[QUOTE]WOAI-TV
A group of atheists at UTSA was asking students to exchange bibles for porn magazines Wednesday, and that has made some religious leaders angry. News 4 WOAI first broke the story at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

At a Wednesday night church service, The Bible is the bond between believers, but on the UTSA campus a group of students were calling scripture, smut.

"We consider The Bible to be a very negative force in the history of the world," student Ryan Walker said. He is part of a student group calling itself the "Atheist Agenda."

Club members were on campus asking students to exchange religious materials for pornographic magazines like Black Label and Playboy.

News 4 WOAI's Demond Fernandez showed the Athiest Agenda's "Smut for Smut" fliers to Pastor Rick Hawkins of the Family Praise Center.

"In my opinion, there are no atheists. There are fools," Hawkins said. "So, that would be foolish propaganda."

Other Christians we talked to agreed with Pastor Hawkins.

Athiest Agenda members said they got the idea from students in Austin. They claimed they were only exercising freedom of speech.

"I don't know one believer that would take his Bible and turn it in for pornography," Pastor Hawkins said.

So far, only five students have exchanged their bibles for porn.

[/QUOTE]

[url]http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10273961/[/url]

What has this world come to? The people are really stupid. I would never trade the Bible for porno.

I am a very religious Catholic, and I am beginning to believe this the end of the world. I mean flooding, earthquakes, and now this, just like the bible states, it's revelation. Ahhh... I hope I am wrong.

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I'd totally trade a Bible for porn, and yes the poor design of the New Orleans levees is the end of the world. I mean eartquakes never happen, and the earth doesn't EVER move. That's totally perposterous. Pangea is a lie.

[quote=Sarmad]I am a very religious Catholic, and I am beginning to believe this the end of the world. I mean flooding, earthquakes, and now this, just like the bible states, it's revelation. Ahhh... I hope I am wrong.[/quote]

Those events are totally not natural. I truly beleive you and your brilliant ideas. Satan and is followers are really coming to end the world as we know it. Or is it the aliens? The clowns? I'm starting to get scared... I truly hope the clowns don't come and eat our legs. Good call Sarmad.

Better get those tin foil hats and bomb shelters ready ready...

At least blame it on the Bird Flu or something more dramatic.

BTW Bird Flu is in California.

I think it's sad really but not even as a Catholic or Christian but as a human being. First I have nothing against porn, I have a small collection of it. It's that the fact that people are there trying to diminish what others believe and if you think about what they're doing, it's quite insulting.

If they want to be atheists, that's fine, it's their right and that's part of what makes this country great. I don't see any reason for them to try and convince others that there is no God. I know that some Christians do a similar thing by trying to spread their word to those who don't want to hear it either and I'm not condoning that either. I just think people should leave others be and let them believe what they want to and not pull off promotional stunts that can be very offensive.

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YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

I think it is wrong to trade a Bible for porn, but what if it was one of those crappy, cheap ones that you find in motels? Would it be okay then? If so, I would do it.

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Lol I honestly think it's terribly mean to trade them for porn. Seems like they're purposely trying to stir up the public and not in a way that's good for them.

While I was raised as a catholic, I am not a faithful church goer but I think that I reasonable enough to find some humor in this. I must also give them credit for creativity despite the fact that they ripped off the idea.

[quote=coasterlove] It's that the fact that people are there trying to diminish what others believe and if you think about what they're doing, it's quite insulting. [/quote]

In no way am I attacking you, but I must say, religion has been doing exactly what you said above for thousands of years. When's the last time a war was fought for pornography? When's the last time pornography has wreaked genocide on a race of people? Never. Yet, religion has.

Of the two, I'd take my chances with pornography dictating people's lifestyles over religion any day .

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[Edit-to Coaster Freak] Your last sentence was a contradiction. It can't be creative but also a ripoff of someone else's idea.

Thunderhawk, I'm not making a comparison between religion and pornography. And yes wars have been fought over religion but I don't remember Christianity being involved recently so I don't see the point in the arguement. As for porn, while wars may not have been started because of it, a case could be made for how many lives it helped ruin. From those involved directly to those who become addicted to it.

....so now if you'll excuse me, I have some [I]reading[/I] to do. Where's my Playboy?

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YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

This is as bad as attacking the Bible as it gets. They've hit rock bottom. At least they did not include a toy as well.

The frequency of natural disasters the last two years has made me half seriously think the Big Man has some beef with us humans.

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I am a Catholic but just to clear something up. I don't think it is the end of the world. I just felt like fooling around.

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[QUOTE] Originally Posted by [B]Sarmad[/B]
[I]I am a very religious Catholic, and I am beginning to believe this the end of the world. I mean flooding, earthquakes, and now this, just like the bible states, it's revelation. Ahhh... I hope I am wrong.[/I]
[/QUOTE]


Be very careful....Catholic teaching does not go the "End Times" route. Jesus Himself said no one can predict the time of His coming. The End Times began the day He left. Study history....the signs in Revelation have been with us from the get-go. The signs are to remind us, especially in this season of Advent, to ALWAYS be ready.

That's why I believe in the [URL="http://www.venganza.org"]Flying Spagetti Monster[/URL] :D

Back on subject though, it's not like these people were forcing others to turn in their Bibles, they were practicing their right to free speech, which is their right in America. Likewise, if a church wanted to do something similar (i.e. trade in porn for bibles) then that is their right.

My question is (which has been posed all ready), why is atheism promoting their views and trying to convince others not okay; and Christianity doing the same thing (missions and missionaries) okay? Personally, I think both are somewhat annoying. At the same time though, as long as they're not (physically) hurting anybody, or being overly mallicious about it, I don't have a problem with them doing it.

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[QUOTE=The Gent]Jesus Himself said no one can predict the time of His coming. The End Times began the day He left. Study history....the signs in Revelation have been with us from the get-go. The signs are to remind us, especially in this season of Advent, to ALWAYS be ready.[/QUOTE]

Excellent point, and absolutely correct.

And, my opinion on these people is this- they are idiots. BUT- they are first amendment protected idiots.

On Atheists in general- Atheists don't exist. Those who say they don't believe in God actually do, and they believe they are that God. They call themselves atheists, I call them egotheists. While I'm certain that there are probably a few who do not fit this description, I have yet to see one.

If God doesn't exist, why are they wanting to keep the word of a "non-existent" God away from people?

If these Atheists want Bibles so bad, I'll give them mine, and they can even keep their porn!!

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[QUOTE=fbama73]Excellent point, and absolutely correct.

And, my opinion on these people is this- they are idiots. BUT- they are first amendment protected idiots.

On Atheists in general- Atheists don't exist. Those who say they don't believe in God actually do, and they believe they are that God. They call themselves atheists, I call them egotheists. While I'm certain that there are probably a few who do not fit this description, I have yet to see one.

If God doesn't exist, why are they wanting to keep the word of a "non-existent" God away from people?

If these Atheists want Bibles so bad, I'll give them mine, and they can even keep their porn!![/QUOTE]


I'm an atheist. I don't exist?

While I disagree with this group, they still have freedom of speach and have a right to do it. Although I find their tactics to be very tacky.

[QUOTE=Cobra]I'm an atheist. I don't exist?[/QUOTE]

NO. YOU DO NOT. You are the Anamoly. lol ;)

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lmao wow. That is bad.

*slow clap*

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[QUOTE=fbama73]On Atheists in general- Atheists don't exist. Those who say they don't believe in God actually do, and they believe they are that God. They call themselves atheists, I call them egotheists. While I'm certain that there are probably a few who do not fit this description, I have yet to see one.[/QUOTE]

Were you not taught to love everyone and be nice and then you'd get into heaven? Blatent racism (I know athiests aren't a race, I don't know what to call them) is not loving everyone or being very nice. Also Atheists don't believe that they're god, they figured out god doesn't exist.


Secondly, this was a stupid idea, because the major Atheist groups are totally ruining the point of being an Atheist, which is not to have anything to believe in. They somehow organized into a new religion that believes in no religion. These new idiots are totally messing everything up and I really wish they'd give it a rest.

Also people not everyone in the South goes to a tiny white church in the middle of nowhere and wants to execute other people who aren't Christian.

^ And thank you for perpetuating the stereotype of Christians as abortion clinic doctor killers. ;)

Most Christians would never do, much less endorse that kind of rediculous action.

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As a Christian this is very offensive to me. First off, I am not one of those fanatics who kill in the name of God, that is just wrong, no matter what. This was said earlier, but I forget who said it:

My question is (which has been posed all ready), why is atheism promoting their views and trying to convince others not okay; and Christianity doing the same thing (missions and missionaries) okay?

Firstly, Christians are told, as was already mentioned, to go out into the world to spread the word of the Bible. These missionaries are also just normal people that rely on churches and the members thereof for the funding necessary to be a missionary. Trust me, it isn't cheap, I know several missionaries and MKs. Athiests on the other hand, have really no reason other than to spite Christianity in my mind, because if they have nothing to believe in, what is the point of trying to get someone to give up a belief that gives them hope, and in some cases, a will to live? I find this a rather sickening case, and it really disturbs me. I will not go into the End Times thing though, because some people have already shown their immaturity about accepting that idea.

Also, I would advise anyone at all to read "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. It is a very good book, as are "The Abolition of Man", and "The Great Divorce".

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I do not think of myself as "god" in the sense you might think of...but I DO create my own fortunes, my own mishaps, and my own struggles, and I myself do create my own destiny based on what I do and how I treat others...so I guess I could consider myself god of my world.

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[QUOTE=Matt M]Were you not taught to love everyone and be nice and then you'd get into heaven? Blatent racism (I know athiests aren't a race, I don't know what to call them) is not loving everyone or being very nice. Also Atheists don't believe that they're god, they figured out god doesn't exist.[/QUOTE]

You completely missed my point. First of all, loving people and being nice to them, while commanded, is not the way to heaven according to the Bible.

Racism is NOT "not loving everyone, or being very nice." Racism is judging people because of race. (or religion, or lack thereof). I said that every Atheist I have met does not fit the true definition of the word atheist. I stand by that, because it is true. Every one that I have met is telling themselves that there is no God simply so that they may be totally in charge of their own life, with no consequence.

If you'd read it all, you'd also have noticed where I said there are probably some who are not that way, but that I'd never come across one.

And, for the record, I do love you. And I also forgive you for mistakenly calling me a racist.

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[QUOTE=slipknot8527]I do not think of myself as "god" in the sense you might think of...but I DO create my own fortunes, my own mishaps, and my own struggles, and I myself do create my own destiny based on what I do and how I treat others...so I guess I could consider myself god of my world.[/QUOTE]

Actually, the way in which you consider yourself "god of your world" is exactly what I was referring to. Thank you for seeing what I meant and being honest about it.

And, for the record, while I disagree with your belief, I certainly respect your right to believe as you wish.

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My neighbor got a big new house, and all I got was his lousy payments

[QUOTE=fbama73]Actually, the way in which you consider yourself "god of your world" is exactly what I was referring to. Thank you for seeing what I meant and being honest about it.

And, for the record, while I disagree with your belief, I certainly respect your right to believe as you wish.[/QUOTE]

Did you read what he wrote at all?

[QUOTE=fbama73]You completely missed my point. First of all, loving people and being nice to them, while commanded, is not the way to heaven according to the Bible.[/QUOTE]

So if you're a good person you don't get into heaven? Interesting.

[QUOTE=fbama73]Racism is NOT "not loving everyone, or being very nice." Racism is judging people because of race. (or religion, or lack thereof). I said that every Atheist I have met does not fit the true definition of the word atheist. I stand by that, because it is true. Every one that I have met is telling themselves that there is no God simply so that they may be totally in charge of their own life, with no consequence.[/QUOTE]

Yes I am aware that racists don't love everyone, they don't like people for the reasons above, just like you don't like Atheists at all and think that any of the one you have ever met are good people. The no consequence thing is BS. We have jails for a reason.

[QUOTE=fbama73]If you'd read it all, you'd also have noticed where I said there are probably some who are not that way, but that I'd never come across one.[/QUOTE]

You've come across a bunch in this thread, you're just close minded.

[QUOTE=Matt M]So if you're a good person you don't get into heaven? Interesting.[/QUOTE]

Right, kinda. To clear it up, not ONLY being a good person gets you to heaven. Here's the passage straight out of the King James version (the true English Bible):

[QUOTE]For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10
[/QUOTE]
That is rather clear.


[QUOTE=Matt M]...you're just close minded.[/QUOTE]
Many Christians, as well as others, are. And that would be "closed-minded." At least you got the apostrophe in "you're" right. Bugs me. Ha!

There are two reasons that Christians, even though are the majority in the states, are given a bad rep. (1) The opposite end of the spectrum resents any views but their own, and go out of their way to attempt to invalidate or prove wrong any ideas that don't parallel with their own. (2) There actually are an extremely small portion of the Christian bunch who are wackos, and actually do what they hate about the "other side" ... try to prove everybody wrong, and make themselves look like idiots.

CoasterLove, I think, summed up the Christian's mission. "...preach the Gospel..." is what we're supposed to do, just not necessarily on the street corner. We're to live our lives as examples, and reach out when the time is right. People should be able to tell we're different (as opposed to weird).

As a Southerner, I've grown up in ... surprise! ... a Baptist church. LOL. The church had a Christian school, which I attended from pre-school to 12th grade, then went on to Mercer University, where I am now. So, I'm VERY familiar with this debate, and have discussed this for a lo-o-ong time. It's taken a while, but I've developed the general idea that Christians should be the most understanding people around.

Here's what I mean. Too many times, Christians assume that everybody is supposed to believe like them; if they don't, they're either not "right with God" or "going to Hell." I hate that mindset. Rather than looking at it that way, we should take Jesus' approach with tender-heartedness, care, and love for all. Yeah, it's a little touchy-feely, but that's so much better than the degrading "holier than thou" attitude we can give off.

Look, America's a place of freedom, which is why it's so awesome living here! I'm totally cool with people excercising their freedom in any way, not to say I agree with all of it. They'll answer for that one day, I believe; but I'd rather see them embrace the peace that the ideal Christian has.

We gotta be real about this stuff. The word atheist (which is NOT supposed to be capitilized, BTW) itself means "no God." That's exactly what they believe. It's just absolutely incorrect to say that the atheist doesn't believe in anything. They BELIEVE that there is no God. Whatever that means, I don't know. I don't personally understand how someone can think that we're here by chance, and there's not a Ruling Power over us that must have had something to do with our being. How are we able to reason, and animals not? Well, the Christian believes the Bible, saying we were created in God's image. The physicalities of that I don't know, and neither do any of you, but it's just makes sense. I do, however, respect anyone else's belief.

Wow, didn't mean to turn that into a sermon-ette. I've lived this and debated this all my life. It's always interesting to me what people believe, and even more interesting how they came to believe it, whether it's the way their raised, or the way the brainwashing agenda-pushing universities alter their minds... always cool to discuss. But let's not turn it into a SHOUTING MATCH. We can reason through it and learn from each other.

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[QUOTE=Matt M]
just like you don't like Atheists at all and think that any of the one you have ever met are good people.


You've come across a bunch in this thread, you're just close minded.[/QUOTE]

On both of these points, you're not only wrong about me, you're guilty of exactly what you accuse me of.

But, I still love you and forgive you.

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All I am going to say is this: Trading Bibles for Porn is just another example of men trading the Truth of God for a lie.

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