Comments on: Hemant Mehta: 10 Questions with an Atheist

By: atheist, agnostic, skeptic – what am i? « Kat Cox's Blog

atheist, agnostic, skeptic – what am i? « Kat Cox's Blog — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:15:39 +0000

[...] the words of Hemant Mehta in an interview he had with Fallen and Flawed last April: 1. How would you describe yourself: atheist, agnostic or [...]

By: Demian Farnworth

Demian Farnworth — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:31:17 +0000

Hey Hemant, I wanted to ask you a follow up question that I didn’t think to include in my original questions: What does atheism offer that belief in God can’t?
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I know you got a lot going on, so I appreciate you taking time to answer our questions.

By: Hemant

Hemant — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:52:08 +0000

Al — I’d say I am open minded. However, in all my talks with Christians (and there really have been many of them), not a single person has ever said anything different (that I haven’t heard before) or mind-blowing. They seem to always appeal to emotion or they give me a personal anecdote of how they were “saved” and that does nothing for someone like me.

By: al

al — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:40:28 +0000

Hemant, I have appreciated your candor here and at other sites. I would like to ask you:
When you speak with a Christian, assuming that mutual repect and a rapport between you are established, is your mind open to the possibility of learning anything life-changing, or is that out of the question?
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My own life has been a series of trials and discoveries– sometimes radical changes in understanding and resultant outlook. At this point I cannot imagine being drawn away from belief in Christ, but I try to maintain an open mind if for no other reason than to understand the thinking of those who disagree with me.
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Is it so with you? Please elucidate…
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Thank you.

By: Rudy

Rudy — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:39:38 +0000

Actually, Jesus was more critical towards “religious” people. To them, he would used harsh language and direct condemnation.

For others, He offered salvation, compassion, and healing. He tried to save, not alienate the unbelievers.

By: Odi

Odi — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:24:38 +0000

Rudy,

Not sure what you mean by Jesus not shoving the good news down everyones throat… he called all the sinners he met to repentance and discipleship. That’s pretty straight forward, and what some would call shoving it down their throat.

By: Rudy

Rudy — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:22:51 +0000

I always believe the best way to witness is to have that Christ-like transformation in me first. Jesus delivered the good news but he didn’t shove it down everyone’s throat. People see the miracles and beauty in Jesus, and so they will follow.

I always like Jesus quote in Matthew 7:

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

I don’t want to be torn into pieces.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:47:17 +0000

Wow. That is a good read. I had to quiet the voice of Ravi Z. in my head and actually try and read without defending Christianity. It was really difficult.
Sometimes it is hard to just get to know someone without having an agenda.
How did Jesus do it?