Should the church apologize to atheists?

[RdJ]

I just saw a tv program from the evangelical broadcast here called Adieu God (Goodbye God) in which they talk with Dutch actors, comedians whatever about why they left God. This was an interview with a filmmaker. He used to be catholic. Was raised catholic, but when he was 12 he had to go to the deacon to help in the church service and he said: you're too late and BAM smacked him in the face hard and he left his costume there and went home and never returned and his parents understood. His mom had to stop his dad who jumped on his bike wanting to smack that deacon. His dad lost his faith, so his mom prayed even more, he said. He was now atheist and sure that God didn't exist and why all the suffering. If he would go to heaven he would smack God in the face. You're allowed to say that on Dutch tv. Oyyyyy. That interviewer stayed really calm and said: Can you forgive? Hmm that's hard but yes if someone wrongs me and says sorry I can forgive them. He said: What if the pope said he was sorry for that smack you got? Oh yes great. What if the pope pronounced your mom holy? He would go to the service with the whole family and he would even serve there if he had to.

That's the Dutch evangelical broadcast. It made me think. Shouldn't the church or some pastors or reverends or priests who represent it say sorry to atheists for stuff like this? Our king said sorry to Surinam for the slavery. Atheists don't even ask for money. Just as a recognition.

[Who me]

38 minutes ago, RdJ said:

That's the Dutch evangelical broadcast.

Well it's good that there is an evangelical Christian TV broadcast, but they must be hard up for material if they are talking about why catholics are no longer Catholic.

This should not have gone further than the program  researchers desk.

What they want are atheists with a reason that can be argued and debated.

Should  the church apologise?  Which church?  Certain.y the rcc should,but what was this atheists response  to the suggestion  of a formal apology . Would he be in church next sunday?

 

[Sower]

1 hour ago, RdJ said:

I just saw a tv program from the evangelical broadcast here called Adieu God (Goodbye God) in which they talk with Dutch actors, comedians whatever about why they left God.

The TV show may be entertaining but it feeds the flesh. I would think the best thing to do would appeal to the spirit, in payer for ALL those involved. Only God can change hearts.

 

46 minutes ago, Who me said:

What they want are atheists with a reason that can be argued and debated.

Exactly. This controversy draws the human flesh. Even some believers. To what end.
Feed the flesh or feed the spirit. We reap what we sow.

Sow to the spirit, trust God not our 'thinking' let God know the need, and HE will direct.

Thanks, RDJ

[RdJ]

1 hour ago, Who me said:

Well it's good that there is an evangelical Christian TV broadcast, but they must be hard up for material if they are talking about why catholics are no longer Catholic.

This should not have gone further than the program  researchers desk.

What they want are atheists with a reason that can be argued and debated.

Should  the church apologise?  Which church?  Certain.y the rcc should,but what was this atheists response  to the suggestion  of a formal apology . Would he be in church next sunday?

 

 If the pope would apologize and declare his mom holy he'd come with his whole family.

It's an actor btw. Didnt even know. I never watch that stuff. 

Anyway thanks to this program he's on my prayer list. I had to cry. I always get these types on my heart. He played in a horrible movie in the 80s or 90s. I watch funny comedians at times and then pray for them, but I never watch an actor like this well until today thanks to the Adieu God program. At least they do something.

Edited June 6, 2024 by RdJ

[RdJ]

1 hour ago, Who me said:

Well it's good that there is an evangelical Christian TV broadcast, but they must be hard up for material if they are talking about why catholics are no longer Catholic.

It's an outreach to him.

They also had another program with VIPs and one guy, an athlete, was very interested and he could ask questions to different groups of christians. Later he got saved. That was funny. He said: Why can't they come up with one story? This one says this. That one says that. Why don't you just come together and say: hey this is the story. That would be so much easier.

Edited June 6, 2024 by RdJ

[RdJ]

1 hour ago, Sower said:

The TV show may be entertaining but it feeds the flesh. I would think the best thing to do would appeal to the spirit, in payer for ALL those involved. Only God can change hearts.

I hadn't watched their stuff in years. We have 1 christian broadcast, this one. I looked at the other stuff they have in their playlist. There is good stuff about someone who got saved and changed, but that was just all there was in the 90s and now.. it's quite shocking. I didn't know it was that bad. An interview from another guy with a pornstar who talks about how she lost her fake breasts and he's nodding. Oh golly girl. This broadcast used to be super uptight. People made fun of it in the 80s. Now they try to be hip and seeker sensitive.

[RdJ]

The best program I have seen here on tv was in the 90s on a super unchristian broadcast that normally had programs about sex and drugs and they invited a very good preacher. I was in his church a few years. He sat at a table with a bunch. One was a sexuologist, one was guy dressed as a woman and some other totally unchristian people, but he just did it and then 2 German yodel singers came over to yodel. It was absurd. But one was blind in one eye or something and he prayed for her and she got healed instantly. It was terrific.

[Vine Abider]

3 hours ago, RdJ said:

I just saw a tv program from the evangelical broadcast here called Adieu God (Goodbye God) in which they talk with Dutch actors, comedians whatever about why they left God. This was an interview with a filmmaker. He used to be catholic. Was raised catholic, but when he was 12 he had to go to the deacon to help in the church service and he said: you're too late and BAM smacked him in the face hard and he left his costume there and went home and never returned and his parents understood. His mom had to stop his dad who jumped on his bike wanting to smack that deacon. His dad lost his faith, so his mom prayed even more, he said. He was now atheist and sure that God didn't exist and why all the suffering. If he would go to heaven he would smack God in the face. You're allowed to say that on Dutch tv. Oyyyyy. That interviewer stayed really calm and said: Can you forgive? Hmm that's hard but yes if someone wrongs me and says sorry I can forgive them. He said: What if the pope said he was sorry for that smack you got? Oh yes great. What if the pope pronounced your mom holy? He would go to the service with the whole family and he would even serve there if he had to.

That's the Dutch evangelical broadcast. It made me think. Shouldn't the church or some pastors or reverends or priests who represent it say sorry to atheists for stuff like this? Our king said sorry to Surinam for the slavery. Atheists don't even ask for money. Just as a recognition.

What an interesting question: "Should the church apologize to atheists?" When I thought of the title's question (without reading the post) it made me think.  So I'll sidestep the whole RCC thing and address my first thought.

What that question made me think about was the church's testimony to the world in general. And what I mean by the church is not the RCC, but the collection of all who have Christ living in them, His living body.  And if there is any apology to be made by the ekklesia, it would be just that - How much have we let the world know that Christ is actually living in, and operating through, His body, the church?  To me that is the question - does the world see Christ in us, or does it see a religion or something else other than Christ?  If those outside are not being shown the living Christ living through us, then yes, maybe we do owe them an apology . . .

[Neighbor]

3 hours ago, RdJ said:

when he was 12 he had to go to the deacon to help in the church service and he said: you're too late and BAM smacked him in the face 

Hi, That is all I need to read in order to respond that at the USA and it's 50 States and multiple territories that would be a criminal offense. Plus that anyone of any authority that knows of it is legally required to report it to proper police investigating agencies.

Here anyone working around children will find they are required to be aware of that fact and will need to sign  documents to that effect, both  for local law enforcement and for liability insurance company reasons.

An apology by anyone isn't going to cut it. 

[Neighbor]

7 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

maybe we do owe them an apology

I am not a person's excuse  for anything especially their rejecting the specific call to them by the Holy Spirit.

 

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” - Romans 1:20