Minister: God Doesn't Exist

Wordnet Daily ^ | 6/3/03 | WND

[Paul Ross]

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Tuesday, June 3, 2003

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FAITH UNDER FIRE
Minister: God doesn't exist
Suspended for remarks, but theologian finds claims 'refreshing'

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Posted: June 3, 2003
4:00 p.m. Eastern

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© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

It's not unusual to hear of mainline Protestant clergy who reject fundamental Christian doctrines such as the deity of Jesus Christ, but a Lutheran minister is going a step further, claiming God does not exit.

Danish pastor Thorkild Grosboel of Taarbaek, near Copenhagen, was suspended today by his bishop after stating in a recent interview "there is no heavenly God, there is no eternal life, there is no resurrection," the Associated Press reported.

Bishop Lise-Lotte Rebel of the Helsingoer diocese, said Grosboel's comments "caused confusion" within the church.

"There should be no doubt that priests have committed themselves to act within the church's confession of faith," she said, according to the AP.

Rebel said only the Danish government's Ministry for Ecclesiastical Affairs has the authority to defrock Grosboel, because Lutheran pastors in the Scandinavian country are employed by the state.

About 85 percent of Denmark's 5.3 million people belong to the state Evangelical Lutheran Church, but only about 5 percent attend church regularly.

Tove Fergo, Danish church-affairs chief

In addition to his suspension, Rebel has demanded Grosboel retract his comments and apologize.

Tove Fergo, Denmark's ecclesiastical affairs minister, has said it's impossible to be a pastor and not believe in the existence of God and the resurrection of Christ, the AP said.

But Mogens Lindhardt, the leader of Denmark's Theological College of Education, called Grosboel's claims "refreshing."

[Paul Ross]

The enemies of Christ grow more bold. Something is REALLY rotten in Denmark!

[Lazamataz]

The left has infiltrated religion, so expect entire churches to spring up, who's main thesis is that there is no G-d.

[dfwgator]

God: There is no Thorkild Grosboel

[RAT Patrol]

I'm incapable of being shocked at this stuff anymore.

[mvpel]

You mean, like Reform Judaism lately?

[SoDak]

I agree, I'm just numb to it all. And my family wonders why I am considering leaving the Lutheran church.

[weegee]

old graffiti

"God is dead" - Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead" - God

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Tove Fergo, Denmark's ecclesiastical affairs minister, has said it's impossible to be a pastor and not believe in the existence of God and the resurrection of Christ, the AP said.

That's putting it mildly, double-oh-seven...

[expatpat]

Didn't a former Archbishop of Canterbury not believe in God? And isn't there a high Episcopal churchman here who has similar views (Can't recall his name, tho' I think it begins Sp..)?

[votelife]

same here, this stuff doesn't surprise anymore...now it would if stories like this made Dan Rather's news.

[VeritatisSplendor]

well that's pretty much the Unitarian church. their creed allows anything, but I've certainly heard atheism from the pulpit.

Mrs VS

[Lazamataz]

You mean, like Reform Judaism lately?

I haven't heard them go THAT far, but I will concede that Reform Judaism is a monsterous perversion of the Jewish faith.

[Kerberos]

"Rebel said only the Danish government's Ministry for Ecclesiastical Affairs has the authority to defrock Grosboel, because Lutheran pastors in the Scandinavian country are employed by the state."

A sterling example of the comingling of church and state.

[Paul Ross]

And what is really amazing is that even if the rest of the clergy in the affected church wish to discipline and remove an provocative agent saboteuer ...they don't have the authority to! I.e., "Rebel said it's up to the Danish government's Ministry for Ecclesiastic Affairs to decide if Grosboel should be defrocked. In Denmark, Lutheran priests are employed by the state and bishops cannot fire them. "

The moment the state controls the purse strings of anything...then its ultimate control of that entity is only a matter of time.

[RAT Patrol]

On a broader note...I'm starting to consider leaving populated areas -- like buy land in the middle of nowhere or something and just wait till they come for my guns. This world is backwards and looking more hopeless all the time. My only problem is that I'll still be forced to fund the insanity.

[thegreatbeast]

Unbelievable. In the old days it would have occurred to this fellow to step back from his ministry and sort this thing out. Now it doesn't make a difference somehow.

[Paul Ross]

You beat me to it!

[Lazamataz]

well that's pretty much the Unitarian church. their creed allows anything, but I've certainly heard atheism from the pulpit.

I've heard that about the Uniterians before.

[DPB101]

Theologians, and most others, who say they are atheists usually still believe there is a God. They simply don't like Him or His creation. Which is why they become socialists.

[Lazamataz]

In Denmark, Lutheran priests are employed by the state

And thusly, the wisdom of our forefathers.