I recently read a news story regarding Mr. Mehta's involvement with your website. I applaud the fact that as a religious entity you are not only welcoming criticism but allowing it to provide insight into the views of the non-believer. I classify myself as an agnostic - or as I sometimes joke about it - the confused child of a Catholic and an Athiest. I have never been a true believer though I have been to Catholic, Christian, Mormon, and Jehovah Witness services thanks to my family and friends. I appreciate the idea of theology, which I suspect Mr. Mehta must as well, having created his ebay idea.
I believe that "faith" is a wonderful ideal, and that those who posess it have recieved a wonderful gift, even if what they believe in doesn't exist in my own reality. I do not judge people for their faith, in fact, I applaud them -- all I ask is that they allow me my own beliefs without judgement. When people ask what "agnostic" means to me, I tell them that it means I don't know if there is a God, but that not knowing doesn't bother me. I tell them that if their God is as loving as they claim, then in the end he will forgive me for not believing in him as long as I have lived a good life.
One line in the article did bother me ... "Some visitors to the site castigate Henderson for giving an atheist a forum. One said he was "rather misguidedly (throwing) money at someone to simply get him 'churched' for a time so he might possibly get 'saved?' " It bothered me as a non-believer, because it leads me to the following question ... What IS the price of salvation? ... according to that persons belief system, it is less than $504. Most of the people I know who possess "faith" would tell you it is priceless ... they would have paid their whole life's worth.
Again, I say that I applaud you for your open opinion of non-believers. I would never want to walk into your place of worship expecting welcome and only come away with disdain for my disbelief. Shame doesn't draw me in, it only puts me out and assures I'll never return. I have not read Mr. Mehta's postings yet, but again I appreciate that you are looking for his guidance rather than judging him. The fact that you allow someone to question your beliefs shows how truly close you hold them to your heart and trust in their veracity. Sometimes, it isn't the ideas you hold or the reliance on a book whose truth is based in true faith that draw people to your side, sometimes being truly "open" is all that someone really needs.

From those of us on the sidelines,

Jessica

Jim-I just read about your new hire on aol's welcome page. I came to the site and read the church reviews. I have to tell you this has got to be some of the best money you have ever spent. I have been pastoring churches for ten years, and have desperately wished that believers in the fold could truly see how our services look through the eyes of an outsider. Millions are leaving churches each year. Maybe your experiment will give us some insight as to why. Have you thought about having Hemant review a house church?

It is so easy to fall into speaking and acting in code, as if that by itself would show people who we believe in and why. This is a great way to truly see what is reflected back from someone who doesn't have the decryptor ring. I just wonder if most of us are ready for ourselves? Reading some of the reactions to the posts, I don't think some of us are. I hope Hemant is able to grow through this experience...because I certainly am growing from reading his blog.

Nice idea... we did something similar a week earlier. There are a lot of lost souls out there - check it out: http://dontcallmeveronica.blogspot.com/2006/01/setup.html

Great idea!! For many years, I tried to convince leadership in churches I've been a part of, of the necessity of doing what I call 'exit polls' of people who leave the church, to find out why they are leaving. Haven't been able to get any bites on that idea. I DO, however. like the idea about hiring non-believers to do a church survey. Seems like a reasonable thing to do if we're serious about connecting with the "missing."

A great opportunity for the church to hear from and understand the athestic perspective. It has been my experience that the church sets up staw men atheist and then shows how stupid they are for not believing. My prayer is this will open dialogue for both christians and atheist to let down their guard and share in an open arena of acceptance Out of this understanding a bridge can be built instead of a wall.