Thus, I am an atheist living in a unique society that was built on strong moral values that find their roots, at least in part, in religious convictions that I do not share in their detail. I should be very careful, however, to not lose sight of the fact that I am reaping what I did not sow. I should have more faith in those who already have faith. I am now a cognitive dissident. And with that, my work here is done. You’re welcome.
“Latin America’s religiously unaffiliated population is projected to grow both in absolute number and percentage terms, rising from about 45 million people (8%) in 2010 to 65 million (9%) in 2050.”
Let us see this projection as opportunity to preach the gospel to a growing number of people without any religious affiliation.
The Simpson devotional for today has this insight:
So in the days of Christ, it was the bondage of the Jews to the traditions of their fathers and the opinions of men that kept them back from receiving Him. How can ye believe, He asked, which receive honour one of another; and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? (John 5:44).
The same occurs today. People love their religious traditions which exalt and honor men. So they do not believe in the word of God. Human honors squelches faith in the divine.
Religious institutions, such as para-church ministries and universities, love other institutions, and that is probably why they are loathe to criticize them or separate themselves from them when others abandon their principles and founding mission. So it is that heresies and doctrinal departures leapfrog from one to another and serve as infection points for the Lord’s church.
1. Some days are more productive than others. Takeaway lesson: You never know what day will turn out to be productive. Slog through and discover.
2. Some people linger for months or years before death. Still, God’s saints who value life care for them with love. We’re seeing it happen now, again.
3. Finished writing today the “52 Actions of the Disciple of Christ.” Good feeling. Now for a revision, and it’s ready for the printer. Psalm 119 book is also done; I’ve asked a professional brother in Christ for an estimate on a revision.
4. Pope decided the Lord’s prayer needs to be better translated. He doesn’t like: “Lead us not into temptation.” This is once he might be right. Brazilian versions give us, “Do not let us fall into temptation.” What do you think about the English translations?
5. Did I mention that next to me opened up a beer and burger joint, with a name that includes the F-word? It’s pasted all over the front and side, and you can’t miss it. Time to move.
6. An original item:
Itself the murky mind can barely see,
For all the layers of deep dishonesty.
7. A Bible verse, from the NLT, from—why not?— Matthew 6.13:
“And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”
Ron T. has some good thoughts on the Lutherans’ horror of God in masculine terms.
Next up, they’re probably reassign Jesus’ gender preference.
Irony: Those who bash religion seem to be those most involved in organized religion and denominations.
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