Ex-preacher speaks to students about atheism

John Loftus, an ex-evangelical preacher and author of the book “Why I Became an Atheist,” told both believers and non-believers why he considers Christianity to be a false system of beliefs Saturday.

His lecture, received by a diverse crowd, summarized his life’s journey from preacher to atheist in Ballantine Hall.

To begin the talk, Loftus discussed his many years spent as an evangelical preacher, teaching students how to construct arguments in defense of Christianity at universities throughout the Midwest.

However, a failed love affair then led Loftus to a crisis of faith as he was outcast from his Christian community, he said. During the next 14 years, Loftus slowly shed his belief system, leading to his current adoption of atheism.

Loftus argued that a variety of geographical, historical, philosophical and scriptural evidence made the existence of a Christian God impossible.

“I want them to get away from relying on inspired texts,” Loftus said, “and come up with their own conclusions adopted by themselves based on their own reasons and evidence.”

Loftus asked the students to examine their religion as an outsider would, perhaps in much the same way they critique other faiths. He said the believer should then realize their faith is one of many.

“The real issue is to examine our own assumptions and those of others,” Loftus said. “If we do not do this, then we’ll never get anywhere.”

Loftus went on to say that beliefs are characterized by time and place, and if more people realized this they would question their own faiths more.

Several non-Christians voiced their support for Loftus’ beliefs, while Christians in the audience disagreed with his ideas.

During the question and answer session, one woman stood up and said she was still as confident in her Christian beliefs after hearing the talk as when she came in.

No matter what their beliefs, Loftus left the audience with one final thought.

“I want people to think for themselves,” Loftus said.