Atheist Tim Y. recently attended a Christian Apologetics conference, even though he’s not a Christian. He’s now writing about what he saw and heard there.
Among the excerpts:
[Focus on the Family’s James Dobson] overtly, repeatedly grouped all non-Christians into a ‘them’ category. Us versus them. They wanted the children. There is a culture war and if they win, the children will be their prize. He peppered his talk with condemnation of homosexuality and abortion, each time eliciting applause. Then he invoked the fear and guilt: if you don’t remain vigilant and instill Christian beliefs and values in your children they will drift away, possibly forever. Every time he pursued this line I grew more agitated. I was sitting right next to my mother who undoubtedly feels some level of fear and guilt regarding my rejection of Christianity and Dobson just poured salt in the wounds. Apologetics indeed.
…
After his talk, [Dinesh] D’Souza remained for book signing and Q&A in the courtyard outside the church. I stood in line and listened as people began to ask questions. The person in front of me asked my question before me, if D’Souza would clarify his view of evolution. D’Souza tergiversated momentarily and eventually admitted that he thought the scientific evidence for evolution was sound. I was hoping his reply would cause more reaction than it did, but it only illicited a few more related questions. When pressed, he said that the Bible is never wrong but that sometimes our interpretation is erroneous. The mostly-male crowd took this opportunity to thump their chests in unity and ridicule both Hitchens and Dawkins.
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Also, 12-year-old Kyle is an atheist (and has been for two years). But he has to go through his church’s confirmation.
(He’s young. Has to follow parents’ orders. You’ve been there.)
He’ll be writing about the process every week beginning this Thursday at his website. Check him out in the coming weeks!
