Why Do Atheists Engage in Discussions with Christians?

[Diamond72]

Atheists are all about analyzing and dissecting the claims of the religious,

They do not talk about the Bible itself. No one as ever shown me a contradiction between Science and the Bible. The just talk about various translations and interpretations. Usually it is a strawman argument. They argue against the interpretation they present. They lack an understanding of what the Bible is teaching us.

 

[The Barbarian]

I struggle to understand atheism as a real and sincere stance. Why would someone choose to identify as an atheist instead of agnostic, which seems less definitive and more open to change? Could it be that atheism is sometimes a front for those who are actually uncertain about the existence of God?

I notice for example that Richard Dawkins says that God might indeed exist. (He doesn't think it's the one we know, however) So he's an agnostic. It seems to me that taking God on faith is a reasonable thing to do, bur rejecting the existence of God on faith seems wrong, somehow.

 

[epostle]

“Robert Tiernan, a spokesman for the Freedom from Religion Foundation, is demanding that atheists be represented in next year’s Parade of Lights in Denver. He wants a ‘winter solstice’ float instead of a Christian one. He deserves better.

“Atheists deserve to have their own holiday—Nothingday—the purpose of which would be to honor what they believe in, which is absolutely nothing. Nothingday would be held on the day of the winter solstice and would be celebrated by holding nationwide conferences explicitly designed to accomplish nothing.

“For example, there would be seminars and workshops on the virtue of standing for nothing. Participants would be invited to watch a video on the meaning of Nothingday and would then discover—to their utter delight—that there’s nothing on the tape. Tables outside conference rooms would be set up, though there would be nothing on them. Breakout sessions would allow participants to huddle in corners for the express purpose of doing nothing. When they reassemble, their team leader would be able to report that they have accomplished absolutely nothing. Naturally, no minutes would be kept.

“They would then repair to the cocktail lounge where they would all be given empty glasses. Dinner would follow, though nothing would be served. At the awards ceremony, those who best represent the spirit of nothing would, of course, be given nothing for their efforts. Best of all, the keynote speaker wouldn’t open his mouth, allowing everyone to just sit there, staring endlessly into space.



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[oikonomia]

“Robert Tiernan, a spokesman for the Freedom from Religion Foundation, is demanding that atheists be represented in next year’s Parade of Lights in Denver. He wants a ‘winter solstice’ float instead of a Christian one. He deserves better.

“Atheists deserve to have their own holiday—Nothingday—the purpose of which would be to honor what they believe in, which is absolutely nothing. Nothingday would be held on the day of the winter solstice and would be celebrated by holding nationwide conferences explicitly designed to accomplish nothing.

“For example, there would be seminars and workshops on the virtue of standing for nothing. Participants would be invited to watch a video on the meaning of Nothingday and would then discover—to their utter delight—that there’s nothing on the tape. Tables outside conference rooms would be set up, though there would be nothing on them. Breakout sessions would allow participants to huddle in corners for the express purpose of doing nothing. When they reassemble, their team leader would be able to report that they have accomplished absolutely nothing. Naturally, no minutes would be kept.

“They would then repair to the cocktail lounge where they would all be given empty glasses. Dinner would follow, though nothing would be served. At the awards ceremony, those who best represent the spirit of nothing would, of course, be given nothing for their efforts. Best of all, the keynote speaker wouldn’t open his mouth, allowing everyone to just sit there, staring endlessly into space.



source

Years ago I read about a religion invented by some atheists. They wanted to call it Zero.
It was the most depressing thing you could ever see.

 

[Godcrazy]

As Christians, we are commissioned by Christ to spread the tenets of our faith. This is a central part of our mission. However, I'm curious about the motivations of atheists who actively engage in discussions with believers. Are they driven by a similar sense of purpose, perhaps inspired by some philosophical stance or secular mission?

I struggle to understand atheism as a real and sincere stance. Why would someone choose to identify as an atheist instead of agnostic, which seems less definitive and more open to change? Could it be that atheism is sometimes a front for those who are actually uncertain about the existence of God?

This brings me to another point: the nature of belief and disbelief. The Bible recounts how God hardened Pharaoh's heart in Egypt, preventing him from freeing the Israelites and leading to the plagues. Could a similar phenomenon be at play with atheism—a kind of spiritual blockage?

My intention is not to attack but to understand. I wonder how to engage atheists in a way that encourages them to share their perspectives without feeling defensive. How can we have a respectful conversation about their beliefs and the reasons behind them, especially when their views seem dismissive or even antagonistic towards Christianity?

It seems to me that more often than not it's not the intent to debate or questions but argue point and convince. Already if that's the case it's off the rails. So I would ask if they genuinely want to know, and what their intentions are. And make clear if it just becomes the other, it's finish

 

[armchairscholar]

IMO, atheist love to argue about everything. I know a lot of them and they always try to bait me into theology. Especially on the subject of whether god is real or not. Irony is sometimes the same people will worship demons, practice witchcraft, shamanism, paganism, voodoo, sanitaria (saint worship), contact spiritual entities or imaginary for good fortune, and literally admit that there is higher power but will always deny the name of GOD and/or Jesus.

This has been my experience as well -- atheists I've met were deeply insecure and confused people. Most of them were burned by a bad church experience and just veered into the opposite direction, or they got lost in their intellect and overanalyzing everything according to the scientific method.

 

[Sunflower39]

When I was an atheist, I didn’t see the point of engaging in discussions with Christians. I found any religious beliefs confusing and irrational, so I simply wasn’t interested. Even as a child, when I said prayers in school and sang hymns, I just went along with it without really understanding. Although I was baptised as a baby, I didn’t have a religious upbringing.

It wasn’t until I began attending church and reading the Bible that I started to understand and it began to make sense to me.

I think atheists engage in conversations with Christians for various reasons, and it really depends on the individual. Some might be curious, some might just want to debate, and some might have past negative experiences with Christians. It’s hard to say for certain.

 

[Merrill]

This has been my experience as well -- atheists I've met were deeply insecure and confused people. Most of them were burned by a bad church experience and just veered into the opposite direction, or they got lost in their intellect and overanalyzing everything according to the scientific method.

I remember meeting the hosts of the show "The Atheist Experience" at a convention (not related to atheism) 10+ years ago. Jeff Dee and another guy (Matt?)

I have never encountered such angry, deeply unhappy individuals, angry at the whole world and everyone in it. Complete hatred and disdain for anyone who didn't completely subscribe to their nihilistic worldview, and Dee, in particular, came off as unhinged.

I've encountered some "bad" people in my time, who had some bad ideas, prejudices, etc., but these guys were on another level. I got the impression that these were the kind of guys who go and start shooing people at a GOP softball game, or send letter bombs to churches.

People like this grow up in broken families without guidance or principles. Families where parents (if they are around) have really bad ideas, and impart them on the kids.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I remember meeting the hosts of the show "The Atheist Experience" at a convention (not related to atheism) 10+ years ago. Jeff Dee and another guy (Matt?)

I have never encountered such angry, deeply unhappy individuals, angry at the whole world and everyone in it. Complete hatred and disdain for anyone who didn't completely subscribe to their nihilistic worldview, and Dee, in particular, came off as unhinged.

I've encountered some "bad" people in my time, who had some bad ideas, prejudices, etc., but these guys were on another level. I got the impression that these were the kind of guys who go and start shooing people at a GOP softball game, or send letter bombs to churches.

People like this grow up in broken families without guidance or principles. Families where parents (if they are around) have really bad ideas, and impart them on the kids.

I've never met Matt, but I've heard him countless times on his show. Like you've said, he's sadly vitriolic in his disdain for Christianity, and he's given his specific reasons more than once for 'why' he feels and thinks the way he does. He's pretty intensive on his reasons.

 

[Confused-by-christianity]

… However, I'm curious about the motivations of atheists who actively engage in discussions with believers. Are they driven by a similar sense of purpose, perhaps inspired by some philosophical stance or secular mission?

I think the answer is boredom.

It should be seen as a similar thrill people get when they read tabloid papers.

Kind of like a freak show - they can point at people, laugh and cackle amongst themselves at how ‘stupid’ someone is.

 

[stevevw]

As Christians, we are commissioned by Christ to spread the tenets of our faith. This is a central part of our mission. However, I'm curious about the motivations of atheists who actively engage in discussions with believers. Are they driven by a similar sense of purpose, perhaps inspired by some philosophical stance or secular mission?

I struggle to understand atheism as a real and sincere stance. Why would someone choose to identify as an atheist instead of agnostic, which seems less definitive and more open to change? Could it be that atheism is sometimes a front for those who are actually uncertain about the existence of God?

This brings me to another point: the nature of belief and disbelief. The Bible recounts how God hardened Pharaoh's heart in Egypt, preventing him from freeing the Israelites and leading to the plagues. Could a similar phenomenon be at play with atheism—a kind of spiritual blockage?

My intention is not to attack but to understand. I wonder how to engage atheists in a way that encourages them to share their perspectives without feeling defensive. How can we have a respectful conversation about their beliefs and the reasons behind them, especially when their views seem dismissive or even antagonistic towards Christianity?

I think fundementally atheism is a belief, an ideological position about nature and reality and how we should order things. I don't think any human can have a completely neutral view on metaphysics. We are wired to believe in God or gods or some sort of ideological metaphysics about reality and beyond. So using science, materialism or matter as fundemental reality is metaphysical naturalism.

I have noticed not so much of what is said in regards to using objective reality as a way of defeating God or belief in the supernatural that there seems to be more invested in the exercise than just a mere neutral issue which is just based on facts. Science and the evidence cannot rule out God so any debate on these matters will only partly bring answers.

Its also telling in just how we live as a society. I think its fair to say that modern secular society has rid itself of God compared to the recent past and that we are just as interested and consumed by ideology and morality by the many ideological beliefs that are filling the void.

I agree at the very least people should be Agnostic even if that means allowing for some sort of supernatural phenomena as being fundemental such as consciousness ot even if that is some as yet known force thats beyond our known physics or that we may well be living in some sort of simulation. In some ways I think even science supports this so if anything even science itself is pointing that way.

 

[The Barbarian]

You're making a lot of sense here.

 

[Laodicean60]

The Bible recounts how God hardened Pharaoh's heart in Egypt,

I believe that Pharaoh's heart was hardened already, especially with a Jewish man telling him what to do. I know Pharoh had a prejudice against Moses as a kid.

Could a similar phenomenon be at play with atheism—a kind of spiritual blockage?

I believe the spiritual blockage is on the Christian side also.

My intention is not to attack but to understand. I wonder how to engage atheists in a way that encourages them to share their perspectives without feeling defensive. How can we have a respectful conversation about their beliefs and the reasons behind them, especially when their views seem dismissive or even antagonistic towards Christianity?

The conversation should not be in these forums unless asked because I am sure every nonbeliever has heard the turn-or-burn message. It is today's Christians who have forgotten Biblical principles when talking to nonbelievers. How did Jesus and Paul do it? Jesus implied don't let the door hit you on the way out and Pual said to shake off the dust and move on. Christians today are so sin-focused that we alienate everyone and egomanically point out sin for salvation. We give them the impression when we talk that we are sinless. So I understand why nonbelievers like to point out the hypocrites we are by posting everything a priest and preacher does wrong. In your face.

Then we wonder why all the nonbelievers, homosexuals, and people having abortions don't want anything to do with Jesus because Christians have made Him look like a tyrant instead of Savior. Those who believe in Jesus have to start their own Churches because they don't feel welcomed in ours. We are doing the work of satan because we are doing what Paul said not to, war against flesh and blood. In our delusion, we think we are doing something spiritual.

 

[The Barbarian]

Then we wonder why all the nonbelievers, homosexuals, and people having abortions don't want anything to do with Jesus because Christians have made Him look like a tyrant instead of Savior. Those who believe in Jesus have to start their own Churches because they don't feel welcomed in ours. We are doing the work of satan because we are doing what Paul said not to, war against flesh and blood. In our delusion, we think we are doing something spiritual.

It's tough, because it feels so good to be holier than thou. And it's not just the Bible-thumpers who do it. We all need to hear that message now and then.

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Laodicean60]

It's tough, because it feel so good to be holier than thou.

Thats the attitude I'm going to heaven and you are not.

And it's not just the Bible-thumpers who do it.

This reminded me of something else. Many Christians like to post scripture to nonbelievers in these forums. Paul says that the words in the bible don't mean anything to a nonbeliever because they don't have the Holy Spirit, Yet we still do and if I put myself in their shoes it would be aggravating especially if I thought God was a fairy tale.