Video: Christians vs. atheists volleyball tournament

[cbayer]

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/06/23/video-christians-vs-atheists-volleyball-tournament/

Sally Morrow | Jun 23, 2013

They may not agree on evolution, gay marriage or abortion, but when it comes to a friendly game of volleyball – these Christians and atheists bring their best game face.

Stemming from an idea on a Facebook page called “Cuddle Sessions”, a forum for conversation between believers and non-believers, a group of Christians from Abundant Life Baptist Church and members of Kansas City Atheist Coalition faced off at the net Saturday (June 22) in Lee’s Summit, Mo. for a volleyball tournament benefiting Drumm Family Farm, an organization that helps foster children.

Religion News Service video by Sally Morrow

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[longship]

1. Sounds good.

So us atheists aren't such monsters after all.

[cbayer]

2. Doesn't it sound great!

What a wonderful project. The short documentary is really good as well.

There are lots of wonderful theists and atheists in my world (including you) and I am thankful for them all.

[rug]

3. What was the score, something to nothing?

[cbayer]

4. That's hilarious!

[cynatnite]

5. And Christians will still say to atheists: You're going to burn in hell for eternity. n/t

[cbayer]

6. All christians? Did you watch the video?

Do you think those christians are going to say that?

Do you think those atheists are going to call the christians delusional sheep?

I don't think so.

[cynatnite]

7. They may not say, but they believe it...

Sorry, I just look at this and see that Christians aren't going to change their core beliefs when it comes to non-believers. No way, no how.

And no, I didn't watch the video. I did read the article that came with it.

[cbayer]

8. Not necessarily.

There are a whole lot of christians right here on DU that not only don't believe that, but don't believe in hell at all.

Any data to back up what you are accusing christians of?

[cynatnite]

9. I'm sure there are a few who don't believe in hell...

but the vast majority do and the vast majority believe that if you don't believe in god, it's a one way trip to the lake of fire.

Since when has that fact been in dispute?

[cbayer]

10. It's been in dispute as long as I have been alive, at least.

I was never taught any of that and was raised in the church by a minister.

[cynatnite]

11. I was raised southern baptist...

Non-believers going to hell for an eternity was to be expected and that was where you were going if you didn't believe in god. No ands, ifs, or buts about it.

Fact is, nearly every denomination of Christianity that I knew of pretty much believed it as well.

We don't know what this particular group's core beliefs are and it's entirely possible they don't believe in a hell or that non-believers are headed that way. I will give you that, but I don't buy for one second that the majority of Christians don't believe in hell or that non-believers aren't going there as a punishment for not believing in their god.

[cbayer]

13. I don't doubt that there are rather large segments of the population that believe that.

What I object to is the expansion of it to all christians.

There are denominations that don't believe it and it might be interesting for you to explore some of them (or not).

And you might really enjoy this video. It's pretty short and may challenge some of your pre-concieved notions, as the event did for them.

[cynatnite]

14. Reread what you replied to...I made it clear I was not saying ALL Christians...

I have a clear understanding of what Christians are since so many are friends and family.

[cbayer]

15. I think you have clarified. It was your initial statement that made no distinction that

I objected to.

Do your many christian friends and family think you are going to hell?

[cynatnite]

17. Yep, as well as both my mother and sister. n/t

[cbayer]

18. That is very sad and I can understand why you might feel strongly about this.

[cynatnite]

19. It's not that I feel strongly...

It always seemed to me that those who believe this kind of stuff set themselves up better than those of us who don't believe in any gods by this reasoning alone.

I just shake my head.

[cbayer]

20. I think that is true of some, but not all.

I try to get others to differentiate because I think the progressive/liberal religious left are in the best position to challenge and de-fang the religious right. I wish to support them and not have them thrown in with the others.

[okasha]

16. it's been in dispute since the first century CE.

Irenaeus believed in hell, but also believed that God's mercy is so great that he would never send anyone there.

[trotsky]

12. Here's the data.

I've posted it before, but you didn't want to acknowledge it.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/11770/eternal-destinations-americans-believe-heaven-hell.aspx

The 2004 data reveal that 70% of Americans overall believe in hell, while 12% are not sure and 17% do not believe in hell. Again, the percentage is much higher among regular churchgoers: 92% of those who attend weekly believe in hell, as do 74% of those who attend nearly weekly and just half (50%) of those who attend church seldom or never.

Belief in hell varies only somewhat among other demographic categories, although likelihood to believe is somewhat lower across the board than was the case for heaven. With regard to political orientation, 83% of Republicans say they believe in hell, vs. 69% of Democrats and 58% of those who say they are independent. Americans with a high school education or less are slightly more likely to believe in hell than those with at least some college education (77% to 65%). Again, Southerners (83%) are more likely to believe in hell than are Westerners (61%), Easterners (64%), and those in the Midwest (66%).

So there you go. A clear majority of US Christians believe in hell. You may continue to disregard this data as it contradicts what you want to believe, I suppose.