Christian Atheists.

[oi_antz]

Doesnt one have to have a basic belief of god to have a basic belief of Jesus? Or more they like the idea of the personification of jesus? Either way, I do not see how one can be a christian atheist when christianity requires a belief in god does it not? Especially seeing as Jesus is meant to be the physical form of god.

As a snapshot at any time a person may be suitably identified as either atheist or Christian. Do you say then that his eternal state of salvation depends on his belief at any one time? Maybe the time of death? I don't. Its not even my place to make that judgement. We will all believe in God, isn't that right? Is an atheist who loses his right to ignore God always going to be non-Christian? If you think yes to that question do you mind showing the words that back it up in the bible?

 

[oi_antz]

The purpose of this thread was to stimulate thoughts, discussion, ideas and share opinions like the ones you have kindly shared with us. I don't know what you mean by effect?

Ok we will see the effect. How has it affected your understanding of the topic?

 

[Sectio Aurea]

Ok we will see the effect. How has it affected your understanding of the topic?

I'm not sure I understand your question but FYI...

Although one could correctly describe me as atheist, I believe Jesus Christ existed, I also agree, admire and respect the teachings of Jesus Christ and any true followers of his teachings.

However I reject his divinity and any of the miracles or supernatural events depicted in the gospels.

Would that make me a Christian atheist?

 

[Ken-1122]

I'm not sure I understand your question but FYI...

Although one could correctly describe me as atheist, I believe Jesus Christ existed, I also agree, admire and respect the teachings of Jesus Christ and any true followers of his teachings.

However I reject his divinity and any of the miracles or supernatural events depicted in the gospels.

Would that make me a Christian atheist?

No just an atheist. Many Atheists believe Jesus was a good person, but that isn't enough to be Christian; ou gotta believe he is the son of God. Christian Atheist is a contridiction in terms.

Ken

 

[wintermile]

Can one be Christian and Atheist at the same time?

Christian atheism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I recently read an article about Christian Atheists.

Corrie Ten Boom stated, "The center of His will is our only safety" Those that never let up on their faith (and worship) are Christians. As suggested in the article, Christian Atheists fall short of worshipping in spirit and in truth. Still, Yeshua is clear about gathering all of His sheep; that includes some Christian Atheists.

Last year I read an article available at the Voice of the Martyrs online classroom that has a similar message. If Christians do not apply intercessory prayer for others in their walk (or other types of prayer), they are practicing atheism.


Is Your Church Filled with Christian Atheists? on EthicsDaily.com

This challenge is not new. The church has been filled with practical atheists for a long time.

In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul reveals that Timothy's own congregation contains many who believed in myths, superstitions and "lies" (1 Timothy 1:3-4).

Paul didn't direct his attack toward non-believers; his accusation aimed directly at Christians who claimed to believe in Christ but acted as if no transformation in Christ – no salvation – had occurred.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Although one could correctly describe me as atheist, I believe Jesus Christ existed, I also agree, admire and respect the teachings of Jesus Christ and any true followers of his teachings.

However I reject his divinity and any of the miracles or supernatural events depicted in the gospels.

Would that make me a Christian atheist?

Pretty much.

This may be watered down if you are eclectic, but if you feel some special connection to Christian symbolism, ritual, or culture, then I would say definitely yes.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[quatona]

Although one could correctly describe me as atheist, I believe Jesus Christ existed, I also agree, admire and respect the teachings of Jesus Christ and any true followers of his teachings.

However I reject his divinity and any of the miracles or supernatural events depicted in the gospels.

Would that make me a Christian atheist?

The label "Christian" has a long tradition in signifying a religious conviction. Therefore, using it for a purely moral/ethical conviction is likely to cause misunderstandings.
How about calling yourself an "atheist Jesusian" instead?

Anyway - pick whatever label you see fit, and if the person you are talking to gives you a clueless look, you can easily explain your position in two short sentences (as you have just demonstrated).

 

[Eudaimonist]

How about calling yourself an "atheist Jesusian" instead?

Have you ever tried to say "Jesusian"?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[quatona]

Have you ever tried to say "Jesusian"?

I´m practicing. It always comes out with a German accent, though.
Then again, "Christian" isn´t the easiest word to pronounce, either.

 

[Serendipity..]

Dunno about Christian atheists, but the big question is if you can be a fundamentalist rationalist....oooooooooooooohhh....

Hmm imagine the dialogue of a christian atheist.


Every time they spoke in tongues they would have to argue with themselves about the existence of the holy spirit.

 

[jayem]

The label "Christian" has a long tradition in signifying a religious conviction. Therefore, using it for a purely moral/ethical conviction is likely to cause misunderstandings.
How about calling yourself an "atheist Jesusian" instead?

Anyway - pick whatever label you see fit, and if the person you are talking to gives you a clueless look, you can easily explain your position in two short sentences (as you have just demonstrated).

You could call yourself a "Jeffersonian" Christian. Since that's pretty much what TJ believed. He accepted Jesus's moral teachings (mostly) but didn't believe he was in any way divine or supernatural.

 

[oi_antz]

I'm not sure I understand your question but FYI...

Although one could correctly describe me as atheist, I believe Jesus Christ existed, I also agree, admire and respect the teachings of Jesus Christ and any true followers of his teachings.

However I reject his divinity and any of the miracles or supernatural events depicted in the gospels.

Would that make me a Christian atheist?

It sounds like you could be aspiring to the nature of Christ but not able to believe the events ascribed to Him. You said you reject His divinity, do you have a specific reason for that?

 

[Sectio Aurea]

It sounds like you could be aspiring to the nature of Christ but not able to believe the events ascribed to Him. You said you reject His divinity, do you have a specific reason for that?

Firstly because I believe that anything "supernatural", specifically entities like Gods, Goddesses, Spirits, Ghosts, Angels and Demons are extremely unlikely to exist.

Secondly because I believe over time (specifically the first few decades after Jesus death) that the accounts of his teachings have been exaggerated and improved upon by others until they became more legend than fact.

In other words although I admire and respect the moral standards of Jesus, I do not actually attribute them (entirely) to Jesus.

 

[oi_antz]

Firstly because I believe that anything "supernatural", specifically entities like Gods, Goddesses, Spirits, Ghosts, Angels and Demons are extremely unlikely to exist.

Secondly because I believe over time (specifically the first few decades after Jesus death) that the accounts of his teachings have been exaggerated and improved upon by others until they became more legend than fact.

In other words although I admire and respect the moral standards of Jesus, I do not actually attribute them (entirely) to Jesus.

It sounds like you might partially believe the accounts of Jesus' life and legacy, as recorded by His followers. Could you briefly summarize the parts you believe are true about Him and what He is reported to have said, compared to the parts you believe may have been inflated?

 

[Sectio Aurea]

It sounds like you might partially believe the accounts of Jesus' life and legacy, as recorded by His followers. Could you briefly summarize the parts you believe are true about Him and what He is reported to have said, compared to the parts you believe may have been inflated?

We do not have any accounts recorded by his followers.The gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John were written by authors who were born many decades after Jesus died. So I really cannot distinguish what Jesus said, from what is legend.

 

[Sectio Aurea]

Pretty much.

This may be watered down if you are eclectic, but if you feel some special connection to Christian symbolism, ritual, or culture, then I would say definitely yes.


eudaimonia,

Mark

I don't feel any special connection to "Christian symbolism, ritual, or culture" nor do I believe that Christianity has the monopoly on morality or ethics.

 

[Sectio Aurea]

The label "Christian" has a long tradition in signifying a religious conviction. Therefore, using it for a purely moral/ethical conviction is likely to cause misunderstandings.
How about calling yourself an "atheist Jesusian" instead?

Anyway - pick whatever label you see fit, and if the person you are talking to gives you a clueless look, you can easily explain your position in two short sentences (as you have just demonstrated).

I dont really like labels, my theistic position is of little importance to me, I am many other things before my theistic position. But I guess if I were to give myself a label for my theistic position it would be agnostic-atheist.

 

[quatona]

I dont really like labels, my theistic position is of little importance to me, I am many other things before my theistic position. But I guess if I were to give myself a label for my theistic position it would be agnostic-atheist.

Hey, I was under the impression that this thread was all about the label "Christian atheist".

 

[Eudaimonist]

I don't feel any special connection to "Christian symbolism, ritual, or culture" nor do I believe that Christianity has the monopoly on morality or ethics.

Then the term is a weak hit at best. Your own term is probably better.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Sectio Aurea]

Hey, I was under the impression that this thread was all about the label "Christian atheist".

And you would be correct. But personally I am more atheistic towards the Christian God than any of the other Gods. I havent studied as much on the other Gods.