What Atheists wish Christians knew about them

[Phoebe]

'This is an excerpt from a longer interview in conjunction with the National Interview an Atheist at Church Day (May 5, 2013) done by the pastor of the Meadowbrook Church of Christ on May 1st. Neil Carter gives his list of things Atheists wish Christians knew about them but seem to misunderstand.'

 

[pie2]

Neil Carter

 

The poor dear. He's probably been through quite the traumatic religious experience. I just don't know why he hates God so much?! I can tell that he has a lot of repressed anger. Well, hope one day he'll repent of his sin, as the bible says, "repent and be saved" (please see bible verses here).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umirano]

The poor dear. He's probably been through quite the traumatic religious experience. I just don't know why he hates God so much?!

 

Could you explain how someone can hate something that he thinks does not exist?

[steveT95]

The poor dear. He's probably been through quite the traumatic religious experience. I just don't know why he hates God so much?! I can tell that he has a lot of repressed anger. Well, hope one day he'll repent of his sin, as the bible says, "repent and be saved" (please see bible verses here).

 

 

 

Please tell me you're joking, else this is a perfect example of what good atheists hate. Some atheists, like some christians, want to convert people to their belief system or shove it down other people's throats.

Good people just keep there beliefs to themselves and accept that others may not believe the same thing.

[Eve]

Please tell me you're joking, else this is a perfect example of what good atheists hate. Some atheists, like some christians, want to convert people to their belief system or shove it down other people's throats.

Good people just keep there beliefs to themselves and accept that others may not believe the same thing.

 

Not that I am emotionally invested in this topic - didn't watch the video much. Do you disagree with the video of the atheist guy or what Pie said, or both?

 

I don't get what you are saying completely.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[Phoebe]

pie2, you're either a textbook case of a troll or as dumb as a rock. I bothered to actually check what Carter wants believers to know. In your post you managed to show you don't know about 9 out of 11 things he'd like you to know. That's a pretty depressing score.

 

I was assuming that pie2 was joking because of the winks and sticking out of tongues. Either pie2 watched the video and is having a bit of fun or they didn't watch the video and could probably benefit from it. One of the reasons why I liked and shared this video was because Carter was very calm, very reasonable and respectful.

 

For anyone who doesn't have the patience to watch the video here are the 11 points Carter spoke about.

 

#1. We have morals too.

#2. You don't know us better than ourselves.

#3. We don't deep down believe in your particular god.

#4. We don't hate your particular god.

#5. We don't all disbelieve because something bad happened to us.

#6. Believing isn't a choice.

#7. Most of us used to be Christians too.

#8. Quoting the bible doesn't work like a Jedi mind trick.

#9. We don't worship the devil.

#10. Hell doesn't scare us. To us it doesn't even make sense.

#11. Not all of us are anti-theists.

[pie2]

I was assuming that pie2 was joking because of the winks and sticking out of tongues. Either pie2 watched the video and is having a bit of fun or they didn't watch the video and could probably benefit from it. One of the reasons why I liked and shared this video was because Carter was very calm, very reasonable and respectful.

 

For anyone who doesn't have the patience to watch the video here are the 11 points Carter spoke about.

 

#1. We have morals too.

#2. You don't know us better than ourselves.

#3. We don't deep down believe in your particular god.

#4. We don't hate your particular god.

#5. We don't all disbelieve because something bad happened to us.

#6. Believing isn't a choice.

#7. Most of us used to be Christians too.

#8. Quoting the bible doesn't work like a Jedi mind trick.

#9. We don't worship the devil.

#10. Hell doesn't scare us. To us it doesn't even make sense.

#11. Not all of us are anti-theists.

 

 

 

 

Phoebe ~ Yes, I was just joking. Obviously very badly, lol!!

 

I watched the video (before my post, hence the ridiculousness in my response), and had some thoughts (I must run right now though...hope to be back later). Thanks for providing the list here.

 

Sorry Phoebe for any disruption to your thread!

[amaysngrace]

When he started to describe how religious people differentiate different gods from different religions I shut him off. It's the same God...just different names.

 

Anyway it seems that Atheists pay a lot more attention to religion than people of religion pay to them.

[M30USA]

When he started to describe how religious people differentiate different gods from different religions I shut him off. It's the same God...just different.

 

I disagree. All religions don't worship the same God. Even Jesus has different versions. That's why if your version of Jesus doesn't line up with Scripture and the Holy Spirit, it doesn't matter how good your intentions are, it's a lie.

[dreamingoftigers]

I think it is largely semantics based on God getting passed around from group to group of imperfect humans.

 

Much like the Tower of Babel.

[M30USA]

I think it is largely semantics based on God getting passed around from group to group of imperfect humans.

 

Much like the Tower of Babel.

 

I'd say you were correct but Satans prime goal is to confuse people about Gods identity and what his Word says.

[sweetjasmine]

When he started to describe how religious people differentiate different gods from different religions I shut him off. It's the same God...just different names.

 

Not every religion teaches that. In some belief systems, believing that will get you shunned or killed.

[amaysngrace]

I think it is largely semantics based on God getting passed around from group to group of imperfect humans.

 

Much like the Tower of Babel.

 

Yes which is why is so damn confusing to follow. Maybe that's why people become Atheists.

 

Jesus was a good man. Every Dalai Lama was a good man. Buddha was a good man and so was Gandhi. Even the Prophet Muhammad was a good man.

 

Same God. Different interpretations.

 

Isn't it arrogant to say only one belief is accurate? That's the basis of all of these holy wars. Pride. One of the Seven Deadlys.

[amaysngrace]

I'd say you were correct but Satans prime goal is to confuse people about Gods identity and what his Word says.

 

Oh. So you think any religion that you personally don't believe in is the work of Satan?

 

Yikes.

[amaysngrace]

Not every religion teaches that. In some belief systems, believing that will get you shunned or killed.

 

Yes I'm getting the feeling that you are right about that.

 

Actually no religion taught me that. It's something I've decided on my own.

[M30USA]

Yes which is why is so damn confusing to follow. Maybe that's why people become Atheists.

 

Jesus was a good man. Every Dalai Lama was a good man. Buddha was a good man and so was Gandhi. Even the Prophet Muhammad was a good man.

 

Same God. Different interpretations.

 

Isn't it arrogant to say only one belief is accurate? That's the basis of all of these holy wars. Pride. One of the Seven Deadlys.

 

If anyone can read the Scriptures and still think Jesus is just another version of the same God, I'd have to question his/her reading comprehension.

 

The Pharisees of Jesus' day made the same argument being made on this thread. They claimed to follow the Father (God) yet they rejected Jesus as being God.

 

Jesus then said:

 

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires...When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)

 

It's interesting that many people are willing to accept a multcultural approach to God with all different variations. Yet somehow on the identity of Christ, many will not accept him. This is because, with Christ, God suddenly got VERY SPECIFIC about his identity and suddenly it's not a matter of imagination or pondering anymore. As John said, we have lived among him and beheld his glory firsthand.

Edited May 13, 2013 by M30USA

[Eve]

If anyone can read the Scriptures and still think Jesus is just another version of the same God, I'd have to question his/her reading comprehension.

 

The Pharisees of Jesus' day made the same argument being made on this thread. They claimed to follow the Father (God) yet they rejected Jesus as being God.

 

Jesus then said:

 

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires...When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)

 

They already know and don't care M30USA. Listen.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[M30USA]

They already know and don't care M30USA. Listen.

 

Take care,

Eve x

 

Only God can cause a seed to grow. I can plant it. That's all. But it still needs to be planted.

[Eve]

Only God can cause a seed to grow. I can plant it. That's all. But it still needs to be planted.

 

God gives the curcuit, not us. They have already heard and made up their mind/don't read the Bible. There is nothing to give.

 

.. Do what you want but clearly you will be wasting your time. There is a ton of other stuff to do which is edifying. Arguing with people who are agruing about something they do not believe in is silly.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[umirano]

Yes which is why is so damn confusing to follow. Maybe that's why people become Atheists.

I'd say a huge majority of people become atheists when they realize that god(s) are not necessary to explain our world and that waiting for one to intervene in their lives is in vain.

 

Jesus was a good man.

Assuming he existed: Didn't he say that the "old books" are all true and to be believed? Including all the stone age atrocities? Didn't he say something about bringing the sword, not peace?

 

Every Dalai Lama was a good man.

Never met one, I wouldn't know that. Tibet sure suffers from the Chinese occupation though.

 

Even the Prophet Muhammad was a good man.

Sure about that? Ordering his disciples to slay the infidels where they meet them? Taking 8yo for a wife by force?

 

Different interpretations.

Which interestingly lead to hugely different outcomes in terms of violence, tolerance and politics. God seems not to care too much that he can be interpreted in such a wide range...

[M30USA]

Which interestingly lead to hugely different outcomes in terms of violence, tolerance and politics. God seems not to care too much that he can be interpreted in such a wide range...

 

Or...God's ways are higher than yours and he ALLOWS all these various ideas about him to run rampant so that we can see, firsthand, the logical finality of every single false doctrine and false god. People unfortunately are stupid and only learn by trial and error. God wants us to come to him, exhausted and humbled, after we've tried our own way and realized where it leads.

[Keenly]

Or...God's ways are higher than yours and he ALLOWS all these various ideas about him to run rampant so that we can see, firsthand, the logical finality of every single false doctrine and false god. People unfortunately are stupid and only learn by trial and error. God wants us to come to him, exhausted and humbled, after we've tried our own way and realized where it leads.

 

I'd say you were correct but Satans prime goal is to confuse people about Gods identity and what his Word says.

 

 

This is why I don't like religious people. They have this holier than thou, I'm a better person attitude because they believe and we don't. They have cop out arguments like "satan wants us to be confused" and god "allows" us to have our own opinions and free will.

 

 

If your god allows us free will, why do you not respect out right to not believe without you condescendingly judge us at every turn.

[M30USA]

This is why I don't like religious people. They have this holier than thou, I'm a better person attitude because they believe and we don't. They have cop out arguments like "satan wants us to be confused" and god "allows" us to have our own opinions and free will.

 

 

If your god allows us free will, why do you not respect out right to not believe without you condescendingly judge us at every turn.

 

I'm not holier than anybody. You wanna start listing sins? I just might beat you.

 

All I claim--and all any Christian should claim--is that I have the revealed Word of God and the testimony of the Holy Spirit as to its truth.

[xxoo]

I have another:

 

Many of us find deep peace apart from religion.

 

I've discovered more peace in my nonreligious years than I ever had in my Christian years, which were fraught with searching for explanations and reasons. I'm also older, so that could be a factor, too. But "no Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace" wasn't true for me.

[M30USA]

I have another:

 

Many of us find deep peace apart from religion.

 

I've discovered more peace in my nonreligious years than I ever had in my Christian years, which were fraught with searching for explanations and reasons. I'm also older, so that could be a factor, too. But "no Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace" wasn't true for me.

 

"For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace. Thus says the Lord : "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, "We will not walk in it." I set watchmen over you, saying, "Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!" But they said, "We will not pay attention." Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them. Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. (Jeremiah 6:13, 14, 16-19 ESV)

 

Also...

 

For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord ’s instruction. They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”(Isaiah 30:9-11 NIV)