Protestantism

» pink101 - Great Article--February 2008

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There is a great article in the February 2008 issue of Psychology Today: An Atheist In the Pulpit. What happens when religious leaders lose their faith? by Bruce Grierson
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Anyone read it?

-- posted by pink101

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» Migisi - Great Article--February 2008

In response to Great Article--February 2008 posted by pink101:

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Post some highlights, Pink?

-- posted by Migisi

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» pink101 - The De-Conversion Process

In response to Great Article--February 2008 posted by Migisi:
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Generally, the article is about a Lutheran minister by the name of McAllister who lost his faith and about how that impacted in his life.
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He talks about how he began to feel when his doubts started coming to the surface in his consciousness. I think it was similar to the way it happens to many of us when we first begin thinking about doubts and what mechanisms are in place to hold us away from letting those doubts enter into our thoughts.
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The article discusses the situation when ministers lose their faith and how difficult it is for them. There they are in a career based on faith and it starts to slip away. It is relatively easy for people like you and me; but, think of the trouble it sets up in the minister's life with his congregation that depends on him, his wife, and his children--if he's not a Catholic priest. And, if he is an RC priest, think of how it impacts on his life and other family members.
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I'll glean out some quotes and put them in here later.
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I can tell a couple of stories about some I have personally known who lost their faith. It can be very traumatic for anyone to go through the de-conversion process--let alone a minister.
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-- posted by pink101

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» Brian Tubbs - The De-Conversion Process

In response to The De-Conversion Process posted by pink101:

There are of course many stories where things go the OTHER way -avowed atheists or agnostics who become Christians or at least monotheists.

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» Migisi - The De-Conversion Process

In response to The De-Conversion Process posted by BrianTubbs:

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Evidence that nothing is constant in life except change.

-- posted by Migisi

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» pink101 - The De-Conversion Process

In response to The De-Conversion Process posted by BrianTubbs:
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There are of course many stories where things go the OTHER way -avowed atheists or agnostics who become Christians or at least monotheists.
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But, that's not the point, Brian. It is that de-conversion in the pulpit carries dire implications for the congregation whose members have looked up to the preacher as their shepherd. An Atheist can convert to Christianity and a thousand angels sing praises for a thousand eons--it's all happiness.
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But, when a preacher loses his faith, an entire congregation is left out in the cold. The sermons are turned into lies. What does it mean for a preacher to be caught in such a bind? What reassurance does his give the families when he officiates at the funerals of their loved ones? What are the reverberating affects of such a loss? After the Sunday sermon, do the congregants line up at the door to congratulate the minister on his morning's message? What of the altar calls he gives?
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-- posted by pink101

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