing from the Christian worldview in asserting such a moral standard? After all, even Dawkins calls himself a cultural Christian. Perhaps the atheist believes in a social contract? If so, why don't they come together and stand against the Freedom From Religion Foundation whose objective is to cut off the religious majority from implementing any kind of faith based public policy? Wouldn't this too be considered a part of the social contract? Ahhh, the contradictions of atheism abound.less

If it were possible for God not to exist then that would mean that religion is a mere social convention, a product of evolution. If religion is a source of evil, then it only reflects human character; therefore Hitchen's argument is misfounded. His argument should be against humanity. The various secret societies and political parties involved in world affairs throughout the ages can attest to thi...more

If it were possible for God not to exist then that would mean that religion is a mere social convention, a product of evolution. If religion is a source of evil, then it only reflects human character; therefore Hitchen's argument is misfounded. His argument should be against humanity. The various secret societies and political parties involved in world affairs throughout the ages can attest to this, including the rise of Hitler. I don't know anything about the Catholic Church and it's reaction to AIDS, but I do know that it is Christians who are in Africa helping them. I also know that people continue to die in Africa from malaria, the result of political activism.

I would also like to point out that prior to the advent of Jesus, it was the conqueror who was the hero of the day. Crucifixion was no glamorous tribute to have on one's epitaph. Sacrifice for name's sake was one thing, but when Jesus cried, "Father forgive them," he was speaking a foreign language. The end result however, is that the heroes of our day are not conquerors but those who sacrifice for the sake of others. Hitchens is literally borrowing from the Christian worldview as he argues against religion.

Ultimately, the problem with secular humanism is that it assumes that man is basically good, when in fact man is fallen in nature. The only hope for humanity is the redemption that is found in Jesus, the Christ. This is why most of us who claim the title Christian baulk at defining it as religion. For those of us who have been changed, it is the very real power of God. No superstition, no religious tradition, rather, it is an encounter.less

As America forgots her roots, quickly becoming a postmodern and post-Christian secular society ruled by liberal Democrats, the one rules over the majority. If one person cries "foul," everyone is penalized. The question is, how long will it be before Michigan starts passing out Qurans?

One thing is for certain, the Church of God in Christ and the Assemblies of God are the fastest growing denominations.