Newsboys Co-founder Denounces Christianity: ‘I’m Now an Atheist’

[MoodyMoose]

Newsboys Co-founder Denounces Christianity: 'I'm Now an Atheist'
  1/27/2015

  Anyone that watched the movie, Gods Not Dead, remembers Newsboys as part of the soundtrack. How very disappointing to read this news.

http://youtu.be/S_OTz-lpDjw

[MoodyMoose]

http://youtu.be/MkdMOauMAys?list=PLCF8982D37F28A7DF

::prayinghard::for George Perdikis. May Newsboys music continue to praise the Lord. 

[chosenone]

I doubt he ever knew God.

[MeMyself]

I doubt he ever knew God.

That is what I was thinking as I read the article.  It didn't read as if it was from someone who understood God at all...just how hard it was to stick to the "rules".  Makes me sad though, that so many become discouraged and give up seeking after God due to the rules and pressures the Body of Christ (who I believe mean well) put on those around them. 

[MoodyMoose]

Jesus did warn that not all who call his name shall be known to him. I think this young man is that example. I don't think he ever knew the Lord.
Reading his writing at Friendly Atheist it is a shame that he sounds so bitter toward the faith. Even after having embraced atheism in 2007 he still seems to hold great malice for his former band mates as well.
One would think if he were fulfilled as an atheist he's not hold a grudge for those who remain in the faith he renounced.

[chosenone]

Jesus did warn that not all who call his name shall be known to him. I think this young man is that example. I don't think he ever knew the Lord.
Reading his writing at Friendly Atheist it is a shame that he sounds so bitter toward the faith. Even after having embraced atheism in 2007 he still seems to hold great malice for his former band mates as well.
One would think if he were fulfilled as an atheist he's not hold a grudge for those who remain in the faith he renounced.

yes if he says there is no God, them why be angry with something that doesnt exist? I know a couple of older teenagers who claim they are atheist, but they are so anger and bitter against both God and Gods children. Of course they totally deny they are, but it comes accross all the time in what they say about Christianity. I say to them why are you angry with something/someone who you say doesn't exist. 

[MoodyMoose]

Great point. How can someone be mad at something that they argue isn't there?

[LexKnight]

After reading the article, I gotta say I'm not surprised where he ended up. I'm sure some would word it as God poorly, but I believe they would say it's not a being they consider imaginary they're angry with, it's the religion and systematic control that has their rage, and in that sense I really don't blame them for that rage, they just took it to the extreme. I have a brother who grew up in a similar type Christianity and concluded Jesus is merely an Idol like all the others. Later, though, he met the Lord and it was revealed the religion he grew up in didn't represent Him, and I'd same the same about what that guitarist experienced.

It's another sad story among the inevitable result of this religion...

[kensington]

When he was part of the Newsboys and making money... He believed.  But, now that he has to walk a normal existence... He says there is no God.  Who was his God really?  Money?  Music?  Self?  He said all he ever wanted to be known for was his music, not being a good Christian, obedient to the word ...  But, which one does God want us to be? 

In I Samuel, the Lord said that "Obedience is better than sacrifice"... so if obeying the instructions and admonishments of the LORD wasn't important to him...  Then he didn't believe. 

He is certainly no Job.

[MoodyMoose]

I think if he wanted to make a sincere statement with regard to his new faith in holding to the contrary of what he formerly espoused he'd relinquish all future royalties pertaining to proceeds from News Boys.

I remember reading that the former singer actor Vanity, Denise Matthews, who has found God and become an Evangelist signed off on receiving any royalties due her when she was contracted and paid as the stage character, "Vanity".

If God isn't real then the money garnered from singing praises to something that isn't there should not exist either.    Sign off on the royalties rather than receive payment for singing praises to no thing.    Somehow I doubt that would cross his mind.

[Catholica]

From the article it sounded like he was being assaulted by the heresy that Christians don't sin, that somehow if you know God suddenly you never sin any more.  I've heard this heresy promoted in this forum, likely by people who would be the last to think they are the ones promoting it.  When this heresy is promoted, people start to be paranoid that they themselves are not Christian and the peer pressure to keep up the facade is immense.

[MoodyMoose]

From the article it sounded like he was being assaulted by the heresy that Christians don't sin, that somehow if you know God suddenly you never sin any more.  I've heard this heresy promoted in this forum, likely by people who would be the last to think they are the ones promoting it.  When this heresy is promoted, people start to be paranoid that they themselves are not Christian and the peer pressure to keep up the facade is immense.

I didn't get that at all. That he was being assaulted that Christians don't sin. Rather, I took his remarks to mean he wanted to do his thing and as before he got saved without having to change his lifestyle and not sin. Or be conscious of sin.

(Sic)"...I wanted my life to be measured by my music, not by my ability to resist temptation.""


Edited to add: I wanted to find the video first before I referred to the teaching.
As for the heretical teaching that Christians can't sin and I cannot say I know of anyone here who believes this. I think those who hold responsibility for teaching that are those entrusted by the faithful to teach.

Joyce Meyer is one that misreads scripture and teaches that very thing. It is why scriptures tell us to test every spirit.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.



http://youtu.be/5dmHJdM63hk

[LexKnight]

He just wanted to play music but got pressured by the Christian corporates to be and do more. It's what you get when you sign that line..

[MoodyMoose]

As he didn't share specific details we are only guessing at this point.

[chosenone]

From the article it sounded like he was being assaulted by the heresy that Christians don't sin, that somehow if you know God suddenly you never sin any more.  I've heard this heresy promoted in this forum, likely by people who would be the last to think they are the ones promoting it.  When this heresy is promoted, people start to be paranoid that they themselves are not Christian and the peer pressure to keep up the facade is immense.

I didn't get that at all. That he was being assaulted that Christians don't sin. Rather, I took his remarks to mean he wanted to do his thing and as before he got saved without having to change his lifestyle and not sin. Or be conscious of sin.

(Sic)"...I wanted my life to be measured by my music, not by my ability to resist temptation.""


Edited to add: I wanted to find the video first before I referred to the teaching.
As for the heretical teaching that Christians can't sin and I cannot say I know of anyone here who believes this. I think those who hold responsibility for teaching that are those entrusted by the faithful to teach.

Joyce Meyer is one that misreads scripture and teaches that very thing. It is why scriptures tell us to test every spirit.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.



http://youtu.be/5dmHJdM63hk

I have heard JM countless times and have never heard her say she doesnt sin, on the contrary she is very open and honest about her sins and faults and failings, probably why so many relate to her.

We have had a tiny number of people come here and claim they dont sin, but we all know that just by saying that they are sinning and lying.