Remember the Pastor Trying Out Atheism for a Year? He Just Got Fired by His Christian Employers.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

This makes me so sad that (some) christians would be so quick to shut him out. I very much approve of people looking at religion from different points of view. This is an age old tradition of "progressive" christianity , even very deeply committed to their faith of choice, concept of exploring other points of view in an effort to better understand (and then thus ostensibly better help) other s beliefs.

The Story / How To Help (and funny video)

The Fund (wish they would have picked a better picture) - kind of a neat website how they have it setup.
http://www.gofundme.com/62mb6o

This is not meant to be an "anti christian" post. Just take a moment and give it a read. I have no money to be throwing around but i donated a very small amount to help this guy get through the year.

[TronRP]

I haven't read the story yet, but hearing what he did would make me want to keep him around to pick his brain about how to bring in more unconverted flock, if I were his "Christian" employers.

Most people of a specific faith generally tend to become so single minded and focused only on their perspective of what they have been taught that "religion" is that they tend to lose sight on what it means to be a human being living in this world. The fact that this pastor did it as an experiment, not a denouncement of Christianity, proved that he was willing to become a better christian by broadening his understanding of humanity. Everything in life is a learning experience yielding life lessons and to limit oneself to only one viewpoint of it seems rather arrogant in my opinion.

I'm sorry he lost his job, but I say, KUDOS to you sir for trying to be a better man.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

There is a tradition among what Ill call "progressive" christian theologians to do this sort of thing, even "fundamentalist" christians, but this sort of open mindedness is in short supply.

That is, spend time to REALLY try to understand another thought system / theology,not just give lip service to doing so. With the clear intention of using that information to better understand 'your fellow man'. Presumably to then help them (possibly) see you (the christian) also in a different light as a side effect.

But this guy in particular I needed to read the story (and i found a different one with more detail) I hate it when people go off on some idea without knowing what the story actually is, but this is "as it seems".

[TronRP]

Totally Sweet!!! By the time I read this story, "go fund me" had already raised 523% in funds to help support Ryan J. Bell during his life changing experiment. Bravo!!

[Trene4000]

Then they were not true Christians. Jesus walked among, spoke to, and dined with unbelievers/sinners. HE saw how they lived and taught them the continuation of GOD's plan.

Those who excommunicated this man are like the Pharisees of old. They were inflexible, self-righteous, lacking in the actual love Christ Jesus taught believers to walk in.

[Scary Guy]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman

They were Christians, just not very good ones apparently.

At least they were Christians and not Muslims though.  They would have killed him for his apostasy, even if it was only temporary.