Atheist Joins Presbyterian Church

[ncdisneyfan]

It sounds like he joined the church for socio-political reasons, rather than religious reasons. Who knows though? If he participates in the activities of the church, he may slowly come to believe in the religious aspects. God does sometimes work in mysterious ways, as I have seen evidenced in my own life.

Or he may just be grandstanding and looking for attention, in which case, when his 15 minutes of fame as "the atheist who joined a church" are over, he'll move on to something else to regain the attention.

Well said, and you're right, we don't know exactly why he did it. I do agree with him coming to the church, for in that he may be changed, but as to joining the church, I know ours wouldn't allow it, b/c you have to make a profession of faith before you join, which he would be unwilling to make, therefore he could come all he wants, but wouldn't be an official member.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I am Catholic to and it is not a big deal.

But in the Catholic church, is there a difference between joining the church, and becoming a Catholic??

 

[In a hurry]

I guess that I don't see a purpose for joining a group that I disagree with. There are churches out there such as the Unitarian, and the Church of Religious Science that seem to me to be more appropriate.

 

[Tiggeroo]

This troubles me as a Christian. He should be accepted loving into the church. Everybody should treat him like a brother. But actual membership should require acceptance of the faith. Everybod is welcome in a church but membership requires acceptance of their doctrine and publicly stating this.

 

[auntpolly]

But in the Catholic church, is there a difference between joining the church, and becoming a Catholic??

Actually, when, beoming a member of a parish has little to do with becoming a Catholic. I know that some churches will want your history (baptism, first holy communion etc) but some never ask (I've moved all over the country so I know this for a fact).

The Catholic Church would not allow someone who said they didn't believe in God be comfirmed, but they could be member of a parish. Matter of fact, I think most priests would be happy to have them there -- they'd feel like they could reel them in, sooner or later...

 

[mickeyfan2]

But in the Catholic church, is there a difference between joining the church, and becoming a Catholic??

One can join the church but not partake of all the sacraments. For example, you can be married in the Church by a Priest in a exchanging of rings ceremony or you can have a Catholic Mass wedding that includes Communion. The Catholic Church prefers if only Catholics take Communion, but they do not require you to show you are worthy to them. I have know of non-Catholics receiving communion, but they may not view the meaning the same way.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

He can call himself a martian for all I care. When I am at communion at mass and I look around at the people and really feel like the body of Christ, I realize that we all are, no matter who the people are or what they might seem like beyond that moment. For a minute, anyway, I lose all sense of judgement of my fellow man and I believe that's the way Jesus would want it.

Let the guy come, say whatever he likes. Hopefully his mind will bechanged.

Well I'm judging him outside of church on a statement he made in a public article in a public forum.

Now I am by no means a theologian. But he's moochin' the church.

 

[curiouser]

The pastor (in the article) admitting this parisitic relationship is a sign of that churches priorities and it isn't to educate the man on the Christian Faith:

Jim Rigby, pastor of St. Andrew's, a church affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), explains that allowing an atheist to join his church is a matter of building "connections."

"Neither the church nor Jensen views his membership as surrendering anything," Rigby insists, "but instead is an attempt to build connections. Such efforts are crucial in a world where there seems not to be a lot of wood to build the bridges we need. And the shame is, while we fight among ourselves, the world is burning."

It is just sad. The church is playing politics and nothing more. Should all churches run and get "token" politicians as members now?

Gasp!!! Building bridges?! With HEATHENS?! NEVER!! Why promote unity amongst man if he doesn't believe what we believe? Bring on the Holy Wars! Bring back the CRUSADES!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Sorry it is not for us to claim to know what is in his heart.

Well I would like to believe he is at least truthful in his professions. And his professions indicate that he is being a parasite and the relationship is mutual from the church.

If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck--one would presume they are a duck and not think that deep down they are really a goose.

His words and actions are loud and clear.

 

[auntpolly]

I just wonder what harm he can really do? What are people afraid of here? My feeling is "Sure, come, maybe you'll learn a thing or two."

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Gasp!!! Building bridges?! With HEATHENS?! NEVER!! Why promote unity amongst man if he doesn't believe what we believe? Bring on the Holy Wars! Bring back the CRUSADES!!

They didn't say build bridges--they said connections..you scratch my back, I scratch yours. It is a parisitic relationship that they have both publicly advertised.

 

[declansdad]

There is a big difference between embracing Christian ideals and being a Christian. A Christian is a follower of Christ, one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Many non-believers follow his teachings, but stop short of believing in his deity. This man is not a Christian.

I have no problem with this man being in church, but I'm puzzled as to why this congregation would accept him for membership knowing that A) he's not a believer and B) he's doing this to make a political statement.

That is your definition of a christian. Another definition of christian is one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus. This definition says nothing about believing Jesus to be the Son of God and the Saviour of the world.

I am puzzled though, why a church would accept him as a member. Welcoming him to attend their church and becomeing a member are two different things.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I just wonder what harm he can really do? What are people afraid of here? My feeling is "Sure, come, maybe you'll learn a thing or two."

Most likely none unless he chooses to start proclaiming "his beliefs" and convert the Christians to his ways.


I just don't see the point of joining anything you don't don't believe in. What motivates one to do this?

 

[auntpolly]

Most likely none unless he chooses to start proclaiming "his beliefs".

Even if he does, so what? Are we so weak that we feel we might be swayed by him?

I mean, I can't see letting him give sermons or anything, but what a guy says about what he believes is none of my business. I don't usually get my religious training from atheists...

 

[auntpolly]

Most likely none unless he chooses to start proclaiming "his beliefs" and convert the Christians to his ways.

Again, do we have so little faith in our own convictions?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It is just odd Aunt Polly. He will not affect me--I don't go to his church.

I'm so glad that you can distance yourself from judging him.

I'm fallable. I'm human. He's a parasite.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Again, do we have so little faith in our own convictions?

Nope.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I just wonder what harm he can really do? What are people afraid of here? My feeling is "Sure, come, maybe you'll learn a thing or two."

But again - there is a big difference in attending a church and being a Member of the church in every Protestant church I've ever been acquainted with.

I do not know about the Presbyterian church -- but in our Church -- we do not have a Pope such as the Catholics who dictate "what we believe." That is done through regional and national Membership conferences by the lay people of the Church. If this man "joined" a United Methodist church, he would become a full voting member that could dictate exactly what doctrine is followed in the Church.

So is one atheist joining the Church going to be a problem? no. But if all the Churches around the nation start accepting Atheists into their membership, then you are talking enough Non-Believing members with votes that can completely alter the Dogma of the Church.

 

[auntpolly]

It is just odd Aunt Polly. He will not affect me--I don't go to his church.

I'm so glad that you can distance yourself from judging him.

I'm fallable. I'm human. He's a parasite.

If I sound like I'm chastizing you for this, I'm not. I'm just trying to understand.

To be honest, he sounds like he is promoting his own agenda and his intentions probably are not great, but I really have faith in my church and I don't think a guy like him would stand much of a chance or "polluting our waters" anyway. It's true, we Catholics wouldn't be letting him in on any of the sacraments, but he'd be welcome in church -- especially when the collection plate went around. .

I don't understand why he'd want to sit there and listen to a bunch of stuff he didn't believe, but I'd just be hoping something clicked with him.

 

[auntpolly]

But again - there is a big difference in attending a church and being a Member of the church in every Protestant church I've ever been acquainted with.

.

So this guy was "confirmed" (don't know what they call it) in the church? You can't just join up and be a member without an actual confirmation ceremony?

In the Catholic Church it's more defined. No, we'd never let someone be part of a sacrament who didn't agree to the terms, so to speak.