Why do atheists know more about Christianity then most Christians?

Question

If Christians really make their own decision to become Christians, they would learn about Christianity BEFORE becoming Christians. Most Christians start learning about Christianity AFTER they've already considered themselves Christians.

Answer 1

The biggest problem is that way to many people are referred to as 'Christians' who are not. Below is pasted from an answer I researched for another question:

by Prof. Cary Lantz of the Family Studies Dept. at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va

"And, while I couldn't put my hands on the report right at the moment, Barna reports that something like 26-27% of Christians identifying themselves as "born again" have been divorced. (I hope I'm not slaughtering his exact language too badly.) (However, to reinforce your point made re: Catholics, Barna also found that -- again from memory, so don't quote me -- something like 30-35% of those identifying themselves as "born again" felt that Jesus wasn't totally sinless! This is heresy to historic Christian faith. My point is not so much theological as it is to affirm your point that people are endorsing labels on surveys (e.g., "Catholic", "evangelical", Christian", "born again") which may be fairly meaningless as far as clarifying their personal beliefs. The labels may be, as you say, "ethnic", or in the case of the diverse ethnic groups comprising Protestantism, the labels may represent a "generational" identity."

source:
http://www.divorcereform.org/mel/rreligi...

The other facet is what a person is referring to as 'knowing about Christianity'. Every organization, cause, or movement in history has had the ability to be perverted or abused by men. The core belief of Christianity is summarized succinctly in 2 passages from the Gospel of John: John 3:16;

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."

and John 1:1 & 14

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....And the Word became flesh and dwelt among men."

These two passages summarize the Gospel, and are foundational tenents of Christianity. If one does not know, understand, and accept these things, then 'knowing' the entire balance of the Bible is like studying Tensor Calculus for an examination in U.S. History----you may be well versed, but the information is completely useless because the premise for application is wrong.

Answer 2

Christianity is comparatively simple to understand , to pronounce yourself a 'Christian' you must follow the teachings of Jesus, and to enable you to do that you must understand the teachings of Jesus!! you must also believe that Jesus is God , Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus is the Holy Ghost. All comprise the Holy Trinity!!, Now if you don't believe all that then you are not a Christian (no other religious group believes all that) !
I am not a clever feller by any means, just an average bloke but I understand that!! There is no way I could ever believe it, but I do understand it.
Atheists do not believe in God, it's as simple as that, so obviously they don't believe any religion is necessary !
I have been an atheist for many long years, but I have always found all religions to be very interesting. I like to know what makes people 'tick'
Just from reading the religious post on this forum these basic requirements are not know by the vast majority of Christians. So why call your self a Christian??
I am not just having a 'pop' at Christians here, Islam is about the same, most Muslims put their own individual 'spin' on the Koran.
I think Judaism , and the Jews understanding of the Torah is a very good example of a religious group having a very good knowledge of their own religion.

Answer 3

Good point. I wonder, can you actually be a "Christian" when you cannot clearly explain "WHY" you need a Savior? Like you said, they've "already considered themselves a Christian?" Sorry, this is turning into a question, but i've gotta ask, does considering myself a Christian make me a Christian?

Also, here's some food for thought...

Why do you think the atheists who know more about Christianity then most Christians, are still atheists? Hmmm.

Answer 4

I was a practicing Christian for over thirty years and became an atheist only after many years of studying religion & history.

The best way to become an atheist is to objectively study the bible and religion.

I strongly encourage everyone who has not done so to read the bible. And, don't skip over the parts you don't understand. The parts you don't understand are the parts that prove the bible to be the nonsense it really is.




BTW, I'm nearly 60 and am not looking for "God," nor do I fear death or an "afterlife." And, did not become an atheist because I was angry or wanted to "sin." I was raised as a Baptist and Baptists can sin all they want with no (eternal) consequences.

The lies preachers tell about atheists are just more proof the bible is nonsense. If it wasn't, they wouldn't have to lie.

Answer 5

Because many people claim to be Christians b/c that's what they practice or how they grew up. They haven't made their faith their own. They just kinda tag it on to their name. Atheists, however, have usually made a definite decision and feel they need to make sure everyone else knows why they feel Christianity is wrong. They also have biases (don't we all?) against Christianity in most cases and may want to stand up against what has hurt them. Christians are not perfect. We're just humans. Part of Christianity is that you don't have to be smart or perfect or good to believe. You just believe. THEN you begin to learn and discover God's awesome plan for you. This is why Christianity is inclusive- it allows everyone a chance to believe. You don't have to measure up first.

Answer 6

definite i'm a Christian and that i comprehend what my bible says to me. i do no longer understand approximately others ideals yet am prepared to learn. you will locate my website in my profile that advance into built. For the point of Christians and non believers assembly together at a non violent website that. everyone with ideals different then Christians merely isn't berated or beat up. I do agree Christians (some) twist scripture and take it out of context. some Christians do it no longer on the grounds that scripture says something diverse in the process the Holy Spirit. They do it because of the fact they think of doing scriptures that way builds up their ego's and that they do no longer care how incorrect they're. For berating and bashing others with God's notice. If Atheists do comprehend greater with regard to the bible then Christians then why do no longer they opt to advance into Christians? If Atheists grew to become Christians they might in all probability practice some Christians somewhat or 2.

Answer 7

They often don't. They often are more aware of the things "wrong" with Christianity.

It doesn't help that most Christians think the things they learn in Sunday School and in the preacher's sermons are all that is in the bible.

Most Christians are raised in a Christian home and follow the faith of their parents. Sometimes they change denominations, but their beliefs rarely change much if they do. All Christians know exactly as much as they want to know about their religion.

Answer 8

Well you see, the thing is that most atheists have a greater "selective" knowledge of Christianity than the average Christian. Most Christians are seeking God and not a way to prove that He doesn't exist so that they can continue to be their own "gods" and "kings" of their own lives.

The basic message of Christianity, that we are all lost in our sins but that God has made a way to redeem us and save us from our bondage to sin is the building block from which to learn if one is seeking the truth about God and man.

If a person doesn't start out with the right foundation, then they run the risk of over intellectualizing the truths about God that go beyond what our finite minds can comprehend. However, that doesn't mean that many brilliant scientists have not come to faith through reason. Here's a web site for you to check out if you are interested. http://www.tektonics.org/scim/sciencemony.htm

Answer 9

But will they ever know what most Christians know? What does that have to do with Christian being intellectually superior than athiests or athiest being intellectually superior than Christians. The argument falls on earthly reason and logic but the other on spiritual level and can never be reconciled. I am in this world and I can be agnostic or athiest since my wisdom is also limited like anyone else but I chose to be spiritual and believe in God because I have experiences in life that points me towards God. With that aside, what makes an athiest different from me or I from them. Nothing. That's why I believe that Christians should not argue with athiest because it will only spell misunderstanding. Let us just respect each others belief and face the consequence if ever there will be.

Answer 10

Because at an early age most people born into Christianity simply accept that their beliefs are completely infallible. Atheists on the other hand often question what has been fed to them and so they research the bible and eventually decide whether to remain Christian or to become an atheist. (Of course this doesn't include atheists who weren't raised as Christians)