What do Christians think of Atheists?

[just a believing guy]

An atheist asks another about a Christian claim...priceless.

 

[quatona]

IMO the biggest reason is the so-called "problem of evil".

The PoE isn´t an argument against the existence of a God. It´s an argument against a certain illogical god concept.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Nothing in the article remotely supports JABG's claim.

In fact it says the opposite.

Thanks...I just wanted to be sure it wasn't some personal bias or something.

 

[Ana the Ist]

An atheist asks another about a Christian claim...priceless.

It's really about reading comprehension...and I'm done discussing it.

Please keep your comments relevant to the topic.

 

[Freodin]

One reason for atheism that I have often heard - and just recently - is "pride".

I think this is very interesting, as it shows the completely different perspective that Christians and atheists view such a topic from.

Christians accuse atheists of "pride", because they don't want to "bow" or "submit" to an authority that the atheists simply do not believe exists.
Christians think themselves "humble", because they attribute everything worthwhile to their concept of "God". "He is everything. I am nothing".

On the other hand, (some) atheists consider the main idea of Christianity - a personal divine saviour - and the whole hierarchy of value that Christianity expresses - very "prideful".
The main power of the universe is basically a "perfect human"? Humans are the "crown of creation"? The universe will be burned and destroyed and there will be even eternal torment... but you will be saved? Some would say that this is "pride".

And the atheists can consider their own position "humble" as well. The universe is big and doesn't care about humans. Humans are not something important, number 2 on the ranking of existence... they are just some weird flukes in the net of existence. And whatever the driving forces of existence might be... they are not human.

 

[JoeP222w]

In general, I am very sad for them and how much they hate their Creator, after all that He has given them.

Specifically, I'm curious about what you think the reasons are that an atheist doesn't believe in god?

Because Atheists know God exists, they know that they are guilty of breaking His law, and they are choosing to suppress the truth in their unrighteousness before Him, because they believe that by denying Him that they will somehow escape His righteous wrath against them.

It is not because of lack of evidence, because there is an over abundance of evidence.

Another is that the atheist was somehow traumatized by life at some point and lost their faith.

No such person. They never had faith in God in the first place in this case.

So, as a simple matter of curiosity...I'd like to hear why you (as a believer) think an atheist doesn't believe in god. I'd also like to hear why you hold this belief about atheists (if you feel like using some introspection).

Because that is what the word of God says to be true. [Romans 1:18-21]

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

As an Atheist, I thought I was looking at evidence, was being logical etc.

As a theist, I see my former self as deluded and uneducated. I had thought Science and History had shown so many Christian ideas in error and that if they only read more or were better educated, they would be atheist. I often see the claim made that the free flow of information on the internet will cause a rise in atheism, but this is mistaken. A little information is a dangerous thing, but a lot of information isn't. It is more a belief in narrow truth constructs, lack of philosophical education and plain in-group/out-group dynamics that atheist cling to, in my opinion. It is not that they aren't thinking, but often they aren't thinking enough. Usually atheists will spout some argument from Dawkins or Hitchins or whatever - poorly thought through and unsound, instead of the great Atheist thinkers like Bertrand Russell. I think that if people actually go to the trouble of really understanding the underlying metaphysics, few would be atheist. It is adoption of an identity, a peacemeal approach to subjects and over-specialisation in one, along with a certain modern cachet to be atheist, perhaps.

In a word, I feel pity for all the atheists out there. For I know the dark little hole you dug for yourself, thinking it a palace. I used to live there myself.

 

[just a believing guy]

One reason for atheism that I have often heard - and just recently - is "pride".

I think this is very interesting, as it shows the completely different perspective that Christians and atheists view such a topic from.

Christians accuse atheists of "pride", because they don't want to "bow" or "submit" to an authority that the atheists simply do not believe exists.
Christians think themselves "humble", because they attribute everything worthwhile to their concept of "God". "He is everything. I am nothing".

On the other hand, (some) atheists consider the main idea of Christianity - a personal divine saviour - and the whole hierarchy of value that Christianity expresses - very "prideful".
The main power of the universe is basically a "perfect human"? Humans are the "crown of creation"? The universe will be burned and destroyed and there will be even eternal torment... but you will be saved? Some would say that this is "pride".

And the atheists can consider their own position "humble" as well. The universe is big and doesn't care about humans. Humans are not something important, number 2 on the ranking of existence... they are just some weird flukes in the net of existence. And whatever the driving forces of existence might be... they are not human.

Of course humans are the crown of creation; God has in humans incorporated all the traits needed to survive and thrive successfully. ''This could be Heaven for everyone.'' And this ''This could be Heaven for everyone'' must have been derived from the Prophet Isiah's profecy that ''all swords shall be turned into ploughs''.

Humans aren't something important? What are the scientists doing their jobs then for? Kicks? A-ha sensations? If yes, it says much about the nature of science and its opportunistic existence.

And no, Christians don't think they are nothing. Each Christian is a child of God. This is a subtle thing, nth to do with pride: man is made in the image of God.

 

[just a believing guy]

dp

 

[Honoluluwindow]

Specifically, I'm curious about what you think the reasons are that an atheist doesn't believe in god? I've been on the forum here for quite some time...and I frequently come across those who hold all sorts of beliefs about why atheists don't believe in god. By far, the rarest belief I've seen is that atheists genuinely don't believe for a lack of evidence...which is surprising since that's by far the most common explanation I've seen atheists give for their lack of a god-belief.

I've seen claims that atheists are in denial of god because they don't want some "authority figure" over them. Similarly, I've seen the desire to sin proposed as a reason. I've also seen other emotional reasons put forth...like perhaps the atheist had a particularly bad experience with a christian. Another is that the atheist was somehow traumatized by life at some point and lost their faith.

I understand that a lot of these beliefs exist because there are times when a christian may struggle with their faith...and end up in some way resenting or being angry with their god. While this may be the closest your average christian ever gets to being an atheist....it is not atheism for the simple fact that you cannot genuinely be angry/disappointed/or otherwise upset with something that you don't believe exists. Nevertheless, it's all that many christians can imagine about lacking a belief in a god...so that experience gets wrongfully projected onto the atheist.

So, as a simple matter of curiosity...I'd like to hear why you (as a believer) think an atheist doesn't believe in god. I'd also like to hear why you hold this belief about atheists (if you feel like using some introspection).

I understand as a topic it may feel a bit uncomfortable to admit to what you genuinely believe...so I'd like to assure you that I won't be passing any judgement on you for your opinions/beliefs. While I can't assure you that no other atheists will do the same...in the interest of mutual understanding...I do hope you'll be as honest as possible, even if your opinion may seem insulting.

Any thoughts?

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not: but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:1-6‬ ‭ASV‬‬

Scripture is the final authority on all affairs pertaining to humanity. Therefore, man is born spiritually dead to God. He has a spirit but it is like a corpse that cannot seek after God which is why he must be quickened and regenerated by God in order for him to see the things of God. Unfortunately for him he has a sin nature that is in total rebellion against anything that acknowledges the existence of God such as the Bible. However, he doesn't need to understand the entire bible for him to become a newborn human spirit, he only needs to understand the gospel and accept it.

So, please tell me what the content of the gospel means to you so that I will know why it is that you do not believe in a God.

 

[Desk trauma]

Humans aren't something important?

Humans are very important, to other humans. On a cosmic scale we are, at this point, largely irrelevant.

 

[just a believing guy]

Humans are very important, to other humans. On a cosmic scale we are, at this point, largely irrelevant.

Had there not been for the Earth, the universe would be largely different then it is now.

 

[bhsmte]

How does one know anything? I believe that is exactly problem with atheism.

my questions is how do you claim to know so much about how atheists think? You make clear claims of having this knowledge, clue us in on how you arrived at it.

 

[bhsmte]

I read the whole thing...and you made two claims.

1. That belief in Satan is a good thing.
2. Many psychologists agree that belief in Satan is a good thing.

Not only does the article you linked not support your claims, it provides evidence that the exact opposite is true...belief in Satan is not a good thing.

Well, what a surprise.

 

[Larniavc]

In general, I am very sad for them and how much they hate their Creator, after all that He has given them.

Atheists don't hate God.

It's very hard to hate something that one believes does not exist.

 

[Larniavc]

Had there not been for the Earth, the universe would be largely different then it is now.

Certainly in universe 616.

 

[bhsmte]

So nowhere in the article does it actually say anything about the belief in Satan being a good thing.

Glad we cleared that up.

Conclusion; if you dont see it, just make it up.

 

[bhsmte]

Atheists don't hate God.

It's very hard to hate something that one believes does not exist.

Yep, i never quite got that one. Someone does not believe something exists, but they hate it at the same time. That would require some serious psychological gymnastics.

 

[bhsmte]

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not: but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:1-6‬ ‭ASV‬‬

Scripture is the final authority on all affairs pertaining to humanity. Therefore, man is born spiritually dead to God. He has a spirit but it is like a corpse that cannot seek after God which is why he must be quickened and regenerated by God in order for him to see the things of God. Unfortunately for him he has a sin nature that is in total rebellion against anything that acknowledges the existence of God such as the Bible. However, he doesn't need to understand the entire bible for him to become a newborn human spirit, he only needs to understand the gospel and accept it.

So, please tell me what the content of the gospel means to you so that I will know why it is that you do not believe in a God.

For me personally, it was a thorough review of the gospels, by reading the works of many different scholars and historians, that started to give me great pause in the claims of christianity.

 

[Freodin]

Yep, i never quite got that one. Someone does not believe something exists, but they hate it at the same time. That would require some serious psychological gymnastics.

I never understood that either... but with a slight slant.

I think you can "hate" (or "love") something that you don't believe "exists" in reality. You can "love" or "hate" fictional characters... though these feelings would be different from the "love" or "hate that you have towards really things.

But in my view, to display even that version of "love" or "hate", you need to be able to relate to a fictional character... and here "God" as a character simply doesn't offer me anything to relate to.
In another example, I could say that in "Lord of the Rings", I "hate" Grima Wormtongue. He is human, behaves like a human, and a despicable one as that. But I never would say that I "hate" Sauron. He is just some distant, characterless evil that floats over Mordor. It seems... unreal.

And here were could draw the full circle: you can only "love" or "hate" what you can imagine as real.