Romans Chapter 1 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[c] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[d] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
New King James Version
2006-07-17 02:17:59 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Romans 1 never once refers to atheists. Quite the contrary, in the passages just prior to the ones you quote, he explicitly refers to people who gave up God in order to worship snakes, birds, and other animals. (Rom 1:23) But he isn't in fact singling anyone out here - he is describing what he perceives to be the history of the human race.
In this, Paul is echoing the traditional catechesis of the church - that man's natural relationship with God is sundered in the garden of Eden. In the next chapter (ch. 2) Paul goes on to make the point that there is "no partiality with God", and that all stand before God with the same obligation to do good and avoid evil, and in Ch. 3 begins to describe the Christian soteriology - "They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus..." (Rom 3:24)
So no... this passage has nothing to do with atheists, but is part of Roman's exquisite construction of Paul's standard apologetic for Christianity.
2006-07-17 02:32:10 · answer #1 · answered by evolver 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion often can't tolerate atheism, nor agnosticism-- this is most true of evangelical faiths. Why? Because religion is founded on an unprovable belief in the supernatural. . . and the more important religion becomes in your life, the more anxiety-provoking it is to encounter folks who don't share your belief. This tension is particularly strong when a religion is trying to grow by conversion (eg Christianity and Islam); atheism and agnosticism form a barrier to religious expansion and are thus met with hostility.
The religious (particularly evangelicals) seem to be existentially offended by atheism, in a way that atheists are not by religion; it is not enough that they've found their own bit of spiritual enlightenment-- they consider that the existence of others in darkness diminishes humanity.
There are exceptions, of course-- Jews particularly don't care if Gentiles are religious or not, nor do Buddhists, nor do Hindus . . . but none of these are evangelical faiths.
As a counterpoint to the Biblical quote, one might consider Thomas Jefferson:
"But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."
2006-07-17 02:32:00 · answer #2 · answered by Crocodilian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many countries 'swear on the Bible', to bring a mutual symbol of trust into the discourse. Others smoke a peace pipe. Neither the symbol, nor the ritual are as important as fidelity. An infidel in any guise fulfills all that you recant. This is a universal feeling, that pre-dates any modern doctrine, or faith. Trust is the foundation of any covenant, and any covenant maker will distrust, and possibly despise non-covenant persons. It's as simple as a hand shake, but more complex than Law itself...
2006-07-17 05:50:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Paul talks about those who after knowing God and have been cleansed by the blood of Christ, fell away from their faith and turned their back on God, and therefore God gave them over to a debased mind. But the truth is that God loves atheist as much as He loves any one. God doesn't turn His back on any one and He loves all mankind just the same. It is for you to decide whether you want God who created you and formed as you are to be one with Him and His Glory. God doesn't force His way against any body. He gave you a free mind and free will, and its for you to decide what you want!
2006-07-17 02:33:36 · answer #4 · answered by lonelyspirit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a very realized human being you're by no skill valueless. There seems a particular good judgment with some Christians that signifies that till one embrances their beliefs they're untrustworthy or with out any moral benefit. looks somewhat proscribing in itself - isn't it? fortunately, something people recognize it somewhat is unfaithful.
2016-12-10 10:46:32 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheism, well after reading on here I guess I need to call myself an athiest. To me the Bible is a bunch of short stories written so "religous"people have a place to go and a guide to show them the way. And if another does not beleive in their god it's written in the Bible so they can use it to their so called advantage.
2006-07-17 02:30:37 · answer #6 · answered by darlene793 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we did a good act merely from love of God and a belief that it is pleasing to Him, whence arises the morality of the Atheist? ...Their virtue, then, must have had some other foundation than the love of God.
-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Thomas Law, June 13, 1814
2006-07-17 02:38:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't it obvious? It's the frickin' Bible!
Bible-Atheists, Atheists-Bible!
What's not to understand? They think we're the enemy!
Us, and according to Mel Gibson, Jews.
(yo ho, yo ho - an atheist life for me- Arrrr!)
Okay, seriously though.
The concept that atheist don't have an internal morality simply because they don't follow the Bible is ridiculous.
Morality is universal. That's why when you get beyond the smoke and mirrors, most religious works of all kinds say basically the same things.
If you're flipping through the Bible, saying to yourself:
"I want to kill my neighbour and f*ck his wife - I don't know if I should!"
You're already beyond salvation.
2006-07-17 02:46:58 · answer #8 · answered by buzzzard 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says a lot of things that don't make sense.
Let me direct you to Leviticus, Chapter 21.
2006-07-17 02:21:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible was written by human beings. Other humans translated the original writings. Human beings are not perfect according to the bible. Therefore, the bible is not perfect. Don't believe everything you read :-)
2006-07-17 02:25:26 · answer #10 · answered by Angry C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋