What Does Atheism Profit Atheists?

[jacknife]

I never go onto atheist websites and tell them anything. And probably a lot of them never go onto Christian sites. I think that's good. Out of sight, out of mind. But I see some insist on being here. Who's got the problems? Some Christians feel compelled to witness in every possible place they can and to everyone they might bump into. I don't. Why atheists want to evangelize their position kind of escapes me. If Christian witnessing offends them, why do they come here and do the very same thing and expect any better consideration?

But were not the one's who started this thread, all we did was answer a question aimed at us then everyone piled in here upset we did so. how does that count as evangelizing?

 

[section9+1]

jackn
Your very presence here counts as your version of evangelizing.

 

[section9+1]

MG406
You have all the resources and tools that me or any other Christian has ever had. If you can't do it after 40 years, there's no magic sentence I can provide here that will make any difference. Myriads of Christians have accomplished in moments what you cannot. Something's wrong.

 

[bhsmte]

jackn
Your very presence here counts as your version of evangelizing.

LOL

 

[bhsmte]

MG406
You have all the resources and tools that me or any other Christian has ever had. If you can't do it after 40 years, there's no magic sentence I can provide here that will make any difference. Myriads of Christians have accomplished in moments what you cannot. Something's wrong.

There is something wrong with anyone who disagrees with your personal faith beliefs?

 

[keith99]

I never go onto atheist websites and tell them anything. And probably a lot of them never go onto Christian sites. I think that's good. Out of sight, out of mind. But I see some insist on being here. Who's got the problems? Some Christians feel compelled to witness in every possible place they can and to everyone they might bump into. I don't. Why atheists want to evangelize their position kind of escapes me. If Christian witnessing offends them, why do they come here and do the very same thing and expect any better consideration?

It just might be to test the claims made by Christians regarding Christian charity. If so the Christians here have in general failed that test badly.

Most here will reject this out of hand, to them it is impossible that I an atheist will have anything of value to say. But there are a few who actually believe their God is powerful and that he just might use an atheist to speak the to his people as Scripture claims he has done before with other sorts of unbelievers.

And there is the greatest profit I gain by being an atheist. My ears are open to wisdom and charity wherever it occurs. Be it from an atheist, a Buddhist or even an itinerant Rabbi. Many Christians cannot even recognize wisdom when spoken by a member of a different Christian sect.

 

[section9+1]

I suppose if God can use Balaam's ass anything is possible. But I do think Balaam's ass had a distinct advantage.

 

[Mountain_Girl406]

MG406
You have all the resources and tools that me or any other Christian has ever had. If you can't do it after 40 years, there's no magic sentence I can provide here that will make any difference. Myriads of Christians have accomplished in moments what you cannot. Something's wrong.

So you can tell me I'm doing it wrong, and tell me I'm going to hell, but do not have a single suggestion of what I can do? I've been availing myself of resources, including this message board, where I figured those certain of Christianity could show me the way.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

You seem to start a heck of a lot of threads about atheists on these forums. Why? Are atheists a particular concern of yours?

ROFL
[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]

 

[keith99]

I suppose if God can use Balaam's ass anything is possible. But I do think Balaam's ass had a distinct advantage.

Yes the Jews were much more willing to listen to God.

 

[section9+1]

MG
Alright. I can only tell you how it went for me. I come from a secular family. No one witnessed to me, no one taught me anything and while I can't say I ever felt any real opposition to God, for the most part he wasn't on my mind at all. I just felt curious about the bible all of a sudden and I thought maybe I'd read a little and see what it said. I started in Matthew and by the time I got into John, I knew it was telling me something. I committed to the lord and never looked back. If I can do it entirely on my own with no extra help, I suppose it can't be all that hard.

 

[MehGuy]

Any thoughts?

Not sure what "profits" you're talking about.

Ever since becoming an atheist I've dealt with more and more depression. I've often remarked that being an atheist "sucks". I actually quite liked believing in some higher power, and emotionally I found a lot of value in it. Yet it is what it is. I lack a belief in a God and I guess I don't have the energy or will power to fool myself into accepting anything otherwise..

For others, no longer being a theist has given them more happiness and peace of mind. Yet at the end of the day most people don't become atheists to get something. They just realize they have no justification to be a theist. The various reactions depend on the person and context.

 

[Rebecca12]

Jesus said, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened; you will find me if you search for me with all your heart. Those sound like promises. So if you haven't found him, you are not looking.

MG
Are you looking on your own terms or his? I guess there's always hell. You'll find that easily enough.

MG
Alright. I can only tell you how it went for me. I come from a secular family. No one witnessed to me, no one taught me anything and while I can't say I ever felt any real opposition to God, for the most part he wasn't on my mind at all. I just felt curious about the bible all of a sudden and I thought maybe I'd read a little and see what it said. I started in Matthew and by the time I got into John, I knew it was telling me something. I committed to the lord and never looked back. If I can do it entirely on my own with no extra help, I suppose it can't be all that hard.

You told a person who has searched for God for 40 years that they are not looking. Then you suggested they might find hell. And told a story about how easy it was for you so it should be easy for anyone. Saying something is the case strongly, with certainty, doesn't make it so. Individual experiences cannot be generalized. You essentially are using a "just plain folks" fallacy to dismiss her difficulties.

I am not out to convince atheists of anything. I am not trying to scare anyone into heaven and the life or destiny you've chose is meaningless to me. I have found what I was looking for. If you have as well, there's nothing to discuss.

I find it odd when people who believe in hell don't seem to care that other people might be going there. Que Sera Sera.

I never go onto atheist websites and tell them anything. And probably a lot of them never go onto Christian sites. I think that's good. Out of sight, out of mind. But I see some insist on being here. Who's got the problems? Some Christians feel compelled to witness in every possible place they can and to everyone they might bump into. I don't. Why atheists want to evangelize their position kind of escapes me. If Christian witnessing offends them, why do they come here and do the very same thing and expect any better consideration?

The United States is a very Christian country with some of the Christians working hard to push their lifestyle on others through political means. Because of this I am very interested in what Christians have to say. And I also want Christians to know that they are not the only Americans. Essentially I am hear to say "don't tread on me."

 

[section9+1]

I have no intention of treading on you. I am glad to leave you alone. And your opinion is just that. Your opinion. God sends no one to hell. They send themselves there. And since you find hell imaginary it shouldn't matter to you at all since it is only a farce. The bible has plenty to say regarding you. Worthless opinions are of no consequence to me.

 

[Rebecca12]

I have no intention of treading on you. I am glad to leave you alone. And your opinion is just that. Your opinion. God sends no one to hell. They send themselves there. And since you find hell imaginary it shouldn't matter to you at all since it is only a farce. The bible has plenty to say regarding you. Worthless opinions are of no consequence to me.

My aren't you the friendly sort. I don't find your opinions a farce. That implies I think of it as some kind of joke. No, I take what Christians say seriously. The fact you find atheist opinions worthless and refuse to consider them on the merits are a data point for me.

 

[Tinker Grey]

I was a Christian for 44 years. I was a youth leader, an elder, a treasurer, a bible-study leader.

I've cried out to God for his guidance. I've wept for my children. I've fasted. I've meditated.

If you call me insincere, then the hell with you. I called out to God amidst many tears; I never got an answer.

Don't you dare tell me I wasn't doing it right. Don't you dare tell me I was insincere. If your bible says, that I really know then that's just more evidence that your bible is wrong. Romans 1 isn't evidence in your favor. It is a lie.

 

[section9+1]

The problem is you people think you have an authoritative stance. You don't. If atheism is correct then nothing counts for anything because humanity is nothing. You appear and then you are gone. No meaning, no significance. If you think you count you are lying to yourself. Your importance in a universe where there is no importance is absurd. You are the ones who need your eyes opened.

 

[MehGuy]

The problem is you people think you have an authoritative stance. You don't.

You people? I'm an atheist and I don't think I have an authoritative stance. I realize the universe is a cold sandbox. Personally for me, the idea of that is exciting.

Maybe sometimes depressing, but even that is romantic to me in a sense. Lol.

If atheism is correct then nothing counts for anything because humanity is nothing. You appear and then you are gone. No meaning, no significance.

The here and now counts..

We have evolved complex emotions and drives, including a sense of meaning. This stuff exists whether or not we're mortal or not, or even if it's not objective.

 

[section9+1]

A sense of meaning is nothing more than a sense of imagination.

 

[Mountain_Girl406]

MG
Alright. I can only tell you how it went for me. I come from a secular family. No one witnessed to me, no one taught me anything and while I can't say I ever felt any real opposition to God, for the most part he wasn't on my mind at all. I just felt curious about the bible all of a sudden and I thought maybe I'd read a little and see what it said. I started in Matthew and by the time I got into John, I knew it was telling me something. I committed to the lord and never looked back. If I can do it entirely on my own with no extra help, I suppose it can't be all that hard.

I've never felt opposition to God, I began to doubt His existence at a young age, the same age many begin to doubt the miraculous beings of their childhood. But I've tried 'fake it till you make it' ever since. I have read the Bible and continue to do so, and like Tinker Gray, have prayed, fasted, etc. I so far haven't felt what you speak of. I may continue to try, some Christians on this board have even invited me into a helpful discussion in PMs, where we discuss God and different thinking about Him.