I am a Born-Again Southern Baptist, so most folks would probably consider my views to be fundamental. Here are my responses to your questions.

1. How would you define atheism? A lack of belief in any higher being or power.

2. Was your upbringing religious? If so, what tradition? Yes, I was raised as a Christian. I attended the Methodist church as a young child and began attending Baptist services as a teenager.

3. How would you describe “Intelligent Design”, using only one word? Logical.

4. What scientific endeavor really excites you? I’m not very “scientific minded”, to be completely honost. However, I am spending time reviewing some of the more prominent research on evolution so that I can better understand the scientific arguments presented and interpret the data available for myself.

5. If you could change one thing about the “atheist community”, what would it be and why? As a Born-Again Christian, I would obviously like to see any person become a believer in God and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Short of that, though, about the only thing I would like to see changed is the ridicule leveled at Christianity by some atheists. Things like calling Christians “mindless sheep” or the Bible “a collection of fairy tales”. I have no problem with someone not believing the same as I do, but I respect everyone’s belief system and I appreciate it when that respect is returned.

6. If your child came up to you and said “I’m joining the clergy”, what would be your response? I would encourage my children in whatever vocation they decide to pursue. If one decided to join the clergy, I would give them my support, but would also want to make sure they understand the burden of responsibility that goes with that choice.

7. What’s your favorite theistic argument, and how do you usually refute it? I’m really not sure what kind of answer you’re looking for. One recurring response I receive from atheists in their criticism of Christianity is the concept of Hell. They use that as “evidence” that, if God really exists, then He is wicked and evil, not benevolent. Whenever atheists respond about Hell, their posts usually have an angry tone to them. My question in that case is very simple, “If you don’t believe in the existence of God or Hell, then why does the mention of Hell upset you so much?” After several years of debating theology, I’ve only had a very small handful of atheists answser that in a calm manner.

8. What’s your most controversial viewpoint? That homosexuals are NOT automatically condemned to Hell and that a homosexual can get into Heaven just as easily as I can - WITHOUT renouncing their homosexuality.

9. Of the four horseman, who do you like the best? I don’t know any of them well enough to give a good answer.

10. If you could convince just one theistic person to abandon their beliefs, who would it be? I would have to agree with the answer you provided for this. Obviously, I would want someone who believes in a different god to change their belief to the Christian God. Of course, they probably think I am the one worshipping a false god and would like me to accept their god too. I respect that each religion feels their god is the “right” god. Of course, I feel the Christian God is the One True God, but I also think some of the other “gods” may be the same god I worship, just viewed differently due to cultural interpretations. In other words, I may not have the ONLY “right answer”.

There are, however, many different ways to interpret the Bible, and many of the misogynistic statements (and other things, like the parts that say not to get tattoos and braid your hair) have to be interpretted in the context of the culture. There are cultural norms encouraged by the prophets and writers of the Bible themselves, and there are rules and laws that are actually good things to do (Love thy neighbor as thyself, do unto others, Thou shalt not kill, etc). The tricky thing is to sort out things that are a matter of culture and those that are a matter of religious belief.

Of course, how you reconcile cultural misunderstandings with the idea that a book written by human beings is the infallible Word of God, I don’t know. It might be time for most Christians (myself included) to re-examine that belief.

Q1. How would you define “atheism”?

Not believing in God.

Q2. Was your upbringing religious? If so, what tradition?

Yes. Catholic. Attended a parochial, attended church services daily and on Sunday.

Q3. How would you describe “Intelligent Design”, using only one word?

Actually, the first thing that comes to mind is web design so I’d say “usability”. I kinda doubt this was what the question was after but it was the first thing that came mind.

Q4. What scientific endeavour really excites you?

Nanotechnology. Not to long ago I saw a report, 60 Minutes I think, where a gentleman with no medical background discovered how radio waves could potially be used to kill cancer cells without damaging any surrounding tissue using nanites. From clothing to medicine nanite are cool critters!

Q5. If you could change one thing about the “atheist community”, what would it be and why?

Tough question since I don’t know enough about the “community” to give an intelligent answer. But if I had to give one, it would be the same as I might suggest for any other community… tolerance. I think everyone can learn to be more tolerant on something.

Q6. If your child came up to you and said “I’m joining the clergy”, what would be your first response?

I think my immediate response would be why. As a parent I’d think I’d want to know that they were certain and/or committed about whatever it was they wanted to pursue.

Q7. What’s your favorite theistic argument, and how do you usually refute it?

Whenever an “argument” centers around religion or lack thereof, folks are welcome to believe what they like as am I. I can’t say I really see a reason to refute it.

Q8. What’s your most “controversial” viewpoint?

The World Series bound Cubs are the best baseball team in Chicago. :)

If you lived in Chicago you’d understand.

Q9. Of the “Four Horsemen” (Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens and Harris) who is your favourite, and why?

Sorry, don’t know who they are.

Q10. If you could convince just one theistic person to abandon their beliefs, who would it be?

I wouldn’t. As I answered in an earlier question, folks are welcome to believe what they wish as am I.

1) That title is too long.
2) That title wouldn’t get as many visitors.
3) Who cares what the title is, it’s the content of the article people should be worried about.

I made it very clear in the first paragraph that it wasn’t a Christian answering it but an ex-Christian. I still understand how I used to think so it’s not like I am just pulling these answers out of thin air. I changed the character to that of an American Baptist but that was all.

The post should be titled, “How I think a fundamentalist Christian would answer The Atheist Thirteen.”

The character I was going for was born into a Baptist family, but I’ve added the term “born again” later on :)

Shouldn’t that read “I was born again a Baptist Christian”?