Atheist preacher brings his message to Brighton (From The Argus)
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Atheist preacher brings his message to Brighton
2:41pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter
Atheist preacher brings his message to Brighton
WITH VIDEO: An atheist has been inspired to ‘preach’ to people about why God does not exist in the centre of Brighton.
Simon Clare took up his post in Brighton city centre on Saturday and preached about everything but God.
Mr Clare, 34, told police and council about his plans, before setting out to spread his atheist message – cementing Brighton and Hove’s title as Britain’s “most godless city”.
Mr Clare said he had no intention of offending anyone but added that it was high time atheists spread their message too – even if that message was there is no message.
He was inspired to hold his own street sermons after walking past the Plymouth Brethren Meeting House in Burgess Hill every day on his way to his job as a civil engineer.
Mr Clare, of Cromwell Road, Hove, said: “I was told by a Christian that if I believed in evolution then my life was meaningless. Well I disagree. You can be a nice person and your life can have meaning if you don’t believe in God.
“When people are preaching you don’t get a right of reply. So I thought by preaching back I was having my reply.
“I just say completely positive statements about why I don’t need a religion. I don’t think that atheists try hard enough to explain what it is about.
“I will explain to people about evolution and science and discuss the finite nature of our lives.
“I already feel I have won a cosmic lottery – I don’t feel I need more. I was nervous but some of the Plymouth Brethren are shy guys and they manage it.”
Brighton was named the UK’s most godless city after the 2001 Census results were published.
A quarter of people in Brighton specifically ticked the ‘no religion’ box, the highest proportion in the country, and only 1.5% of the city population went to church, compared with 7% nationally.
Comments(29)
mimseycal
says...
2:53pm Mon 22 Oct 12
sbiscorrupt
says...
3:00pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Why try and explain why you don't need religion?
You'll end up sounding like another zealot...
It's fairly obvious that god doesn't exist anyway!
Number Six
says...
3:03pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Crystal Ball
says...
3:05pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Number Six wrote:Does he exist in other parts of Brighton? Maybe he has trouble with parking charges like everyone else?
God doesn't exist in the centre of Brighton? What's God got against the centre of Brighton?
ruberducker
says...
3:17pm Mon 22 Oct 12
leobrighton
says...
3:45pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Dealing with idiots
says...
4:12pm Mon 22 Oct 12
ruberducker
says...
4:21pm Mon 22 Oct 12
All lefties Smell
says...
5:02pm Mon 22 Oct 12
1) Why are we here
2) What is our purpose
3) Where does the Universe end
4) if the Universe does end, what is after.
No one can answer these questions so you either blow your brains trying to work it out or you just believe.
Also, those with a religion ( basically a discipline ), are happier.
Beethoven
says...
5:03pm Mon 22 Oct 12
I do believe in the existence of God, but there is no need to feel threatened by hearing a different viewpoint
puddingandpi
says...
5:04pm Mon 22 Oct 12
.
I only know one person who believes in god but everyone else I know has never killed anyone or committed a sexual crime or anything like that.
.
Actually, a now-deceased family member who was a raving paedophile was also a Christian & his excuse in court was that he was doing his Christian duty. Jesus was a teacher & it had fallen upon this family member to "educate" the children he had assaulted, as Jesus educated people.
Just saying...
Cabin fever
says...
5:16pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Can't they leave others alone to make up their own mind? What difference does it make who believes in what?
CatoTheCat
says...
5:22pm Mon 22 Oct 12
1) Why are we here
2) What is our purpose
3) Where does the Universe end
4) if the Universe does end, what is after."
Easy:
1) By statistical accident.
2) To make more of us.
3) It doesn't. It is made of hydrogen and time.
4) See 3. Or hopefully tuna.
meow.
ourcoalition
says...
6:42pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Cold cold ground
says...
6:51pm Mon 22 Oct 12
CatoTheCat wrote:Brilliant!
"I would like all atheists to explain the following:
1) Why are we here
2) What is our purpose
3) Where does the Universe end
4) if the Universe does end, what is after."
Easy:
1) By statistical accident.
2) To make more of us.
3) It doesn't. It is made of hydrogen and time.
4) See 3. Or hopefully tuna.
meow.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
7:03pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Auld School
says...
7:20pm Mon 22 Oct 12
He should take his atheist message to the streets of Whitechapel, Bradford or Alun Rock in Birmingham. That's where his message will be put to the sternest test.
Religious fundamentalism is not an issue with dogmatic bed and breakfast owners, as today's news headlines neatly demonstrate.
Dealing with idiots
says...
9:17pm Mon 22 Oct 12
PaulOckenden
says...
10:28pm Mon 22 Oct 12
All lefties Smell wrote:OK, I'll bite:
I would like all atheists to explain the following:
1) Why are we here
2) What is our purpose
3) Where does the Universe end
4) if the Universe does end, what is after.
No one can answer these questions so you either blow your brains trying to work it out or you just believe.
Also, those with a religion ( basically a discipline ), are happier.
1) Chemistry, physics, and chance.
2) Having a purpose implies design. We weren't designed. We have no purpose.
3) The observable universe ends at the furthest point where light from the big bang can reach us. It gets bigger as the universe gets older. Nobody knows what lies beyond that horizon, and don't believe anyone who tells you that they do know, or any books which claim to have the answers.
4) Again, nobody knows. But don't constrain your mind by thinking in terms of simple geometry. Imagine an ant on the surface of a football. That is his universe. Ours could be curved like that too, but in more than two dimensions. Or maybe not - like I said, nobody knows.
I take it you are a believer? Can I ask you four questions?
1) Why do the ten commandments include rules against **** after your neighbour's wife, but not indecently assaulting his underage daughter? Isn't the latter a worse crime?
2) Why does the bible have various dietary rules yet not say anything about GM crops? Or animal welfare / factory farming?
3) Why are there over 30,000 denominations all claiming to be true Christianity? Which one should I follow and why? After all, God supposedly wants us to have faith - but faith in which version of himself?
4) The bible routinely depicts God manifesting himself in very dramatic and unmistakable ways. It seems to have happened throughout the whole period of biblical history. Why has he stopped doing this?
4)
PaulOckenden
says...
10:31pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Goyboy
says...
1:20am Tue 23 Oct 12
A.Many people see the 10 commandments as sort of standing in isolation...but attached to them were 613 subsidary laws.
Apart from adultery, I think the verse you refer to is about coveting, not listing...desiring something that is not yours.
I don't think that every aspect of right and wrong was covered as there was room for doing what was inherently right in a moral society...don't forget that in biblical times it is probable that around the age of 14 was the age of consent, and that there were strict guide-lines on court-ship.
2) Q. Why does the bible have various dietary rules yet not say anything about GM crops? Or animal welfare / factory farming?
A. The Bible is silent on many things, especially as it dates nearly 2,000 years and beyond...but in its pages is enough information for people to make informed moral choices over every aspect of life if they actually believe it and trust G-d.
3) Q. Why are there over 30,000 denominations all claiming to be true Christianity? Which one should I follow and why? After all, God supposedly wants us to have faith - but faith in which version of himself?
A. I don't think it is strictly correct that they all claim to be true in the sense that they have a monopoly on the truth...many have their genesis through different traditions and practices, but most have no argument about the core issues apart from Catholic/Othodox/Pro
testant
Yes G-d wants us to know Him...that is the main point of life and our whole purpose and meaningful existence stems from having a bedrock of faith in One who is Faithful and Holy and True.
My advice is to read the Bible, rather than look at a smorgasbord of denominations, and in the meantime visit different ones to get a flavour of what the emphasis is about...a good test is to speak with the people, see what makes them tick and if they truly believe in G-d or merely go through religious motions.
4) The bible routinely depicts God manifesting himself in very dramatic and unmistakable ways. It seems to have happened throughout the whole period of biblical history. Why has he stopped doing this?
I don't think He has stopped, just that the way in which is operates these days seems more intermittent, possibly because in biblical times everything was centered around Israel and the Jewish people...and it is only in recent years that Israel has been resurrected which in itself is a modern day miracle when you look into it, especially if you follow the dotted lines in the Naviim (book of prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel etc)....
I also hear of things all the time across the globe. (I am not talking of TV evangelists...most of whom I personally do not appreciate)...that at least indicate G-d is at work in peoples lives, sometimes in quite outstanding ways.
So forgive me for answering for someone else, but at least you have something to chew on.
whereisthe...?
says...
8:25am Tue 23 Oct 12
Morpheus
says...
10:06am Tue 23 Oct 12
All lefties Smell wrote:1. We just evolved.
I would like all atheists to explain the following:
1) Why are we here
2) What is our purpose
3) Where does the Universe end
4) if the Universe does end, what is after.
No one can answer these questions so you either blow your brains trying to work it out or you just believe.
Also, those with a religion ( basically a discipline ), are happier.
2. To reproduce and survive, but some people now think our purpose is to pay taxes.
3. Somewhere in space-time at about 2.30pm.
4. It will be the same as it was before it all started.
Now, where's my gun.
JoeBlow
says...
1:54pm Tue 23 Oct 12
PaulOckenden wrote:Frankly the very questions you ask show quite clearly that you don't have even a basic grasp on Christian beliefs. So perhaps you should at least find out what we believe before giving us your tuppenceworth.
All lefties Smell wrote:OK, I'll bite:
I would like all atheists to explain the following:
1) Why are we here
2) What is our purpose
3) Where does the Universe end
4) if the Universe does end, what is after.
No one can answer these questions so you either blow your brains trying to work it out or you just believe.
Also, those with a religion ( basically a discipline ), are happier.
1) Chemistry, physics, and chance.
2) Having a purpose implies design. We weren't designed. We have no purpose.
3) The observable universe ends at the furthest point where light from the big bang can reach us. It gets bigger as the universe gets older. Nobody knows what lies beyond that horizon, and don't believe anyone who tells you that they do know, or any books which claim to have the answers.
4) Again, nobody knows. But don't constrain your mind by thinking in terms of simple geometry. Imagine an ant on the surface of a football. That is his universe. Ours could be curved like that too, but in more than two dimensions. Or maybe not - like I said, nobody knows.
I take it you are a believer? Can I ask you four questions?
1) Why do the ten commandments include rules against **** after your neighbour's wife, but not indecently assaulting his underage daughter? Isn't the latter a worse crime?
2) Why does the bible have various dietary rules yet not say anything about GM crops? Or animal welfare / factory farming?
3) Why are there over 30,000 denominations all claiming to be true Christianity? Which one should I follow and why? After all, God supposedly wants us to have faith - but faith in which version of himself?
4) The bible routinely depicts God manifesting himself in very dramatic and unmistakable ways. It seems to have happened throughout the whole period of biblical history. Why has he stopped doing this?
4)
Number Six
says...
3:16pm Tue 23 Oct 12
JoeBlow wrote:Perhaps you should explain what your beliefs are, instead of this frankly unedifying offering. I've never know a Christian ready to explain their beliefs in some detail and the mere threat of hat dropping
PaulOckenden wrote:Frankly the very questions you ask show quite clearly that you don't have even a basic grasp on Christian beliefs. So perhaps you should at least find out what we believe before giving us your tuppenceworth.
All lefties Smell wrote:OK, I'll bite:
I would like all atheists to explain the following:
1) Why are we here
2) What is our purpose
3) Where does the Universe end
4) if the Universe does end, what is after.
No one can answer these questions so you either blow your brains trying to work it out or you just believe.
Also, those with a religion ( basically a discipline ), are happier.
1) Chemistry, physics, and chance.
2) Having a purpose implies design. We weren't designed. We have no purpose.
3) The observable universe ends at the furthest point where light from the big bang can reach us. It gets bigger as the universe gets older. Nobody knows what lies beyond that horizon, and don't believe anyone who tells you that they do know, or any books which claim to have the answers.
4) Again, nobody knows. But don't constrain your mind by thinking in terms of simple geometry. Imagine an ant on the surface of a football. That is his universe. Ours could be curved like that too, but in more than two dimensions. Or maybe not - like I said, nobody knows.
I take it you are a believer? Can I ask you four questions?
1) Why do the ten commandments include rules against **** after your neighbour's wife, but not indecently assaulting his underage daughter? Isn't the latter a worse crime?
2) Why does the bible have various dietary rules yet not say anything about GM crops? Or animal welfare / factory farming?
3) Why are there over 30,000 denominations all claiming to be true Christianity? Which one should I follow and why? After all, God supposedly wants us to have faith - but faith in which version of himself?
4) The bible routinely depicts God manifesting himself in very dramatic and unmistakable ways. It seems to have happened throughout the whole period of biblical history. Why has he stopped doing this?
4)
OldBrightonian
says...
11:26pm Tue 23 Oct 12
All lefties Smell wrote:I might help you out here by suggesting you Google Joseph Campbell - now deceased, but originally a Catholic who went on to research some of the Questions you posit here - and the underlying discovery was that it is all part of the Human Psyche - the need to find An Answer, A Reason, etc etc. I'm agnostic, a ball in both courts! BUT don't like what I see OLD religions telling there followers to believe, especially in these times....so far from 2000 yrs ago or MORE, (depends on the belief system!), IT ISN'T RELEVANT NOW, we grew up as Humankind and discovered things!
I would like all atheists to explain the following:
1) Why are we here
2) What is our purpose
3) Where does the Universe end
4) if the Universe does end, what is after.
No one can answer these questions so you either blow your brains trying to work it out or you just believe.
Also, those with a religion ( basically a discipline ), are happier.
Goyboy
says...
12:25am Wed 24 Oct 12
I happen to believe that G-d has placed that question in the make up of human individuals as a starting point to discovering we are more than we seem.
Pub Landlord
says...
10:45am Mon 19 Nov 12
Yes, look at all those happy smiling faces in Israel and Palestine.
Toulous Le Plot says...
2:47pm Mon 22 Oct 12