In Roman chapter 1 it states that creation testifies that there is a God and that He is good,so people should do good and love one another,so they are without excuse if they do not adhere to that.
Then it says that because hey did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them a reprobate mind,which means they only go by the flesh,which in the flesh dwells no good thing,and then it lists how vile they are according to the flesh.
I do not believe this is talking of the traditional atheist,for everybody that I met that was an atheist acted like everybody else,they were not as filthy as what is described in Roman 1,although they could have a few of those traits but not to that extreme.
I believe Romans 1 is speaking in a general aspect of the world that creation testifies that there is a God and of His goodness,for He provided food,shelter,and clothing,so they should be good,so they are without excuse,and then later in the chapter narrows it down to a certain group of people that do not believe in a God,or are antagonistic to His ways,which would be the occultist,that is hungry for power,and very fleshy,that believes they obtain power from nature.
I do not see how the vile things of the flesh mentioned in Romans 1 can apply to an atheist,but I can see how it can refer to an occultist that hungers for power,and because of their lust for power,and wanting to exalt themselves through nature,God does not deal with them,and they only go by the flesh.
An occultist is intentionally antagonistic to God's ways,where the atheist is not although they do not believe in a God.The occultist wants to hear no authority,no rules,no regulations,no opinions,and no advice,and because they believe they can harness the power of nature,they believe they are the elite of the world,gods walking among mortals,kings,walking among peasants.
Their lust for power,and wanting to exalt them self in a godlike fashion causes God to not deal with them.
So I was thinking that Romans 1 might not necessarily be talking of people who do not believe in a God,but people who do not believe in a God,and people who believe in a God but are antagonistic to Him,because they do not fear Him for they think that God cannot touch them,probably because they think nature is protecting them.
The Bible says that they are haters of God,but how can you be a hater of God if you do not believe in a God,but an occultist might believe there is a God,but do not fear Him because they do not think God can touch them,because of them being part of the occult,or it could be talking indirectly hating God.
The occultist might believe there is a God,but are antagonistic to Him,His rules and regulations,because they do not fear Him.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
[SUP]13 [/SUP]For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
[SUP]14 [/SUP]I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High(Isaiah 14:12-14).
Lucifer thought that he could exalt his throne above the stars of God,and be like the most High,so obviously Lucifer thought he could accomplish this and God could not touch him to stop him.
When Satan tempted Eve and said God does know if you eat of that fruit you will be like gods,he is saying if you eat of that tree you can do what you want and God cannot touch you.
Since the occult is of Lucifer,the people that follow the occult can think the same thing,I will do what I want and exalt myself in a Godlike fashion,and God cannot touch me.
So Romans chapter 1 might be talking in general to the world that if they do not believe in a God,they have no excuse,because creation testifies there is a God,but then narrows it down to the occultists,who are antagonistic to God's ways,whether they believe in a God or not,so God gives them a reprobate mind that is terrible.
They do not like to retain God in their mind,could be they do not believe in a God,or they believe in a God but they antagonistic to Him because they believe God cannot touch them.They do not care about His rules and regulations,which I can only see coming from the occult who want to exalt them self Lucifer style.
Atheists made their decision because they believe the scientific community,they had an outside source help them to make that decision,but the atheist deceives himself,and there is no facts to back up that they can achieve godlike power through nature,but their lust for power causes to believe in that,like Lucifer's lust for power blinded him thinking God could not stop him from exalting himself.
I seen atheists and they do not act any different than someone that believes in a God that does not go for religion,which I am saying that there is a good chance that the atheist could change their mind,the only thing is that they like to believe they are rooted in reality and facts,and do not fall for the mumbo-jumbo,fairy telling ways of the world,and the vain imaginations of people,so it is kind of hard to reach them,especially when it it by faith we are saved,and faith is the substance of things not seen,the evidence of things not seen,and we walk by faith and not sight,and Jesus said,blessed is he that has not seen but still believes,so we have to believe in a God and a kingdom that we cannot see,so it is hard to give them enough concrete facts for them to believe.
But God said there is evidence to lead us to the conclusion that there is a God,for faith is the 'evidence of things not seen',the main one being creation,and that is why I believe there is a God,because I do not believe in evolution,but a God created all things,which I believe I have enough proof of reason to believe that.
But God said people will be reached to accept the truth by different means,but do not do it like the Roman Catholic Church when they persecuted people to accept.