08 Aug 11
I found this little gem on the BBC website -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14417362
For those 'religionists' who claim that atheism is the new religion, you could just be right.
It is part of the mainstream Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), and the service is conventional enough, with hymns, readings from the Bible, and the Lord's Prayer. But the message from Mr Hendrikse's sermon seems bleak - "Make the most of life on earth, because it will probably be the only one you get".
"Personally I have no talent for believing in life after death," Mr Hendrikse says. "No, for me our life, our task, is before death."
Nor does Klaas Hendrikse believe that God exists at all as a supernatural thing.
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08 Aug 11
Originally posted by Proper KnobIt reminds me of a scene from Yes, Prime Minister:
I found this little gem on the BBC website -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14417362
For those 'religionists' who claim that atheism is the new religion, you could just be right.
It is part of the mainstream Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), and the service is conventional enough, with hymns, readings from the Bible, an ...[text shortened]... r does Klaas Hendrikse believe that God exists at all as a supernatural thing.
Hacker: Is there anyone in the Church who doesn't believe in God?
Appleby: Why, yes, most of the bishops.
Nothing like bashing the CofE.
08 Aug 11
1 edit
Originally posted by Proper KnobIf they do not walk with Christ through faith in this life, it undoubtedly will be the only one they get.
I found this little gem on the BBC website -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14417362
For those 'religionists' who claim that atheism is the new religion, you could just be right.
It is part of the mainstream Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), and the service is conventional enough, with hymns, readings from the Bible, an r does Klaas Hendrikse believe that God exists at all as a supernatural thing.
08 Aug 11
Originally posted by Proper KnobVery interesting article. Reminds me a great deal of what Bishop Spong has to say. He, too, does not conceive of god as a theistic 'being.' Like the article says, we can no longer view god through the lens of a 1st century Palestinian, and it is foolish to try to keep god confined in that little box. People in the 21st century find it increasingly difficult to believe that which has become unbelievable.
I found this little gem on the BBC website -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14417362
For those 'religionists' who claim that atheism is the new religion, you could just be right.
It is part of the mainstream Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), and the service is conventional enough, with hymns, readings from the Bible, an ...[text shortened]... r does Klaas Hendrikse believe that God exists at all as a supernatural thing.
08 Aug 11
Originally posted by Proper KnobNot believing in god as a supernatural being does not necessarily make Mr. Hendrikse an atheist. As he says, the word 'god' is very important to him. It's just that he, like Bishop Spong, has a radically different interpretation of what that god is.
I found this little gem on the BBC website -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14417362
For those 'religionists' who claim that atheism is the new religion, you could just be right.
It is part of the mainstream Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), and the service is conventional enough, with hymns, readings from the Bible, an ...[text shortened]... r does Klaas Hendrikse believe that God exists at all as a supernatural thing.
08 Aug 11
Originally posted by Proper Knob==============================
I found this little gem on the BBC website -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14417362
For those 'religionists' who claim that atheism is the new religion, you could just be right.
It is part of the mainstream Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), and the service is conventional enough, with hymns, readings from the Bible, an ...[text shortened]... r does Klaas Hendrikse believe that God exists at all as a supernatural thing.
"Personally I have no talent for believing in life after death," Mr Hendrikse says. "No, for me our life, our task, is before death."
==================================
A big fat false dichotomy.
08 Aug 11
Originally posted by rwingettIrrelevant. That's just sand in people's eyes. He doesn't believe in a supernatural being.
Not believing in god as a supernatural being does not necessarily make Mr. Hendrikse an atheist. As he says, the word 'god' is very important to him. It's just that he, like Bishop Spong, has a radically different interpretation of what that god is.
08 Aug 11
Originally posted by PalynkaWhy must god be defined as 'a supernatural being'? His point is that such an understanding is an antiquated concept that is no longer tenable. It shouldn't be viewed as redefining god, but as allowing for our understanding of god to mature.
Irrelevant. That's just sand in people's eyes. He doesn't believe in a supernatural being.
08 Aug 11
2 edits
Originally posted by rwingettCheck a definition of atheism.
Why must god be defined as 'a supernatural being'? His point is that such an understanding is an antiquated concept that is no longer tenable. It shouldn't be viewed as redefining god, but as allowing for our understanding of god to mature.
If the concept of God is no longer tenable, then why not drop it? Why do we need to redefine it in such a way that it bears no resemblance to what the word meant, just so we can cling to the word? It's just a symptom of the man's cognitive dissonance.
08 Aug 11
Originally posted by PalynkaOK, I'll grant you that. To conceive of god in non-theistic terms would, by definition, make one an atheist. Unless 'god' can be successfully decoupled from 'theism', I guess you are left with the prospect of having atheists who believe in god.
Check a definition of atheism.
08 Aug 11
Originally posted by rwingettLanguage being what it is, people can define words to mean whatever they want. Just that communication might be impaired. In this case, defining God in non-theistic terms will only serve to confuse others. Like I said, sand in people's eyes.
OK, I'll grant you that. To conceive of god in non-theistic terms would, by definition, make one an atheist. Unless 'god' can be successfully decoupled from 'theism', I guess you are left with the prospect of having atheists who believe in god.
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08 Aug 11
Originally posted by PalynkaSand in the eyes of the blind does not impair vision.
Language being what it is, people can define words to mean whatever they want. Just that communication might be impaired. In this case, defining God in non-theistic terms will only serve to confuse others. Like I said, sand in people's eyes.
08 Aug 11
Originally posted by rwingettAnd I suspect that 'believe in' would be the wrong phrase. Many people have redefined 'God' to be some sort of description of the universe, but unless certain assertions are made about how the universe is or works, no belief is required. I believe Einstein was one of those atheists who in refusing to part with the word 'God' only served to cause confusion. Of course in his case it may have been a deliberate attempt to avoid declaring himself atheist, which brings with it significant discrimination.
Unless 'god' can be successfully decoupled from 'theism', I guess you are left with the prospect of having atheists who believe in god.