Why are Atheist Atheist?

[Seraphotic]

After reading some of the posts here, I thought to say something:

Some people are probably atheists because they look to God and ask Him to do everything and expect something unrealistic because they don't have an understanding of how He works. Because they don't see immediate results, they don't believe. Thus, they don't receive. They might also think that God will magically fix all their problems because they ask Him to without understanding how He works. Also, when I say they, I don't mean all atheists, or even the majority, by the way. This is a problem with a lot of Christians, too.

People also blame God for a lot of crap in the world which God didn't do.

The blind end up leading the blind into a ditch.

I have seen my fair share of this too, lost a friend over it. There is something you can do though, read the bible and tell them how God works, and some may find this statement a life changer.

"I'd rather live my life believing there is a God an die to find out there isnt than to die and find that there is."

Some people can be scared of the truth too, they don't wanna give themselves up to something, even though what they're really doing is giving themselves to the world.

The most viewed atheist on YouTube cried bc a viewer sent him a bible, they know they're wrong, they don't want to admit it... But some are different, there really isn't a status quo, just variations.

 

[Kyouken]

I have seen my fair share of this too, lost a friend over it. There is something you can do though, read the bible and tell them how God works, and some may find this statement a life changer.

"I'd rather live my life believing there is a God an die to find out there isnt than to die and find that there is."

Some people can be scared of the truth too, they don't wanna give themselves up to something, even though what they're really doing is giving themselves to the world.

The most viewed atheist on YouTube cried bc a viewer sent him a bible, they know they're wrong, they don't want to admit it... But some are different, there really isn't a status quo, just variations.

While I've got a good understanding, I'm still figuring out how He works (aren't we all )
Thanks for this; I'll keep it in mind.

 

[kewl42]

it's not that they don't believe that someone doesn't love them, it's that they think that there is no, hard, scientific evidence to back up their beliefs. it's much easier to believe something with evidence than without. also, more people have been killed in the name of god than for any other reason. and mostly because the people that are killed are so because they pray to a different being than we do. and to be honest, all monotheistic rekigions believe in the same god. god himself, allah, and any other god are 1 and the same. just look at how similar the koran and the bible are in their messages. nuff sed.

 

[Jullianna]

For me, i was an athiest because there were christians. I would say for the most part, there is no group as flesh hungry as christians; at least the ones i was around. Sometimes i really think we give God a bad name.

After i understood not all christians are the same, and there are varying levels of sanity within every major religion. That is the major thing that i feel allowed me to come around.

I didn't become an atheist, but did turn away from the church when I was much younger for the same reason. I was so thankful that God didn't give up on me, but rather taught me how foolish it is to look at other human beings rather than Christ, Himself, to understand His righteousness.

Many of the atheists I have talked with over the years don't like the idea of being accountable or submissive to a higher being. We have probably all experienced that sort of arrogance to a degree at some point in our walk...when we wanted to be our own gods and do as we pleased without consideration of the consequences, not only for ourselves, but those around us and entrusted to us.

 

[Dogma]

Heres what I always thought about atheist:

What is so hard to believe that there is someone who cares about you? To believe that there is eternal life with nothing to fear or cry about. To believe that someone died for you and loves you so much. To believe someone can save you and defeat all your enemies. To believe that someone will do anything for you, as long as you believe in him and trust him.



Care to answer why they don't believe?

Hello. As a former Christian, I can help shed some light on your question "Why are atheists atheists".

But first, let me ask you a question of my own: Why are atoothfairists atoothfairists? What is so hard to believe that there is someone who cares about you and your teeth? To believe that there is truly a supernatural entity that is willing to collect all your baby teeth and give monetary compensation? I think we can all agree that the toothfairy is a marvelous idea. As an atoothfairist myself, I will admit that the world would be a better place if the toothfairy existed. I also think the world would be a better place with renewable energies, sustainable food systems, and cures for all natural diseases.

Let me make one crucial point here: Belief is NOT a choice. No matter how hard I try, I could not bring myself to believing the toothfairy, even if I am cognizant of all the potential benefits it could bring me. Similarly, I think it would be great to be able to live for eternity in complete bliss and happiness. But believing in something doesn't make it true, and dealing with reality on reality's terms is the best way (for me personally) to maximize is the best way to maximize your contribution to humanity, your life experience, and your happiness in this life; the only life that we truly are guaranteed to live .

Now obviously I can't speak for all non believers because not everyone rejects the claim of a God for the same reason. There are some people that are born into completely secular societies, and receive education about many different religions as a youngster, and develope objective opinions on God(s)/ religion via latter research and rational inquiry. There are others who are influenced by personal experiences, and others who are highly humanistic by nature. There are also some who choose to stop believing due to negative experiences they had within the church.

Like I said I before, I was a Christian for 16 years. I spent a large amount of time learning about the history of the religion and the bible. I studied old manuscripts and even personality translated sections of the Dead Sea scrolls and Greek manuscripts to Latin. I read many books on Theology and Christian Apologetic. I studied biology and genetics in great detail. And after years and years of research, I realized that I personally just could not believe in the Bible anymore, nor could I accept Christian dogma/ doctrines as a whole.

I called myself a deist for many years after as I continued my research. I started to realize that I no longer had any reasons to hold onto my belief of a God/ deities. I started calling myself an atheist in 2011, however I do not recall when I actually stopped beleving in a diety. I am currently a PHD student at UNC Chapel Hill focussing on early Christian manuscripts and Greek Manuscripts from the 8th & 9th Centuries.

Please feel free to shoot me some questions if you have any


Ethan

 

[Johnxxxx]

You really don't get why it's hard to believe in God? Really think about what God is, really REALLY think about it. And come back to me. I'm not saying you're wrong about it, only that it isn't quite like believing the sun exists. It takes faith, and a lot of it.

 

[Imaginationland1]

All I can say is just because you believe something doesnt make it true. It may make you feel great about yourself that a supernatural being cares about you (just like in the old testamnet lol), but simply belief isnt truth but just belief!!

 

[murraymuzz]

I think mainly because atheists dont realize what we mean by God, they equate him with other things, an example "there is a tree, there is a car, there is God, there is a cat" - no thats exactly what God is not, another thing in the world. A defenition of God is required if there is to be some sort of productive argumentation for why God does not exist on the atheist side, so what is God? Well we really dont know what God exactly is, but we know what he isn't, he isn't anything you can think of without making your brain hurt for starters. How do we know he exists, we can determine this through the use of logical argumenation and reasoning in other words Philosophy, (Oh no i can't empirically test that!!) and as atheists should know philosophy is the basis of science, by asking the questions do we find the answers.

 

[Spartacus1122]

Heres what I always thought about atheist:

What is so hard to believe that there is someone who cares about you? To believe that there is eternal life with nothing to fear or cry about. To believe that someone died for you and loves you so much. To believe someone can save you and defeat all your enemies. To believe that someone will do anything for you, as long as you believe in him and trust him.

Care to answer why they don't believe?

There are various reasons:

- they were not raised properly in a Christian home.
- their parents were non-practicing, therefore believing became unnecessary.
- they treated God too much like a Santa Claus, and when they did not get what they want, they stopped believing in Him.
- trauma: the "why did it happen to me? God must not exist" age-old question.
- laziness.
- keeping up with the trends and in-crowds.
- they lost faith due to a particular event.
- socioeconomic status: historically, religion and social wealth have had a negative correlation (the wealthier people get, the more materialistic they become, therefore the less religious they become as well).
- or simply to be antagonistic *** *****.

 

[Holei]

Here's a quote coming from the band dc Talk, which I think is a good quote: "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is christians. Who acknowledge God with their lips then go on about living their normal lives."

 

[Willot]

True story.

 

[simplyme_bekah]

I think it is because the devil has them completely fooled. I love it when God sends Atheist to me. Happened to me in a airport. I of course was filled with that inner light that is all happy and sparkly that reaches out to others and shows them that there is something inside of me that is different (holy spirit) He was curious about my light and mentioned to me that I seem to really love God by the words that I had said to him in casual conversation. I said more then anyone or anything. He then told me he was a Atheist. I then said ya know what....forget what the world has said about God and just ask God. He will answer your questions and show you just how very big and real he is. (((grinz)))

 

[AdorableNoel]

I used to be Atheist. Each atheist has a different reason. When i was younger i was taught the basics of God.. he died on the cross for me.. rose the 3rd day.. he loves me.. and adam and eve.. But i hadnt known anymore. I loved God, but one day after so much i thought God didnt love me anymore, and i was afraid of evil. So it was easier for me to stop believing and then listen to other's people's unlogical reasons of not believeing in Christ.

All athiests have an oppurtunity to meet God though even the ones who have never really heard of Him.

God Bless

 

[Willot]

I used to be a theist, then I took an arrow to the knee.

 

[TheKringledOne]

Just to start this, I want to remind everyone that my opinions on this subject should not be applied to other atheists you know. Atheists is a very diverse blanket term and there are people with very different philosophical views that would be consider themselves to be atheists.

What is so hard to believe that there is someone who cares about you?

If you just mean someone in general then I think most atheists do believe that there are others out there that care for them. I know plenty of people who care for me.

To believe that there is eternal life with nothing to fear or cry about To believe that someone died for you and loves you so much.

I have just not seen any evidence that this is the case. It would be great if it was and I would do a lot to earn it. Christianity is very appealing because not only does it allow for this but it basically offers it without much sacrifice because Jesus already payed the price for them. However, I am not able to believe things just because I would prefer those things to be the case. There are many things I would prefer to be real but I don't believe is actually the case because I don't have sufficient evidence. I would love to wake up tomorrow and have it so nobody on earth was suffering, however I can't make myself believe that because I have no evidence to support that it will happen. In fact, I have reason to believe that I won't wake up tomorrow to a world without suffering.

To believe someone can save you and defeat all your enemies. To believe that someone will do anything for you, as long as you believe in him and trust him.

Again, I would find that to be great. I don't get to choose what I believe based on how nice it would be. Reality doesn't mend into what I would like it to be. If it is not demonstrable than how am I supposed to believe that it is the reality of the situation that I am in.

does it really matter why they are? in our eyes, we are right. in their eyes, they are right. it is simple as that.

Though the latter statements may be true in the broadest of senses, I think it is something that matters a lot. I think that people believing in what they can determine to be true is important and, given the right circumstances, I think they should attempt to get others to see the world in the same light. I think this is especially true if the teachings of the bible are correct. If you are to love your neighbor then you would not want them to suffer forever over a simple error in belief that may be over something as simple as a lack of evidence that you happen to have. This is why I respect many evangelists.

Romans 1:20-22 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools"

I never have been able to relate to this question. When I was young I was never taught about God and the only understanding I had of religion were from books I read about ancient Egypt. I didn't even know that the majority of people around me believed that a god existed until I was around 10. Even after that, the idea of a god creating the world as an explanation for the beauty, and horrors, of nature. Though I must admit that I never really started wondering about where everything came from until I was much older. I still do not see how the world I see around me proves that God, or any god for that matter, exists and created everything around me. If this passage is true, then I have no idea what is blinding me from seeing the proof of God in the world around me.

I think it is because the devil has them completely fooled.

I don't understand how the devil is supposed to have people confused like I am based on the claims made in the bible.

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Do I not know how to ask? Am I just a terrible seeker? Apparently this is not a door I know how to knock on.

 

[Skeptic11]

This is a shame.

Romans 1:20-22 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools"

Isaiah 30:18 "And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him."

John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

This right here, is a shame. How dare you pride yourself in a religion expressing equality and love, yet you so hastily turn against fellow people that were supposedly created by "God".

 

[JimJimmers]

This right here, is a shame. How dare you pride yourself in a religion expressing equality and love, yet you so hastily turn against fellow people that were supposedly created by "God".

How do you know what Joshua does concerning his fellow man? LOL, do you know him personally?

 

[NateDaGrimes]

somtimes christians becomes athiest and stays athiest because what their excuses are, are mostly 90% about man... Hipocrosy are usually main reasons. Just because somone goes to a church and proclaim they are christian but smokes crack and goes to parties does not make them a christian. It doesn't have to be crack or parties but its also what "christian" do outside of the church and in the world.

people should focus more on god more than man like joel olsteen, rick warren, joyce blah blah, Td jakes, ect.

Fake christians are mostly the reason there are athiest.

 

[jtc0999]

Atheists are lost. They belive they have no reason in life, and that "science" is more beliveable than the Bible. They come to christians for answers, and they expect answers for the questions they ask.

 

[Skeptic23]

I never understand why people ask questions about someones viewpoint that isn't their target audience.....why ask on a christian chat site what athiests believe? Go and ask them, wouldn't that make sense.

As an atheist I must agree.. by all means. Ask an atheist directly. And towards the comment saying "they just want to sin" SHAME. We are by principle more moral.. for you say without the words of a book you would be out sinning then you are corrupt. We do what is right because it is inherently right. Not for fear of punishment or promise of reward.. but because we have knowledge to not do stupidly evil things.