I came across the story of a man (who says he is a Christian) who is taking on the challenge of being an Atheist for a year. This, of course, follows on from lots of other people who have tried various ways of living for a year.
It seems to me that this is a crazy idea. If you believe something is true – which as a Christian presumably he must – how can you then say that for a year you will not believe it? Isn’t this being dishonest with yourself? What about his relationship with God? Isn’t it a little arrogant to say to Almighty God that you are not going to believe or worship for a year for the sake of your experiment?
He seems to be a little upset that all of the Christian organisations he is currently working for are raising questions and some of them giving him the sack. He works in a pastoral role as well as a research and teaching role (as I understand things – I might be wrong). If someone worked promoting atheism and then became a Christian I would expect them to resign – not complain if they get the sack.
If anyone else if seriously considering an experiment of becoming an atheist for a while I would counsell against it – there are some lines you should not cross.
But that’s just my opinion.