Since I have de-converted there have been some who have treated me well, stating that they would pray for me and even asking if I needed anything. But these have been quite few and far between. I can count them on less than half of one hand. Others have accepted as fact that I am a child molester and have never even tried to contact me to see if I had anything to say about it. One site that I came across recently, belonging to a former member of Heritage Baptist Church, used the term "rape" in relation to me. To be fair to this individual, when I sent him an email about the inaccuracy of his statement, he changed it. Even so, why did he write it in the first place? I was never charged with rape at all. Why didn't this individual check with a legitimate source (myself or even the jail) before posting something like this?
But in recent days, things have taken a turn for the worse. On a particular forum that I frequent, a forum that is related to my job and a piece of software that I use for that job, an anonymous person started to post about the initial WDBJ7 news report, to call me a liar (claiming that I have been lying for 18 years now) and to try to bring me down as low as they could. One person, whom I have known for years on that forum, began to blast me after reading the news report from Channel 7 News (WDBJ7). Again, this person, who also claims to be a Christian, did not attempt to contact me to ask what this was all about. He just broke into a tirade against me and voiced his opinion about the ridiculousness of what I have posted here on this blog.
As one that had de-converted, I can see how Christians could feel threatened by me and might even consider me an enemy. But where in the Bible does it tell a Christian to try to destroy anyone's reputation? Since I have not been found guilty in a court of law (yet), are they not spreading gossip (another thing forbidden of Christians) by claiming as true what has not yet been proven? Where is the love that Jesus commands? How is it displayed by the hatred and vitriol that people like me experience when we make a decision to leave the faith?
I would ask those that consider themselves to be true Christians to ponder the following thought: by attempting to ruin a man's reputation, how does that make a de-converted person want to even consider Christianity as truth? By spewing hatred and accusations against someone, how does that make anyone believe that the words of Christ are true words? If those that claim that they are followers of Christ refuse to obey basic and clear commands written within their own holy book, how does that cause anyone outside of their faith to want to believe anything that they have to say about the Bible, Jesus or God?
11 comments:
I was thinking along these same lines too, Dan. Some anonymous poster left a comment on my post about you. Whether you are guilty or innocent, peoples should not be speculation, and certainly not adding to your alleged crime.
I deleted the first Anonymous post, but then they chose a screen name, so I left that one up and responded.
Mike, the accusation, according to the court documents, is for "touching" and the area is defined as the "chest" and is purported to be a one time incident. However, some have used the word "rape" (as stated in my blog post), "abuse", "incest" and more. Again, none of these people have bothered to ask me. Frankly, I don't know who they are talking to (if anyone). It seems that they just make an assumption and go with that.
I have seen an interesting pattern. As some have gone out and tried to ruin my name, others that claim to be Christian (not all, mind you) tend jump on the band wagon to instantly condemn me. However, those that are either extremely liberal in their theology or are freethinkers are willing to give me the benefit of the doubt and at least await the trial verdict. In other words, many of those that come from the supposed religion of love are the quickest to condemn while those that are reported (by Christians) to be without morals (the atheists and the like) are willing to judge more slowly and consider all angles before making up their minds.
Having been a Christian for almost two decades, I was conditioned to think that atheists and agnostics were "godless" and, thus, immoral and heartless. However, I have found the exact opposite thus far.
Thanks for the details. I just re-read my comment and realized I shouldn't comment so early in the morning. "people should not be speculating"
It's sad to hear about Christians acting in such a way. Most that I know are decent and loving people.
Dan,
I've recently caught up on the forum you refer to. I'm absolutely disgusted by the way people that I know and actually agreed with responded (and when I didn't we were able to debate our points of view with civility [well... mostly ;)] )
I'm not lying when I say there were tears in my eyes after the 2nd page after the story was posted. I was physically sick by the the time I read the last post.
This just drives the nail home.
I have pretty soundly considered myself a "godless Christian" in the last years because of how terrible I am at it. But this absolutely floors me. It's completely surreal.
Dan,
This is crazy that someone would say such things without at least talking to you first, and hearing your side of the story. It's sad. I have been a Christian for several years now... and it really does sadden me to hear of people who call themselves 'christians' that act like this.
I know your ex-pastor, known him for quite some time now. I have read several things about him written by you, and other ex church members, and I have to say, I am so glad that people have finally started to realize what he is. It's about time.
When I first heard the story about you on the news, and began to hear rumors, I bought them hook, line, and sinker... but then when I came across your blog, it really changed my mind. Everything you say makes sense... and is completely believeable.
I haven't heard both sides of the story, and I probably never will...
but I have heard enough to say, if you are innocent, which I believe you very well may be, I hope that the right people will find out the truth, and let it be know. And I also hope that those people that put you in this position, get what they deserve.
God Bless you Dan, I will be praying for you! Be strong....
-A Friend
Dan, I have been following your story since you first began posting on Ex-Christian.net.
I'm like Dan Chattan who said "I'm not lying when I say there were tears in my eyes .... and was physically sick..."
Please know you are in my thoughts every day and I wish you well.
Also, I saw your post on ex-c regarding Silhouette City. How right you are! I've been trying to convince my hubby of the danger of those people. But, heck, he has a direct hotline to jesus, and I'm a deceived-by-satan atheist, so what do I know....
Again, know there are lots of us pulling for you! Take care.
Hey, Buffettphan, good to hear from you! Thank you for your comments here.
I wrote a brief article on Christian Reconstructionism over at the ex-christian site. Here is the URL:
http://www.ex-christian.net/index.php?showtopic=27677
Perhaps there is some useful information in it for you.
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for commenting. I truly appreciate it. Stay in touch, my friend.
Hello Me in VA,
Thank you for your comments and for your prayers. I do appreciate it. It is good to hear from people that have some background with the people I know here.
Jesus did say that we are to love even our enemies and those who persecute us. I am a Christian, I don't consider you an enemy though. I am moved with compassion concerning your story. I am sorry people have treated you thus. Atheist are not enemies of the faith. I have great compassion for them. I hope I can help them find the answers they seek and come to have a tangible relationship with the Lord. I will continue to hold out hope for this. And I will continue to treat all with respect and love no matter their beliefs or lifestyle or anything else. That is what Jesus taught, that is God's heart towards all people. Jesus chose those that were the outcast of society to fellowship with. That is where He enjoyed to hang out. I hope you will see that the failures of humans is not the failure of Jesus.
Dan, I believe that your former co-religionists are not out to "win you back". Instead, they are practising a form of instinctive mob retaliation, aimed not at you but at any other members who are thinking of leaving.
By demonising those who leave, they add another element of fear: as well as the (possibly uncertain) fear of Hell, they add the definite fear of retribution. These groups quite literally terrorise their members.
The retaliation against you is more extreme simply because of the height of your fall. It's one thing for a layperson who never really embraced the faith to leave; it's another for a pastor - especially one who helped educate the children - to go.
Similarly, the bigotry and hateful stereotypes of aethists put forth by religious groups is mostly about feeding the fear of their own followers. It presents an enemy and uses that symbolism to unite their followers.
Aethists are just people. We can be cruel and harsh and intolerant. We can also be kind, loving and compassionate.
I wish you the best in your court case, but I wouldn't be surprised if you lose. False testimony, especially from a child compelled by her beliefs and the beliefs of her family, can be very persuasive - esp. if the judge and jury share a similar background. There have been other cases of people leaving the Baptist church, only to be accused and convicted of child abuse, and in some of those cases the alleged victim has later confessed that it was a setup.
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