This Was Me . . .

[rufustfirefly]

Tell the Death Cult Ghoul he's a Death Cult Ghoul.

Atheist Tuesday: The Sad BloggableTruth
I got an email recently from an adolescent atheist mocking my decision to make “Atheist Tuesday” posts an occasional blog item instead of weekly. Here it is:

SUBJECT: Laughter

Wish you could hear mine. [Presumably his own laughter]

Quitters never win and winners never quit, Steve.

I like the fact that your “Evangelism Schedule” and “Evangelism Training” posts have received no comments, not even from Christians, while your “atheists are bad” post has received over fifty.

Keep up the good work.

Yes, it’s a sad fact that this blog will never be popular.

If I wanted to pander to atheists, I suppose that it would be more popular, but why would I want that? I will end up having to answer over and over again the same Googleable questions that are found ad nauseum on Christian apologetic sites’ comments sections. You know, questions like these:

What makes your story of creationism fundamentally different from all the others that exist now, have existed before, and will exist in the future?
Why is there at least some evidence for our scientific theories, but none at all for your creationism?
Why does your God support slavery, murder, etc.
Remember, this is an evangelism blog “written to be an encouragement to those who share their faith and a motivation to those who don’t.”

I found I was getting off-track and wasting my time answering questions that never lead to salvation. That is, I can try and answer all those questions, but really, atheists will not believe the truth by my answers, only if they have been called by the Holy Spirit.

So, back to the adolescent atheist’s email….

Yes, I admit it. This blog will never be popular. Ever. I’d love to have more people sample this site but I’m not naive. I understand that an evangelism blog has a very limited audience. Here’s why:

Bill Bright has stated that 2% of Christians share their faith. Out of those 2% most are repelled by biblical evangelism because they don’t understand it, dismissing it as too harsh and judgmental. I don’t expect them to visit. (Sadly, a Barna study shows that only 55% of born-again Christians even believe it’s their responsibility to evangelize.)
Another subset of that 2% who evangelize won’t come back to this site because their way of witnessing is better and “that guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about anyway.”
Of those who do share their faith in a biblical manner—those that understand that using the Law, the 10 Commandments, is the most effective way for sinners to understand why they are going to Hell and need a Savior—even they eventually lose their zeal (for the most part) and don’t want to be reminded of the urgency of this irksome task, which is the whole purpose of this blog. I don’t expect them to visit that often.
The other 98% of Christians will not be interested in this type of site because they are too concerned with other things: potlucks, choir practice, weddings, family rearing, life. All good things, important things, of course, but shouldn’t evangelism be included? I expect them to stumble on this site accidentally then quickly click on over to a Christian Facebook page.
(I’m reminded of that famous quote from Oswald J. Smith: “Oh my friends… we are loaded down with countless church activities while the real work of the church—that of evangelizing and winning the lost—is almost entirely neglected. The Body of Christ is not a pleasure cruiser on its way to Heaven, but a battleship stationed at the very gates of Hell.” )

Non Christians (the non-atheist kind) will not understand why this site needs to exist. It’s a waste of time. Stupid. They won’t visit again.
Atheists will visit for a limited time and only because they want to ridicule this writer and his faith. Eventually they, too, will leave in frustration due to his fundamentalist, narrow-minded, Stone-Age thinking. I expect them to visit haphazardly.
But I’m stuck. I can’t write with passion about anything else! I must encourage believers to take the step and experience the great adventure that is Biblical evangelism. There is nothing else I can do, so I’ll just have to be satisfied with my limited audience.

[Really?]

I am only 16, and Steve has already prevented my arguments from being displayed. Things over their are going downhill, he is censoring anything whose first name isn't Sock.

[AD6LR]

Welcome to the BB!

Yeah The LW cult really is closed minded and cowardice is rampant.

[lehman scott]

I am only 16, and Steve has already prevented my arguments from being displayed. Things over their are going downhill, he is censoring anything whose first name isn't Sock.

Welcome, Really, we are a large and growing community in general. And there is a lot to be learned from the many wonderful and extremely intelligent and caring peeps that inhabit this little corner of that community in particular.

Welcome, Sir/Ma'am!

[Chris]

Atheist Tuesday: The Sad BloggableTruth
If I wanted to pander to atheists, I suppose that it would be more popular, but why would I want that? I've no idea. Might be something to do with the fact that your blog is about evangelism & you might actually be interested in evangelization?

I will end up having to answer over and over again the same Googleable questions that are found ad nauseum on Christian apologetic sites’ comments sections. You know, questions like these:

What makes your story of creationism fundamentally different from all the others that exist now, have existed before, and will exist in the future?Nothing makes them different. Ray's creation story, which Steve slavishly follows is just like every other fundie Christian creationist.
Why is there at least some evidence for our scientific theories, but none at all for your creationism?Actually there is lots of evidence from many different disciplines to support evolution and nothing to support creationism except word games and fundie biblical interpretations.
Why does your God support slavery, murder, etc.From my experience this one is usually supported by special pleading - it isn't wrong when God does it - or sophistry - who are you to judge God or What's your basis for stating that slavery is wrong?
Remember, this is an evangelism blog Which sorta answers your previous question as to why you'd actually consider talking to atheists doesn't it?

I found I was getting off-track and wasting my time answering questions that never lead to salvation. That is, I can try and answer all those questions, but really, atheists will not believe the truth by my answers, only if they have been called by the Holy Spirit.Steve, steve, steve your Ego is NOT the Holy Spirit. I know you want your ego to be worshipped, and for everyone to think that the great God Steve's Ego is always right but it's never gonna happen.

So, back to the adolescent atheist’s email….
Another subset of that 2% who evangelize won’t come back to this site because their way of witnessing is better and “that guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about anyway.”Which of course you don't, do you Steve?

Non Christians (the non-atheist kind) will not understand why this site needs to exist. It’s a waste of time. Stupid. They won’t visit again.And yet I, who am a non-Christian non-atheist have visited that site many times and was met with derision by Steve. Strange that isn't it?
Atheists will visit for a limited time and only because they want to ridicule this writer and his faith. Proving that if you [Steve] ridicule others you'll be met by ridicule in return.Eventually they, too, will leave in frustration due to his fundamentalist, narrow-minded, Stone-Age thinking. I think they'd be more likely to leave because of your ego worship Steve as well as your arrogance, ridicule of any opposing viewpoint and lies. But maybe that's just me.I expect them to visit haphazardly. I wonder why?

[Chris]

I am only 16, and Steve has already prevented my arguments from being displayed. Things over their are going downhill, he is censoring anything whose first name isn't Sock.

I'll second Lehman. You're more than welcome here.

[zilch]

I'll add my welcome too- welcome, Really? There are some good, funny, and intelligent people here- have a good time, and tell us what you think.

Non Christians (the non-atheist kind) will not understand why this site needs to exist. It’s a waste of time. Stupid. They won’t visit again.
Atheists will visit for a limited time and only because they want to ridicule this writer and his faith. Eventually they, too, will leave in frustration due to his fundamentalist, narrow-minded, Stone-Age thinking. I expect them to visit haphazardly.
But I’m stuck. I can’t write with passion about anything else! I must encourage believers to take the step and experience the great adventure that is Biblical evangelism. There is nothing else I can do, so I’ll just have to be satisfied with my limited audience.

I gotta admit- that's a pretty cogent assessment of the way it is. Too bad Steve takes the wrong lesson from it- that he needs to dig in his heels and continue to resist what the real world is trying to say to him.

[lehman scott]

Non Christians (the non-atheist kind) will not understand why this site needs to exist. It’s a waste of time. Stupid. They won’t visit again. Atheists will visit for a limited time and only because they want to ridicule this writer and his faith. Eventually they, too, will leave in frustration due to his fundamentalist, narrow-minded, Stone-Age thinking. I expect them to visit haphazardly. But I’m stuck. I can’t write with passion about anything else! I must encourage believers to take the step and experience the great adventure that is Biblical evangelism. There is nothing else I can do, so I’ll just have to be satisfied with my limited audience.

I gotta admit- that's a pretty cogent assessment of the way it is. Too bad Steve takes the wrong lesson from it- that he needs to dig in his heels and continue to resist what the real world is trying to say to him.

I gotta admit something, too, zilch... all of the above just fills me with a profound feeling of sadness and pessimism...

Perhaps our newest member might be able to do something to turn my pessimism into optimism... it is the best policy.

[zilch]

I've always found optimism is the best policy.

Well, I don't know if it's always the best policy, but it's usually more fun than pessimism in the long run, and sometimes it's even justified.

[lehman scott]

I've always found optimism is the best policy.

Well, I don't know if it's always the best policy, but it's usually more fun than pessimism in the long run, and sometimes it's even justified.

lol... so eloquent as usual, zilch, thank you, Sir, that was perfect and very fitting for me on a number of levels....