Raving Theist
One Christmas blessing this year was a couple days before Christmas The Raving Atheist announce he was now the Raving Theist in a post "Christ is Lord". Three years ago he appeared in the atheist documentary "The God Who Wasn't There" and so at first blush many might think this was a hoax. Especially since last year on April Fools another person who was part of the same documentary released a video singing a Christian praise song. Some of his friends such as Dawn Eden vouch for him on this and I believe that this is no joke.
I first became aware of the Raving Atheist blog over six years ago after he had commented on my old "Atheist to a Theist" blog. Some years later via Dawn Eden I discovered that he decided to rethink the language he used towards Christians and his "Godidiot of the Week." From what I remember he as a pro-life atheist was reforming his opinions of Christians because of the ones he met in the pro-life movement. He decided to be much more civil in what he said. Since that time he would occasionally guest post on Dawn's blog and helped produce the video for her book on chastity.
Over the years I have prayed for his conversion and I have tried to pray for a number of other atheists. Though I never prayed for them as consistently as I should. When I was an atheist I was also a pro-life atheist and so it was easy for me to identify with him. I am more happy than surprised by his conversion since I had thought him to be in the category of being an honest atheist - someone who would follow the truth wherever it lead. Most of the so-called "new atheists" I do not place in this category such as Professor Dawkins and his followers.
Conversions always give me great joy. Though part of it is a selfish joy since they remind me of my own conversion. I still like reading conversion stories and watching The Journey Home. Each person is an individual and while we are all touched by grace, we respond in different ways. There are often plenty of similarities, but each conversion is a unique answering to grace. I hope that the now "Raving Theist" will give us his conversion story.
As you might expect the atheist community is not exactly pleased by this announcement. Many of the "Now that you have been brainwashed into a cult" variety have commented in a post that has garnered so far almost 400 comments. I found it interesting that former atheist Jennifer of Conversion Diary noted that it was the comments by Christians on his blog that surprised her "they weren't the unreasonable people I'd stereotyped them to be." I can certainly relate to that sentiment. As a pro-life atheist I came in contact with pro-life Christians who I came to admire and they were not as brainwashed as I had come to believe. That they actually used reason to defend their pro-life beliefs and not just quoting scripture surprised me. Just as the first time I heard Saint Aquinas' ways of knowing that God exists surprised me. People often build up stereotypes of groups of people they disagree with. As an atheist my stereotype of Christians was of unreasoning people who had blind faith and nothing more. This became more difficult to automatically go to with actual contact with Christians. Though since my conversion I have also found that many Christians have stereotypes of atheists. That their rejection of God is mainly a rejection of sin so that they can do as they please. While no doubt this is true of some, many atheists truly believe that reason leads you to reject the idea of God. I can only speak for myself and that I thought atheism to be true and even though it is quite stark as a philosophy I wanted to follow the truth.
P.Z. Myers (Biologist and Eucharist Desecrater) who use to be on the Raving Atheists forums had this response "Another mind poisoned".
There's an interesting analysis of the process of deconversion to be made here. I suspect he's been getting a lot of personal support and attention from Christians actively interested in converting him over the years, and it's that emotional massaging that convinced him to throw his brain out the window.
As somewhat who experienced that deconversion I missed out on the emotional massaging part since I didn't have any personal attention and support from Christians other than prayer. It was an intellectual conversion inspired by grace. Though this is a concept that Myers and others are not enough of a "freethinker" to be able to see. His is the stereotype world where every Christian is a dumb ass fundamentalist with no brain. His world can not admit an intellect like Pope Benedict XVI or the Catholic intellects throughout history both theologically and scientifically. Somehow Mendel managed to be the father of genetics even though he was a monk that must have thrown his brain out the window. Louis Pasteur, Pascal, and countless others did quite well without their brains I guess. Think of what Thomas Aquinas could have done with a brain! But of course to admit that anybody could have an intellectual conversion and that reason could become a path to knowing God violates the atheist's dogmas. So what part of the scientific method did P.Z. Myers use to determine Raving Theist's conversion?
Raving Theist as of yet has not announced any details other than listing the Apostles Creed on his blog. While he gives the Catholic part of the Creed a capital letter we don't know yet if he has become Catholic. I do hope he has simply because I believe the Catholic Church to be the truth, which is the only reason to believe anything. Besides if you are going to go with a "brain washing cult" why not go with the oldest one? We've have it down pat! Regardless I wish him the joy of the truth which takes much time adapting to after the desert of atheism.
Known as 
So Mr. Myers is saying that he'd convert for hugs?
Boy, he's really got the courage of his own atheist convictions. Yup.
Maureen,
Right now P.Z Myers has enough people massaging his ego on his blog.
I was quite delighted to read this, and enjoyed reading the blog of this new believer.
The creator gave us all brains and some actually use them to seek the truth.
If one seeks the truth with complete honesty, one will eventually find him.
Praise be to God.
the Truth has been fighting ignorance since the beginning of time. it's taking longer than we thought, but it does work. =0)
merry christmas!
Thanks for writing about Raving Theist. Happy Catholic wrote about him a few days ago, and I have been checking on his blog. There are a lot of negative people commenting on his blog, saying the vilest things. I hope he gets lots of encouragement from Christians all across cyberspace, and in person, I don't care what P.Z. Meyers says.
Actually, I have been praying for P.Z. since he desecrated the Eucharist, though not as diligently anymore as I ought. I would gladly hug P.Z. if he converted. But don't tell him that. He might consider it more of a threat than a promise. ;-)
What a great story! Thanks for sharing the link. It will make me smile all day.
Great, now I can't get the image of the Angelic Doctor singing "If I only had a brain" out of my head.
Good insight, though.
Lets not forget Monsignor Georges Henri Joseph Édouard Lemaître who in an obvious fit of stupidity proposed the big bang theory.
I've been putting encouraging comments on RA's blog but I could use a little help (hint, hint).
CM,
Those people make me tired. I will give them that much, their energy and anger can truly outlast any desire I have to battle them.
Though since my conversion I have also found that many Christians have stereotypes of atheists. That there rejection of God is mainly a rejection of sin so that they can do as they please.
You know, I always thought many atheists were simply atheists because of a lack of faith (well, the little thought I have given the subject). Human nature asks for things to be proven or tangible, and it is difficult to "prove" God. But I am baffled as to why that makes them angry at people who believe in God (at least the ones commenting on RT's blog).
One way or the other, "Raving"s surprise post sure did weed his garden of "friends". Boy, did most of them turn on him ferociously for stating his change in beliefs! Ouch. Many blessings there to sustain him on his journey..
There is still much speculation about whether this is a hoax, based on italicized letters that, when read backwards, spell a message. No kidding--now it is said that the italics are gone but there's a secret to be found in the html code, or s'thing. Are these "rational" folks getting a bit paranoid, or is RT/RA playing?
I have been corresponding with the Raving Theist on Google's instant messenger for some time now. I assure you, his conversion is indeed genuine.
The RA/RT site seems to be down now. I don't know if he took it down because of the traffic or if someone else did it to him.
Maybe he's moving it to a new URL to reflect his conversion?
I'd say there's a lot more emotional support out there not to believe in God than there is to be a Christian. The motivation to convert is interior. It's the movement of the soul toward the One who made you - like a compass that is made to point north. I hope the Raving theist enjoys the support he's getting = I'm encouraged to see such an outpouring... buy it doesn't last - nor should it really, because in the end its about his desire to love God not about how many handshakes he gets = I think any grown up knows this automatically no matter where you stand. Does PZ Myers stay an atheist because of all the attention he gets? If that's the case then he ought to go on retreat and figure out what he believes in the depth of his being.
In that case, Jeff (Geoffrey? I think that's the first time I've seen you sign as 'Geoffrey'. :) ) I'll take your word for it and pray harder for RT. Does anyone know his first name? Besides God, you and Dawn? My kids are going to give me a LOOK when we add 'Raving Theist' to our evening prayer petitions...
I will pray also for those "friends" of his, many of whom are probably confused by his conversion. Perhaps their confusion will open a new avenue of thought. No doubt many people were influenced by your conversion, Jeff. God works in mysterious ways.
My experience with atheists is that they seem to have a problem with their fathers. I don't claim to have a statistical sampling but EVERY SINGLE atheist I know hates or has contempt of his father. Since I noticed this over 20 years ago, I play a game with each atheist I meet where I gradually turn the conversation around to their parents. Their description of their fathers is really quite shocking.
Maybe their are comparing their Father in heaven with their earthly father instead of comparing their earthly father to their heavenly Father?
I'll admit I was a bit skeptical, too, since there was no prior indication of his conversion.
But I think this is great.
Of course, the reaction of certain atheist should be telling: "Don't think like we do? Well, you're a stupid poopy-head" seems to be the crux of Myer's retort. And we're supposed to believe atheists have the lock on "free thinking"?
Yeah, right.
Meanwhile, the reaction of Christians has been loving and supportive.
Welcome to the fold, Theist.
"By Carbon Monoxide on December 30, 2008 7:55 AM
My experience with atheists is that they seem to have a problem with their fathers. I don't claim to have a statistical sampling but EVERY SINGLE atheist I know hates or has contempt of his father. Since I noticed this over 20 years ago, I play a game with each atheist I meet where I gradually turn the conversation around to their parents. Their description of their fathers is really quite shocking.
Maybe their are comparing their Father in heaven with their earthly father instead of comparing their earthly father to their heavenly Father?"
I often wonder about this too. My husband, when I first met him, was an atheist and didn't have a relationship with his father at all. A good man, just not around much (workaholic type A etc.) Once my husband found something to connect with his father on (personal computers were just starting to become more common and they were both getting into learning about them) their relationship flourished. Now my husband is a devout Catholic, has been for 12 years now. Interesting thing to consider.
I'm glad RA converted. Can't wait to catch himon the Journey Home! :)
Please read this relevant stuff fom a friend:
re. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ec
I just read this, and I completely applaud the atheist's comment: "I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.
...
It was a nice surprise to meet you again yesterday out of the blue. I mentioned the name of Dr Ted Green - a brief CV is:"Dr. Ted Green is a world renowned expert on AIDS in Africa, and a member of the President's Advisory Council for HIV/AIDS, as well as the Research Advisory Council, Office of AIDS, National Institute of AIDS. He is a medical anthropologist, and Senior Research Scientist in the School of Public Health, Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard University. His work in developing countries has spanned Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. He is also the author several books as well as more than 300 journal articles, book chapters, presented papers, and commissioned reports. Dr. Green is currently lead researcher on the role of behavioral change in HIV/AIDS epidemics in Africa and southeast Asia, under a US government-funded research project. He has recently testified in both houses of congress on AIDS issues."
He wrote the First Things article I mentioned along with Harvard colleague Allison Herling Ruark: http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=6172
His 2003 book is Rethinking AIDS Prevention. He has another book forthcoming.A further article attached - Let My People Go, AIDS Profiteers - gives a sense of the culture wars that I referred to. By chance, just after we met I read a remarkable piece by Matthew Parris in Saturday's edition of The Times: "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God"
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece
Kind regards
So, Carb, how did I maintain "faith" after enduring a dysfunctional relationship with My Father the Apikoires? Maybe the only reason I am a Christian is living with a "cultural" Jew who saw anti-semites under the bed? (Or do I mean IN the bed?)
LOL.
That is all.
Hi,
How did you become convinced that Jesus exists and his promises are true?
I'm pretty lost. And I don't think I'm too proud anymore to act like I do know. But it seems like such a big jump. I know this is a big question.
I know how I feel when I think about the possibility of Jesus truly existing.... but then doubt creeps in and clouds it all up. Makes it seem so improbable.
thanks.
Reading through a lot of the comments from atheists over there, I get the impression of a group of 6-year-old boys reacting to the discovery that one of them doesn't think girls have cooties.