#AnalysingPentecostalism 22 (see other series 1-21 on Facebook)

Rising Atheism

by Deji Yesufu

More and more young people are ditching religion altogether and increasingly resorting to atheism. This reality was brought home to me some two years ago when atheists almost overran the religion section of Nairaland. They began to even ask for their own section – claiming a new type of religion. The anonymous nature of the forum afforded them the liberty to express their thoughts. Seun Osewa, the owner of the forum, himself had renounced Christianity and the thread were he told his story was a bestseller of some sort.

While many people vilify atheism in our nation, one must appreciate the fact that it takes a great deal to be one and those who profess atheism are about the soundest and most rational human beings. Man is by default religious. To throw away that default position requires a great deal of study and boldness. In the long run, atheism is another religion – a religion without a god. One of the greatest books in my library is “Loosing the Bonds” by Andrew Kirk. It is a book dedicated to studying different religions. He dedicates some chapters to atheism.

Kirk discusses three men that changed the face of modern sociology. They are Karl Marx, Frederich Nitchzhe and Sigmund Freud. Marx gave us Socialism and Communism. Nitchzhe suggested that “God is dead”. He invented the “Superman” and his thoughts brought about fascism. Freud developed modern psychiatry. All of them great men but all of them avowed atheists. Kirk argued in his book that there was a great deal Christians could learn from atheists’ criticism of religion and if Christians will do this, they will be the better for it.

It is my humble submission in view of all these that Pentecostalism is adding to rising atheism in the land. While it may not be the primary cause, it is a major contributing factor. Why? Pentecostalism is anti intellectual. It is highly subjective and very non rational. It thrives on a belief in miracles in a world of science and technology. Pentecostalism just does not fit the aggressive and progressive mind of Nigerian youths and thus it is increasingly thrown into the dustbin. This might have been my fate had I not possessed something in my knowledge of God beyond bland subjectivity.

This leads me to why true Christianity ought to appeal to an atheist. The true Christian religion is founded on sound knowledge. The Christian faith is possessed of true understanding of God before any subjective experience of God. With the coming of the 16th century Reformation, Christianity took on a new knowledge base. Even Roman Catholic scholasticism came to life. The Protestant religion brought light to Europe; it opened the search for knowledge in science and birth the industrial revolution of the 19th century that gave us modern science. Therefore the true Christian faith shares a great deal with atheists and if they will listen to the gospel, they will end up by far greater Christian scholars than many. Case in point: C. S. Lewis.

The man who gave us Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is a raving atheist. But all of us religious people use his invention to promote our views. In my first interview with Edmund Obilo, he confessed on live Radio that he cannot remember when last he was in church. There is no better broadcaster than him in Ibadan. I remember approaching some senior citizens to invite them to attend my fellowship. They told me that religion sets people back. It deters their thinking. It doesn’t promote intellectualism. I just sat there watching.

You cannot sell signs, wonders and miracles to 21st century thinkers – it is just simply out of date. And my findings shows that even the God of the Bible has outdated miracles. Instead he has blessed man with such resounding knowledge that if my generation will spend less time at Redeem Camp and other prayer camps, we will find the cure to AIDS, Cancer and other debilitating diseases of our time. While at the same time adding to the science revolution and increase our nation’s gross productivity. Thereby creating jobs and wealth for the people. This is the type of work the gospel encourages; work that produces better feeding! He that will not work cannot eat!! Let us wake up. The atheists are challenging us.

I am not promoting atheism here. I am simply saying that Pentecostalism and many other religion that thrive on the subjective are adding nothing to science and modern thinkers have no time for such nonsense. I am also saying that the true Christian faith is highly intellectual. It appeals to the mind as it convinces the sinner of a need for a Savior.

The born again person however does not then sell his brain to the church, rather he becomes a thinker. Whether he is a theologian, a scientist, a technologist, a broadcaster, a writer, or even a politician, he brings in a finesse of knowledge into his profession that adds to it. Christians are already disciplined individuals and thus can use their time for productive ventures. This is the reason why early scientists were mostly Christians.

There is increasing atheism in the land and I hereby present the gospel to these folks as a sound alternative to the mere religion they are raging against.

CC: TheSixthSense, HardMirror, lalasticlala

It's a free world... They'll come running back

Blind faith is the bane of Christianity.

Interesting read.

GeneralTee:
#AnalysingPentecostalism 22 (see other series 1-21 on Facebook)

Rising Atheism

by Deji Yesufu

More and more young people are ditching religion altogether and increasingly resorting to atheism. This reality was brought home to me some two years ago when atheists almost overran the religion section of Nairaland. They began to even ask for their own section – claiming a new type of religion. The anonymous nature of the forum afforded them the liberty to express their thoughts. Seun Osewa, the owner of the forum, himself had renounced Christianity and the thread were he told his story was a bestseller of some sort.

While many people vilify atheism in our nation, one must appreciate the fact that it takes a great deal to be one and those who profess atheism are about the soundest and most rational human beings. Man is by default religious. To throw away that default position requires a great deal of study and boldness. In the long run, atheism is another religion – a religion without a god. One of the greatest books in my library is “Loosing the Bonds” by Andrew Kirk. It is a book dedicated to studying different religions. He dedicates some chapters to atheism.

Kirk discusses three men that changed the face of modern sociology. They are Karl Marx, Frederich Nitchzhe and Sigmund Freud. Marx gave us Socialism and Communism. Nitchzhe suggested that “God is dead”. He invented the “Superman” and his thoughts brought about fascism. Freud developed modern psychiatry. All of them great men but all of them avowed atheists. Kirk argued in his book that there was a great deal Christians could learn from atheists’ criticism of religion and if Christians will do this, they will be the better for it.

It is my humble submission in view of all these that Pentecostalism is adding to rising atheism in the land. While it may not be the primary cause, it is a major contributing factor. Why? Pentecostalism is anti intellectual. It is highly subjective and very non rational. It thrives on a belief in miracles in a world of science and technology. Pentecostalism just does not fit the aggressive and progressive mind of Nigerian youths and thus it is increasingly thrown into the dustbin. This might have been my fate had I not possessed something in my knowledge of God beyond bland subjectivity.

This leads me to why true Christianity ought to appeal to an atheist. The true Christian religion is founded on sound knowledge. The Christian faith is possessed of true understanding of God before any subjective experience of God. With the coming of the 16th century Reformation, Christianity took on a new knowledge base. Even Roman Catholic scholasticism came to life. The Protestant religion brought light to Europe; it opened the search for knowledge in science and birth the industrial revolution of the 19th century that gave us modern science. Therefore the true Christian faith shares a great deal with atheists and if they will listen to the gospel, they will end up by far greater Christian scholars than many. Case in point: C. S. Lewis.

The man who gave us Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is a raving atheist. But all of us religious people use his invention to promote our views. In my first interview with Edmund Obilo, he confessed on live Radio that he cannot remember when last he was in church. There is no better broadcaster than him in Ibadan. I remember approaching some senior citizens to invite them to attend my fellowship. They told me that religion sets people back. It deters their thinking. It doesn’t promote intellectualism. I just sat there watching.

You cannot sell signs, wonders and miracles to 21st century thinkers – it is just simply out of date. And my findings shows that even the God of the Bible has outdated miracles. Instead he has blessed man with such resounding knowledge that if my generation will spend less time at Redeem Camp and other prayer camps, we will find the cure to AIDS, Cancer and other debilitating diseases of our time. While at the same time adding to the science revolution and increase our nation’s gross productivity. Thereby creating jobs and wealth for the people. This is the type of work the gospel encourages; work that produces better feeding! He that will not work cannot eat!! Let us wake up. The atheists are challenging us.

I am not promoting atheism here. I am simply saying that Pentecostalism and many other religion that thrive on the subjective are adding nothing to science and modern thinkers have no time for such nonsense. I am also saying that the true Christian faith is highly intellectual. It appeals to the mind as it convinces the sinner of a need for a Saviour.

The born again person however does not then sell his brain to the church, rather he becomes a thinker. Whether he is a theologian, a scientist, a technologist, a broadcaster, a writer, or even a politician, he brings in a finesse of knowledge into his profession that adds to it. Christians are already disciplined individuals and thus can use their time for productive ventures. This is the reason why early scientists were mostly Christians.

There is increasing atheism in the land and I hereby present the gospel to these folks as a sound alternative to the mere religion they are raging against.
CC: TheSixthSense, HardMirror, lalasticlala

What an amazing piece. You hit every note in me from the very beginning. Christianity is highly intellectual. This cannot be over-emphasised. Some of the brightest minds are theologians. Apostle Paul was one of the finest - by reading the epistles you would know why God chose him. Jesus Himself is the greatest. I used to think atheists don't listen to arguments to get converted. But, how I was dead wrong. The testimonies I read from people who find Jesus by listening to brilliant christians like Ravi Zacharias, John Macarthur, C.S. Lewis, Lee Strobel and others are so uplifting.

Jesus meets everyone who thirsts for Him in a way they would definitely understand. The best part of these conversions is that these people usually become so beautifully grounded in the faith that they delight in worship and glorify God with their intellect for who He is, being able to defend the hope that is in them with sound coherent reasoning, because they have a clear picture of Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world and His gospel.

But let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. Pentecostalism is in the fore in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ especially in regions of darkness in third world countries. And even within pentecostalism, there are different sub-groups with varying degrees of anti-intellectualism which I believe has to deal rather with individuals than the pentecostal church itself. Some people just can't stand, or perhaps truthfully say 'I don't know' when they are asked questions . But I guess that's normal human behaviour.

I also share the same opinion that atheists and agnostics challenge us as christians because a lot of them, although I doubt there is any on NL, actually listen to reasons for them to believe in the Jesus Christ and I believe if we do well to present clearly the light in us, even Jehovah's witnesses and Mormons - who usually provide scriptural basis for their faith - and even muslims will be brought to the truth in Jesus Christ by the power of the gospel. There is indeed a lot of misrepresentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and christianity that is immoral to good conscience and grossly unappealing to educated and inquisitive minds.

Finally, Let me join you in saying: '[Atheism] would have been my fate [again] had I not possessed something in my knowledge of God beyond bland subjectivity'

GeneralTee if you could share the rest of this wonderful work or is that your name on FB?

- Wetin concern black man concern Abraham?
- Why did Jesus die for my sin without my permission? Who send am message?
- Why do I still go to hell if Jesus died for my sin? Why do I have to believe to get benefits? Afterall, he paid without my signature.

Life is not a choice between Atheism and Christianity. Theism, which is the direct opposite of Atheism, has many religious streams : Islam and Christianity are merely the youngest, and their rise in numbers is a consequence of their hunger for conquest.

Atheism and irreligion is only a natural response to a society that is oversaturated with religion - where there are more churches than healthcare centers on many streets, where major highways can be blocked in the name of worshiping the violent Abrahamic Gods of our slavemasters, where Pastors use the Bible to rape the poor and downtrodden.

When church membership in Nigeria begins to drop, know that the country has started taking the first steps to progress.

So Op, before you focus on atheism, fix your Christianity. It's damage on our psyche will take a long time to fix and our society has been worse for it.

my problem is not with the atheism ish....because whether we like it or not we can't argue the fact that the stories in the two most popular holy book is certainly not realistic neither is it logically sound......but my problem is with these my fellow atheists who have choosen a particular religion for sending jibes and all sort of attacks.....the truth is that christainity that we all choose to condemn while exempting others is still the best form of theism that could be used to broker peace and stability in the world we are today.

i personally think if we are to condemn religion, then let's do that squarely and not pick out a certain religion as a scape goat. enuf said...

*where is this my bed sheet self let me lay my bamboo bed*.

temmytee007:
my problem is not with the atheism ish....because whether we like it or not we can't argue the fact that the stories in the two most popular holy book is certainly not realistic neither is it logically sound......but my problem is with these my fellow atheists who have choosen a particular religion for sending jibes and all sort of attacks.....the truth is that christainity that we all choose to condemn while exempting others is still the best form of theism that could be used to broker peace and stability in the world we are today.

i personally think if we are to condemn religion, then let's do that squarely and not pick out a certain religion as a scape goat. enuf said...

*where is this my bed sheet self let me lay my bamboo bed*.

God and christianity appeals to logic. The gospel of Jesus Christ appeals to common sense and logic.

sonofluc1fer:
- Wetin concern black man concern Abraham?
- Why did Jesus die for my sin without my permission? Who send am message?
- Why do I still go to hell if Jesus died for my sin? Why do I have to believe to get benefits? Afterall, he paid without my signature.

Life is not a choice between Atheism and Christianity. Theism has many religious streams : Islam and Christianity are merely the youngest, and their rise in numbers is a consequence of their hunger for conquest.

When church membership in Nigeria begins to drop, know that the country has started taking the first steps to progress.

Interesting and very insightful.

The misappropriation of time management by the Christians is killing the progress of this dear country.

TheSixthSense:

God and christianity appeals to logic. The gospel of Jesus Christ appeals to common sense and logic.

Yeah, Original sin needs a dead God to set things right. Christianity offers the poison and the perfect antidote.

temmytee007:
my problem is not with the atheism ish....because whether we like it or not we can't argue the fact that the stories in the two most popular holy book is certainly not realistic neither is it logically sound......but my problem is with these my fellow atheists who have choosen a particular religion for sending jibes and all sort of attacks.....the truth is that christainity that we all choose to condemn while exempting others is still the best form of theism that could be used to broker peace and stability in the world we are today.

i personally think if we are to condemn religion, then let's do that squarely and not pick out a certain religion as a scape goat. enuf said...

*where is this my bed sheet self let me lay my bamboo bed*.

It cant be condemned squarely.
The war needs to focus on christianity for its effectivity and its voice to be heard.


"Christianity is the most potent weapon against secular utopianism" - Peter Hitchens.

The greatest stumbling block standing in the way of man's evil desires.

winner01:

The greatest stumbling block standing in the way of man's evil desires.

Another moinmoin brain on patrol. What a simple life you live. Everyone who isn't Christian is evil. No good person can reject Christ. So beautiful.

sonofluc1fer:

Everyone who isn't Christian is evil.

Who said this?

Change your moniker to weed factory

winner01:

Change your moniker to weed factory

I can, but you'd still be a loser. A very sad one. The only Christian with more atheist threads than Christian ones. Your dead Jewish saviour will be proud of your contributions to his ministry.

sonofluc1fer:

I can, but you'd still be a loser. A very sad one. The only Christian with more atheist threads than Christian ones. Your dead Jewish saviour will be proud of your contributions to his ministry.

Yeah. Cos im on an atheist section camouflaged as a religion section in what i term a "deceptive atheist conversion" plot.

I dont serve a dead Jewish, you're mistaken again. Oya goan rest.

winner01:
Yeah. Cos im on an atheist section camouflaged as a religion section in what i term a "deceptive atheist conversion" plot.

Yeah, the world cares about your opinions. Slide this advice somewhere between the sermon and Bible verses you memorized today: the Real World is not what you were taught in Sunday school. There are real human minds out.there that don't think like you. You either acknowledge these Voices exist, or you continue living in denial.

winner01:

I dont serve a dead Jewish, you're mistaken again.

Yeah, Jesus is not dead.He's alive. The Bible said so... How can the Bible be wrong? I mean if the Bible is wrong, that would make you a very foolish African.

sonofluc1fer:

Yeah, the world cares about your opinions. Slide this advice somewhere between the sermon and Bible verses you memorized today: the Bible is not Sunday school. There are real human minds out.there that don't think like you. You either acknowledge these Voices exist, or you continue living in denial.

I roll with real people. Not pained people who hide under the guise of a faceless forum to express their lives frustration on a supposedly "non-existent" God.

sonofluc1fer:


Yeah, Jesus is not dead.He's alive. The Bible said so... How can the Bible be wrong? I mean if the Bible is wrong, that would make you a very foolish African.

Africa has never known atheism. Aliens.
And yes, i believe the Bible. Why you mad anyway

winner01:

I roll with real people. Not pained people who hide under the guise of a faceless forum to express their lives frustration on a supposedly "non-existent" God.

Empty retort.

winner01:

Africa has never known atheism. Aliens.

I'm quite sure like **** Kingebukasblog, you know absolutely nothing about the Continent you live on. You know no African philosophy, or Gods, yet you can comfortably recite Jesus ancestors from David's line.

You have an African body but a foreign mind. Your God resides in Israel, likes Mount Horeb and you fervently wait and hope for a new Jerusalem. Are you African in skin or thought? The Bible you believe in wasn't written by yo, for you or to you. If it were, Romans 2:9 would be Igbo 2:9, 1 Corinthians would be 1 Yoruba...

So who is the alien? You whose only claim to being African is genetic, whose mind has been so polluted he sees the crucifixion of a mere carpenter on a cross in far-away Israel, on a continent far away from where you reside, as salvation for his own misdemeanors. The one who proudly professes to be a Gentile, who denies his own history and people so he may suck at the bosom of Abraham?.

****

sonofluc1fer:

Empty retort.

I'm quite sure like your fellow slave Kingebukasblog, you know absolutely nothing about the Continent you live on. You know no African philosophy, or Gods, yet you can comfortably recite Jesus ancestors from David's line. You have an African body but a foreign mind. Your God resides in Israel, likes Mount Horeb and you hope for a new Jerusalem. Are you African in skin or thought? The Bible you believe in wasn't written by yo, for you or to you. If it were, Romans 2:9 would be Igbo 2:9, 1 Corinthians would be 1 Yoruba... So who is the alien? The fool whose only claim to being African is genetic, whose mind has been so polluted he sees the crucifixion of a mere carpenter in the cross as salvation for his own misdemeanors.

.
Pain wont lead you anywhere.
Moreover, if the universe is purposeless as atheists claim, why do all these matter to you?
Are you fighting that we embrace the African traditional religions or that we drop religion totally?
Or would you rather go with anything but christianity.
You must make your choice.

Also, would you rather Christianity and Islam took back its education, enlightenment and exposure in exchange for our beloved religious rituals such as the killing of twins.

One thing is for sure, Africa has never known atheism. You should tell us what you really want us to do, or rather preach it.

winner01:
Story.
Pain wont lead you anywhere.

Denial and trolling when faced with facts, will lead you to heaven. Yahweh is known for rewarding the stupid with eternal bliss.

sonofluc1fer:

Denial and trolling when faced with facts, will lead you to heaven. Yahweh is known for rewarding the stupid with eternal bliss.

Which fact?
That africa needs to go back to atheism which it never was?

Oya go to bed, mummy is calling you

sonofluc1fer:

Empty retort.

I'm quite sure like **** Kingebukasblog, you know absolutely nothing about the Continent you live on. You know no African philosophy, or Gods, yet you can comfortably recite Jesus ancestors from David's line.

You have an African body but a foreign mind. Your God resides in Israel, likes Mount Horeb and you fervently wait and hope for a new Jerusalem. Are you African in skin or thought? The Bible you believe in wasn't written by yo, for you or to you. If it were, Romans 2:9 would be Igbo 2:9, 1 Corinthians would be 1 Yoruba...

So who is the alien? ****whose only claim to being African is genetic, whose mind has been so polluted he sees the crucifixion of a mere carpenter in the cross as salvation for his own misdemeanors. The one who proudly professes to be a Gentile, who denies his own history and people so he may suck at the bosom of Abraham?.

****

Wow!!!

TheSixthSense:
GeneralTee if you could share the rest of this wonderful work or is that your name on FB?

I appreciate that you find my writing interesting. I will find time today to post 1-20.

sonofluc1fer:
- Wetin concern black man concern Abraham?
- Why did Jesus die for my sin without my permission? Who send am message?
- Why do I still go to hell if Jesus died for my sin? Why do I have to believe to get benefits? Afterall, he paid without my signature.

Life is not a choice between Atheism and Christianity. Theism, which is the direct opposite of Atheism, has many religious streams : Islam and Christianity are merely the youngest, and their rise in numbers is a consequence of their hunger for conquest.

Atheism and irreligion is only a natural response to a society that is oversaturated with religion - where there are more churches than healthcare centers on many streets, where major highways can be blocked in the name of worshiping the violent Abrahamic Gods of our slavemasters, where Pastors use the Bible to rape the poor and downtrodden.

When church membership in Nigeria begins to drop, know that the country has started taking the first steps to progress.

So Op, before you focus on atheism, fix your Christianity. It's damage on our psyche will take a long time to fix and our society has been worse for it.

my brother i bow for you ,the prince of commonsense

@op, thanks for your submissions. The Pentecostal churches constitute the major problem we are having in christendom due to their half baked teachings/sermons. The reason being that most of their founders were propelled by greed to establish their ministry so they employ all manner of manipulations to get money from their members. They are more interest in preaching what the people want to hear. A very good percentage of their sermon is on prosperity.
It is in these Pentecostal churches that you will see gross stupidity being displayed by their members. If only those members will open their eyes and begin to study the scriptures on their own and not on what pastor said, they will have a better understanding.

sonofluc1fer:
- Wetin concern black man concern Abraham?
- Why did Jesus die for my sin without my permission? Who send am message?
- Why do I still go to hell if Jesus died for my sin? Why do I have to believe to get benefits? Afterall, he paid without my signature.

Life is not a choice between Atheism and Christianity. Theism, which is the direct opposite of Atheism, has many religious streams : Islam and Christianity are merely the youngest, and their rise in numbers is a consequence of their hunger for conquest.

Atheism and irreligion is only a natural response to a society that is oversaturated with religion - where there are more churches than healthcare centers on many streets, where major highways can be blocked in the name of worshiping the violent Abrahamic Gods of our slavemasters, where Pastors use the Bible to rape the poor and downtrodden.

When church membership in Nigeria begins to drop, know that the country has started taking the first steps to progress.

So Op, before you focus on atheism, fix your Christianity. It's damage on our psyche will take a long time to fix and our society has been worse for it.

SENSE!!!!

sonofluc1fer:
- Wetin concern black man concern Abraham?
- Why did Jesus die for my sin without my permission? Who send am message?
- Why do I still go to hell if Jesus died for my sin? Why do I have to believe to get benefits? Afterall, he paid without my signature.

Life is not a choice between Atheism and Christianity. Theism, which is the direct opposite of Atheism, has many religious streams : Islam and Christianity are merely the youngest, and their rise in numbers is a consequence of their hunger for conquest.

Atheism and irreligion is only a natural response to a society that is oversaturated with religion - where there are more churches than healthcare centers on many streets, where major highways can be blocked in the name of worshiping the violent Abrahamic Gods of our slavemasters, where Pastors use the Bible to rape the poor and downtrodden.

When church membership in Nigeria begins to drop, know that the country has started taking the first steps to progress.

So Op, before you focus on atheism, fix your Christianity. It's damage on our psyche will take a long time to fix and our society has been worse for it.

if jesus really died for our sins
..he would still be in hell

TheSixthSense:

God and christianity appeals to logic. The gospel of Jesus Christ appeals to common sense and logic.

I think for Christianity to be true, it must appeal to common sense, logic and intuitive wisdom

It appeals to all of these and it is true.

Kay17:


I think for Christianity to be true, it must appeal to common sense, logic and intuitive wisdom

winner01:
.
Pain wont lead you anywhere.
Moreover, if the universe is purposeless as atheists claim, why do all these matter to you?
Are you fighting that we embrace the African traditional religions or that we drop religion totally?
You must make your choice.

Also, would you rather Christianity and Islam took back its education, enlightenment and exposure in exchange for our beloved religious rituals such as the killing of twins.

One thing is for sure, Africa has never known atheism. You should tell us what you really want us to do, or rather preach it.

What if the Truth was that the Universe was purposeless?

Kay17:


What if the Truth was that the Universe was purposeless?

Seriously ?

A life with no purpose ? No wonder Atheists achieved so little and have no moral compass since man was created . To them , life is meaningless and there is no reason to achieve , or to love or be good . This mentality was the impetus also that led to the killing of millions of people just to achieve their atheistic aims .

No wonder you guys take so much time criticizing religious people - just to inveigle them into living sad empty life of anger and rancor against a non existent God .

And atheists said The belief in God holds you back !! While the cold hard truth which elude you atheists is that your belief God does not exist is what holds you back from achieving and progressing because to you life is meaningless .

Winner01 , atheism is indeed dangerous . To them , what's the point of doing good , of achieving , of helping the poor etc . Atheists can even kill with no scruples . Imagine a kid with such mentality - having no sense of purpose in life . Humanity is doomed with atheism