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We are having a spate of street preachers in Adelaide.
They use microphones and loudspeakers and are very confrontational. They have been arrested as public nuisance but won the case as a freedom of speech defence.
But they are nuts.

They want to save us.

Who?
Anyone who sins
who?
All of us to begin with.

Gay = doomed.
Wearing make up = doomed
Being a person like me = definitely doomed, I know because I asked one preacher  today. (see below)

If you have  tattoos = doomed (God did not give you skin to have graffiti put on it, I liked that, that's a newie to me :laugh:) And piercings are in the same classification.

If you are a teenage female and wear 'immodest' clothes = anything any teen would wear, doomed, you are a slut, I heard this idiot shout that at a 14-16 year old girl, in public! WTF. How to destroy a persons confidence in themselves and ruin their life. This is when Cindy decided to argue face to face. I of course enjoyed it, I had the Police in attendance, they do monitor them, but since there was no physical attack, it is legal for them to do so.
Have other people come across these sort of nutters and how were they dealt with?
Give then there due they can take what they dish out, because God loves them and they are saving us.

This BTW is not a rant against anyone's beliefs. But how to deal with what is legal verbal abuse.

Cindy - the doomed, room 28x10^100 Hell

Hi sweetie, I'm doomed too, we have something in common.
Maybe we can doom them by saying everything they say or preach doesn't exist.
It's only there in their confused heads.
Nobody knows who has written their bible, so it could be any lunatic, never mind, they follow.
Let those guys get a life asap and stop boring normal people.

Hi Sis,

I really don't care about them, and I'm really in control of me, thanks to a lot of people, including you my friend. So it doesn't matter to me  personally.  I am now bullet proof.
The one that hit me was insulting a school aged girl, wearing a pair of shorts a pretty Tee and some make up. OK she had over done it, but so what? She is a kid? She was in tears. How in gods name can someone be proud of that?

Sorry feeling a really good rant coming on.

Hugs

Cindy

I don't know Cindy, how somebody can be proud of that.
They are so pathetic.
I think when some one calls a young girl a slut for no reason, she or her parents can sue him.
It's a very offending thing from an adult to a kid, this has nothing to do with freedom of speak.
Maybe I was a bit harsh in my former post but, I really don't like this kind of people.
Kids has the right to be kids and to make their own mistakes, the only ones who can say something about that are the parents and not a lost soul with confused bible ideas.

hugs
Annette

Hi Cindy,

* Have other people come across these sort of nutters and how were they dealt with?
Give then there due they can take what they dish out, because God loves them and they are saving us. *

Gosh, thankfully NOT. Just imagine me (add yourself) we'd have some good stuff to contribute to such nutters.
In our environs they very gently and quietly walk from house to house in groups of about 8 -10 (for spiritual support no doubt) and try to tell you how to go to heaven rather then hell.

I see them very often on my daily 1 hr. health walk :-)

Nothing wrong with that I guess, but the soap-box-operators - they're something else, no doubt.

Axélle

I give racists the runaround in public. I tell them that my father was black, my mother is a Jew, my grandmother was a Wiccan Witch, and my grandfather was Irish Catholic. It shuts them up as people stare at both of us and break out laughing.  Most people get it!

I leave religious nutcases alone. I've had my share dealing with that. HOWEVER...

A while back hubby and I went to breakfast at a local establishment and ran into a woman I know. She's devout Catholic and I would never try to offend her for she is very sweet. She told us that she had been depressed a lot lately and that she had tried numerous pharmecutical remedies suggested by her doctor. She also told us how she had told the same story to some twenty something young man who suggested she might try a little weed. She told us how astonished she had been at the suggestion. "I showed him this," she said as she withdrew her crucifix from her neck, "and I said to him 'this is all I need.'" Hubby, with his unrelenting sense of diabolical humor asked, "So, how's that working out for you?"

I had to bite my lip to not laugh my guts out. Everyone else around us did not hold back. I truly felt sorry for her.

Cindi

Quote from: Cindi Jones on January 19, 2012, 06:34:05 AM
I give racists the runaround in public. I tell them that my father was black, my mother is a Jew, my grandmother was a Wiccan Witch, and my grandfather was Irish Catholic. It shuts them up as people stare at both of us and break out laughing.  Most people get it!

I leave religious nutcases alone. I've had my share dealing with that. HOWEVER...

A while back hubby and I went to breakfast at a local establishment and ran into a woman I know. She's devout Catholic and I would never try to offend her for she is very sweet. She told us that she had been depressed a lot lately and that she had tried numerous pharmecutical remedies suggested by her doctor. She also told us how she had told the same story to some twenty something young man who suggested she might try a little weed. She told us how astonished she had been at the suggestion. "I showed him this," she said as she withdrew her crucifix from her neck, "and I said to him 'this is all I need.'" Hubby, with his unrelenting sense of diabolical humor asked, "So, how's that working out for you?"

I had to bite my lip to not laugh my guts out. Everyone else around us did not hold back. I truly felt sorry for her.

Cindi

As we would say in SA: Ag shame!

The poor tannie, eish. :-)

Axélle

Quote from: Cindy James on January 19, 2012, 02:19:16 AM

If you are a teenage female and wear 'immodest' clothes = anything any teen would wear, doomed, you are a slut, I heard this idiot shout that at a 14-16 year old girl, in public! WTF.
Cindy - the doomed, room 28x10^100 Hell

How does what you wear correlate with sluttishness? I've known the most modest dressers to have sex with scores of men. The greatest fault of that preacher wasn't his prejudice but his idiocy

I have yet to encounter them as each time I visit Rundle Mall they aren't around, but I've seen them on the news.  I always amused by them as I know how delusional they are.  Let he who is without sin cast the first stone - although I guess when getting right with God is as easy as saying "sorry Lord, Jesus is my saviour" then that's nothing. I'm sure these preachers party all weekend and get right with God on Sunday before serving the Devil...err Jesus...by spreading hate.

Kia Ora,

::) When it comes to Street Preachers - "The intensity of ones religious conviction is inversely proportional to ones grip on reality !"

Metta Zenda :)

I had some Jehovah Witnesses at my door last year. After an hour long conversation about the bible, which I'm pretty good at, they certainly felt flustered. I suggested that they not come back since I was already lost, being a lesbian.

Just then, hubby came in on his motorcycle and foiled my fib!

Cindi

Latest update.

They are now suing the city council because a member (OTCC)  said they were bigots on a radio program, So they want there FTS protected but if you disagree with a 'message' you are a bigot and against their belief so they can sue you. Interesting. Not the exact words.

I've come across nongesque street preachers of many different religions (including a couple of very twatty Buddhists, and an orthodox Jew where I grew up who strafed me for not being Jewish enough ::)), if you include the ones who come up to you and talk to you. But I've met some really good ones too, who are willing to have an actual conversation.

  We do not have many of the street preachers in our area, try the Deep South in the "Bible Belt".  We do have the Jehovah's Witnesses and LDS types come to my door.  I shoo off the LDS but I would talk a little with the JW's and read the copies of Awake! and the Watchtower that they give me. 
  There was a problem in the South back in the early 1980's when a bunch of street preachers with megaphones converged in the business section of a certain town on Sundays to preach that going to the stores on Sunday was a sin.  Of course the shop owners complained to city hall and the council tried to ban them.  Eventually the freedom of speech ruling came up and they could do nothing about them being there and having their say but the council could ban the megaphones. 
  Joelene

I have listened to street preachers for a lone time. Some are right on while others are charlatans.  I've shared my faith at street meetings also. No one has the right to insult anybody and I think these folks, however well meaning, crossed the line.

This past Sunday an FTM spoke of the abuse he sufffered at home and at his home church. He came to New York to be himself. I spoke with him afterwards and encouraged him. The church I attend is accepting.  

They can be found all over the US.  Some seem to specialize in college campuses, others stand at the end of Powell @ Market where the cable car turns around talking about fornication and Babylon the Great has Fallen!  He's got his chops, but in the end it's just one more bit of street theater, indistinguishable from the others.  I like to ask them if they believe in the Bible.  When they assure me they do, I ask them to comment on Matthew 7:6.  Praise the lord for a Jesuit education.  Yippie.


Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
But you can't quote it for them right off, you must test them, chapter and verse.

For you Cindy

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Do any of you get Chick tracts, or is that just a US thing?


http://www.chickcomics.com/ (http://www.chickcomics.com/)

Doesn't ring any bells.

Kia Ora,

::) Have you ever wondered why there aren't any 'Atheist' street preachers !

::) We are constantly being told Atheism is like a religion- a belief system, and just like religion there are fundamentalist Atheists - So why no street preaching Atheists ?

::) OK there was a atheist bus billboard campaign a while back http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist_Bus_Campaign (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist_Bus_Campaign) 

::) But I'm talking about 'Street' Preaching-standing on street corners with sandwich board and telling passersby "You are not sinners, because there's no god nor hell -so enjoy life !" That kind of street preaching... ;) ;D

Metta Zenda :)

Zenda, you probably already know the answer to your question.

Atheism is defined as a lack of faith or belief.  It's pretty hard to preach that ;)  It's not very interesting. It certainly, at its base level, can't offend anyone (althought some really get off on it), and, those who are atheists usually don't care.

Cindi

Tekla,
  I remember those Chick tracts from the mid-1970's!  I was aboard ship and I was in with a group of fundamentalist Christians who met near the bomb elevators during lull time.  Those tracts were quite popular then.  I would not compare my group to these other fundamentalists you hear about today.  We were quite flexible in our beliefs and the meetings were loose.  The mention of those Chick comics brought on good memories with my navy buddies. 
  Joelene

Quote from: Zenda on January 24, 2012, 02:00:34 PM
Kia Ora,

::) Have you ever wondered why there aren't any 'Atheist' street preachers !

::) We are constantly being told Atheism is like a religion- a belief system, and just like religion there are fundamentalist Atheists - So why no street preaching Atheists ?

::) OK there was a atheist bus billboard campaign a while back http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist_Bus_Campaign (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist_Bus_Campaign) 

::) But I'm talking about 'Street' Preaching-standing on street corners with sandwich board and telling passersby "You are not sinners, because there's no god nor hell -so enjoy life !" That kind of street preaching... ;) ;D

Metta Zenda :)

While there is an outward appearance of differences between street preachers and billboards, the essence of getting the word out is the same.

There are Atheist proselytizers. I see it just as much as Christian proselytizers. And both can get just as ugly or just simply informative.

I think the point should be to worship or believe in what you want but don't try to force others into it...whether its Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Wiccan, Atheism, etc

(https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTCE2KNQYJpjVGp48L4Yz7K3QdGUpuOHsMTF64K2ANCHU7qS4Uy2w)

This is a billboard but we found several of them in tract form at Barnes n Noble

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Two weeks later we came across these Christian tracts. The back of them had a christian message

Both people tried to get their message across and we spent an hour finding all the tracts in our books before we closed.

Quote from: Annah on January 25, 2012, 12:52:21 AM
While there is an outward appearance of differences between street preachers and billboards, the essence of getting the word out is the same.

I think the point should be to worship or believe in what you want but don't try to force others into it...whether its Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Wiccan, Atheism, etc

Kia Ora Annah,

::) I couldn't agree more about people having the right to worship and believe what they like[just so long as their actions/beliefs don't harm others]...However  a person walking around or standing on street corners [often seen wearing a sandwich board or the like] and accosting passerby, is different from a stationary bill board...

::) And from what I gather Cindy's thread was in regards to the 'human' street preacher...Hence my comment when comparing apples with apples  "You might see Atheist bill boards[which are few and far between compared to religious ones] but one does not see Atheist 'in your face' street preachers!"...

::) However I could be wrong, perhaps you have actually seen some...

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Zenda on January 25, 2012, 10:40:40 PM
Kia Ora Annah,

::) I couldn't agree more about people having the right to worship and believe what they like[just so long as their actions/beliefs don't harm others]...However  a person walking around or standing on street corners [often seen wearing a sandwich board or the like] and accosting passerby, is different from a stationary bill board...

::) And from what I gather Cindy's thread was in regards to the 'human' street preacher...Hence my comment when comparing apples with apples  "You might see Atheist bill boards[which are few and far between compared to religious ones] but one does not see Atheist 'in your face' street preachers!"...

::) However I could be wrong, perhaps you have actually seen some...

Metta Zenda :)

Ive seen quite a few "Atheist Street Preachers." They don't go on a megaphone telling how everyone is going to hell but they do have their own ways of doing it.

I saw on Atheist group who had an anti baptism on the commons of one university campus. Atheist "blow dried" themselves off on their stage as a symbol of reversing their water baptism.

Here is a form of it at their Annual Atheist Convention
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/atheists-conduct-de-baptisms/story?id=11109379#.TyDd9vnp4v0 (http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/atheists-conduct-de-baptisms/story?id=11109379#.TyDd9vnp4v0)

So, they do have their own public displays....and they can also get downright nasty too...just as nasty as a fundie street preacher! I've run into some pretty arrogant atheists before.....they were just like Pat Robertson with their belief: they are right...everyone else is wrong. I ignore those people and feel sorry for em.

But like any religion or anti religion, you have the good, bad, and ugly. I just ignore the bad and ugly ones and concentrate on the good ones.

When I focus more on the good christians, buddhists, atheists, wiccans, etc etc I tend to ignore the "in your face Christians, buddhists, atheists, wiccans, etc etc."

Quote from: Annah on January 25, 2012, 11:03:27 PM
Ive seen quite a few "Atheist Street Preachers." They don't go on a megaphone telling how everyone is going to hell but they do have their own ways of doing it.

I saw on Atheist group who had an anti baptism on the commons of one university campus. Atheist "blow dried" themselves off on their stage as a symbol of reversing their water baptism.  *:D ;D*=Zenda's insertion

Kia Ora Annah,

::) University campuses are know for different groups voicing their opinions.  But it's still not the same as street preaching Annah...Plus why would an Atheist want tell somebody they are going to 'hell' ?

::) I would go so far as to say even religious people[perhaps not fundies] would see the funny side of the anti-baptism prank...

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Zenda on January 25, 2012, 11:27:18 PM
Kia Ora Annah,

::) University campuses are know for different groups voicing their opinions.  But it's still not the same as street preaching Annah...Plus why would an Atheist want tell somebody they are going to 'hell' ?

Preaching on a campus as a non student to me is street preaching. You have someone preaching or explaining their own philosophies in public where people who may or may not want to hear it and the point of it is to get the attention of a passerby. The only difference is, it isn't on a street sidewalk. It's on a campus.

While it is true that an Atheist would never tell someone they are going to hell, nevertheless, it can be offensive to others when they tell people there is no heaven. Preaching the absence of an afterlife can be as offensive as preaching in a hell.

Quote::) I would go so far as to say even religious people[perhaps not fundies] would see the funny side of the anti-baptism prank...

Metta Zenda :)

True, but there is also a hint of a type of disrespect. It would be like me doing something to a rug to make fun of the Muslim Rite of Prayer where they use the rug to pray towards Mecca. I would never be so insensitive as to make fun of someone else's beliefs. I would have no right or authority to do that.

Back to my original point. I have no problem with people publicly stating there views and opinions, such is the foundation of democracy. What I object to is the perceived right of people to publicly express their views in a hateful and discriminatory manner.

I was also thinking of Speakers Corner (I think that is what it is called) in London, where people can express whatever views they wish but people can attend the place or not. I think that is a great idea.

I do not have religious beliefs, but I found it offensive that when I walked past this group I was shouted at down a microphone that homosexuality is a sin (BTW I'm not gay, I like guys) and I would be going to Hell. I don't care either way, but I did go up and tell the fools what I thought of them, not because I was ashamed or embarrassed, but because other people may not have my  kevlar skin. And indeed when they insulted the young girls I found that to be totally disgusting.

Quote from: Annah on January 26, 2012, 12:07:09 AM
Preaching on a campus as a non student to me is street preaching. You have someone preaching or explaining their own philosophies in public where people who may or may not want to hear it and the point of it is to get the attention of a passerby. The only difference is, it isn't on a street sidewalk. It's on a campus.

Kia Ora Annah,
::) Universities are places where philosophies are 'commonly' expressed-again I repeat they are still not "Street Corners"!

While it is true that an Atheist would never tell someone they are going to hell, nevertheless, it can be offensive to others when they tell people there is no heaven. Preaching the absence of an afterlife can be as offensive as preaching in a hell.

::) You're not comparing apples with apples here Annah - Again an Atheist is not standing on a street corner voicing his or her opinion to passersby...However it's possible when a Atheist is confronted by a street preacher[who 'is' standing on a street corner accosting passersby] they might choose to counter the preachers rhetoric by disputing that there is such places as heaven or an hell...

True, but there is also a hint of a type of disrespect. It would be like me doing something to a rug to make fun of the Muslim Rite of Prayer where they use the rug to pray towards Mecca. I would never be so insensitive as to make fun of someone else's beliefs. I would have no right or authority to do that.

::)   Still not apples with apples Annah, but nice try though....The Atheist group are just 'expressing' their personal view on baptism... There are thousands upon thousands of 'forced' baptisms each year where the parents of babies and small children[without consent] have them baptised-the children and babies have no say in the matter...

::) And when government agencies tallying up the amount of religious people there are [especially in Western countries like the US] along with other things they often use church baptisms records-even though some who were once baptised have become Atheists or Agnostics-They are still counted in the statistics ...Food for thought !

Metta Zenda :)

Kia Ora Cindy,

::) My apologies, I was staying on track with my original post re "No Atheist Street Preachers" but Annah and I seemed to have gone slightly off tracked...

::) BTW, when I lived in London I used to like visiting 'Speakers corner', I didn't participate- just to listen to what was being said and by whom...

Metta Zenda :)

Again, Zenda we will have to agree to disagree.

I see both sides of the issue and do not play favorites with one or the other nor will I vilify one group and praise another.

I see Atheist street preaching and I see Christian street preaching...whether off campus or on campus it is the same. It may not be the same where you live, but in America, they do the same thing. They stand on something, they use a megaphone, they may have banners and they preach their convictions.

To say people walking down the sidewalk has different philosophies as those walking on campus isn't accurate...at least here. The only difference I see is the actual name...but the definition and the spirit of it is the same from my experiences.

Ive pretty much seen it all as it is sometimes the nature of religion...even with Atheism.

Quote from: Annah on January 26, 2012, 01:54:59 AM
Again, Zenda we will have to agree to disagree.

I see both sides of the issue and do not play favorites with one or the other nor will I vilify one group and praise another. ::)

I see Atheist street preaching and I see Christian street preaching...whether off campus or on campus it is the same. It may not be the same where you live, but in America, they do the same thing. They stand on something, they use a megaphone, they may have banners and they preach their convictions.

To say people walking down the sidewalk has different philosophies as those walking on campus isn't accurate...at least here. The only difference I see is the actual name...but the definition and the spirit of it is the same from my experiences.

Ive pretty much seen it all as it is sometimes the nature of religion...even with Atheism.

Kia Ora Annah,

::) You are still not comparing apples with apples...You are attempting to tweak the definition of "Street Preacher!" by classing a "university complex" as a high street ...

::) BTW not for one minute did I say that people who walk the street preaching have different philosophies to the ones on campus, however what's preached on campus stays on  campus so to speak...Now do you see the difference ?

::) And it has nothing to do with favoritism Annah, *Athesim over Theism* I was just stating something that over the years has come to my attention...That is "I have NEVER seen an Atheist STREET preacher...They might go to universities to express their opinion[just like the religious fundies often do] but NEVER on STREET CORNERS !


Metta Zenda :) 

Quote from: Zenda on January 26, 2012, 02:43:34 AM
Kia Ora Annah,

::) You are still not comparing apples with apples...You are attempting to tweak the definition of "Street Preacher!" by classing a "university complex" as a high street ...

And I will continue to do so. I wont change that. An atheist or a Christian or any other religious person with a megaphone outside preaching what they believe is street preaching. I don't care if its on a literal street, outside of a mall, strip mall, outside of a Chinese restaurant or a campus.

Quote::) BTW not for one minute did I say that people who walk the street preaching have different philosophies to the ones on campus, however what's preached on campus stays on  campus so to speak...Now do you see the difference ?

What is preached on campus does not stay on campus. I've been in college long enough to know that's not true.

Quote::) And it has nothing to do with favoritism Annah, *Athesim over Theism* I was just stating something that over the years has come to my attention...That is "I have NEVER seen an Atheist STREET preacher...They might go to universities to express their opinion[just like the religious fundies often do] but NEVER on STREET CORNERS !

really?

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Sure does look like a street corner to me.

In Harlesden, where I live, they have a clock on a roundabout called the Jubilee Clock. Here it is...

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By this clock an old lady will frequently set up a crackling but loud pa system and sing hymns down it badly. Sometimes she will read from the Bible in the special 'Bible reading manner' (e.g flat, gabbled and with no pauses for punctuation or any aids to general meaning) - the manner shows that merely hearing the words is enough, not comprehending the meaning. Sometimes she is joined by an old man who yells at people that 'Jesus is the ting'. Oddly, they don't really interact with the public, they just stand and talk at the air.

On other days the Muslims go there. They are better organised, in uniform with pretty decent leaflets and they bring a table. They talk and gabble all over each other and try to get people to sign their mailing list.

Meanwhile the '1-pound-man' stalks between the HSBC bank and the Barclay's across the road, begging every white person he can find for 1 pound. A few years ago he was the 2 pound man, but the recession has hit him hard. He still has brand new trainers on though.

  - Sometimes all these people annoy me, but on the whole I find they make wonderful street furniture.

(But as for those who jump on the bus and intone in the Bible reading voice very loudly so all the bus hears, that's as bad as people with faulty headphones and a fondness for D&B).

Said Lady has also appeared in Shrewsbury.  I think she must travel the Country.  I do not dissaprove of her preaching, we all have a right to free speech, but she is totally tone deaf.  I think the other regular buskers in town got together and threw her out of town!

Quote from: Annah on January 26, 2012, 11:27:45 AM
And I will continue to do so. I wont change that. An atheist or a Christian or any other religious person with a megaphone outside preaching what they believe is street preaching. I don't care if its on a literal street, outside of a mall, strip mall, outside of a Chinese restaurant or a campus.

Kia Ora Annah,

::) It's not so much we agree to disagree, but the way in which we each choose to define 'Street Preacher' for example the following definition from our friend Wiki :

"Open-air preaching, 'street preaching' or public preaching is the act of publicly proclaiming a religious message to crowds of people in open places. It is an ancient method of communicating a religious or social message, and has been used by many cultures and religious traditions but today is usually associated with Christian fundamentalism or evangelicalism !

::) And so from my view point a street preacher is a person who 'preaches' on the street[public place] to passersby and in some cases might accost them  with a barrage of verbal abuse "All you sinner will burn in hell... So repent now and be save –Hallelujah praise be to god !"

::) Now I've never seen an Atheist who stands on the street and yells at passersby things like  "Darwin loves you people-So evolve now by take Darwin into your hearts and be saved!" although I have seen bumper stickers on cars with "Darwin Loves You !"

::) BTW I've searched the net looking for 'Atheist street preachers' and all I have come up with so far are religious street preachers being 'confronted' by Atheists or Atheists 'protesting  in 'retaliation' of those religious street preachers, by giving them a taste of their owe medicine so to speak...The photos you have posted tend to 'back up' my findings...

::) However if you can actually show me a video clip that clearly shows 'Atheist Street Preachers' at work, on the streets, and not just in some kind of 'protest' against,[Like in the photos] then I will perhaps change my position, I very much doubt you will find such evidence...But please enlighten me I'm open to change....


Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Zenda on January 26, 2012, 10:03:35 PM

::) However if you can actually show me a video clip that clearly shows 'Atheist Street Preachers' at work, on the streets, and not just in some kind of 'protest' against,[Like in the photos] then I will perhaps change my position, I very much doubt you will find such evidence...But please enlighten me I'm open to change....


Metta Zenda :)

Sigh

If I showed you a picture of a bird on an 8 by 10 foot poster board, you would doubt it was a bird.

Street preaching is getting the word out there in public about what you believe in (regarding religion) and doing it in a public setting. The same is true for atheist street preaching. It looks like those two people are expressing their (anti) religious beliefs to me. Or does it make you uncomfortable that you stated there have NEVER been an atheist street preacher and I showed you?

Also, here is a famous Atheist Street Preacher who preaches Atheism every Saturday night...yes ...on the streets:
http://www.altweeklies.com/aan/tempe-street-preacher-omar-call-preaches-the-gospel-of-atheism/Story?oid=800344 (http://www.altweeklies.com/aan/tempe-street-preacher-omar-call-preaches-the-gospel-of-atheism/Story?oid=800344)


I showed you pics of an Atheist form of street preaching...and I showed you two different sets of picture. If you cannot at least admit you may be mistaken that Atheists NEVER do anything similiar to christian street preaching, then i wipe my hands of this. I mean, what do I know? I'm only getting a doctorate in this stuff.

The way you blindly still deny it happens even with pictures displayed reminds me of those religious people who will blindly deny something despite the proof right there (like evolution).

Somehow I knew you could not admit you were mistaken because, by doing so, may put a ding in the flawless examples of atheism and places it upon the level of other religions....almost making it just one of countless of beliefs out there that has its advantages and disadvantages and lacking perfection.

To follow something, knowing that it has flaws, is to be admired. To pretend that something that one follows is forever perfect is dangerous and wishful thinking. You can admit that Atheism has street preachers and still respect it.

AltWeeklies Wire » News » Religion

Tempe Street Preacher Omar Call Preaches the Gospel of Atheism
By Niki D'Andrea
Phoenix New Times | December 30, 2008

Usually, street preachers share the word of God. But this blue velvet guy is a different kind of preacher. He's a devout non-believer, and he preaches atheism.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.altweeklies.com%2Fimager%2Ftempe-street-preacher-omar-call-preaches-the-gospel-of-atheism%2Fb%2Fmain%2F800344%2F9a79%2Fatheist_A.jpg&hash=8ffd2f0f43b3b81286d22a1c4188396d65f83844)

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2008-12-25/news/performance-atheist-omar-call-has-called-it-quits-on-god-and-thinks-you-should-too/ (http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2008-12-25/news/performance-atheist-omar-call-has-called-it-quits-on-god-and-thinks-you-should-too/)

*(and he doesn't preach on campus, or in a bookstore, or in a coffee shop....he does it on a real street corner)

Quote from: Annah on January 26, 2012, 10:20:12 PM
Sigh

If I showed you a picture of a bird on an 8 by 10 foot poster board, you would doubt it was a bird.

Street preaching is getting the word out there in public about what you believe in (regarding religion) and doing it in a public setting. The same is true for atheist street preaching. It looks like those two people are expressing their (anti) religious beliefs to me. Or does it make you uncomfortable that you stated there have NEVER been an atheist street preacher and I showed you?

I showed you pics of an Atheist form of street preaching...and I showed you two different sets of picture. If you cannot at least admit you may be mistaken that Atheists NEVER do anything similiar to christian street preaching, then i wipe my hands of this. I mean, what do I know? I'm only getting a doctorate in this stuff.

The way you blindly still deny it happens even with pictures displayed reminds me of those religious people who will blindly deny something despite the proof right there (like evolution).

Somehow I knew you could not admit you were mistaken.

Kia Ora Annah,

::) Oooowoo What's with the harsh words ?

::) Anyway thanks for the link, it's interesting to note this guy's past history ...

::) It would seem you can't take the theist out of some atheists - Omar being the case in point !

BTW[Not to rub salt into wounded pride] but he is not  really what one would call a street preacher he's what's called an 'anti street preacher' protesting against street preachers... read the full article to see what I mean...

Anyway here's a few snippets...Omar Call's the guy's name..

"Back then, he was a devout Mormon mission  that he says go all the way back to the church's foundation. He's read the Book of Mormon several times over. He's read the Bible from beginning to end. He's read most of the Oxford English Dictionary. He learned Hebrew so he could read the Old Testament in its original language. He knows the scriptures well.
"I was a believer. I believed in Christ," Call says. "I have testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that I was saved to live with him in glory forever."

But about seven years ago, things began to change. Call lost his faith, and found passionate anger toward religion in its place. He officially left the church his parents had raised him in and announced his atheism to them on (of all days) Easter, upsetting his family and making subsequent holidays really awkward. Then he started coming down to Mill Avenue every Saturday night. The Secular Free Thought Society atheists followed but have gone from being brothers in arms to a cramp in Call's style.

This part is also interesting about his wife :

Amina spends her Saturday nights at home with friends. (Sometimes Curley's wife calls, and they hang out.) But she understands her husband's need for a public platform on his views, and accepts it because he enjoys it so much. She was with him the night he went down to Mill and saw preachers screaming into microphones for the first time, and remembers how furious he was about it. He told Amina (they met in college; she grew up without any organized religion) the Mill Avenue evangelists had no right to yell at people and call them sinners, that somebody should stand up to them.

At 19, he says he was quite secure in his faith, to the point of being "self-righteous."

Call's admission that he was an atheist was difficult for his family to accept, but his compulsion to publicly and skillfully debate preachers on Mill doesn't surprise them. When he and Jimmy Curley started coming down to Mill to debate, Call says, he approached it with the same zeal he showed as a Mormon missionary, and he hasn't lost it yet. What he has lost enthusiasm for is the Secular Free Thought Society always being on the same corner he's on.

Curley explains that he and Call aren't trying to convert people to atheism; all they want is to make people think, to have respectful and stimulating discussions when they come down to Mill!"

::) BTW I must say Annah, I have seen in some of your posts you often become quite frustrated I don't just mean with myself[It's water off a duck's back for me] but with other members too...At times it would seem you lack patience and the ability to control your emotions, and tend to become frustrated very easily...I hope this doesn't show when you are preaching to your congregation on Sundays...You do still preach don't you ?

Metta Zenda :)

Back to the Rundle Mall lot.
When I was in Adelaide to meet Cindy, Sarah and Kelly I took in a concert in the city, and had to endure a harangueing outside the Casino while I waited for a tram. 
Not only are they loud, but they take it in turns when their voice starts to give out and they have a spare PA for when the batteries go flat in the first one.  It's a pity I didn't have time to stir them up a bit, could have been amusing.  >:-)

Karen.

Quote from: justmeinoz on January 27, 2012, 12:26:55 AM
Back to the Rundle Mall lot.
When I was in Adelaide to meet Cindy, Sarah and Kelly I took in a concert in the city, and had to endure a harangueing outside the Casino while I waited for a tram. 
Not only are they loud, but they take it in turns when their voice starts to give out and they have a spare PA for when the batteries go flat in the first one.  It's a pity I didn't have time to stir them up a bit, could have been amusing.  >:-)

Karen.

Kia Ora Karen,

::) Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Adelaide "The City Of Churches"...

Metta Zenda  :)

Churches are one thing.  lunatics with PA's are another.

And the churches are mainly empty

Quote from: Cindy James on January 27, 2012, 12:54:26 AM
And the churches are mainly empty

Kia Ora Cindy,

::) Well thank god for that  ;) ;D No wait ! Does this mean they are all out on the streets preaching ? Bugger !  ;) ;D

Metta Zenda :)

They were recently in Victor Harbour and preaching outside of a tattoo shop; seemingly it is against God's Will to have tattoos (I haven't found it in the bible, but again I haven't looked), after awhile the owner had enough and threw buckets of water over them. Rumour has it the water had been passed by management and any one else he could get contributions from. >:-)

Quote from: Cindy James on January 27, 2012, 01:02:15 AM
They were recently in Victor Harbour and preaching outside of a tattoo shop; seemingly it is against God's Will to have tattoos (I haven't found it in the bible, but again I haven't looked), after awhile the owner had enough and threw buckets of water over them. Rumour has it the water had been passed by management and any one else he could get contributions from. >:-)

Kia Ora Cindy,

::) Were they preaching or just 'taking' the 'piss'  ;) ;D

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Zenda on January 27, 2012, 12:10:40 AM
Kia Ora Annah,

BTW[Not to rub salt into wounded pride] but he is not  really what one would call a street preacher he's what's called an 'anti street preacher' protesting against street preachers... read the full article to see what I mean...

I read the full article and he declares himself as an Atheist Street Preacher. You wanted proof because you believe there are no Atheist Street Preachers. I showed you numerous examples and the main issue is you cannot admit you may be wrong about this.

Quote::) BTW I must say Annah, I have seen in some of your posts you often become quite frustrated I don't just mean with myself[It's water off a duck's back for me] but with other members too...At times it would seem you lack patience and the ability to control your emotions, and tend to become frustrated very easily...I hope this doesn't show when you are preaching to your congregation on Sundays...You do still preach don't you ?

I go by an adage when it comes to religions of all faiths and non religions and that is "Co Exist."

When I see people of various religious faiths and various agnostic and atheist faiths who act like they have all the answers and refuse to see the contrary of the argument they present I do get frustrated.  Religious people throughout history has often used fear, anger, and unreasoning to promote their beliefs. Likewise, I have seen some atheists do the same thing.

At the same time, I have encountered wonderful people who embrace their spiritual beliefs and I have met wonderful people who are atheists and agnostics.

When I see someone who places all spiritual people into one group, I get frustrated. When I see someone who places all atheist people into one group, I get frustrated. To me, that is no different than a form of stereotypical racism; people like to clump others into one group because refusing to recognize the fact that there are myriads of different people (atheists and spiritual people alike) is too much work and is a sign of social laziness. Its easy to hate one group of spiritual people than it is to work out the fact that there are a wide diverse of people within that same spiritual influence.

So, if I sound frustrated at you, it is because I am. It is no different than someone making fun of the Polish saying they're all stupid or making fun of blacks because they're all thieves. It's unfair to them.

The reason why I joined into this conversation is because it is very easy to make fun of a sect of street preachers that annoys us and group them into one religion but when I introduce the fact that there are atheists who do the same thing, you try to come up with excuses or other plausible explanations to dismiss the people you stand up for.

I do not like forceful street preachers either; however, what makes me different is the fact that I do not like street preachers who proselytize or make fun or condemn others for having a different belief...and that includes any group....including atheists or any other person.

There is no other reason why I should post in this thread. It would make no difference to convince you that you are wrong. It's like an argument about evolution vs creationism or any other religious or philosophical differences where the arguments are limitless.

And yes, I still preach. The church I am part of isn't exclusively Christian. We have Pagans, we have Christians, we have Jews, we have Humanists, we have Atheists, and many more. We have a genuine respect for each other and each others beliefs. Which is contrary to what I see here. People jump on a bandwagon and just love to pick on others without the concern of others.

When people make fun of transgender diversity here they get banned. When you see moderators make fun of Christians or other spiritual people, they get a pat on the back.

Quote from Annah:

When you see moderators make fun of Christians or other spiritual people, they get a pat on the back. https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114178.msg877354/topicseen.html#msg877354 (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114178.msg877354/topicseen.html#msg877354)


If you have incidents when this has occurred or does occur report it immediately to Forum Admin or Susan.

I can assure you that the standards expected from Mods is far higher than expected for standard members.

Please report such incidents ASAP. They will be investigated.

Cindy James
Global Moderator

Quote from: Annah on January 27, 2012, 01:20:08 AM
I read the full article and he declares himself as an Atheist Street Preacher. You wanted proof!

::) I guess I must have missed when he calls himself an 'Atheist Street Preacher'[I read it again and still couldn't find it ]

The reason why I joined into this conversation is because it is very easy to make fun of a sect of street preachers that annoys us and group them into one religion but when I introduce the fact that there are atheists who do the same thing, you try to come up with excuses or other plausible explanations to dismiss the people you stand up for.

::) Annah have you appointing yourself chief Moral enforcer of this thread ? I have to smile when you continue to label me the villain and attack me...Not that I'm really bothered...

I do not like forceful street preachers either; however, what makes me different is the fact that I do not like street preachers who proselytize or make fun or condemn others for having a different belief...and that includes any group....including atheists or any other person.

::) So are you saying  you 'are' better than other members here who have posted comments ?

There is no other reason why I should post in this thread. It would make no difference to convince you that you are wrong. It's like an argument about evolution vs creationism or any other religious or philosophical differences where the arguments are limitless.

::) Annah you really do make me laugh at times with your "I'm always right" 'righteousness'... ::) "Butter wouldn't melt in my mouth!"

And yes, I still preach. The church I am part of isn't exclusively Christian. We have Pagans, we have Christians, we have Jews, we have Humanists, we have Atheists, and many more. We have a genuine respect for each other and each others beliefs. Which is contrary to what I see here. People jump on a bandwagon and just love to pick on others.

::) Well Amen sister ! But I'm not quite sure how a person whose openly 'Atheist' would attend a church service and of all things 'worship', it's somewhat of an oxymoron don't you think ? Or are you saying the church is just a place where different groups get together and for want of a better term 'gossip' ?  [And before you start to point the finger "Gossip has also been identified by Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary biologist, as aiding social bonding in large groups!"]

::) Annah you do tend to come across as wanting to be a serious authority figure[I'm right you're all wrong because I have a doctorate and I preach in a church] ... Might I be so bold as to suggest you "Chill out" relax, enjoy life and most importantly don't take it[or yourself ] too seriously ![I don't take you seriously]  ;) ;D 

Kia Ora Annah,

Metta Zenda :)

Dear Zenda,

You are not listed as a Mod. Have I the wrong information?

Cindy

Quote from: Zenda on January 27, 2012, 12:43:40 AM
Kia Ora Karen,

::) Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Adelaide "The City Of Churches"...

Metta Zenda  :)

Not any more.. A lot of them are now pubs or restaurants..

I had a little run in with one today.. He started to look fearful when my mum turned on him and suggested that if he didn't take his ignorance and bigotry somewhere else, she'd shove his microphone somewhere he'd find very uncomfortable..  ;)

Quote from: Cindy James on January 27, 2012, 02:29:37 AM
Dear Zenda,

You are not listed as a Mod. Have I the wrong information?

Cindy

Kia Ora Cindy,

::) No I'm not a Mod, but I do think Annah's a bit frustrated with me and it's possible it's just her way of expressing/venting her frustration...

Metta Zenda :)

 :police:

OK let everyone cool down.

The OP was about a group of bigots in Adelaide who have managed to form a power base from their bigotry.

People values are peoples values and I do not and never will question them unless asked to.

Zenda and Annah I think your discussion is going no where, so lets move on.
Cindy

Atheist "blow dried" themselves off on their stage as a symbol of reversing their water baptism.

Wow, some people have a lot of time on their hands don't they? 

Quote from: kelly_aus on January 27, 2012, 02:32:48 AM
Not any more.. A lot of them are now pubs or restaurants..

I had a little run in with one today.. He started to look fearful when my mum turned on him and suggested that if he didn't take his ignorance and bigotry somewhere else, she'd shove his microphone somewhere he'd find very uncomfortable..  ;)

Kia Ora Kelly,

::) Ah there is a god and miracles do happen s/he/it has turned churches into places that really serve a purpose ! ;) ;D

::) Good on your mother for standing up for you...

Metta Zenda :)

has turned churches into places that really serve a purpose

The Catholic Church - in order to pay off lawsuits stemming from PedoPriests - has sold several churches in SF.  They have been bought by the Academy of Art and are used as schools and galleries.

Ars longa, vita brevis

Quote from: tekla on January 27, 2012, 06:43:05 AM
has turned churches into places that really serve a purpose

The Catholic Church - in order to pay off lawsuits stemming from PedoPriests - has sold several churches in SF.  They have been bought by the Academy of Art and are used as schools and galleries.

Ars longa, vita brevis

Kia Ora ,

::) God moves in mysterious way Tekla ! ;) ;D

::) As for the Pedophile priest thing...It's strange we don't see street preachers targeting them[Well I've never come across it] ...I wonder why that is ? Perhaps it's a little too close to home for them...

Metta Zenda :)

Kia Ora,

::) If one cares to think about it, at the very core of human desire, all any person really wants is to be happy, even the street preacher is doing what his doing in order to find some kind of happiness...[I think they call it serving god]

::) However this drive to find happiness at times can be so strong that one become oblivious to the suffering their desire for self happiness is causing those around them...

::) In fact every single thing we humans do is linked in some way to our quest for happiness...

::) In order for the street preacher to find happiness he must go out of his way to find people to save/annoy and the people he tends to save/annoy [in order to maintain their happiness] must either thank him or ignore what he is saying...

::) So the next time you are accosted by a rambling, raving street preacher, my advice would be to just smile, nod your head, wish him a happy day and tell him "No matter what, Darwin still loves him !"  and then go merrily on your way ! This I guarantee will really make him happy  ;) ...[and at the very least it should put a smile back upon your face ;D]...It's a win win situation really...

Metta Zenda :)   

I suggest posts in this topic stick to personal experiences of particular street preachers, and avoid any generalisations, otherwise things very easily descend into "brand wars".

In my experience, you can't really extrapolate from individual preachers and proselytisers, whatever their religion/non-religion (and as I said above, I've encountered people doing this from a number of different religions, including the ones I was supposed to be following - and including devout atheists :)). I've met truly awful and really open ones - it's got so much to do with their individual personalities.

Thank you, Padma

First time, I had to place someone on this site on /ignore because they wont stop the spiritual belittling.

Nice to see a mod stepping in and asking to stop generalizing people. Thank you.

Quote from: Annah on January 27, 2012, 04:51:19 PM
Thank you, Padma

First time, I had to place someone on this site on /ignore because they wont stop the spiritual belittling.

Nice to see a mod stepping in and asking to stop generalizing people. Thank you.

Kia Ora Annah,

::) You finally got your way, so I really do hope you're happy now...No hard feelings  :)

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Padma on January 27, 2012, 04:47:55 PM
I suggest posts in this topic stick to personal experiences of particular street preachers, and avoid any generalisations, otherwise things very easily descend into "brand wars".

In my experience, you can't really extrapolate from individual preachers and proselytisers, whatever their religion/non-religion (and as I said above, I've encountered people doing this from a number of different religions, including the ones I was supposed to be following - and including devout atheists :)). I've met truly awful and really open ones - it's got so much to do with their individual personalities.

Kia Ora Padma,

::) Do you mean Buddhist street preachers ? or Jewish street preachers ?

Metta Zenda :)

I am extremely annoyed that a thread that was meant to discuss democratic values has been subjected to bias and insult.

It is now locked.

Debating to me is important.

It is a way of having proper a civil discussion about opposing views. It never implies one view is correct and one is wrong. It is a discussion.

The point I was making was quite simple.

Shouting down a megaphone about your beliefs, is, in my mind, unacceptable behaviour.

That is what I posted about.

If people were shouting down a microphone and abusing me about the colour of my furniture I would take offence.

Cindy James