"I KNOW that my god is real..."

Do you, though?

What’s up, nonbelievers, doubters, and skeptics?

Do you ever go through lulls in life where you have a hard time getting motivated? I think we all do.

And, if you’re a creative type like me, you get burned out and then sometimes beat yourself up for not producing enough content.

I had a very dark few months. Some Christians might say that’s because I have no relationship with god, but there were many factors, and, I can assure you, the lack of god had nothing to do with it.

I’ve emerged from the darkness over the last couple of months, and I’m in a much better headspace now.

I’m back in the saddle of writing this newsletter, which I will also be turning into podcast episodes and YouTube videos.

You Know Nothing, Jon Snow

I asked on Instagram what I should talk about. I got many great suggestions, and the one I’m going with this week is when Christians say “I KNOW that my God is real.”

The definition of faith is:

“rather than proof”

Trust and confidence isn’t the same as knowing.

Belief isn’t the same as knowing.

Knowing is knowing.

It’s fine to feel confident in your god belief. It’s fine to feel like you do know…but that’s still not the same as actually knowing.

It’s still a belief.

One of my favorite responses to Christians saying “I KNOW that my god is real” is “That’s definitely one opinion.” or “That’s a claim, sure.”

They’re usually not a fan of that.

But how can you say that you know something and, at the same time, say that your religion really all comes down to faith.

Christians will often tell me that I have faith, too.

“You have faith in science!” or “You have faith that your car will start!”

These aren’t the same as faith in an invisible, inaudible being that is unfalsifiable.

Do you think they’d just accept me saying that I know that the genie in the lamp is real? I’ve heard him. I’ve spoken to him. He granted my wishes. He’s real. I just KNOW it.

No, they’d want more proof.

Comments From Christians

Let’s reach into the goodie bag of comments that I got this week and see what we pull out!

Oh, look at that. Right on theme!

I think it’s best to take that Socratic method approach on stuff like this and just ask questions.

Do I normally do that in my comments section? Eh… I tend to just be a smartass. I’m sure that people have mixed feelings on replying that way.

I do, too, sometimes, but most people who comment ridiculous things aren’t looking for any meaningful discussion; they just want to mic drop and think they did something.

My questions would be:

1. How do you define god?

2. What makes science a god for atheists?

I’m currently reading The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan, and he perfectly addresses this person’s comment:

Think of how many religions attempt to validate themselves with prophecy. Think of how many people rely on these prophecies, however vague, however unfulfilled, to support or prop up their beliefs. Yet has there ever been a religion with the prophetic accuracy and reliability of science? ... No other human institution comes close.

Is this worshipping at the altar of science? Is this replacing one faith by another, equally arbitrary? In my view, not at all. The directly observed success of science is the reason I advocate its use.

I really don’t have to add anything to that.

Also, I’m listening to that book on Audible and bookmarking like every 5 minutes. It’s so good.

Oh, hi, Derik.

Every single atheist? Really? You’ve met us all?

There’s so much wrong with this comment.

1. Being an atheist has nothing to do with thinking you have it all figured out. Wouldn’t you say Christians are more that way?

2. Probably most atheists you’ve ever met aren’t even publicly atheists. Many people hide that fact in the US for many reasons.

3. Who’s more likely to have an ego: a person who thinks they have a relationship with the creator of everything or someone who doesn’t believe in the gods that other people try to convince them are real?

Christian Bio of the Week

I point out Christian bios on social media sometimes because I think they’re funny or cliche; it’s not necessarily to make fun of a person. Also 92% of the ones that I post are from people who have left a hateful comment on a post of mine.

Here’s this week’s bio:

There’s a growing movement of gym bros making content for Christ. I mean, they’re free to do whatever they want, but it’s just funny when I get a comment that I’m going to hell, and then I go to that profile, and it’s a person who’s afraid of pronouns.

Bible Verse of the Week

Leviticus 21:18-21

New International Version

18 No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; 19 no man with a crippled foot or hand, 20 or who is a hunchback or a dwarf, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. 21 No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the food offerings to the Lord. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God.

Yeah! Keep them away! Just wait until we find the person who made them this way…

Ex-Christian Community

Back in October, I started ExChristianCommunity.com. I had big plans for it… but then life kinda fell apart for a while.

My plans were to:

• Have a private community where nonbelievers can post without judgment or trolls

• Do monthly virtual hangouts

• Have a book club

If you are a current member or joined before but then left, I really appreciate your support and patience. I want to breathe some life back into the community and do all the things I had planned before.

There are 38 current members in the community, and I really want to get to 100. I think that having 100 people in there will really help the conversations flow and make enough sense to start having virtual hangs and book club chats.

Like I said earlier, I’m currently reading The Demon Haunted World, and I want to make that the first book club discussion (hopefully in June if enough people join)!

If you like the work I do and want to be part of the community, please consider joining! The first 100 total members will be considered founding members with comes with a founding member badge and the lowest price that will be offered for the community!

Thanks for being here, and remember: You don’t need a god to be good!

Kevin