All of our questions on why atheists do what they do can be summed up in one sentence. "We stink."
[h=1]2 Corinthians 2:10-17Amplified Bible (AMP)[/h]10 If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah),
11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.
12 Now when I arrived at Troas [to preach] the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, a door of opportunity was opened for me in the Lord,
13 Yet my spirit could not rest (relax, get relief) because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave from them and departed for Macedonia.
14 But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,
15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:
16 To the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is qualified (fit and sufficient) for these things? [Who is able for such a ministry? We?]
17 For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight andpresence of God.
I think, instead of focusing on what they do, we ought to do our very best to remember how we felt when our faith was not so strong. There isn't any fruit in accusation or judgement. I'm sure any atheist on this thread would have no trouble explaining to you in a very friendly manner where they're coming from. Most of us don't bother even to listen or have compassion for them. It isn't US vs THEM, guys. We are supposed to have MORE grace. MORE understanding. Because without it, we very quickly fall away from the most important thing Jesus told us to do. We need to stop and think about the way our words and actions come across. Not because we're ashamed to be Christians. Not because we're afraid of offending anyone, but because we understand that, unless they have what we have, to them, we stink. Have you ever walked by your trashcan and smelled something and thought... "Jeeze that's awful... I need to get that away from me. I need to take out the trash!" Well, in essence, without faith, that's what Christians who show no compassion or understanding for other beliefs (or lack of beliefs) are like to the average atheist.
Also, for the record, when I was a kid... I wanted to skip church too. Every Sunday. I think before we speak out and question the actions of others publicly, we need to first ask ourselves if we're acting in love when we do so. A great many conflicts and questions can be avoided and answered (respectively) in doing that. Some of the most enlightening discussions I've ever had have been because I thought outside the box, reached out to someone I disagreed with, and took the time to learn something new.
We should never be so fervent in our faith that we detour others from receiving what we have.
As a side note, if there are any atheists here, don't be discouraged. Some of us really do want to know where you're coming from, and reach an understanding. I'm one of em. Feel free to PM me.