Who have the most conviction in their beliefs in the existence/non-existence of God; atheists or Christians?

Question

Not wanting to ignite a heated argument, but just an interesting question. Obviously it is easier to deny the existence of God than to believe in it (eg: a lot of atheists like to deny the existence of God for convenience), but are there really any atheists 100% convinced in their beliefs? Christians require faith to believe in God, is this well-founded and have 100% conviction in this belief?

Perhaps the UK is different from the US, but there many convenient atheits I know. For example, there was a debate on a news programme, where a man
argued the case logically and rationally, and the other bloke turned around and simply said, I don't believe in God so it doesn't bother me. A lot of atheists are atheists for convenience, and to live their lifes to their own morals.

And to be honest, it is much harder to be a Christia than an atheist. In the UK, only about 4% now go to church.

Perhaps the UK is different from the US, but there many convenient atheits I know. For example, there was a debate on a news programme, where a man
argued the case logically and rationally, and the other bloke turned around and simply said, I don't believe in God so it doesn't bother me. A lot of atheists are atheists for convenience, and to live their lifes to their own morals.

And to be honest, it is much harder to be a Christian than an atheist. In the UK, only about 4% now go to church.

Answer 1

I think both Christians and atheists are equally passionate about their belief of the existence/non-existence of God.

Answer 2

I am 100% sure that god does not exist, yes. And no, it's not for convenience, thank you very much. Do you really think I'd take oblivion over an eternity in paradise? If it was real I'd be all over it. But it simply isn't. I suppose the best way to find out who's conviction is strong would be to take a poll and compare the percentage of people who convert to some other belief over a certain period of time in each group.

Answer 3

Very few atheists would say they are "convinced" there is no god. They are referred to as strong atheists, and tend to be few in number.

Most atheists, like myself, simply don't have a belief. I have conviction that my lack of belief is the most rational worldview, but I would not say that it is 100%.

Analogy is the best way to view this. Imagine, instead of God, we are talking about unicorns. (since both atheists and theists don't beleive in them).

I am not 100% convinced that a unicorn doesn't exist, however I simply fail to express a belief in them. I don't lose sleep over it, and I don't repeatedly ponder the "Unicorn" question.

Similarly, Christians don't ponder the "Allah" question or Hindus the "Jesus" questions.

Lack belief is different from a convinced belief in something for which there is no proof, so I would definately say the theists have more conviction.

Answer 4

If you are a Christian... a true Christian, you will never fall away from the faith. Jesus said nothing can pluck you out of the fathers hand. So once you are a Christian you are in it for life...and eternity. There is no such thing as I was once a Christian, and now have fallen away. Then they were never saved in the first place. So that being said, real Christians should have more conviction, than atheists, who by the way become Christians every day.

Answer 5

People who are not Christian also have religious conviction, which can be just as devout (if not more) than their Christian peers.

Granted, in culture today it is more difficult to be a non-Christian, whether this means being an Atheist or following a different type of belief system. It seems to me that it is way easier just to go along with a majority religion than it is to take an analytical look and figure things out for one's self. Being an Atheist of non-Christian takes a lot of effort and devotion to exist in society today.

Answer 6

As an atheist, I can tell you that I have 100% conviction.
That is not to say that I am 100% sure there is no god, or supreme being.
What I mean is that, as a person who has read religious texts from most organized religions that are around today, I am 100% positive that I want nothing to do with this "God" person, if he exists.

Answer 7

I can convince any Christian on the face of the earth that his god doesn't exist. But it would take a long time, and unfortunately, I don't have the time to do so. I was considering writing a book on the subject, however. The problem is, the target audience would refuse to read it...

Edit - Yes, the UK is considerably different... You want to see hatred and prejudice? Try announcing you're an atheist in the US... We are by far, the most despised minority in this country.

Answer 8

I'm not sure I quite understand your question, but here goes. I would have to say that anyone standing up for their belief, on either side would have to be convinced of the veracity of their argument. The problem is; is that very few people discuss their beliefs in any manner that moves them to a knowledge of "why" they believe it.
Many adhere to their beliefs more out of societal reasons, up bringing, peer pressure, or on and on...the list is huge. But few actually try and see if their belief is founded on anything more their own mind set.
I believe that only in this manner could you have a real conviction in your belief. Otherwise it is simply your opinion, and an uninformed one, at that.

Answer 9

It is an interesting question, but hard to answer as you can only do so from your own point of view. Having experienced the things that I have throughout my life, I will never doubt God's existence. An atheist cannot understand that certainty. I think everybody is born with a knowledge of God's existence...some just do a better job than others at burying it, and seek for other atheists to confirm them in their desire to believe that they have nobody to account to for their lives.

Answer 10

Actually your question brought a thought to my mind I wanted to share. It doesn't matter if an atheist is 100% sure they are right. It doesn't matter if a Christian thinks they are 100% right. There is only one thing that counts: what is true?

Disbelief in God will not negate that He is. Disbelief in the bible will not negate that it is His word. Conversely, my belief in these things does not bring it into existence. A thing is, or it is not. We have nothing to say about it. The only choice we make is....what do we believe? On that decision, our future rests.