Wednesday, January 2, 2008 | Reason : Wingnut News | print version

The OUT Campaign has its own Flea!

by ChristianOut.com

Reposted from:
http://www.christianout.com/

CHRISTIAN OUT
CHRISTIAN OBSERVABLE UNDERLYING TESTIMONY

Concept
Although the initial idea originated from Mr. Richard Dawkins' campaign, the concept that I would like to draw from is much different. In contrast to Mr. Dawkins, I would like to ask the Christian to:

Come OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize that there are those Christians who are shy or not well versed in Scripture, whether new or old, that may be timid or less likely to share their testimony of salvation, the gospel with others, or even their convictions against sin. We should be conscience of this and encourage them to pray, meditate in the Word of God, and observe godly examples, as we all should, that we may become bolder in the faith and understanding of the things of God. In this we must realize that when we do come out as Christians, we should portray the characteristics outlined in Scripture by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our great example.

Reach OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize that we should be reaching out to people with true compassion and sincerity, minus the pious pharisaical cloaks; to both the saved and the lost. We need to reach out in support to our fellow Christians that are new or struggling, to give support and love through their trials, tribulations, and times of growth as a Christian; to be understanding, yet Scriptural, with a kind heart. We need also to reach out to this lost world with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, remembering to not find it uncommon if by chance the lost person chooses to reject God and the Scriptures, to our dismay. We should not allow their rejection of it to be taken personally, but to be brought to God in prayer for their soul's need of salvation.

Speak OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize that it is necessary for a Christian to personally speak out against sin. We need to speak out against the sin in our own lives and other professing Christians, and also when we are confronted with sin by family, friends, and co-workers. At the same time we are first to examine the beam in our own eye before pointing out the dust in our neighbor's eye. The dust in another's eye does not make us more righteous, nor does looking around the beam in our own eye. In contrast, we also need to speak out concerning the truth, morality, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even when it is uncomfortable, we are to be true to Scripture and obedient to God, therefore calling good "good" and evil "evil". Remember we are to speak and do that which is right because it is right, out of obedience to God, not for personal prestige, gain, or that we should be puffed up while others are put down, causing our pride to be lifted up causing us to fall into sin.

Keep OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize as Christians, it is important to always be aware of sin. We need to be conscience of the devices of the evil one and the lusts of this world that will quickly lead us astray from that which is right and good in the sight of the holy God. Knowing that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, as the Church we are to be faithful to the words of Christ, our Lord and Savior which shed is blood on Calvary that we may have eternal life. As Christians, we should desire to be more Christ-like, refusing to give into the desires of the flesh to sin. As the children's song sings, becareful little eyes what you see, becareful little ears what you hear, and becareful little mouth what you say, we need to add becareful little mind what you think, that we may trust in God as He brings Scripture to our remembrance in the time of temptation.

Stand OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize that Christians are watched by both other Christians and the lost world. We do not need to be seen in a negative conitation, giving them reason to blaspheme the Lord God or sin. By this, we need to be aware of what we say and do, making sure to be followers of the very Scriptures we claim to uphold, also noting that it is done in the right spirit for God to receive the glory. We needn't be so timid or worldly that no one knows that we are a child of God, yet we must refrain from the pitfall of legalism whereby we judge the whole world by our personal moral code brow beating and demanding the lost world or fellow Christians to conform to a system that is above even that which Scripture calls for. We must allow the Scripture to guide us, listening to the Spirit give us knowledge as to when, what, and where to speak and act, shinning as a light in darkness. People should know that we are a Christian, without us having to tell them, by our actions of love toward God, toward the brothern, and toward the lost world.

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1. Comment #106337 by Steve Zara on January 2, 2008 at 5:17 pm

As a gay man, I actually find this offensive. I had no objection to Dawkins basing his approach on the gay "out" campaign, because of the oppression of atheists by religion was undeniable.

But for a Christian group to attempt, however indirectly, to use the same strategy is outrageous, no matter how much they want to be seen as having a more flexible moral code, considering how many of them have, and still, work actively to oppress gay people and restrict our rights.

Other Comments by Steve Zara

2. Comment #106339 by BAEOZ on January 2, 2008 at 5:20 pm

Steve. (begin sarcasm) Haven't you heard? Christian have been persecuted since Christ. They're being persecuted as we speak in the US by nasty atheists. They have to carry their cross. (end sarcasm.)

Hypocrites.

Pity they don't care about the fact that there's no evidence of god or immortal souls. Nope, it's all about subjective stuff like feeling christ in my life.

Other Comments by BAEOZ

3. Comment #106340 by Steve Zara on January 2, 2008 at 5:23 pm

BAEOZ: It is not just that. It specifically the barefaced cheek of using the "OUT" word.

Have they no shame?

I was going to come up with an "its like..." but I am so annoyed I have run out of analogies.

Other Comments by Steve Zara

4. Comment #106342 by The Reverend Dark on January 2, 2008 at 5:28 pm

Steve Z. asks 'Have they no shame?'

Short answer: No.

Long answer: No, they do not.

However, you can feel better about it by picturing Ted Haggard or Larry Craig embracing this meme and shouting "I'm Out! I'm Out!"

Other Comments by The Reverend Dark

5. Comment #106344 by BAEOZ on January 2, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Have they no shame?

When their narcissism has reached such heights as to hold that they are entrusted by god to get his message out. I don't think shame is a salient emotion they have to worry about.

Other Comments by BAEOZ

6. Comment #106346 by Radesq on January 2, 2008 at 5:30 pm

I was excited when I saw Christian OUT pop up in the discussion thread. I thought someone had come up with a new cleaning product. Then I became concerned that maybe atheists were going to try performing exorcisms. The sort of thing it turned out to be hadn't occurred to me.
However, getting Christians to reach out and support fellow Christians will probably do more mischief to their cause than good -- as they all start to compare notes and realize that the other doesn't really get it like I do.

Other Comments by Radesq

7. Comment #106347 by kraut on January 2, 2008 at 5:33 pm

That campaign is about the equivalent of a "communist out" campaign in east germany before the fall of the wall.

In the face of mitt romneys preferred denial of access to non christians to government office, this out campaign would be laughable, were it not so despiccable.

Other Comments by kraut

8. Comment #106348 by John Done on January 2, 2008 at 5:34 pm

Aside from the hypocricy, offensiveness, and lack of originality that just about anyone here can easily point out, these particular theists seem to overlook the significance of the Scarlet 'A' by simply replacing it with a 'C'. They forget that the very origin of the symbol comes from the scarlet letter of adultery (of "The Scarlet Letter" fame) and the shame that comes for those who bare it, though we use it as a way to stand in the face of redicule and persecution by using it as a symbol of pride. Simply inserting any letter you want makes the symbol lose its literary, historical, and societal significance, and like all other superstition merely cheapens another aspect of our lives.

Other Comments by John Done

9. Comment #106349 by antifaithstl on January 2, 2008 at 5:38 pm

Christians showing a complete lack of originality & blatant hypocrisy?
Whaaaaa?

Other Comments by antifaithstl

10. Comment #106352 by ianmkz on January 2, 2008 at 5:49 pm

I can't imagine why anyone would be embarrassed to be a Christian.

Other Comments by ianmkz

11. Comment #106353 by Diacanu on January 2, 2008 at 5:49 pm

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.
:)

Other Comments by Diacanu

12. Comment #106354 by 82abhilash on January 2, 2008 at 5:49 pm

It is a flea campaign. Like the flea books. Some idiot for Christ is trying to cash in on RD's popularity just like the ones selling the flea books.

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13. Comment #106355 by 82abhilash on January 2, 2008 at 5:51 pm

10. Comment #106352 by ianmkz on January 2, 2008 at 5:49 pm

I can't imagine why anyone would be embarrassed to be a Christian.

The times are changing. I think more and more people agree that religion should be kept out of the public arena. I hope the trend continues.

Other Comments by 82abhilash

14. Comment #106358 by ivellios on January 2, 2008 at 6:07 pm

Can somebody please explain to me why they continue to act like they are out numbered and need to "come out."

I just don't get all the articles. It's like they feel that if they say they are winners over and over again that makes it true.

Other Comments by ivellios

15. Comment #106360 by NormanDoering on January 2, 2008 at 6:12 pm

BAEOZ wrote:

Haven't you heard? Christian have been persecuted since Christ. They're being persecuted as we speak in the US by nasty atheists. They have to carry their cross. (end sarcasm.)

It used to be that persecution was feeding them to lions while they sang hymns. Now persecution is saying "happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" or calling them stupid and they don't sing about that. Obviously they'd rather be fed to lions, it gives their pathetic lives meaning.

Anyone here ever read L. Sprague de Camp's Lest Darkness Fall? The hero is catapulted into the 6th century and he gets into a religious debate:

"Well, you haven't seen anything," said the man. "{Rome} hasn't been the same since the Goths came." He lowered his voice conspiratorially: "Mark my words, it won't be like this always, either!"
"You don't like the Goths?"
"No! Not with the persecution we have to put up with!"
"Persecution?" Padway raised his eyebrows.
"Religious persecution. We won't stand for it forever."
"I thought the Goths let everybody worship as they pleased."
"That's just it! We Orthodox are forced to stand around and watch Arians and Monophysites and Nestorians and Jews going about their business unmolested, as if they owned the country. If that isn't persecution, I'd like to know what is!"
"You mean that you're persecuted because the heretics and such are not?"

"Certainly, isn't that obvious? We won't stand -- What's your religion, by the way?"

Other Comments by NormanDoering

16. Comment #106364 by Matt7895 on January 2, 2008 at 6:17 pm

I suppose they thought it was awfully clever, refusing to call Richard by his proper title of 'Professor'. At the very least they should have referred to him as Dr.

And since when did Christians have to 'come out'? It's all part of this myth of persecution. The truth is people these days are tired of their bullshit, society is becoming increasingly secular, and so all the Christians can do is whine.

Other Comments by Matt7895

17. Comment #106365 by Rtambree on January 2, 2008 at 6:17 pm

www.gay_ex-atheists_who_are_now_creationistsout.com

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18. Comment #106366 by Rtambree on January 2, 2008 at 6:20 pm

In Germany, their website would be www.ChristenRaus.com.de

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19. Comment #106373 by dlitt on January 2, 2008 at 6:40 pm

That should set some of them up for ridicule. Certainly by me.

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20. Comment #106375 by mikkala on January 2, 2008 at 6:49 pm

Honestly though, have they no scruples?

You'd expect an enormous group of flying zombie worshipers to have more imagination, and tact, than thievery in the broad daylight.

They even get all the little stolen details just right too. Talk about "OCD" (Obsessive christ disorder)

Question to any psychiatrists; Where do you begin to disect the mind of a believer in belief? How do you approach this sort of behaviour?

Other Comments by mikkala

21. Comment #106377 by blueollie on January 2, 2008 at 6:54 pm

Why the Christians are acting defensive?

Think of it this way: true, something like 90% of Americans are theists. But, 93% of elite scientists are either agnostic or atheists, and 60% of non-elite scientists are.

In other words, the smarter the person is, the less likely they are to be a theist.

THAT is what makes them feel so threatened; they know that their beliefs are complete nonsense.

Other Comments by blueollie

22. Comment #106380 by RDS77 on January 2, 2008 at 7:02 pm

We should be conscience of this and encourage them to pray...

We need to be conscience of the devices of the evil one...

How about being "conscience" of the evils of sloppy grammar? This whole proclamation is beyond ridiculous.

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23. Comment #106383 by Ned Flanders on January 2, 2008 at 7:11 pm

I thought Christians were gay. Now we know.

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24. Comment #106387 by tony the coastie on January 2, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Perhaps some of them will go to the RD "OUT" site and pick up a copy of TGD. One can only hope.

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25. Comment #106394 by Jaffas85 on January 2, 2008 at 7:44 pm

Gee, there are quite a lot of religious psychopaths in America.

I also find the whole concept of Jesus the "Christ" to be offensive and ridiculous in that some how this apparent historical man (whom I doubt existed at all) is the fount of all morality and values in society.

If people need to look to an ancient mythological character or to a "holy book" to have moral guidence then something wrong must have went wrong in their upbringing in that their parents couldn't just ingrain good morals and values into them just for the sake of having good morals and values.

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26. Comment #106398 by decius on January 2, 2008 at 8:03 pm

One would think that pendants or brooches in sadomasochistic, homo-erotic fashion, depicting in maniacal detail a naked corpse hanging from a ancient instrument of torture, would constitute a sufficiently conspicuous display of bad taste.

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27. Comment #106401 by seekerofall on January 2, 2008 at 8:16 pm

11. Comment #106353 by Diacanu on January 2, 2008 at 5:49 pm
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.
:)

I like cookies...lets all have some ;)

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28. Comment #106402 by Plan 9 on January 2, 2008 at 8:23 pm

"...we need to add becareful little mind what you think..."

OK everybody, let's all not think too much.

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29. Comment #106403 by dlitt on January 2, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Comment #106394 by Jaffas85 on January 2, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Gee, there are quite a lot of religious psychopaths in America.[edit]

A psychopath needs the fear of punishment in the after-life to maintain his artificial sense of morality. I wouldn't try to disillusion a faithful psychopath - you might make him more dangerous.

Other Comments by dlitt

30. Comment #106406 by Eric Blair on January 2, 2008 at 8:58 pm

To comment on this would be to attack a flea with a hand grenade. It's also giving this site undeserved attention.

This seems to be one (1) person. No other blogs, no comments, no links.

Let it die in obscurity.

EB

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31. Comment #106407 by Russell's Teapot on January 2, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Is it even possible for 80+% of the US population to be 'in the closet'? That's a huge-ass closet, right there.

Next up: campaigns for right-handed people to show their natural dexterity.

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32. Comment #106408 by Radesq on January 2, 2008 at 9:08 pm

What a sinister comment Teapot.

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33. Comment #106409 by black wolf on January 2, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Sin Sin Sin Sin
Wonderful Sin
Atooooooooonement!
JesusJesusJesusJesus
Siiiiiiiiin!

The most ludicrous merry-go-round ever built.

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34. Comment #106414 by righton on January 2, 2008 at 9:22 pm

I was hit with the question today,

"I dont think evolution explains love."

I explained how it would be advantageous for sexual selection and kin selection but I did not have the right wording. Does anyone have a good response?

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35. Comment #106415 by JanChan on January 2, 2008 at 9:23 pm

This is just like the story of Jesus - plagiarism

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36. Comment #106416 by debaser71 on January 2, 2008 at 9:30 pm

"To comment on this would be to attack a flea with a hand grenade."

exactly

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37. Comment #106422 by pkruger on January 2, 2008 at 10:29 pm

RIGHTON:

My response would be something like:

The homo sapiens mind has evolved to point where it can evaluate, integrate and react from what it perceives from its senses. With it comes a wide variety of emotions--some being very intense--with love being one of them.

Peter

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38. Comment #106423 by Will in Aus on January 2, 2008 at 10:40 pm

I have a big problem with plagiarism. After having "don't plagiarise" drummed into me whilst studying science at Uni, it makes me cringe every time I see such a blatant example of it.

Josh, is there not some sort of copyright held on the OUT campaign concept.....surely this would be an infringement?

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39. Comment #106426 by Veronique on January 2, 2008 at 10:48 pm

36. Comment #106414 by righton

Try hitting the Reason button on the top menu and scroll down to Debate Points. Click and you will find discussions on love, proof of love and proof of God. It's about halfway down the page.

This may give you a selection of responses that you will be able to tailor to answer your questioners depending on exactly how they phrase their question.

Cheers
V

Other Comments by Veronique

40. Comment #106431 by troyreynolds86 on January 2, 2008 at 11:25 pm

You know, though at this point I plagiarize some previous comments, the first thing that popped into my head was that the Christians have become so unoriginal since their Founding Frauds, under the guiding hand of undiagnosed schizophrenia, first penned their sacred mythology, sinking so low as to copy an Atheist. Then I remember that they copied their mythology, too.

Also, I apologize to all schizophrenics for comparing you to certain people that are incapable of riding a horse.

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41. Comment #106432 by wardsie on January 2, 2008 at 11:26 pm

The sincerest form of flattery mmm?

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42. Comment #106436 by Philip1978 on January 3, 2008 at 12:14 am

Steve, as a straight man I find this really offensive for the same reasons you do - what a cheek! The Bible has not done gay people any favours at all so the fact they have done this quite frankly makes my blood boil.

The fight that gay people had to go through to even get where they are today is just incredible, I still think the lingering prejudice is disgusting but things have come such a long way. I too supported Professor Dawkins for the Out Campaign for the same reasons I support gay rights, I am fed up with Atheism being treated like some disease - in my humble opinion its just people's lack of understanding and indoctrination from the church that makes it that way. The constant reminders of Atheists having the same moral outlook as someone like Stalin or Pol Pot simply has to stop, I am sick of it.

So this particular religion is feeling persecuted? Not surprised if they have to resort to plagiarism to make ends meet!

I dont want to wipe out Christians, let them get on with it for all I care but I would like to wipe out the crack pot ideas that they have about people who don't believe in their peculiar form of supernatural gibberish. Archaic, bronze age stupidity is not going to help this planet's population progress any further and neither will pouring this rubbish out to all Christians help them even come to terms with what Atheism is really about. This crap just muddies the waters even more and I can't see it having any beneficial effect at all.

Grrr I need more Tea!

Philip

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43. Comment #106450 by Quetzalcoatl on January 3, 2008 at 1:28 am

I don't see why this comes as a great surprise to anyone. Christianity itself is plagiarised from early religions, so no wonder most of them can't come up with anything original.

I agree with Eric Blair, though, this appears to be just one guy's blog, rather than a concerted campaign.

Other Comments by Quetzalcoatl

44. Comment #106453 by will young on January 3, 2008 at 1:34 am

The loopy font works well for the screwiness it represents.

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45. Comment #106464 by imosqueira on January 3, 2008 at 1:58 am

I agree, Steve, that this appropriation should be properly denounced. As if they are not out enough, trying to impose their 'celestial' view of life on everybody. 200,000 of them concentrated in Madrid last week to attack homosexual rights, euthanasia and any moral education not based on their 'values'.

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46. Comment #106465 by irate_atheist on January 3, 2008 at 1:58 am

11. Comment #106353 by Diacanu -

Cookies!!!

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47. Comment #106468 by seanwupton on January 3, 2008 at 2:07 am

Most ridiculous thing I've seen all year. All 3 days of it, nice to know that religious groups are starting out as they mean to go on this year: with more offensive jibberish and crack-pot ideas.

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48. Comment #106470 by ligfietser on January 3, 2008 at 2:11 am

It makes me think of the dutch automobile-fetisjists, who always act like they are a weak, utterly defenseless, oppressed minority. I'd like to be oppressed that way.

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49. Comment #106472 by CJ22 on January 3, 2008 at 2:24 am

Sin sin sin sin sin! It really is a slaves religion isn't it?

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50. Comment #106475 by Dog Boots on January 3, 2008 at 2:39 am

Retards. The guy that came up with this is obviously lacking in intelligence. He hasn't understood anything about the OUT campaign. Yay, our first flea campaign.

As CapnOAwesome says he needs to learn the difference between "persecuted" and "...erh...not...persecuted".

Besides, it's DR. Dawkins, moron - not "Mr.".

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