What you (Christians) think of Atheists

[mulimulix]

I'm back after a long hiatus. I kinda like asking one or two questions every couple of months and here is my question today:

What do you think of atheists? (Assuming you are a Christian)

Living in Australia, I do not come into contact with a whole lot of very religious people. Most of my friends are atheists and the ones that aren't are deists and they respect my views as I do to theirs.

What I am interested in knowing is what a religious person (in this case, Christians) think of non-believers. I don't mean to place stereotypes or offend, but my perception of what Christians think of atheists is a pretty negative one.

Before I ramble on, let me know your answer

Edit: I find it kind of ironic that the avatar for an atheist on the forums is a person with a brain...Why is that?

 

[E.C.]

I'm back after a long hiatus. I kinda like asking one or two questions every couple of months and here is my question today:

What do you think of atheists? (Assuming you are a Christian)

I think that Atheists are people who really need our prayers more than most others.

Frankly it depends on what lead someone to become an Atheist. If an Atheist was the victim of some sort of abuse be it physical, spiritual, mental, verbal or sexual than that's a different story from someone who woke up one day and decided to "rebel" against all they knew. Even then above that it depends on how the Atheist acts towards religious people. I tend to get along better with Atheists who are respectful of me and my beliefs even if they don't agree with them. If the Atheist is one of those "you belief in <insert religion here> therefore you are foolish and stupid" than those sorts truly have problems to have such hatred towards something. Those are the ones who need our prayers the most.

 

[solarwave]

It depends what kind of atheist they are. Some are arrogant, some are ignorant, but some are genuinely trying to seek the truth.

 

[oi_antz]

I'm back after a long hiatus. I kinda like asking one or two questions every couple of months and here is my question today:

What do you think of atheists? (Assuming you are a Christian)

Living in Australia, I do not come into contact with a whole lot of very religious people. Most of my friends are atheists and the ones that aren't are deists and they respect my views as I do to theirs.

What I am interested in knowing is what a religious person (in this case, Christians) think of non-believers. I don't mean to place stereotypes or offend, but my perception of what Christians think of atheists is a pretty negative one.

Before I ramble on, let me know your answer

Edit: I find it kind of ironic that the avatar for an atheist on the forums is a person with a brain...Why is that?

I have read on another post that the atheist symbol was designed by an atheist, and it really sums up nicely that they tend to listen to the brain more than the spirit. I have no hard feelings toward atheists in general, I do find that some forms of atheism are somewhat harmful though when they seek to deter people from discovering God..

 

[Mr Dave]

I would form opinions about an individual rather than the group as a whole. As Solarwave said, some are incredibly arrogant and only feign attempt at any serious discussion. Others are up for intelligent discussion. I would view these differently. It's worth mentioning that I think the same about Christians too, some can be incredibly arrogant and refuse to engage in serious discussion, others are 'as Christians should be'. Thankfully I think the militant arrogant ones are minorities in both cases. I feel I'm rambling now

 

[Supreme]

Atheists are cool. Obviously, as a Christian I believe they are somewhat misguided. But the atheists I know are good people with sincere hearts.

 

[mulimulix]

I have no hard feelings toward atheists in general, I do find that some forms of atheism are somewhat harmful though when they seek to deter people from discovering God..

I can't help but ask why you say this when religious people (not just Christians) are the biggest offenders of this on the other end. Religious people trying to convert non-religious people is just as bad (in my opinion, worse) than non-religious people un-converting, if you will, religious people.

As for the other answers, I suppose there was nothing unexpected. But from a Christian point of view, shouldn't one be doing everything they can to try and 'save' their atheist friends or atheists in general. I'm actually surprised that my only Christian friend hasn't tried to save me, because from her point of view, I am going to be spending eternity in hell. If I were her, I would want to save my friend from that.

Any thoughts?

 

[oi_antz]

I can't help but ask why you say this when religious people (not just Christians) are the biggest offenders of this on the other end. Religious people trying to convert non-religious people is just as bad (in my opinion, worse) than non-religious people un-converting, if you will, religious people.

As for the other answers, I suppose there was nothing unexpected. But from a Christian point of view, shouldn't one be doing everything they can to try and 'save' their atheist friends or atheists in general. I'm actually surprised that my only Christian friend hasn't tried to save me, because from her point of view, I am going to be spending eternity in hell. If I were her, I would want to save my friend from that.

Any thoughts?

Yes indeed I do have thoughts about that.

Firstly, turning away from God will ultimately not put you in favor with the creator. Turning toward Him will, so in my opinion there is no harm done by assisting people to find God. When a religion does become harmful is when they begin imposing their beliefs upon others, but this can be said true about the non-religious too.

Secondly, it is impossible to convert a person by mere human effort. The recipient must be willing to discover what God want's them to know. I'd be surprised too if your Christian friend has silently allowed you to hold false opinions about God without offering a rebuttal, but besides that there isn't really a whole lot one can do to bring you to God unless you walk through the door yourself. I trust your friend understands that you have heard the gospel message already, and decided that it doesn't suit you?

 

[razeontherock]

Agreeing with everything that's been said here, not really seeing anything that needs to be added. Looking forward to the OP's response to these questions ...

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

I used to be an athiest, so they do not bother me (unless they are the arrogant kind that tries to stir up trouble with Christians).

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

I can't help but ask why you say this when religious people (not just Christians) are the biggest offenders of this on the other end. Religious people trying to convert non-religious people is just as bad (in my opinion, worse) than non-religious people un-converting, if you will, religious people.

As for the other answers, I suppose there was nothing unexpected. But from a Christian point of view, shouldn't one be doing everything they can to try and 'save' their atheist friends or atheists in general. I'm actually surprised that my only Christian friend hasn't tried to save me, because from her point of view, I am going to be spending eternity in hell. If I were her, I would want to save my friend from that.

Any thoughts?

Maybe your friend knows that pushing her religion down your throat isn't going to help. Some people do try to push Christianity, while others try to make make it appealing by how they live and interact with others. Neither type was responsible for my own conversion, but the first type definitely helped turn me off further from Christianity for a while.

Also, maybe she is praying for you.

 

[Supreme]

I used to be an athiest, so they do not bother me (unless they are the arrogant kind that tries to stir up trouble with Christians).

I agree with this. Many of us here are former atheists, so disliking atheists would be disliking our old selves. And that's silly

 

[Emmy]

Dear mulimulix. Nothing in particular, but always: " here it`s me as I was. Thank you God for loving me and helping me to learn to love you and my fellow-men, too." Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

I agree with this. Many of us here are former atheists, so disliking atheists would be disliking our old selves. And that's silly

Well, to be fair, there are a lot of things I don't like about my old self (many of which are not related to religion at all). For example, I don't like how I was when I went through depression, but that doesn't mean that I now dislike people with depression. Instead, having gone through that just makes me understand their perspective better.

 

[Obzocky]

Well now, they're just people with a different view point from myself. No better, no worse, they have their path and I have mine, just because we clash about the God and faith thing doesn't mean we can't have a rollickingly good discussion about life in general. Which sounds like i'm sitting on the fence ... I have no issue with the view point of another except when they openly mock something in which they have no belief. Even if you believe faith is the crutch of the weak why would you pull that crutch away, would you push the individual out of the wheelchair because they tire easily or would you try to understand why they tire easily before doing such a thing?

I don't know, it's never been an issue big enough to cause a collective thought to arise, any feelings have been based on the individual rather than their life view.


Edit: the conversion issue.

I'm not a fan of shoving Bible verses down an individuals throat, I don't believe vocally drowning them in faith will do anything to save them. All I can do is talk openly, share my faith, discuss religion and allow doors to be opened to any interested individual. You live, you show, you welcome. Trying to force conversion upon someone is ridiculous, it may win some converts but that isn't how you truly introduce someone to faith, you cannot try to convert them, you cannot dazzle them, you can only live according to the values laid out by God and share your life with them.

 

[Mess]

Well now, they're just people with a different view point from myself. No better, no worse, they have their path and I have mine, just because we clash about the God and faith thing doesn't mean we can't have a rollickingly good discussion about life in general. Which sounds like i'm sitting on the fence ... I have no issue with the view point of another except when they openly mock something in which they have no belief. Even if you believe faith is the crutch of the weak why would you pull that crutch away, would you push the individual out of the wheelchair because they tire easily or would you try to understand why they tire easily before doing such a thing?

I don't know, it's never been an issue big enough to cause a collective thought to arise, any feelings have been based on the individual rather than their life view.


Edit: the conversion issue.

I'm not a fan of shoving Bible verses down an individuals throat, I don't believe vocally drowning them in faith will do anything to save them. All I can do is talk openly, share my faith, discuss religion and allow doors to be opened to any interested individual. You live, you show, you welcome. Trying to force conversion upon someone is ridiculous, it may win some converts but that isn't how you truly introduce someone to faith, you cannot try to convert them, you cannot dazzle them, you can only live according to the values laid out by God and share your life with them.

I have to ask regarding conversion, what makes them now what you do is because you are a Christian? I mean I know atheists that do good things aswell. so eventhough good works are fruits of the spirit(believe me I know, I used to be a selfish greedy pig before salvation) it does not say hey look at me I'm a christian you can be aswell. I'm not saying I think we should all go out and be streetpreachers(I'm talking about the guys that stand on a corner with a Bible in their hands, shouting and yelling about how everyone is lost and such), because when I wasn't saved that annoyed me to bits, but striking up a conversation with someone about eternal matters isn't a bad thing to do. Just let them have their say aswell, let them explain their points, be loving, and if they are open to it explain the gospel. If not, just plant the seeds. So just make them doubt what they believe in. Or you could just hand out tracts, or stuff like that. You give people a choice, if you don't say anything they have no choice. How many Christians would there be in China if no Christian would have gone there to witness? But they would have said well I'll send you money because God told me to help you, and then the people in China would have to guess why people did that? I get your point, but I don't completely agree with you.

As for my opinion about atheists. It really depends on the person. There are those that I feel saddened about, because they are missing out on the greatest thing in live, and because they are in my opinion deceived. There are however also those that I find hypocritical. They say that Christians don't respect people, and they say that because of our beliefs about things like homosexuality, but they then proceed to call us all kinds of names, proceed to ban our beliefs from public life, and such matters. That is no form of respect, and makes you a disrespectful person. And exactly the type of person I love praying for.

 

[mulimulix]

Well now, they're just people with a different view point from myself. No better, no worse, they have their path and I have mine, just because we clash about the God and faith thing doesn't mean we can't have a rollickingly good discussion about life in general. Which sounds like i'm sitting on the fence ... I have no issue with the view point of another except when they openly mock something in which they have no belief. Even if you believe faith is the crutch of the weak why would you pull that crutch away, would you push the individual out of the wheelchair because they tire easily or would you try to understand why they tire easily before doing such a thing?

I don't know, it's never been an issue big enough to cause a collective thought to arise, any feelings have been based on the individual rather than their life view.


Edit: the conversion issue.

I'm not a fan of shoving Bible verses down an individuals throat, I don't believe vocally drowning them in faith will do anything to save them. All I can do is talk openly, share my faith, discuss religion and allow doors to be opened to any interested individual. You live, you show, you welcome. Trying to force conversion upon someone is ridiculous, it may win some converts but that isn't how you truly introduce someone to faith, you cannot try to convert them, you cannot dazzle them, you can only live according to the values laid out by God and share your life with them.

Nice answer.

So now that everyone (that wants to) has answered, I have a new question:

When you talk to an atheist, be it your friend or otherwise, does it ever cross your mind that you believe they will be spending eternity in hell?

And secondly, do you believe they deserve eternity in hell?

 

[Mess]

Yes, yes it does. Someone once said I'm not in the business of making temporary friends, I'm in the business of making eternal ones. And I agree with that. One of my friends sometimes gets sick of me because we discuss eternal matters(eventhough he also brings it up himself). Mostly though, because he doesn't know as much as I do and I shake his beliefs everytime we do. So sometimes I have to ease off, and just let things be. But I can't forget he is lost, nor should I, it's what I believe in, and considering I am quite certain I'm right it would be absolutely criminal and murderous of me to not talk to him about it. I suppose it's better to annoy him here, than have him thinking for eternity that he wishes someone had just told him. Funny thing is, this guy who is an atheist with Jewish heritage, wants to move to Israel despite the fact that he hates Israel, much like the prophecies say.

Weither I think they deserve it? Yes, yes I do, but then again so do I, or any Christian for that matter, we are only saved by the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It might seem strange that I say this, but we shouldn't compare things to our standard but to His. His law is the standard, and His law has only been kept by one person in history. Every sin we do, is a sin against God, and belief me when I say that we sin a lot more than we know off. Also that means every sin, griefs God deeply. Besides when you love your sinful ways, and/or are not washed clean of your sins you will not be able to tolerate the holyness of heaven. That is also why, many people that confess they are believers, but still continue to serve the world are in trouble(not saying you can't sin, saying you shouldn't enjoy sinning). Loving sin, is not a way to get to heaven. There is one instance in The Bible where it shows a man in hell. Strange thing is, he does not say I don't deserve to be here, he just asks someone to go to his brothers so they can be saved, meaning that in hell no one thinks they don't deserve it. And in the end, it is your decision, that's why someone said, Hell is a place locked from the inside.

 

[andreha]

Hi Mulimulix

To answer your question, I have nothing against Atheists.

Sometimes I wonder if there's anything about Christianity that scares Atheists off. For me, it is awesome to know I have a Heavenly Father that protects me, and helps me whenever I need help. He really cares - with a kind of love that's far superior to any human's love. The way in which He constantly answer my prayers is proof enough for me to know that He's not just there, but that He really cares.

 

[ivebeenshown]

Nice answer.

So now that everyone (that wants to) has answered, I have a new question:

When you talk to an atheist, be it your friend or otherwise, does it ever cross your mind that you believe they will be spending eternity in hell?

And secondly, do you believe they deserve eternity in hell?

Hi mulimulix

Jesus Christ, who is my LORD and Savior, did speak of hell, and of Gehenna (the lake of fire.) One thing that anyone must consider is the use of parables and metaphors. You have churches like the Catholic and Orthodox churches that take things very literally -- for instance, they believe the bread and the wine is transformed into Christ's true human flesh and blood, and they (and many Protestant churches as well) interpret the required baptism for salvation to be in water whereas I would interpret the 'eat my flesh and blood' and 'you must be baptized' statements to be symbolic of spiritual truths.

I believe hell must be interpreted in this same manner. Hell is very real and unfortunately some individuals would choose hell. Paul wrote of people who "have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof." These are those who believe they are "Christ-like" or "Christian" as it is without the need to fear or love or believe in a God who is omnipotent. They actively reject the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, and will deny Him until their death. As it is written in John, "God is love." God is perfect and nothing is impossible for Him. So those who have a 'form' of godliness imitate Christ-like love yet they deny the very power of love which is the Holy Ghost.

Anyways, Christ told a woman who was thirsty that he would give anyone who asks of Him in belief, living water which springs up into everlasting life. This is a metaphor for His Spirit. In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man in hell is tormented in flames (a metaphor for shame and self-resent) and desires to have his tongue touched with just so much as the tip of a finger that has been dipped in water. That is how desperate he is. One iota of the 'living waters' would suffice for him.

In other words, he had denied the power of God which is perfect love, and he was content in his heart to reject His great power until his death. And now his soul is departed from his body which died, and his soul lives on in torment and shame because now he wishes he could be in the presence of the 'living waters' (Holy Ghost, which is God, which is love) but since he had it within his heart to reject God, declaring in his own heart that he could live for all of eternity without God, God gave him what he had his heart set on.

God gives people what they want. Some people want to live forever without God.