What do christians think of atheists?

[Kristin E]

My feelings, from knowledge, not ignorance, towards the unbeliever are clearly articulated by the truths of the Scriptures. The unbeliever...

- is deceitful and desperately sick (Jer. 17:9);
- is full of evil (Mark 7:21-23);
- loves darkness rather than light (John 3:19);
- is unrighteous, does not understand, does not seek for God (Rom. 3:10-12);
- is helpless and ungodly (Rom. 5:6);
- is dead in his trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1);
- is by nature a child of wrath (Eph. 2:3);
- cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14); and
- is a slave of sin (Rom. 6:16-20).

It is quite simple. Non-believers, deep down, know God is, they just don't like the God who is. I bear you no negative feelings, rather it is my fervent hope that you understand the good news and pray that it be the will of God to quicken you to eternal life.

The Good News: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 8:1; 10:9; 10:13

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13
For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

AMR

Quoted For Truth! You have a point there!

 

[undoing]

I know where you're coming from. Particularly in real life (as opposed to internet forums) scientists are going to debate ideas. However, on internet forums (this forum is not the only one I post on), sceptics almost universally agree with each other (that is, they will always quote other sceptics who posted, congratulating them on making fantastic points). Christians do the same, of course, when they see a fellow Christian post a great response. But my point is that I rarely see sceptics disagree with each other when it comes to discussing matters of belief in deities.

Just a thought to consider

~ PA

The discussions on belief coming from skeptics is a strange one. Some opinions do differ but many who are intellectually honest will accumulate around central ideas, such as there being little to know evidence of God's existence; scripture as being contradictory; belief being subjective, etc. Arguments which arise between skeptics alike, for instance, when an atheist claims that there isn't a God, you might find that an agnostic in this debate is going to be largely supported.

Why are you so concerned in what a believer thinks of you? I can tell you why...it's because a part of you...you know, the holy spirit that is in you is trying to tell you the truth and your spending all your time trying to prove it wrong. Sit down, take a deep breath, think for a minute, let the spirit tell you what you need to hear, after, read the Bible, join a church body, doesn't matter which one and get involved. If that doesn't do it for you....I will be praying double time for you! God be with you my truth searching friend.

I'm really here to understand, and learn more effective ways to get along with people of different beliefs, and similar values.

My feelings, from knowledge, not ignorance, towards the unbeliever are clearly articulated by the truths of the Scriptures.

I appreciate that you call this knowledge, that from the Scriptures would have be knowledge of the Scriptures. As to their truth bearing factors on reality outside of these, say for instance, in a nonchristian country, I can't say. In my opinion these beliefs can only apply to those who believe in them, as being reprasentative of the truth.

The unbeliever...

- is deceitful[sup]*a[/sup] and desperately sick[sup]b[/sup] (Jer. 17:9);
- is full of evil (Mark 7:21-23);
- loves darkness rather than light (John 3:19);
- is unrighteous[sup]c[/sup], does not understand[sup]d[/sup], does not seek for God[sup]e[/sup] (Rom. 3:10-12);
- is helpless and ungodly[sup]e[/sup] (Rom. 5:6);
- is dead[sup]f[/sup] in his trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1);
- is by nature a child of wrath[sup]g[/sup] (Eph. 2:3);
- cannot understand spiritual[sup]h[/sup] things (1 Cor. 2:14); and
- is a slave[sup]i[/sup] of sin (Rom. 6:16-20).

*a. I seek the truth, I speak what I believe is truth, and I'm always willing to improve what my version of the truth is.
b. I'm feeling ok at the moment but thanks for asking.
c. If this means doing what is considered right by social standards of abiding by the law and leading by example, then I am not an unrighteous man.
d. I understand what ever I am able to understand when I'm presented with it. Why should the lack of ability to comprehend something become a negative point about me as a person? I think this is slightly outdated view of what being a "good" person is about.
e. I don't know about helpless, but you would need to define what godly is. Is it upstanding, honest, etc - as I mentioned above - even in part?
f. Dead? I'm alive as far as I can tell, then were it that I weren't I probably wouldn't know if I were.
g. I think most are guilty of wrath to some extent. Some Christian parents might know the limitations of their patience. As I certainly know of the wrath of the middle ages concerning those "convicted" of witchcraft.
h. I understand, overwhelmingly, I'm just not convinced.
i. I could become Buddhist, if I felt like it. I believe a Buddhist is unable to be a slave to commiting worldly sin (attrocities). And I've never heard of violence being raised in the form of war, etc by Buddhists.

It is quite simple. Non-believers, deep down, know God is, they just don't like the God who is. I bear you no negative feelings, rather it is my fervent hope that you understand the good news and pray that it be the will of God to quicken you to eternal life.

I'm much more inclined to agree to there being a God (whom no person knows in even the slightest), than to believe in a version of God from other men, let alone follow the "rules" of God from such - It's preposterous!

The Good News: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 8:1; 10:9; 10:13

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13
For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

AMR

I think there are some beautiful literary pieces in the bible. Thankyou for sharing some of them here. I think they are thought provoking and can be a source of inspiration, especially in times of desperation. My view is that one nicely stated truism doesn't make the next equally nice.
Please forgive whatever offence I might have created in expressing my beliefs. I'm happy to be completely honest while maintaining respect for one another.
Kind regards.

 

[jcnwog]

prayer is what you need, again feeding you our spiritual belief means nothing to you. your question is sort of out of context and absolutely try's to bring christians to argue with you because that's pretty much what we are doing.

we throw a scripture you bring up an excuse.

undoing says :"I'm really here to understand, and learn more effective ways to get along with people of different beliefs, and similar values."

what you said above: you do that. examine the numerous threads and i pray one day a thread will get to you spiritually. until then i rest my case with unbelievers "cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14).

your just that and even to all the members on this site that are christians. there is no need to feed into this demonic spirit. all he needs is prayer and guidance. he even said he was a christian, don't know how you lost faith or what caused you to leave god and turn your back on him and then all of a sudden you ask what we think about atheists.

atheists are unbelievers in god what do you think we are suppose to think of you? there are numerous scriptures that present to what god thinks of unbelievers so why should believers waste time explaining to you on what we think. its not about what we think its what god thinks.

if your talking socially, of course i have nothing but love for PEOPLE. if your a unbeliever why should i put that against you as a person? but spiritually why be around someone and they are not helping me spiritually grow with god and also could be discouraging me about a god?

and you say i have a smart tone? okay, its not a tone its more like a calm tone. why should i get mad over your unbelief in god? you live your life and what us christians do and continuously do for the lost is PRAY!

now maybe that last sentence was a bit of smart tone because it should.

 

[jcnwog]

@ AMR

wow that was a mindblowing post! i actually saved that to a word document for my own keeping! PRAISE GOD FOR THAT! WOOOOOOO!

 

[Italianguy]

prayer is what you need, again feeding you our spiritual belief means nothing to you. your question is sort of out of context and absolutely try's to bring christians to argue with you because that's pretty much what we are doing.

we throw a scripture you bring up an excuse.

undoing says :"I'm really here to understand, and learn more effective ways to get along with people of different beliefs, and similar values."

what you said above: you do that. examine the numerous threads and i pray one day a thread will get to you spiritually. until then i rest my case with unbelievers "cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14).

your just that and even to all the members on this site that are christians. there is no need to feed into this demonic spirit. all he needs is prayer and guidance. he even said he was a christian, don't know how you lost faith or what caused you to leave god and turn your back on him and then all of a sudden you ask what we think about atheists.

atheists are unbelievers in god what do you think we are suppose to think of you? there are numerous scriptures that present to what god thinks of unbelievers so why should believers waste time explaining to you on what we think. its not about what we think its what god thinks.

if your talking socially, of course i have nothing but love for PEOPLE. if your a unbeliever why should i put that against you as a person? but spiritually why be around someone and they are not helping me spiritually grow with god and also could be discouraging me about a god?

and you say i have a smart tone? okay, its not a tone its more like a calm tone. why should i get mad over your unbelief in god? you live your life and what us christians do and continuously do for the lost is PRAY!

now maybe that last sentence was a bit of smart tone because it should.

 

[undoing]

prayer is what you need, again feeding you our spiritual belief means nothing to you. your question is sort of out of context and absolutely try's to bring christians to argue with you because that's pretty much what we are doing.

Hearing your spiritual belief is appreciated. If you haven't noticed, all my previous posts regarding kind well wishers have been thankfully respected.
I'm not out of context, I think the pinacle of the argument (non-agressive, consensus focused argument) has been touched on briefly in the last 10 posts (approx).
That of holding belief versus espousing one as true and correct.

we throw a scripture you bring up an excuse.

Can you illustrate this point with an example?

undoing says :"I'm really here to understand, and learn more effective ways to get along with people of different beliefs, and similar values."

Getting along is important to me, regardless of religious belief, colour, or creed.

what you said above: you do that. examine the numerous threads and i pray one day a thread will get to you spiritually. until then i rest my case with unbelievers "cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14).

So because I don't believe, you assume I don't understand?

your just that and even to all the members on this site that are christians. there is no need to feed into this demonic spirit. all he needs is prayer and guidance. he even said he was a christian, don't know how you lost faith or what caused you to leave god and turn your back on him and then all of a sudden you ask what we think about atheists.

I don't know but you sound all over the place there. You say I'm a demonic spirit, don't "feed in-to", give guidance and prayer, then ask how and why I left God and don't understand Christian perspective.
I'll separate further for this last one:
I'm not claiming there isn't a God, I'm not anti Christian so why catagorise me among "demonic spirits" and the like?
I don't understand the next part about not "feeding into" unless you mean to say don't attempt to understand what I'm saying because I make good points. If I'm wrong you'll correct me I should hope. I was a christian during a short time of my late childhood. My belief in Jesus wasn't reinforced because I moved area, and my parents aren't believers. Please try to make your posts more clear, as it's awkward responding to mixed messages.

atheists are unbelievers in god what do you think we are suppose to think of you? there are numerous scriptures that present to what god thinks of unbelievers so why should believers waste time explaining to you on what we think. its not about what we think its what god thinks.

I'd like to believe that every Christian makes up their own mind concerning basic interactions, behaviours, etc. I fear that you will be attempting to live in an impossible way if you think you have to follow the bible word for word. I wish you well.

if your talking socially, of course i have nothing but love for PEOPLE. if your a unbeliever why should i put that against you as a person? but spiritually why be around someone and they are not helping me spiritually grow with god and also could be discouraging me about a god?

Before I was a Satanic monster, now just a person who doesn't believe. I can see some conflicting ideas in the position you've adopted.

and you say i have a smart tone? okay, its not a tone its more like a calm tone. why should i get mad over your unbelief in god? you live your life and what us christians do and continuously do for the lost is PRAY!

now maybe that last sentence was a bit of smart tone because it should.

Thankyou for being honest.
Kind regards.

 

[Italianguy]

Hearing your spiritual belief is appreciated. If you haven't noticed, all my previous posts regarding kind well wishers have been thankfully respected.
I'm not out of context, I think the pinacle of the argument (non-agressive, consensus focused argument) has been touched on briefly in the last 10 posts (approx).
That of holding belief versus espousing one as true and correct.

Can you illustrate this point with an example?

Getting along is important to me, regardless of religious belief, colour, or creed.

So because I don't believe, you assume I don't understand?

I don't know but you sound all over the place there. You say I'm a demonic spirit, don't "feed in-to", give guidance and prayer, then ask how and why I left God and don't understand Christian perspective.
I'll separate further for this last one:
I'm not claiming there isn't a God, I'm not anti Christian so why catagorise me among "demonic spirits" and the like?
I don't understand the next part about not "feeding into" unless you mean to say don't attempt to understand what I'm saying because I make good points. If I'm wrong you'll correct me I should hope. I was a christian during a short time of my late childhood. My belief in Jesus wasn't reinforced because I moved area, and my parents aren't believers. Please try to make your posts more clear, as it's awkward responding to mixed messages.

I'd like to believe that every Christian makes up their own mind concerning basic interactions, behaviours, etc. I fear that you will be attempting to live in an impossible way if you think you have to follow the bible word for word. I wish you well.

Before I was a Satanic monster, now just a person who doesn't believe. I can see some conflicting ideas in the position you've adopted.

Thankyou for being honest.
Kind regards.

Before you became a satanic monster and now an unbeliever, what brought you to this? I mean why are you an unbeliever? Just asking.

God is with you.

 

[jcnwog]

...

 

[undoing]

Because of the volume of content involved and apparent nuance of reading pages of the same material. Could posters omit requoting entire posts, simply post "I agree, etc" instead, or give blessings to the original poster instead.
The same thing written ten times is still the same thing.

 

[undoing]

Before you became a satanic monster and now an unbeliever, what brought you to this? I mean why are you an unbeliever? Just asking.

God is with you.

Basically because there is no evidence which I think is valid.

weird every other member agrees with me and has not quoted me and looked for a reply and yet you do?

AMEN!

Ok, see what happens when everyone tries to storm through the door?
This question is horrendously funny, I happen to not agree on many of your opinions. Some of these I have said are contradictory, I've asked you can define an unbeliever in two completely different ways.
How do you give and refuse to give, for instance, you sound irrational on this point.
Yet there seems to be something amusing in it all that's separate from the discussion.

 

[jcnwog]

...

 

[jcnwog]

...

 

[jcnwog]

you know what dude i'm totally sorry. i thought for a minute this thread was in the non-denominational section. and realized this section was about exploring christianity and its for people who don't know for to explore. this certainly isn't my cup of tea to do a constant "back and forth" deal.

so sorry and i did not mean to post in this thread or this section in the forum.

sorry mods if you look at my post and if it was for any target to the op or it seemed out of context please let me know via private messaging because it was error not knowing this was a "exploring christianity section" i thought it was a non-denominational thread!

whoops!!

 

[Everlasting33]

I respect the religious differences in those around me. I feel empathetic for those who reject Christianity due to a variety of reasons, especially those who believe its illogical to believe in God.

You came to your decision based on past experiences and feelings. Who am I to condemn you for that?

That being said, I do find that more Christians than atheists show compassion, joy, peace, and the "fruits of the spirit." When I was agnostic for many years, I acknowledged this difference and I very much wanted it for myself.

 

[undoing]

AMR has throw scriptures which are from the bible but you go on and find excuses?

This isn't an example, it's a point of view.

that's good and i'm glad your getting along and that's what matters.

Thanks, but I think getting along matters to all concerned.

So because I don't believe, you assume I don't understand?

pretty much, you basically just lost faith in god and you have yet to explain how...

I came to a new understanding that didn't include believing my imagination was real. <-- true story --- subjectively speaking.

why? you ask why? if you knew spiritually allowing god to work in you, you will see what i see. flesh sees words and assumes i'm calling you a demonic being? i'm calling your spirit out for which the flesh will not understand.

Oh ok, you're only calling my soul a demon, ok, for a minute there I thought you were offending my person.
I can't say the body is separate personally. I mean the mind isn't separate from the brain, so I can't imagine how the soul can be separate from the self. hmph, you think your conditioning your soul to written word and cultural experience make you a stronger spirit. Nice to hear, who would like to do something else? *everyone trying not to look interested.

I don't understand the next part about not "feeding into" unless you mean to say don't attempt to understand what I'm saying because I make good points. If I'm wrong you'll correct me I should hope. I was a christian during a short time of my late childhood. My belief in Jesus wasn't reinforced because I moved area, and my parents aren't believers. Please try to make your posts more clear, as it's awkward responding to mixed messages.

it shouldn't be...your surrounding yourself around christian and jesus christ believers, not my fault you feel awkward because every other christian believer sees my point.

I think it's highly amusing that you think every christian agrees with you. The delivery you made was topsy turvey, I said that this incohesive style made replying awkward and asked if you would write more clearly in the future.

i actually live a life easy, thanks to jesus christ! for it being i get along with a lot of people but i know who to surround myself around and who to not surround myself around. why be around someone and all they are going to do is idolize the world or what they are doing and what they have been doing? when god is doing all the work...again you wouldn't understand that point because your not holy spiritually strong.

So you are opinionated against nonbelievers. You interact here and show some abrasiveness in your words. You say to help believers and that they're not worthy of helping. You say give guidance to them who don't believe, and say that Christians should avoid socialising with them.
You are opinionated against nonbelievers, it isn't only discrimination of separating the two but you also say prejudice is the solution. To refuse to interact with nonbelievers since they are evil, wicked, etc.
I say you aren't sounding like a very decent example of what is good and moral.

interesting, again i have yet for another christian in this forum or for that manner in my daily life have someone said something is wrong with me. again that's maybe because your living a life that you just can't turn your way from lol and that's the christian belief. you can't run away from god dude once you have a direct relationship from him. if all you wanted to do was join a forum to get a better direct relationship with christians then your motive is wrong.

I think your morals are more your opinion than trully reflective of the entire world. According to you, it's your duty to separate yourself from demons so you can do what's in accordance with God. I think it's incredibly weak in position for a Christian as helping others and improving lives and the world in general require a lot of really hard, physical, work. lol

 

[Kristin E]

I respect the religious differences in those around me. I feel empathetic for those who reject Christianity due to a variety of reasons, especially those who believe its illogical to believe in God.

You came to your decision based on past experiences and feelings. Who am I to condemn you for that?

That being said, I do find that more Christians than atheists show compassion, joy, peace, and the "fruits of the spirit." When I was agnostic for many years, I acknowledged this difference and I very much wanted it for myself.

I agree

 

[undoing]

I respect the religious differences in those around me. I feel empathetic for those who reject Christianity due to a variety of reasons, especially those who believe its illogical to believe in God.

Thankyou for your reply.
I don't think it's illogical as such as belief is a sort of illogic which includes nonbelief aswell. I just don't have what I consider a good reason to believe.

You came to your decision based on past experiences and feelings. Who am I to condemn you for that?

I agree with your view that allows for different perspectives.

That being said, I do find that more Christians than atheists show compassion, joy, peace, and the "fruits of the spirit." When I was agnostic for many years, I acknowledged this difference and I very much wanted it for myself.

I think it takes a philosophical sort of atheist to find greater meaning in everyday living.

 

[brinny]

undoing, are you ok where you're at? if so, what's the problem?

 

[jcnwog]

first i will admit my words came out totally wrong because this was my first time going against someone that really is a non believer. during my daily life i encounter many people in my life that do not know of god and i just say i will pray for them and they say thank you and they live about their ways.

as for you. this is a forum i never encountered a confrontation like this before. if i came off arrogant, i'm totally sorry for i got defensive a bunch and that's something i have to work on since this is my second true forum i've been on. its hard to talk to someone via forums or internet than in person or over a telephone when talking on a topic that really is better to be talked to in person in my opinion.

so undoing again sorry for the misuse posts, it was not meant to come out like that let alone for me to be in this thread

 

[brinny]

first i will admit my words came out totally wrong because this was my first time going against someone that really is a non believer. during my daily life i encounter many people in my life that do not know of god and i just say i will pray for them and they say thank you and they live about their ways.

as for you. this is a forum i never encountered a confrontation like this before. if i came off arrogant, i'm totally sorry for i got defensive a bunch and that's something i have to work on since this is my second true forum i've been on. its hard to talk to someone via forums or internet than in person or over a telephone when talking on a topic that really is better to be talked to in person in my opinion.

so undoing again sorry for the misuse posts, it was not meant to come out like that let alone for me to be in this thread

you didn't do or say anything wrong.