Comments on: Atheist Visits Baptist Church

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:08:57 +0000

My husband was an evangelical (converted many) until 7 yrs ago. Now he's a very intelligent Christian preacher. You don't have to come to TX to check our church out - the Basilica Community has a podcast.

By: Jake

Jake — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:19:54 +0000

I just spent a week at Lagniappe Presbyterian in Bay St. Louis. It’s a church that’s helping with a lot of rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. They’ve helped repair over 300 homes and have built 18 more. Plus they’ve hosted a lot Habitat workers who have repaired over 600 and built over 60. Might be worth checking out…

By: vjack

vjack — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:54:30 +0000

Thanks for the link Hemant. I admire the heck of our Oliver for his willingness to journey to the heart of delusion each Sunday and report back to us heathens.

By: Dwight

Dwight — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:27:39 +0000

I tried to find openly liberal churches in Mississippi. Not very easy in that state, outside of the few UUA congregations. A couple church websites from that area did catch my eye though:

http://www.trinityhattiesburg.org/ Trinity Episcopal Church in Hattiesburg which says they are an “open and diverse family dedicated to serving God and all creation”

http://www.fpcoxford.net/index.php?/who-we-are/ First Presbyterian in Oxford says “we celebrate and respect the rich diversity of background and belief to be found here”

I work with the UCC and Disciples but they have little presence in that state. One’s best bet is Presbyterian Church USA, the Episcopal Church, and the ELCA Lutherans. But even these groups, which are moderate to liberal generally, can often be conservative in Mississippi.

I honestly don’t know what I’d do if I lived there. Sounds like a painful time to be had for anyone who expects to find fair minded religion. Maybe there are some Reform Jews in the state? *heh*

By: Oliver

Oliver — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:25:08 +0000

Hello Hemant! Thanks for highlighting my visit to the First Free Will Baptist. There is a Unitarian Universalist Church in the North Mississippi area, and it is on my list of places to visit. I’ll be reading the comments for other suggestions from your readers.

By: Fyurien

Fyurien — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Some food for thought… there are people that actually listen to this guy. Not particularly related to this post, but still worth a read. Enjoy Atheists!! =)

Sheeesh!!!

The problem (symptom) is not with the speaker and purveyor of such ignorance, its with the ignorant that listen. Fix the problem, and the symptom goes away…

PS: I still think Atheism is wrong. =P

By: Joseph R.

Joseph R. — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:42:34 +0000

Do you know why baptists don’t have sex standing up?
Because it looks too much like dancing.

I agree with Kate, generally speaking, baptists will confirm many negative stereotypes.(I know this because I used to be one.)

By: Josh Manley

Josh Manley — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:40:15 +0000

I am a native Mississippian. I suggest visiting First Presbyterian Church, Jackson. Ask to meet either Ligon Duncan or Derek Thomas. If you are in another city, I might be able to make a recommendation there as well.

If you are ever in Washington, D.C, visit http://www.capitolhillbaptist.org

Josh Manley

By: Ron in Houston

Ron in Houston — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:03:22 +0000

I think about 10-15% of the congregation in the Unitarian Universalist Church are atheists. I don’t think an atheist would be shocked in the Episcopal Church. Bored perhaps, but not shocked.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:02:55 +0000

Maybe Mike Clawson knows of an emergent church in the area – I’ve visited Erik’s (in NC) a few times and it’s actually not too bad. A little on the Jesus-y side for me as an atheist, but certainly nothing like a Baptist church.

Don’t go to a Baptist church. It will just confirm all stereotypes.

Or for a really good time…try a UU. Not a “church”, but still fun. Or UCC, United Church of Christ, aka Unitarians Considering Christ.