Question about the disdain of atheism.

[us38]

In the topic about what people find unpleasant about atheism, a common response was "Atheism offers no hope". The question is, why does atheism offer no hope; or, more specifically, what hope does christianity offer?

 

[£amb]

One thing about the word hope used within the bible does not mean wishing for something. For example, I hope my car starts in the morning or I hope my kids don't get sick. Hope is a confident expectation for christians. We have hope of what is to come after we die. We have hope that God is with us. We have hope that God is listening to us.

I'm not sure of the true meaning of what people were giving when they were saying that atheists are hopeless, but I'm wondering if they were meaning that for atheists, you don't have hope or confident expectation after you die. By not believing in heaven or hell, there is no hope of what's to come. I guess those people would have to explain instead of me.

I apologize if this doesn't make sense. It's hard to put in words what I'm trying to say and mean.

 

[Key]

One thing about the word hope used within the bible does not mean wishing for something. For example, I hope my car starts in the morning or I hope my kids don't get sick. Hope is a confident expectation for christians. We have hope of what is to come after we die. We have hope that God is with us. We have hope that God is listening to us.

I'm not sure of the true meaning of what people were giving when they were saying that atheists are hopeless, but I'm wondering if they were meaning that for atheists, you don't have hope or confident expectation after you die. By not believing in heaven or hell, there is no hope of what's to come. I guess those people would have to explain instead of me.

I apologize if this doesn't make sense. It's hard to put in words what I'm trying to say and mean.

This is a Great answer !

God Bless

Key

 

[Uphill Battle]

It's also a retrospective meaninglessness. For a Christian, who was at one point an unbeliever (be it a full fledged athiest, or agnostic, or even someone who grew up in a christian home, and had yet to make the step to following Christ) The restrospective feeling towards it is meaninglessness. If you have found your meaning in God, every other meaning before it IS meaningless.

 

[Zeena]

Philippians 3:8
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

 

[Robinsegg]

Christianity gives the hope
that we have a relationship with God
that we don't have to do anything but accept a gift for that relationship
that we will have a positive afterlife
that we will see our deceased loved ones again in the afterlife
that we will never again be accountable for our sins against God

Rachel

 

[heron]

why does atheism offer no hope

Those who said this were probably referring to eternal hope. But I find a difference between hope in daily life. Before feeling connected with God, I didn't have a good sense of where my life was headed or what I was aiming for. But on the small scale of daily life, there are always things that come up that give me a sense of purpose. For me, purpose is hope.

 

[McWilliams]

2. Let us learn hence, (1.) That atheism is folly, and atheists are the greatest fools in nature; for they see there is a world that could not make itself, and yet they will not own there is a God that made it. Doubtless, they are without excuse, but the god of this world has blinded their minds. (2.) That God is sovereign Lord of all by an incontestable right. If he is the Creator, no doubt he is the owner and possessor of heaven and earth. (3.) That with God all things are possible, and therefore happy are the people that have him for their God, and whose help and hope stand in his name, Ps. cxxi. 2; cxxiv. 8. (4.) That the God we serve is worthy of, and yet is exalted far above, all blessing and praise, Neh. ix. 5, 6. If he made the world, he needs not our services, nor can be benefited by them (Acts xvii. 24, 25), and yet he justly requires them, and deserves our praise, Rev. iv. 11. If all is of him, all must be to him.
(source:Matthew Henry Commentary on Genesis ch 1.)

 

[Confess]

In the topic about what people find unpleasant about atheism, a common response was "Atheism offers no hope". The question is, why does atheism offer no hope; or, more specifically, what hope does christianity offer?

I don't believe in atheism. I don't believe that a person can be one in the truest sense.

For those who reject God, their heaven is here on earth. Being one that lives here (), I can say that this is not a pleasant place to be. It seems futile to try and live a "good" life here when it is so short and dismal.

For those who do not reject God, their heaven is a beautiful place. Life has hope on the other side. All of those whom I love and are saved will be there.

Christianity offers me more to look forward to.

 

[rocklife]

In the topic about what people find unpleasant about atheism, a common response was "Atheism offers no hope". The question is, why does atheism offer no hope; or, more specifically, what hope does christianity offer?

hope of life after death is one. He gives us assurances like a clean conscience and Holy Spirit if we humbly seek Truth and follow wholeheartedly to the end. God gives the answer to sin and death, with life and love.

 

[TAROT141]

I can see where atheism could offer great hope to some people

 

[Key]

I can see where atheism could offer great hope to some people

I do not think I understand, help me out a bit here.

A Life of constant deterioration of our flesh, our bodies breaking down, pain entering our every join, and if we are fortunate we do not loose bowl or motor control, where our mind finally starts to break down and then after this suffering our existence ending with our death. Is not hope in any form I can see.

Can you explain this please.

God Bless

Key

 

[Dave01]

If/when you finally reach up and receive an answer from GOD, I guess you will know what we know and understand why disbelief keeps others from understanding the truth that you just found.

 

[heron]

I do not think I understand, help me out a bit here.

That's going to be tricky -- I think that TAROT141 is trying to respect forum rules by not explaining too much. T, feel free to PM us when you build up enough posts.

 

[heron]

what hope does christianity offer?

This morning I turned on the tv and watched a bit of Kearny Thomas preaching. If you've ever heard him, you probably shook your head and switched the channel. Despite any scam-like appearances the show presents, I really do believe that God works mightily through this man to meet the needs of poor and sick people.

You can argue that all the healings of people who call in are hoaxes, but why bother? Christianity solidly teaches healing, and we are all supposed to be expecting God to heal others through us. I see it happening in our local churches, and hear it from people I know throughout the world. God heals. God brings miraculous rescue and solutions. Imagine what relief someone finds when they are able to work again, pay bills again, and be free from pain.

The principles of Christianity also bring community hope, because they teach sharing and practical support of the poor and needy. Christians build up organized networks to care for real needs, because they are in agreement that we need to sacrifice some of our own comforts if we want to pull others out of misery.

 

[SDiver218]

I don't believe in atheism. I don't believe that a person can be one in the truest sense.

For those who reject God, their heaven is here on earth. Being one that lives here (), I can say that this is not a pleasant place to be. It seems futile to try and live a "good" life here when it is so short and dismal.

For those who do not reject God, their heaven is a beautiful place. Life has hope on the other side. All of those whom I love and are saved will be there.

Christianity offers me more to look forward to.

You consider there to be no true atheists? What is your logic behind this? An atheist is one who lacks a belief in a god (the supernatural). If I do not believe in a god, and therefore meet the definition of atheism, how would I not be an atheist?

 

[Catherineanne]

In the topic about what people find unpleasant about atheism, a common response was "Atheism offers no hope". The question is, why does atheism offer no hope; or, more specifically, what hope does christianity offer?

I do not think, personally, that atheism offers no hope. There is certainly hope to be found in education, in civilisation, in altruism and in science, none of which rely on Christianity for their continuance. (Thank God, I might add, given Christianity's less than ideal history in relation to new ideas. )

I would say, therefore, that there is just as much hope in the faith which is atheism as there is in any other faith.

I will let others comment on the hope in Christianity.

 

[Catherineanne]

A Life of constant deterioration of our flesh, our bodies breaking down, pain entering our every join, and if we are fortunate we do not loose bowl or motor control, where our mind finally starts to break down and then after this suffering our existence ending with our death. Is not hope in any form I can see.

Life is not about the death of one person.

Even for an atheist, life continues through children, and grandchildren.

Everyone who has a child, whatever their faith, has hope for the future of mankind, and for our world.

 

[Catherineanne]

An atheist is one who lacks a belief in a god (the supernatural). If I do not believe in a god, and therefore meet the definition of atheism, how would I not be an atheist?

This is not the definition of an atheist, although it is a common misconception. An atheist is not just someone who lacks a belief in God, but someone who has an active belief that there is no God. And there most certainly are many many good and honourable people on earth who follow this belief, and I respect their right to do so without being derided for it.

Atheism is a faith, in other words, not an absence of faith. It is a positive, not a vacuum.

I see no reason to doubt that many such people will inadvertantly lead lives which follow Christ and his love, without ever knowing it, and who will therefore enter eternity at the end of their lives.

 

[Catherineanne]

You can argue that all the healings of people who call in are hoaxes, but why bother? Christianity solidly teaches healing, and we are all supposed to be expecting God to heal others through us. I see it happening in our local churches, and hear it from people I know throughout the world. God heals. God brings miraculous rescue and solutions. Imagine what relief someone finds when they are able to work again, pay bills again, and be free from pain.

Agreed. But atheism also teaches healing, through science and medicine.

The principles of Christianity also bring community hope, because they teach sharing and practical support of the poor and needy. Christians build up organized networks to care for real needs, because they are in agreement that we need to sacrifice some of our own comforts if we want to pull others out of misery.

Agreed again. But this is not in contradistinction to atheism. Atheists also share and offer practical support to the poor and needy. They too set up organised networks to care for real needs. They too sacrifice their own comfort to pull others out of misery. I am thinking of such organisations as Amnesty International, and of Live Aid, which are not predicated upon Christian faith.

None of this is uniquely Christian, therefore.

What is uniquely Christian is consciously behaving at all times and in all situations in a way which we believe Christ himself would have behaved, and showing not just our own limited love to the world, but also something of God's love.