Atheism (sorry for another one of these posts, there seems to be a lot of them)

[Jordan9]

Of course you may

From atheism, I get to explore myself and see my own life in a way that is pragmatic and helpful to society without having to worry about not being up to par with Christianity.
And I can seek and accept truth from an unbaised position, without having to worry about whether or it contradicts my previous views.
Mostly though, atheism gives me accountability: my actions were my own, my mistakes are my own, my rewards are my own. There's something incredibly human that I find in that.

Could you elaborate? Sorry for the torrent of questions! If you're getting bored, just give me a virtual smack in the head

But, as a Christian, I am unable to see how Christianity would preclude you from being helpful to society, or from being accountable. And what do you mean by "worry about not being up to par with Christianity"? If you're referring to falling short and sinning, I can, unfortunately, greatly relate. But the difficulty of Christianity doesn't negate it's veracity, does it?

I am skeptical that atheism gives you an unbiased position, as well. I don't think an unbiased position could exist in humanity (in some sort of artificial intelligence, it might be possible.) We all have inherent biases based on our experiences and reactions to them. They might be more subtle than, say, political bias, but they're there.

 

[betrys]

Oh, I don't mind at all! Questions are good, eh?

It doesn't, necessarily, not for everyone. But I feel like it does for me. If I were to be a Christian, my primary focus couldn't be about the problems of the world, because it would be about God. And honestly, I don't need to put up another roadblock when I try to help people (which I feel that any religion does). As far as the being up to par thing, it is basically what you just said. But I have a problem accepting that, and, again, that would hinder my ability to help and interact with others.
And no, it doesn't negate it's veracity, but it does go against the whole point of religion--at least how I see it--and of life on Earth: to help others and try to make the world a better place.

And as for the accountability thing: Every good action I do was part of God's plan, all my sins can be indirectly led back to the devil. With atheism, I know that what I've done was through my own doing, and it makes it so that I have to take responsibility.

I suppose 'unbiased' is pushing it a bit. But by that I mean this: when I see truth, what have I to loose? It's so much easier to accept knowledge when it is made available if I don't have to freak out about making an all-powerful God angry with me.

 

[Credo_ut_Intelligam]

If I were to be a Christian, my primary focus couldn't be about the problems of the world, because it would be about God.

For the Christian, the problems of the world all relate back to the their problem with God. Sin separates us from God and as a consequence creates relational problems between man and man.

In fact in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve first sin, the immediate consequence that follows is that the man and the woman become ashamed of themselves. This sense of shame would clearly create a relational problem between the man and the woman, but it gets worse. The next thing that happens when God appears:

Genesis 3:8 ...the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

The Hebrew literally reads "the man hid himself and the woman herself." In other words, it's every man for himself. And this point follows through the rest of Scripture (where Adam and Eve's children start to kill each other).

I say all this to make the point that for the Christian the primary focus is about God because in Him we find the solution to man's problems. This doesn't mean that God is a means to an end (peace between men), but that only when God becomes our end (goal) will we also have peace with each other.

In the Christian worldview, these two things go hand in hand. You don't have one without the other. This is why 1 John 4:20 says "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." And Matthew 22:36–37 says “'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"

The love of God is more foundational, but part of its very nature is to love others too. So having God as our primary focus is how we make the world a better place.

Every good action I do was part of God's plan, all my sins can be indirectly led back to the devil. With atheism, I know that what I've done was through my own doing, and it makes it so that I have to take responsibility.

Again, to clarify the Christian worldview on this issue: Scripture is clear that no one can blame the devil for their sins. Matthew 12:34–35 says, "...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil."

It's true that a lot of Christians today try to blame a lot of stuff on Satan… And Christians also get confused and think that their thoughts are God's thoughts. In fact I recently got into a debate with some people on this website over this very issue. My concern was basically exactly what you've said: these people start getting confused as to which thoughts are their own. They never know whether a thought they are thinking is their thought, God's thought, or Satan's thought! This hinders their growth in taking responsibility for their own ideas and, consequently, actions. Personally, I find it ridiculous… But my point is that if Christianity is going to be found wanting, we need to make sure that what we are finding fault with is actually Christianity and not some person's distortion of it. It would be a shame if someone rejected Euclid's geometry simply because his Math teacher in high school explained it wrongly to him.

when I see truth, what have I to loose?

Nothing. Nothing to lose, nothing to gain

 

[Jordan9]

But my point is that if Christianity is going to be found wanting, we need to make sure that what we are finding fault with is actually Christianity and not some person's distortion of it. It would be a shame if someone rejected Euclid's geometry simply because his Math teacher in high school explained it wrongly to him.

This. A thousand times, this. It's really the crux of the matter in a lot of situations.

As Chesterton remarked cheekily, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried."

 

[jimmydiggs]

1. Personally, what do you guys get out of Christianity?

Quite honestly, I thought it was all a bunch of crap at one time, I thought it was no different than Greek mythology. Having only been a year since I started studying different biblical concepts, I realized how quick I was to judge Christianity.

I have recieved more after making a decision for Christ, than I ever dreamed I would get from life.

I also have reason to believe that a thing such as Morality, actually has a basis in the works of the world, and not just something decided by humans. This gives me great comfort.

2. Were you raised in a Christian home?

Nope. I have a somewhat feminazi mother, who I've not heard say anything positive about the bible.

3. Do you have a literalist interpretation of the Bible?

When the bible intends to be literal, yes.
When it intends not to, and takes a more prophetic view, no.


EDIT:

I also appreciate real people, and not sillicone people. What can you say though, when all the world cares about is lust?

 

[Timofree]

Oh, I'm terribly sorry. In my haste posting this, I forgot the entire reason I made this account in the first place! Questions!

1. Personally, what do you guys get out of Christianity?
2. Were you raised in a Christian home?
3. Do you have a literalist interpretation of the Bible?

I don't know too many Christians in real life (who are willing to talk about religion to me, anyway) so I was hoping I could find a place online to discuss. Yeah.

Firstly thankyou for your open debating style, I have yet to meet an atheist who doesn't just get angry and tell me im judging them, when i relate my experiences, so yes, thanks!

1. I went through some dark times as a non Christian, I felt like a confident person trapped in an awkward shy body.......i tried counselling, but it was a lot of money, and they just danced round the main issue, which was I needed God in my life. I've since felt the need to try to stop sinning, not because I have to, but because I want to, after being forgiven so much!
I have felt Gods prescense, found a new hope and confidence, and after getting drunk almost once a week for 8 years. I havent got drunk in over a year since becoming a Christian (no pills, no group sessions, just God)..........I wouldn't recommend it for an easy life though, I have had to make some unpopular decisions, and having been a 'yes' man all my life, I could not of done it without Him.......as like I said, people tend to get angry, despite in the next breath saying God is a fairytale, hmmmm :/
I get an eternal home in paradise......but despite my real experiences and blessings, if atheism turned out to be right, and we just rot when we die. I would not regret for a single second, living, and if needs be dying for Him. He has been and will ever be, that real to me. Im not looking forward to dying, but I don't have the same uncertainty now

2.yes

3.yes

blessings, and hope you enjoy your time on here! Tim

 

[eric135]

Yeah, I really try to avoid that one. I also don't believe evolution is random. But I do bellieve it exists.

If you would like to read a good article on evolution, I'd suggest General Rebuttal to the Theory of Evolution . It talks about the different types of evolution (micro and macro), their differences, and why we shouldn't group them into one category.

That site has a lot of other good articles relating God and science as well. The guy who created is a former atheist turned Christian, and started the site 13 years ago, which has continued to this day. Loads of good information on it.

 

[Bretty43]

HI! First, thank you for not being rude, I have had many experiences with atheists who were really disrespectful and offensive, and it's good to see that you are quite the opposite! I will return the respect you have shown us by not offending you. (Intentionally.) Although I feel you should know I will be praying for you that the words you read on this website will open your heart to what I know is the truth.
And now for your Questions
1.What do I get out of Christianity? Well, I'm not sure how exactly you mean this question, as for me, I do not consider myself religious in any sense. I am a Christian, for sure. And what I get out of it is life! I trusted in Jesus Christ to be my Lord and savior and in return, he has given me eternal life.
as for what I get right now on this world, I get peace, undying Love from the creator of the universe, a purpose to life, and a best friend who will never leave me
2. No I was not raised in a Christian home! I was raised in a catholic home, which contrary to others beliefs, is very different. my family was never very devout in their Catholicism, and they basically only took me and my siblings to church to please my grandparents. And the most important reason why I feel I was not truly raised in a Christian home, is I never once heard or understood the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. I'm not sure what you mean. but I will share my interpretation of the Holy Scripture!
I believe that the whole bible is the word of God from the mouth of God himself. Yes, men did write the Bible, but God inspired every word. I believe that every word in the Bible is true, and we as Christians are to try to follow the teachings of Christ. Christ is our example and reading about how he lived his life is the only way we are able to grasp the life we are supposed to be living.