Ok that sounds a little ridiculous. I’ll admit it, but it’s not what you think. True, I believe that atheists should be converted, but even if you were set in your God denying ways, there are still some great benefits from being involved in a church body.
1. There is an opportunity to give…
Giving money is an essential part of the wealth building equation. Yes it sounds contradictory, but as explained in the excellent book Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, giving money is necessary to develop a healthy attitude about money that contributes to wealth building. Sure there are charities to give to, but giving locally is the best way to be sure where your money goes, and it will help the poor and needy in your community. It is a very personal and fulfilling way to donate money.
2. There is an opportunity to serve…
I don’t care if you are believe in God or not, it is beneficial to yourself and those around you to be giving of your time to help others. Church bar-b-ques, neighborhood outreaches, Vacation Bible Schools, Community Dinners, helping homeless, and many other activities give opportunity to yourself and your family to tend to the needs of others.
3. There is tremendous opportunity to communicate…
This is the same principle behind rotary clubs and other organizations. A local church offers ways for you to communicate to friends and acquaintances the skills you have and how you can help others financially and also to locate people that can help you. After the college years are over, there are only sparse opportunities to network outside of your career field. This severely limits your ability to get things you may need because everyone you socialize with already knows what you know. A local church usually brings many people from many backgrounds together that can help each other out when needed.
4. You might actually be converted…
Yeah I know, this one is a long shot, but you’re going to be dead a long time and it might help to be sure where you’re going to spend eternity!
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December 13th, 2010
7 Comments at "4 Reasons Why Atheists Should Go to Church"
I`m an atheist and I found your text accidentally. It was very interesting, but if we want to help other people, you can join a NGO instead, so you can help without the danger of suffering a lobotomy from the church.
And about that eternity thing, you can`t change an atheist mind with that argument, because eternity doesn`t exist.
Okay Paul – so how do you know that eternity doesn’t exist? If at all possible – can you refrain from the lobotomy type comments as they do not help in any reasonable conversation.
Haha. lobotomy. why is this a link from a photoshop tutorial? dumb.
I also found this when looking for a tutorial. Hm..weird.
Anyway, I just thought I’d throw my two cents in. I’ve been atheist most of my life. I wasn’t born into a Christian family, so I didn’t really understand religion all that well, and to me, God didn’t exist. Then when I was in 3rd grade, my Grandma started taking me to church. I went first out of obligation. Then out of curiosity. And eventually I started thinking that maybe, just maybe, there was some truth to it. I kept going, and somehow I got to where I am today. I definitely believe in God. He’s made such a difference in my life, and the lives of people around me, it would be impossible for me to not believe anymore.
I’m an atheist too, and I agree with Paul.
1- You don’t need faith nor a Church to GIVE. Most NGO’s, like paul said, are actually secular and also have no political standpoint imposed.
2- You do not need faith nor a Church to SERVE. I, for example, give out all the clothes that I don’t need. Same happened with my toys when I was young, my books and my school manuals, why I was at school.
3- You do not need faith nor a Church to COMMUNICATE. For what I understand from both the Catholic and Jehovah’s Witnesses ceremonies, its all about listening to the one-sided, totally partial and uneven speeches. Theres no place to question, to maintain a critical thinking, and this is one of the main benefits of communication. I cannot live without it. Most religions will try to take it from me and impose their views in a way that I, once converted, will not be able to free myself and contest. Do you remember what happened to Jim Jones’ Peoples Temple? I’m all about free speech and REAL debate, different views, and thats not what happens in the Church.
4- Well, your last 3 arguments failed. I see no reason why an atheist would get converted by them.
Long live freedom of speech. Do not impose your views on other people. Debate, exchange experiences, but do think its okay to impose and try to “convert” people with false premises.
@Metodico
Those are all interesting counter points – however I would argue that I am not imposing my views on you anymore than you are on me with your comment
Came across this when looking for Photoshop tutorials.
It’s funny how ignorant and empty these 4 rules are.
Besides, yes, the eternity does no exist.
Just like time does not exist when you’re asleep – simple enough?
(Technically, it exists in dreams, but normally we don’t remember them entirely, which is the same thing to the extent needed to prove the point.)
If you can’t prove otherwise, might be a good bet to even stop trying…
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