Atheists:

[ralphinal]

So what? Ever hear of a hallucination?

To be quite honest, the more I read the bible the more convinced I become that the Christian view of god is wrongheaded.

I gots ta know. Why? In what way is it “wrongheaded?”

 

[atheist1]

I know there are at least a few atheists who post here and also on other Christian forums. I’m wondering why.

I enjoy dialoguing with people who have different views.

The question will inevitably be turned around and you will ask why Christians try to convince you that there is a God. Obviously, we believe in an afterlife and would like to save souls. If we are wrong, at least it is done out of love and no harm will become you. But, you try to convince us that there is no salvation, no soul and if you are wrong, eternal hell awaits.

It’s really not that simple is it? Let’s suppose that there is a god but instead of god being the god of Christianity, he turns out to be the god of radical Islam. If you convince me to accept the god of the Catholic church you really aren’t doing me any good.

What if god is the OT god and Jesus isn’t the saviour? You would be convincing me to believe in the Trinity and I would then be commiting idolatry.

What if the Catholic view of god is all wrong and god really turns out to be the god of the Seventh Day Adventists? Convincing me to become Catholic will also doom me.

Just believing in god doesn’t seem to get someone to their heavenly reward. It appears one has to also believe the correct creeds and dogma about god in order to be able to obtain heaven.

So, you’re not trying to convince us out of love or compassion or anything good that I can think of.

If there is no god it is a very compassionate thing to show you the error of your faith.

 

[atheist1]

I gots ta know. Why? In what way is it “wrongheaded?”

I gots ta tell ya.

To me the bible appears to be a book written by a primitive society which was extremely superstitious. It makes no sense.

 

[mhpierce]

Humans who do not believe in a Creator are to me, fibbers, first to themselves and to others who are willing to listen to their diatribes. How did they come into existence via a process over which they have no control? And then there is the intellect, and the ability to think, which humans have not created also. Thus, a Creator is inevitable, logical. Atheists are prevaricators to themselves and others; some, sadly, are embittered and live lives of “quiet desperation.” They have not a clue *of the positive effects *of The True Sacraments to which they could cling, to allay their fears… It is a sad tale of woe… they are very frightened and unhappy people.

 

[atheist1]

Humans who do not believe in a Creator are to me, fibbers, first to themselves and to others who are willing to listen to their diatribes. How did they come into existence via a process over which they have no control? And then there is the intellect, and the ability to think, which humans have not created also. Thus, a Creator is inevitable, logical. Atheists are prevaricators to themselves and others; some, sadly, are embittered and live lives of “quiet desperation.” They have not a clue *of the positive effects *of The True Sacraments to which they could cling, to allay their fears… It is a sad tale of woe… they are very frightened and unhappy people.

I’m neither frightened or unhappy nor do I need the “true sacraments”.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I know there are at least a few atheists who post here and also on other Christian forums. I’m wondering why. As an atheist, why do you care that people believe in God? I would think that you couldn’t care less if there are believers, yet you try to convince people to stop believing.

The question will inevitably be turned around and you will ask why Christians try to convince you that there is a God. Obviously, we believe in an afterlife and would like to save souls. If we are wrong, at least it is done out of love and no harm will become you. But, you try to convince us that there is no salvation, no soul and if you are wrong, eternal hell awaits. So, you’re not trying to convince us out of love or compassion or anything good that I can think of.

Thanks for the responses.

That last sentence is very revealing. If there is no god, ISTM very good to try to dissuade those who think there is from thinking so.​

 

[atheist1]

That last sentence is very revealing. If there is no god, ISTM very good to try to dissuade those who think there is from thinking so.​

You are correct…but of course the opposite is true as well.

 

[ralphinal]

I gots ta tell ya.

To me the bible appears to be a book written by a primitive society which was extremely superstitious. It makes no sense.

Two different issues. What about the God of Christianity is “wrongheaded?” Not the Bible per se, but the Christian understanding of God. For the interest of conversation, let’s assume that all Christians have the same understanding of God…

 

[fishisgood]

I’ve seen some pretty amusing responses to my views, and this one takes the cake.

I don’t mean to be mean, but just as you see me as a “predictable Agnostic who will eventually go back to God,” I’ll admit that I see you as “the predictable religious person who refuses to take ‘Agnosticism’/‘Atheism’ for an answer.”

This isn’t a doubtful period at all. I just finally begun to find myself. I realized I couldn’t lie to myself or to the imaginary friend I called God. Now, I would not be so close-minded to say “No, God absolutely doesn’t exist,” but I would never be so self-centered to say “Yes, there absolutely is a God who actually cares about me (or us).”

As I said on another post above yours, I honor the possibility of there being a God, but I find it highly unlikely.

Ironically Yours.

part of the problem is your a kid… i saw your post about satanism and you are in a period in your life when you think that you have answers but you have none. to me its funny, while you are condesending to the posters on this site most have experienced more than you. What life will teach you is that you know nothing, humility will serve you well wether you believe in God or not… keep on testing and challenging people you will get the answers you want. Peace

 

[atheist1]

Two different issues. What about the God of Christianity is “wrongheaded?” Not the Bible per se, but the Christian understanding of God. For the interest of conversation, let’s assume that all Christians have the same understanding of God…

Not really two different issues. Where does a Christian get his knowledge of god?

Assuming you are Catholic you have several sources:
*natural revelation such as Paul describes in the first few chapters of Romans
*the scriptures
*and of course your church (magesterium, tradition, etc.)

Since the scriptures are supposed to be the revealed word of god, you know, where he reveals himself to mankind, I don’t see how you can seperate the two. If the god revealed in the bible is non-sense to me it follows that I will also believe the Christian notion of god to be non-sense.

 

[bbarrick8383]

It’s not about the rules or the difficulty of the faith. I was alright with the challenge–even now, I’m still participating in the season of Lent with my family (I decided to give up meat, and I intend to keep that promise; so far, so good ).

I am curious why such a hardcore agnostic would participate in something such as lent. It’s like a hardcore vegan going to a pig roast.

The forums showed me how different I was; how accepting I was of diversity, mystery, and the thought of an ultimate Death without an Afterlife. I realized that I had to stop lying to the entity you call God and began to honor the possibility of there being a God, while feeling that His existence is unlikely due to the thoughts and feelings you (among other members of different faiths) have. So many people have different ideas and perspectives of the same being.

This paragraph sounded interesting when I first read it, then after I read it again it was ignorant. You are different in an individual sense, but you are just like the rest of the 6 billion people on this world who are struggling with money and religion. No different than those that have come before you, armed with knowledge that you may never obtain, and died without the knowledge that you have the possibility to obtain. You cant lie to God, and then honor his possible existence all the while “feeling” that he does not exist, especially based upon “our” thoughts and feelings. And everyone has a different idea and perspective on a lot of things, but forming your own idea or perspective and comparing that with the vast majority’s ideas and perspectives is the best way to make decisions. The majority may not always be right, but if I feel like they are then I’m not afraid to join the crowd.

But, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t lose faith; I found out that I didn’t need it.

Ironically Yours.

Most agnostics dont need faith, especially the hardcore ones that participate in lent.

 

[bbarrick8383]

I gots ta tell ya.

To me the bible appears to be a book written by a primitive society which was extremely superstitious. It makes no sense.

The Bible has teachings that are anything but primitive my friend. There are scholars worth millions that teach straight from proverbs. The Book has stumped many, many people much more brilliant than you or I.

 

[racing59]

Two different issues. What about the God of Christianity is “wrongheaded?” Not the Bible per se, but the Christian understanding of God. For the interest of conversation, let’s assume that all Christians have the same understanding of God…

The problem is all Christians do not believe the same. The constant arguements between Christian Churches for decades make people question the validity of their claims. I know I am one who questions many of the arguements I have seen on these threads. I do not posted much,because I study what people have to say. I take no claim at face value, I always try to do my home work. I believe their is a Super Natural being keeping order in the Universe.I feel every time man tries to corner the market on God, he messes everything up. The Bible is filled with stories like this.Religion is based on faith. There are people, that can exist, that do not base there existance on faith, but the facts they have learened through their experences.

 

[bbarrick8383]

The problem is all Christians do not believe the same. The constant arguements between Christian Churches for decades make people question the validity of their claims. I know I am one who questions many of the arguements I have seen on these threads. I do not posted much,because I study what people have to say. I take no claim at face value, I always try to do my home work. I believe their is a Super Natural being keeping order in the Universe.I feel every time man tries to corner the market on God, he messes everything up. The Bible is filled with stories like this.Religion is based on faith. There are people, that can exist, that do not base there existance on faith, but the facts they have learened through their experences.

The problem is “people” do not believe the same. You could show them down right proof of the existence of a McDonalds cheeseburger and there are some that would deny you. 2000 years of religion of course there are going to be people who do not believe the same, that’s a given. It’s combining what you can understand with what you believe, and making a decision to live the life that would be pleasing to God in hopes that you get to walk through the gates.

 

[atheist1]

The Bible has teachings that are anything but primitive my friend. There are scholars worth millions that teach straight from proverbs. The Book has stumped many, many people much more brilliant than you or I.

Do you not see a problem with the below verses?
Deut 22:14-21:

22:13 If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,

22:14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:

22:15 Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel’s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:

22:16 And the damsel’s father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;

22:17 And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.

22:18 And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;

22:19 And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

22:20 But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:

22:21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

 

[racing59]

The problem is “people” do not believe the same. You could show them down right proof of the existence of a McDonalds cheeseburger and there are some that would deny you. 2000 years of religion of course there are going to be people who do not believe the same, that’s a given. It’s combining what you can understand with what you believe, and making a decision to live the life that would be pleasing to God in hopes that you get to walk through the gates.

Have people ever believe the same? Cain and Able believe different. As far as showing a McDonalds cheeseburger, do you realy know all the indgredents that make it up? You take it on an act of Faith that it really is a cheeseburger and not a kangaroo burger. Sorry old joke.People do not always know what goes into making something.

 

[bbarrick8383]

Do you not see a problem with the below verses?

I’m not a Bible expert, although I have one at my fingertips it’s too late to look up the context of those verses. Is stoning someone primitive, yes. But there is also a lot of things in the Bible that are not primitive.

 

[atheist1]

I’m not a Bible expert, although I have one at my fingertips it’s too late to look up the context of those verses. Is stoning someone primitive, yes. But there is also a lot of things in the Bible that are not primitive.

The stoning is a concern but I was more interested in your reaction to the “tokens of virginity” being offered to establish the womans virginity.

Remember these verses, at least according to most Christians I encounter, were inspired by god.

 

[bbarrick8383]

Have people ever believe the same? Cain and Able believe different. As far as showing a McDonalds cheeseburger, do you realy know all the indgredents that make it up? You take it on an act of Faith that it really is a cheeseburger and not a kangaroo burger. Sorry old joke.People do not always know what goes into making something.

No I do not know the ingredients of a McDonalds cheeseburger, but it’s still a McDonalds cheeseburger, not just a cheeseburger. I eat cheeseburgers, but I am lucky enough to get the meat from my own cattle. I do not eat burgers from McDonalds.

 

[bbarrick8383]

The stoning is a concern but I was more interested in your reaction to the “tokens of virginity” being offered to establish the womans virginity.

Remember these verses, at least according to most Christians I encounter, were inspired by god.

I do not know what that is referring to as far as the “tokens of virginity”. But I bet there wasnt as much of a problem with promiscuity then.