The problem, for me, is also with the nature of god as presented by Judeo-Christian tradition. When I was a Catholic (by choice), I was deeply offended by “cafeteria” Christians, who picked and chose what doctrines to accept or reject. The fact is, I still am. The difference between myself then and now is that I reached a point that I could no longer reconcile the concept of a loving god with that of infinite punishment for finite sin. And that’s just for starters. The Bible is rife with examples of horrible acts, either committed by its god or condoned (even commanded) by him.

The bottom line is, I can’t pick and choose the bits I like now any more than I could when I was a conservative Catholic. How many basic tenets of Christianity can one reject and still claim to be Christian (and intellectually honest?) I would like very much to believe in a benevolent higher power, but have found myself unable to “save the baby” when all I find in the tub is so much dirty bathwater.

Hinduism is a large name that encompasses a variety of smaller religious beliefs. Yes Vishnu, and Shiva are the two largest beliefs in Hinduism. However there are also a variety of other Gods, and some individuals who would fall under hinduism who do not believe in a diety at all, but more in the philisophical beliefs.

Yes Mormonism was created by Smith but he was originally a protestant. Martin Luther is accredited for being the father of the reformation, but there are many other people such as Zwingli that influenced it as well.

I feel that Dyck had mentioned some intersting things according to whoever wrote this article and would like to read the book myself to trully see what is being said.

I feel the movie Angels & Demons says it best, “Religion is flawed only because man is flawed.” Sometimes we need to realize this. There are some churches that may have lost there way, but there are others that have not.

In regards to people being hurt, and saying God should of done something he did in Matthew 7:15
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (NIV)

There are other verses but this is the most obvious one that comes to mind. I feel there is hurt an problems on both sides. People blame religion and the church, and some churches seem to just see people as poles and numbers. etc. This is wrong, the true church loves everyones and the head of this church wants to have a relationship with everyone. This man loves you more then amyone will, and has shown the world true love.

I would slightly alter this paragraph, Josh, because I do think it is virtuous to try and share your knowledge and experience to change people for the better. But I whoelheartedly agree that doing so out of an arrogance and “my way or the highway” menatlity is what leads to problems. It is also ineffective. And this is hardly problem unique to evangelizing Christianianity, but one all groups and individuals must learn to minimize.

Merry Christmas to all readers of de-conversion.com!!!

You know, I almost feel as if the real “problem” is the arrogance that comes from anyone to think that it is their sole mission to participate in solving the world’s problems by changing the people around them.

Where are the soul-searching introspective Christian writers who are struggling and grappling with their faith rather than assuming it is right and then writing books on how to get everyone else to agree with them?

Anyway, just my $0.02.

I have to admit that I’m somewhat curious regarding the advice for bringing these groups back into the faith. It’d be interesting to see this book critiqued by someone who falls into one of those categories.

I guess it goes to show that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and that the more educated you become about a particular faith or religious faith in general, the more likely it is that you may end up falling away somewhere down the road. That’s why so many fundies try to live in a bubble. As one of the characters in “The Crucible” said, “Theology is a fortress. It admits no cracks.”

It took a long time for me to get to the point where “churches are the problem,” but I have to agree that at in my case at least that is true. And once out, it’s very hard to go back. You see things you didn’t see before. Some people can do that. I can’t.

His view is that people who leave churches are problems. I don’t agree with him. In my view, the people who leave churches are not problems. Rather, churches themselves are problems. The problem is not that so many people are leaving the church. The problem is that too many of them are staying.

I have this urge to say, “tell it preacher”