Zavoc, sorry if I upset you. I don't have a problem with atheists per se; I was one at a point in my life. In fact, most Christians (even those raised in the faith) go through a period of questioning and doubting. It's normal and actually necessary to developing personal faith for many. For instance, my father could have been a devout Christian (he wasn't) but his faith wouldn't save me. I need my own. Faith isn't blind, it doesn't come because somebody convinces you with smooth words. Nor is it shutting off the brain that gets you to faith. When I was in my Godless phase, it wasn't because I knew too much...it was because I knew nothing and understood less. I didn't know that...it was part of my ignorance. I spoke with great authority on things I knew nothing about. Like many atheists, I felt this compelling need to challenge Christians to show them how smart I was. It was part of my search for faith, even though I didn't know it.
Understand this: Once you become Christian you realize all atheists are lost, but can be found. Redemption is already bought and paid for. I've read some of your other posts on other threads...your poem for instance. It would take hours to explain how fundamentally you've missed the point, even as I did. The day it was revealed to me I couldn't believe how stupid I'd been, couldn't see it before even though it was staring me in the face. I was reading the bible looking for ammo to make arguments with and POW, there it was. All those "contradictions?" There weren't any, I just didn't understand. It was a seamless document, consistent throughout. It hit me how deceived I had been and for awhile I was angry; first at all the people who planted garbage in my brain, and then at myself for not using my own mind and seeking the truth.
Christianity isn't religion...it isn't like anything else at all. Sure, there are other faiths and I've studied them. Read the Koran, the Suras and Hadiths, Buddhism, Shintoism, even the Tao. Read up on Wicca, even looked at some of the quasi-Christian offshoots (I won't name them). So what is Christianity if it isn't religion? It is truth...uncomfortable truth. So easy, and yet so hard. It makes us slaves to righteousness, yet frees us completely. It can't be forced on anyone...it has to be embraced.
What if I told you everything you think you know about Christianity is wrong? Would that offend you? What if I told you that you are serving God's plan without even knowing it? Would that make you angry? Why are you here? Why would an atheist waste his time on trivial mumbo-jumbo unless...
Ask yourself this...what makes Christ so offensive? He said it would be this way, but it doesn't make a lot of sense on a non-spiritual level. My human side could care less what people believe. To each their own. My Christian, spiritual side knows this is a battle and watching passively isn't what we're called to do. So why are you here? Are you looking for the truth? This isn't the right place; read the word, pray for understanding, ask questions and if it doesn't open when you knock, then go with my blessing. But if you're just taking the role of a spoiler, just one of the dead who hates the living why bother coming here? There is a whole world of depravity you could lose yourself in. There's drugs, alcohol, sex, materialism, and good ol' rock and roll! Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die. You can enjoy "life," and look down at all those backward, ignorant Christians who are missing out on all the fun...but...on the last day, when you're lying there waiting for the end and reflecting on your life, I don't think you'll wonder if you partied enough, or drank enough...you might wonder if you loved enough. You might wonder why you were here at all.
Life takes us strange places, and none is stranger than an atheist hanging out in Christian chat. But maybe this is where you need to be, maybe you're trying to find something to fill that empty spot made for something special. That little nagging that stays there no matter what you try to fill it with, because it's made for one thing. Is that it Zavoc? Is there more to you than meets the eye? I promise you, God thinks so and is trying to move you but it could cost you cool points.
Fish or cut bait.