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Subscribe to RSSA prominent atheist blogger says she has converted to Christianity.
Leah Libresco made the announcement on Monday on her Patheos blog, "Unequally Yoked." The blog post, titled "This is my last post for the Patheos Atheist Portal," details how Libresco came to her decision.
She said she struggled with moral law, exploring where it comes from and what's behind it. As an atheist, she states that friends told her that her philosophy was unsustainable.
"I was ready to admit that there were parts of Christianity and Catholicism that seemed like a pretty good match for the bits of my moral system that I was most sure of, while meanwhile my own philosophy was pretty kludged together and not particularly satisfactory," she wrote.
She goes back to the night before Palm Sunday, where after a debate on religion she then had a discussion with a friend about morality.
After a back-and-forth where her friend asked her to make an argument about where moral law comes from, she couldn't think of any. She then realized that it had to come from something like a person or being.
"I believed that the Moral Law wasn’t just a Platonic truth, abstract and distant. It turns out I actually believed it was some kind of Person, as well as Truth. And there was one religion that seemed like the most promising way to reach back to that living Truth," she writes.
Despite her newfound religion, she said she's still confused about the church's stance on homosexuality.
Her post had received more than 750 comments by Tuesday afternoon, with most voicing support and congratulations.
One comment read: "So, so happy for you, Leah! I’ve been praying for you before, and I’ll ramp it up even more. The adventure has just begun!"
It's not the first time an atheist blogger has found religion. A blogger who goes by "The Raving Atheist" announced on his blog he was turning to Christianity a few years ago, The Blaze reported. The blog's name has since been changed to "The Raving Theist."
According to her blog, Libriesco grew up in a secular household in Long Island, N.Y. She dated a Christian, agreeing to go to church once a week in exchange that he go to ballroom dance class. She writes that both recommended books and blogs to each other that fueled all-night debates.
Libresco previously blogged for the Atheist portion of the Pantheos website. She said that her blog will now be moved over to the Patheos Catholic channel. The Patheos site is used for discussion and finding information on different faiths.
In addition to Patheos, Libresco has also blogged for The Huffington Post religion section.
Libresco did not immediately respond Tuesday to an email from msnbc.com for further comment.
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Trolls...trolling trolls? I can't help but think that this is some kind of elaborate troll by one side or the other.
Not sure why she would choose Catholicism. ?????
huli, that is an excellent question. I found an answer from Father Dwight Longenecker's blog (excellent blog, by the way - I definitely recommend it), commenting in regards to why Ms. Libresco chose Catholicism:
"The saddest problem with atheists of this sort is that along with the stupid fundamentalism they were given, and the ignorant version of Christianity they were taught, they were also taught that Catholics were, among all other religions, the very worst. Their ignorance of intelligent and articulate Catholicism is complete. What they do know about Catholicism is made up of the lies, half truths, scandals and foolishness they have picked up first from their fundamentalist background and second from the anti Catholic propaganda in the academy and thirdly in the prevailing anti Catholic propaganda in contemporary media, and fourthly from bad Catholics.
For them to actually stop and discover the true Catholicism–an ancient religion that is compassionate, humane, intelligent, beautiful, strong and true–a religion that scales the heights of human achievement and deals with the depths of human depravity–a religion that is at once poetic and prosaic, magnificent and humble, glorious and simple, hilarious and tragic, a religion that is both noble and poor, majestic and plain, wise and innocent–a religion that offers the complexity of the worlds great philosophers and the simplicity of the unlettered–all bundled up in a faith that encompasses all cultures, races and nations–the old and the young, the poor and the rich, the outcasts and the elite…
For them to stop and see such a Catholicism–such a Christianity.
It seems impossible–except for the miracle of grace."
@benedict
Good post - the voice of reason.
Maybe it's because Catholicism is rich in tradition and ritual; rituals are comforting and supportive, for the most part. I dabble in making jewelry, and one of the items I enjoy making is the Rosary. I've never been content with doing something without learning all I can about it, so I studied the ritual of the Rosary, eventually learning to say it as well as any Catholic. Whether you believe the stories and accounts of the Bible or not, there is great value, moral and ethical, in studying the cast of characters. The rituals of the Catholic church promote that study, in a focused way, IMO.
I often wonder why most (perhaps all) organized religions wind up splitting up into opposing groups, some of them so vehement in their zeal that they are willing to kill others and maybe die for their point of view. It doesn't make sense, given the basic premise. I love George Carlin's take on "changing the game", where eating meat on Friday was a sin, according to the church, but later on the rule was rescinded. There has to be some "wiggle room", because nothing is static; everything moves and changes. The passing of the Latin Mass opened up the nature of the ritual to more people, made it more accessible, and although many decried it, it is in line with the mission of the church in making God's word more accessible to man. How can that be bad?
According to Protestants, she will still burn in hell for eternity. Protestants believe that Catholics are still "sinners", and have not accepted Jesus into their hearts.
Sheesh I hate all this mumbo-jumbo.
Oh well, you can never tell when mental illness will strike. This woman is obviously very confused, because of one conversation over something so trivial she decides that she now believes in a "god" because there could be no explanation without one? I'm an atheist and I can tell you being raised in a non-practicing catholic home I didn't need to read a book to tell me that lying was bad that murder was bad. These things simply came to me by way of experiencing the world. Morality is something you form with experience as you grow you either get it or you don't. It's rather funny really since most of the people in the world doing really bad things to others around them are religious folks. They don't seem to get that being a liar is not good (GOP) and that it is not nice to make the poor suffer (GOP). Hypocrites one and ALL.
@SNAPPA, You've confused moral ontology (what ultimately grounds the rightness and wrongness of things) with moral epistemology (how we know the rightness and wrongness of things). Your claim is one of moral epistemology. It's one any theist would happily agree with, incidentally: theists and atheists alike can know right from wrong. According to Leah, her problem was with atheism's moral ontology, not its moral epistemology. You might want to think things over a bit more carefully before accusing others of mental illness for holding a certain view. This is especially the case when they understand the issues better than you do.
So.... Snappa makea snappa remarka? Needa to thinka before he snappa?
Quite simply 'how dare you!!' We are supposed to be about free thinking and examining evidence and yet when anyone says they are now Theist they must be mentally ill - that's worse than the Dawkins disciples labelling Anthony Flew as 'senile' because he changed his views on the basis of evidence at an advanced age. I worked in Eastern Europe where the atheist regime took children away from Christians and put them in care or incarcerated pastors on psychiatric wards in mental prisons - I had hoped those views had died
Perhaps you are god, and you both know and understand all things that are knowable... or perhaps Leah is simply more open minded and genuine in her search. You should apologise for that disgusting 'mental illness' remark
The comments, from both sides, following these stories are oh so predictable... firstly Leah must be deluded, enticed by riches and fame or a pseudo atheist all along. The idea that a free thinker can examine the evidence and then come to the conclusion that theism is both logical and reasonable (on multiple fronts) rattles atheist cages but it is a well worn path - by CS Lewis, Alistair McGrath and Anthony Flew ( who was accused of going senile by the atheist inquisition ) among many others.
Secondly many Christians have moved towards atheism partly because they feel they are expected to believe things that many Christians would reject or feel non essential. More sadly they have reacted to the lack of grace ( often by those who talk mostly about God's grace) or open mindedness from followers of Christ.
Leah you seem a really cool girl and have enjoyed hearing about your journey of discovery - long may it continue and excited for you!
I'll click to that, Charlton! My experience has been that Christians often tend to doubt their faith because of the poor actions of other Christians. (Or those calling themselves Christian.) And then there's the media that portrays all Christians as the sickest segment of society. Their typical stories are not of young teenagers taking their summers to care for orphans in Romania. It's always some sick pedophile priest down the street or a serial killer who claims "god" told them to do it. You have my vote!
Christian trolls. Who would'a thunk it? LOL!
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. While living with relatives in Florida in 1960, I was coerced by the pastor of our church to go through parking lots with flyers to put on car windshields. Christian publications? No, just alarmist propaganda warning that if JFK became president, the pope would rule the country. Paranoid delusion. Just the tip of the iceberg. While some members of the congregation lived their beliefs, many acted like the sinners they disdained outside the confines of the church. Feet of clay, but oh, so quick to catch you out at something "sinful".
I'm not a Christian-hater, as some might think. I have my own beliefs, and will leave it at that. As for being "right" or "wrong", only time will tell, according to the theology. In most, if not all organized formal religions, the "reward" or "punishment" comes later. Heaven, 72 virgins (good luck with that), etc. - but, only IF you "Do as I say now." I may be mistaken, but NOW is all we have. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery.
You have to create your world today the best way you can, being good to yourself, to others, and to the whole of nature. You don't need a book to tell you how - the knowledge is within. You don't need to join a club, but if you do, be warned that it can be divisive - you may wind up foregoing tolerance for something less forgiving. Since the world isn't about to dance to one particular tune, that becomes an itch you can't scratch, and you wind up bitter and angry at everyone who isn't a fellow club member.
Whatever you choose, may good fortune follow you. If you work at respecting yourself and your fellow man, regardless of his failings, you'll do okay.
@ cygnus61: C'mon! You've been here before! You're the same guy who had a friend, who knew a friend, whose girlfriend had a baby and her Christian parents stole the child away and kept her from seeing the baby because she wore the wrong underwear? Get a life!
She said she was struggling with moral problems. Why not study philosophy to get some understanding of it? I'm a philosophy major and that's almost all we talk about, without invoking a creator.
Because philosophy doesn't work. Besides, why take the milk train when you can get the express.
I use to believe in a Unicorn, then I became an Atheist that didn't believe in a Unicorn, but now since it's all too clear to me.....I believe in a Unicorn again! Makes perfect sense! Our heavenly Unicorn, bless thee for your horn is great. May all of the sinful humans find your golden horn and worship you above all common sense! Praise be him!
Yeah, I've heard your unicorn nonesense before; the last time an Atheist found God. Patrick Greene, wasn't it? I knew you seemed familiar!
Please, just wheel the traitor in front of a firing squad and end this B.S.
Which traitor, Matt?
Please, just wheel the traitor in front of a firing squad and end this B.S.
Sounds like one of the X-ministries gay conversion programs where the gay person aligns with heterosexuality. Then a year or two later they resurface as gay again. My guess is that she will return to rationalism after her sponsored talks, paid interviews, and other revenue streams dry up. Notin that says that a secularist can't also be an opportunist.
Man! are YOU warped!
By definition of man an atheist is a person who denies or disbelieves of a supreme being.By definition of God an atheist is a fool (wicked ).There is a big difference between believing God the creator and believing a miserable wicked creature.
I never read her blog, but it had to be without merit. There's way more to life than humanity and Earth. Anybody who thinks it's just God and man is out of their f*****g mind.
Well, isn't that the mark of a smart person! I ain't never read her stuff but it cain't be any good 'cause she don't agree wif me!"
Hold on there Christo-paths! She's a Catholic. According to true Christianity, she is not saved, nor even really a Christian. She'll still burn in hell because she didn't say 6 words: "I accept Jesus as my Savior".
Gotta love religion. I'm right. You're wrong. You will burn in hell forever. I will sit by God's side. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah......
Yeah, you're an Atheist who's now commenting as an expert on true Christianity. By the way, CHristians aren't supposed to say "Yer going to burn in hell". That would be judgemental and that's God's job. (Oh yes He is!)
Do your research with an open heart and mind, and you will find God. Pray SINCERELLY to Him to find Him, and God willing He will reveal Himself to you.
Go to youtube, to shockofGod's channel, and look up his video about Lee Strobel (do a search for Lee). He was an Atheist trying to disprove Jesus, and ended up becoming a born again Christian. Powerful testimony.
God Bless you Ms. Libresco! It's hard at first, when you've spent many years denying what, now, you've accepted. As for the homosexual: God makes it quite clear that "man, or women, working with another man/women, that which is unseemly" is "worthy of death"; that those who perform such acts, as is the act itself, are "an abomination" to Him. That God loves all and Christ died for all is significant for OUR understanding because it teaches us, as Christians, NOT to "Judge" them. No Born-Again Christian that I know "condemns" homosexuals and I've been Saved for 50 years. We "condemn" the act but not the person. IMPOSSIBLE!! Shrieks the opposition. But, on a personal note, I've family members who are homosexual and, I assure you, hating the sin but loving the sinner is not only possible but perfectly normal. My family has women who've had abortions; some committed various felonies; done serious time. Even some of my Christian friends have fallen away and returned to his/her sin: "as a dog returns to its vomit". From my Comment, it might surprise you: not sinless myself. l;-]
Read the Bible, pray and get into Fellowship with those who believe in Christ. Don't gnaw at the vexing questions but learn the basics which will bless you deeper than the stubborn questions of what God will do to those who die unrepentant. We don't, and never will, know because, as He says: "My thoughts aren't your thoughts and your thoughts aren't my thoughts.
Welcome to the Family of Christ.
So one moves over to the dark side of thinking, that's huge news compared to the millions Christianity is losing. When pushed about a divine being I wonder if she twitches a lot?
One person converts. Wow. This is big news.
Actually, all heaven rejoices when one soul finds its way back home.
Want to know if God exists? Read "Because God is Real" by Dr. Peter Kreeft. It answers ALL the questions.
Dave! Do you really think Atheists want any answers? Son, they've already made up their minds and don't wish to be confused with the facts! They're just on this forum because it’s an opportunity for a malcontent to mock good people. Now, there are some truly honest Atheists who aren't antagonistic; however, I blogged for an entire day and only met two, and I actually respect them. Just don't agree.
Atheists have long used logic to refute the existence of God. Leah Libresco's conversion shows that logic flows both ways. More on my blog at www.jasongriffin.net
IMHO - I listened to her interview and I don't think she was actually ever an atheist.
There's a reason why this makes the news. It's man bites dog. Serious, religious person becomes an atheist. That happens all the time. Most atheists *ARE* former religious people. That's dog bites man. But, an atheist become Christian that's dog bites man. It's rare and it's rare for a reason. Religion (yours included) typically looks obviously wrong from the outside. So RA's conversion, or Patrick Greene's half conversion, or Flew's descent into dementia, actually gets some coverage because it's a rare enough event to care about, but only because Christianity is wrong enough to make it that rare.
In short, though this seems like a win for Christianity. The fact that it's report worthy is a failure for Christianity. It shows how rare your successes are. It's like that time when the Iraq war had zero US soldier casualties for a month. The fact that that got reported, is actually, viewed in a larger context a bad thing overall.
Not rare at all; just ignored.
I feel very sad about atheists troll their own. Just like a wounded hyena who gets eaten by the pack. Where does the hatred come from? Just because someone who used to believe in nothing found something they could believe in. Its not like they're leaving the "Atheist Church!" The viciousness and absurdly idiotic statements made against someone who has found something good that they never had makes me wonder why they waste their times trashing people who believe in God on this forum. Kinda’ makes you think they may just simply hate Christians?
Once met an Atheist who claimed he was an “Agnostic”. He kept trying to pick an argument with me over God. I finally relented and asked him, “John, if God were real and appeared to you in His greatness and splendor and personally requested you be His friend, would you believe in Him then?” His answer was, “Nope! I’d just blow it off as some bad drug trip.” So I told him, “Well John you’re not an Agnostic; you’re just stupid!
Hey! Tell me! And be honest! Do you guys all work for MSNBC?