words of an atheist

[Sister Alvear]

If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in it's cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow in eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth it's joys, it's griefs, would occupy no moment of my thought. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach it in season and out of season, and my text would be:
"What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in it's cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow in eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth it's joys, it's griefs, would occupy no moment of my thought. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach it in season and out of season, and my text would be:
"What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

This quote is from a tract of sorts from I think the early 1800's or 1900's. At the end of saying all of that. After saying, "I would go forth to teh world and preach it in season and out of season, and my text would be: 'What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?" If I only believed.

Powerful final words. "IF I only believed."

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in it's cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow in eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth it's joys, it's griefs, would occupy no moment of my thought. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach it in season and out of season, and my text would be:
"What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

Thanks Sis Alvear, this post makes me want to reassess my priorities.

[Sister Alvear]

Yes, winning souls must be top on the list...

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in it's cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow in eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth it's joys, it's griefs, would occupy no moment of my thought. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach it in season and out of season, and my text would be:
"What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

If Christians really believed that our loving, heavenly Father is in fact at torturer of His creation, then this message of an atheist would be our mantra! Since, the traditional view is beyond our ability to truly believe, because it is more horrible and cruel than could be possible, we live as we truly believe. Even though we may not yet understand or embrace, that Jesus truly is the Savior and redeemer of His whole creation.

Therefore I reject the lying and deceiving tongue of the atheist.