But just saying it's ok to consider atheism is "offensive", as the reaction to EVERY single public ad or poster shows. Some people grow out of the need for invisible friends faster than others. Some never do I guess.

Whether or not you believe in our so-called "invisible friends" this man has caused massive upheaval in one congregation because of sexual misconduct and now the total destruction of another. Sounds like just the kind of guy I want to hang out with.

Last edited Fri Mar 30, 2012, 10:56 PM - Edit history (1)

But he has left a trail of destruction in his wake. And you seem to think this is OK? Strange usage indeed.
And I would keep in mind that this guy has stood up and LIED to thousands of people. And you guys are patting him on the back and calling him brave? How do you know he isn't lying to you? This guy is not noble. There is a reason he left one church, I was there. He was accused of sexual misconduct and rather than let the investigations go forward he resigned from the church and the ELCA. But you didn't hear THAT in all those glowing interviews DID YOU??

He might be a scumbag or a great guy. Don't know don't care but it's bugger all to do with "common decency" if he doesn't believe - the only topic of discussion here till you went off on an irrelevant rant.

Of course you don't care. I said already that his beliefs are his business. I guess character doesn't matter after all. You are so proud of proclaiming "The Truth" but now you call this truth irrelevant.

Have a nice day yourself.

Do you think he was lying all along or do you think he is using his newfound atheism to get out of a tight situation?

I think it's important for people to know the backstory here before they put him on a pedestal as a model for atheistic *conversion*.

Welcome to DU.

Ultimately, spiritual exploration and freethinking led to a feeling of pure relief and clarity of spiritual purpose.

"An atheist clergyman could not continue to draw his stipend, so when they stop believing in God they call themselves 'modernists'."

"Theology is a device for helping agnostics to stay within the Church of England."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1218&pid=15665

And still preaches every Sunday and gives Bible study lessons. In private, he told my mother that he was an atheist, but he believed in the message of Christianity and life in the church. This wasn't surprising to any of us, since my mom is, herself, an atheist. She doesn't want people to judge her, though, so she, too, goes by "secular Christian.". It's not a fundie church or anything, but I would be surprised if more than a handful of people there knew what the word "secular" even meant.

Unfortunately, the universities are brimming with people who want to be in some form of UU clergy, but opportunities are limited. (Translation: We need to grow.)

UU ministers and a Lutheran minister in my extended family.

The Lutheran minister is somewhat isolated and grew up in the Midwest Bible belt, so she had little opportunity to become a UU. Sounds like this is the same with this TX pastor.

The bad thing here is how it will affect the thousands of people who have put their faith in his words. He married my wife and I and was an integral part of me getting back into the Church and starting to heal part of my life. I can tell you that my wife sat and cried after watching that interview. This is really sad. Not the fact that he has changed his heart but HOW he went about exposing his true thoughts. I think of all the time that I sat and listened to his sermons which were the best I ever heard. I also think of the time my family put in trying to help build his last church Theophillus. What a shame....

Pastor Mike we still Love you and we will ALWAYS continue to pray that you find peace and the truth. You are not the first Pastor or person who has lost their faith.

Nice.

... somehow to be deceptive and dishonest.

"Whut? The man who took my money every week and told stories about invisible people in the sky wasn't completely honest?"

when they are down just because you can?

It's a matter of finally having the truth revealed and still not getting it.