The Place for Seekers Who Don't Go to Church | news, opinions & reviews
Currently Browsing: Urbain Beck
Posted by God Discussion Reporter | Feb 14th, 2010
The Worst Sermon Ever
If you thought you have ever been bored to death sitting through a sermon, consider the story in the Book of Acts, Chapter 20.
Paul's sermon droned on for so long that around midnight, a young man named Eutychus fell asleep and toppled from a third floor balcony onto the ground.
Everyone thought he was dead, but of course, Paul restored Eutychus back to life.
Sphere: Related Content
Posted by Urbain Beck | Feb 14th, 2010
The Resurgence of (Herbert W.) Armstrongism
Has anyone else noticed all of the Google ads popping up on websites about Herbert W. Armstrong? Anyone who has advertised on Google knows how expensive the advertising campaigns can be, and I can only assume from so many ads that I've seen that the church calling itself The Restored Church of God is pumping a lot of money into getting Armstrong's message out again.
After the Worldwide Church of...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Jan 24th, 2010
Marching Toward Theocracy: The Gay Monkey Trial
There's a part of me that is nervous that America is turning into a theocracy.
Religious hatred toward gays is fueling this theocratic movement. Without knowing it, most people who vote against gay rights because of prejudice and religious notions of morality are helping to create a theocracy — and a theocracy that may backfire on their faith down the road.
My guess is that most people who voted...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Jan 18th, 2010
Prop 8 Trial: The Golden Rule and The Veil of Darkness
On Friday, January 8, 2010, an article was published on American Vision titled "A Perfect Hatred." Its author, Joel McDurmon, proclaimed, "Now, it just so happens that God revealed that the homosexual act is a civil crime, and it just so happens that He revealed that the homosexual act as a civil crime deserves the death penalty." The article went on to support the Uganda's proposed...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Jan 9th, 2010
Questions for Christians: The Sanctity of Marriage
The federal court hearing on California's Proposition 8 starts next week. Among other things, the Christian right believes that marriage equality will destroy "the sanctity of marriage."
Considering that "sanctity" refers to being holy or sacred, it is ironic that our supposed "Christian nation" leads the world in divorce and that Christians have an equal, if not higher,...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Jan 1st, 2010
Mark Your Calendars for Judgment Day on May 21, 2011
Mark your calendars for Judgment Day. According to an independent group of fundamentalist Christians who broadcast on Family Radio, the end is scheduled for May 21, 2011.
The Bible-based Christian broadcasting ministry believes that the King James Bible is the inerrant word of God. It claims in its pamphlet (see the PDF scan of a pamphlet someone gave me):
Many books have been written about the Bible, or...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Nov 28th, 2009
When It Comes to Christmas, the Christian Right is Anti-Family
When I was a kid, I absolutely hated and dreaded the Christmas season. My parents were in a fundamentalist Christian religion that believed that Christmas was a pagan holiday. They were right.
As a kid, however, it sucked.
We were pulled out of band because of Christmas music. We were pulled out of school on Christmas gift exchange days. We couldn't participate in any of the concerts and other...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Nov 21st, 2009
Apocalypse? Bring It On.
Many Christians believe in the Apocalypse — the end of the world marked by horrific events described in Matthew 24, the Book of Revelation and elsewhere. These "end times" conclude with the return of Jesus to earth, followed by a period of peace. Some of these events include earthquakes, wars, the appearance of false prophets, diseases and a growing hatred toward Christians. According to...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Oct 31st, 2009
God's Evil Spirits — and Other Halloween Treats from the Bible
Today is Halloween, and we're hearing a lot about evil spirits, demons, witches and the like. Of course, interspersed in these messages are the absurd, such as Kimberly Daniels' bulletin on preacher Pat Robertson's website that there are devils lurking in Halloween candy.
Evil Spirits.
For Bible-believing Christians, here's a quiz. Where do evil spirits come from?
If you guessed Satan,...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Oct 18th, 2009
Atheists Are The Most Distrusted and Discriminated Group in America – A new look at statistics, law and the military
Atheists are the most hated and feared group in America, according to statistics published by the University of Minnesota in 2007.
The factual record demonstrates that atheists and secularists are much more lawful and peaceful than the religious. The more religious a society, the more it is likely to be unhealthy and dysfunctional.
Of course, discrimination is never based on fact.
Free Domain Radio...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Oct 17th, 2009
Religious Authority — Hurt Feelings and Cries of Discrimination
Lately, I've noticed a lot of "playing the hurt feelings card" by the religious right, which claims that Christianity is being persecuted because people are questioning the authority of the churches. Any lawsuit, such as the one involving the Mohave Cross or the federal suit challenging California's Proposition 8, is viewed as "a war" against Christianity and that Christianity...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Oct 10th, 2009
In Defense of Christianity — and Pointing the Thing at Those Who Destroy It
Defending Christianity? Those who read my column know that I think that the supernatural Jesus of the Christian bible is not factual. I believe the bible itself is a collection of myths and embellished stories that should not be taken literally.
So why defend Christianity?
Christianity has been given a horrible and unfair reputation by the dominionist extremists.
Many people enjoy the fellowship and sense...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Sep 26th, 2009
Worshiping False Gods — The Hypocrisy of the Culture Wars
Since I don't watch TV, I'm behind the times when it comes to popular television culture. I've just now discovered the Stargate SG-1 series and thoroughly enjoy them. I've put many miles on the exercise bike and treadmill while watching this entertaining series.
The main theme of the story is battle with "the Goa'ulds," a parasitic alien presence. Basically, the Goa'ulds...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Sep 13th, 2009
Bible Wonderland — from Spooky, Man-Eating Woods to Unicorns!
Forget about Creation museums.
The kids are getting tired of looking at dinosaurs. Creationism is s-o-o-o-o 90s! It's time to get with the program, time to throw open the doors to something better. Much better.
Something you and your kids will absolutely love on your next family outing.
Besides, with something new, maybe those pesky secular students will stay home reading their abominable Darwin texts...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Aug 24th, 2009
Can Non-Theists Adopt Children? A Look at the Courts and Belief in a Supreme Being
An old, 1970 Time Magazine article has drawn some attention lately. The article, "The Law: Can Atheists Be Parents?" examines the New Jersey trial court case where John and Cynthia Burke were denied the right to adopt their second child. Writes Time,
In an extraordinary decision, Judge Camarata denied the Burkes' right to the child because of their lack of belief in a Supreme Being....
Posted by Urbain Beck | Aug 19th, 2009
Bible Believing Woman Screams Heil Hitler at a Jewish Man — What in the Hell is Happening to America?
This has got to be one of the most disgusting things I have seen yet concerning the "health care debate" and the social conservative, "Christian" behavior happening at the town halls.
From LasVegasNOW.com, we get a look at the debate in Las Vegas that gets ugly.
A Jewish man is talking about health care in Israel. In the context of health care, he mentions how soldiers in his native country...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Aug 15th, 2009
Scientists and Secular Students Visit Creationist Museum
The videos and links in this article are worth a few minutes of your time, particularly considering the fact that Christian dominionists want biblical creationism taught in the public schools.
Minnesota biology professor PZ Myers and more than 300 scientists, students and secularists took a field trip to the Creationist Museum in Kentucky to protest inaccurate science on August 7, 2009. The Creation Museum...
Posted by Urbain Beck | Jul 30th, 2009
Writing Religion Into History: The Barton Agenda
ABC News published an extensive article about the agenda of David Barton and other Christian "experts" who are seeking to rewrite the history curriculum taught in Texas schools.
Barton's curriculum suggestions can be found in a PDF document here. Among other things, he suggests:
A written constitution was based on Bible-minded Christians. The scriptural model was based on God giving Moses...
Here in the States, a growing number of people are no longer affiliated with any religion. Yet, there are some Christian groups who continue to insist on blurring the lines of separation between church and state. For the non-churchgoers and freethinkers worldwide, this site features news, reviews and editorials on just about anything regarding religion. Your opinion is always welcome here, either as a columnist or commenter. Hey, this is not church -- you are allowed to speak your mind and think for yourself!
A NOTE ABOUT COMMENTS: While comments are welcomed and get the Do Follow option, they are strictly monitored. That means comments must be on topic and add to the discussion. Submissions from multiple names having the same IP, troll comments, keyphrase users and the like will be deleted. Please see our policies page for more information.
 |
 |
Main Feed | Comments Feed |
|
 |
 |