Well, I am technically an agnostic (although one can be both agnostic and atheist, as the two terms relate to different things), however, I could just as easily say the same thing about theists. And in the vast majority of cases you and I would look at the same theistic religions, and probably a large number of Christian sects and agree that they are in denial. And yet, these people do not carry the same stereotyped stigma of being inherently dishonest, do they? I'm sorry, it is clear that this claim does not hold water.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
Well, it is true that DENIAL can pertain to both spiritual and unspiritual viewpoints vis-a-vis the opposing viewpoint, for a Christian, whose "christianness" stems from a personal face-to-face relationship with God, this would involve a state of mental illness where one fantasizes an "invisible friend" residing in their heart with whom they have a running conversation through the day. It is one thing of DENY into non-existence something that another holds to exist, but it is quite another to DENY into existence something that does not exist.
In other words, you would have to say that Christians are are mentally ill due to their person interaction with and Entity Who does not exist. Is that your point?
Well, I for one do not need to convince myself that God does not exist. I see no way to do so. If there was, I would very much like to see it. However, it is hardly "obvious" that God is "alive" or "in control of the universe" at all. Nobody has ever presented me with anything that made it obvious that God was "alive" at all.
It has been obvious since the beginning of time--the existence of religions seeking this "Ultimate Truth" stem back to the very beginning. Mankind is hardwired by its Creator to seek out said Creator.
Put another way by St. Paul,
"What may be known about God is plain to all, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:19-21)
Think of it this way--IF GOD DID NOT, IN FACT EXIST, THERE WOULD BE NO ATHEISTS BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE NOTHING TO DENY BELIEVING IN.
No, I do. How would I not?
Because if something is true it should be considered and accepted; if something is NOT true, it should be ignored and duck-backed.
What's the point of getting upset either way--either the person who spoke the word was trying to be helpful or he was a fool.
Fantastic. But, I don't see a need for such a relationship. For one, I'm sober.
"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." "For God so loved the world that whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life." "Behold, all the old is done away with and all things have become new." etc.
My getting clean and sober--through God's infinite mercy and grace!--just allowed me to advance to the starting line at which you are standing. We still both have the same race to run.
To be fair, I don't need reasons not to believe in God. Babies burning to death, and children being raped are not indicative of God, nor is it indicative of no-God. God concepts do not hinge on God being good, loving, caring, or even powerful. I simply have not experienced anything which warrants belief. I don't understand why that automatically makes me a liar.
Why do atheists/agnostics INSIST on blaming God for all the multitude of horrors in which our world abounds--when these horrors are perpetrated by human beings and their very existence is ample evidence of the deadly fruits of humans turning their backs on God and His Love? Far from being any "proof" that there is no God, it is ample proof that God exists but has been disdained and ignored--and the victims are paying the horrible price.
My Brother. at least consider this: The greatest horrors in the 20th Century--millions upon millions of our brothers and sisters brutalized and slaughtered--were perpetrated by atheistic societies. How can God be held responsible?
ABBA'S FOOL,
ephraim