Are atheists sheep needing to be herded?

Question

When you consider how one comes of their beliefs, its seems there are more people who grew up with religion only to become atheists then those who grew up atheists that grew up to become religious. Naturally, there are many exceptions, but i can say at least the academic world, the vast majority are those who became atheist once they became old enough to form their own logical conclusions, as oppose to the other way around.

So, who are the true sheep then, the atheists who came to their conclusions as they matured, or those who stuck to the religion that was presented to them when they were too young to form their own opinions?

Answer 1

Ah, I knew that sooner or later the usual condescension and condemnning would start creeping out.

Atheists don't need a shepherd that is a) completely undetectable, b) prone to dropping pianos on heads to make a point, c) utterly totalitarian, d) is unable to speak to his sheep directly, and e) allows other, self-appointed, sheep speak for him whether they actually are or not.

You have only the word of your fellow sheep that the wanderers from the herd will become victims of wolves or fall into firey pits (ironicaly, that were created by the shepherd in the first place). There is no evidence beyond the words of your alpha sheep that such things even exist. Perhaps searching for greener pastures is a better idea.

Answer 2

The use of sheep and shepherds in the Bible is a metaphor. It isn't a metaphor describing just the sheep however. You see many forget the place of the shepherd. He is there to guide and protect his flock. He cares for their needs and keeps them from harm. Do atheists need a shepherd? Sure, we all do. The point is, how can any of us find our way without guidance, without someone to teach us. Many put their faith in higher education alone and end up atheists. Others are apathetic and just live their lives without caring one way or the other. Some are fanatical and commit horrible atrocities in the name of god. Who is right? There is only one way to find out. You have to examine all the evidence yourself. If you desire to know if God is real and cares about us, you have to look into His word with an open mind and at the same time not throw away all the other rational things man has learned over the last 2 or 3 hundred years. Endeavor to learn the truth and you will find that it has been there all along.

Answer 3

I have a question for you, why do atheists pretend like they are following their own ideas and nobody elses? The truth is there have always been people who disbelieve in God, and they have always been the majority. It's the same old argument as well, "I'm a free thinker", "why doesn't God speak to us?", "this prophet is only a man like us", "This is magic", "This is madness" etc. There's nothing original about atheism, it's the same satanic argument that's been around since the first disbeliever.
One other thing, the world is full of people who don't believe and we see the state that it's in, so what has your atheism done for you anyway? What great difference has it made to your life?
Don't deceive yourselves.

Answer 4

Could we not generalize? Not every person was born into religion nor atheism and brought up into it. Atheists don't need a Shepard when they reject the one who wants to guide them and not see them lost. Atheists are immature and blind because they are obsessed with religion and can't fathom the reality that they need God. You really need to read the bible and not see the "Shepard and sheep" metaphor as reality which shows that you are very confused and high minded. True individuals that follow God and not reject him daily by continuing in sin will go to Heaven. Atheists are on the path of eternal damnation unless they repent and turn from their wicked ways.
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Answer 5

We are all "sheep" in God's kingdom. Sometimes, one or two stray from the herd. When they do stray, the shepherd goes after them and reaches out to save them from danger.

Some sheep think that they can survive with the shepherd, but He knows better. Sometimes, He sends one of us to keep them from wandering. Sometimes, He has to drop a piano on their head to get through to them.

Atheists are not really stubborn, they just aren't afraid of pianos, but fortunately, that doesn't last forever.

The saved sheep are not stuck, they can wander whenever they want to...but why in the world would they want to do that? Have you ever seen a sheep make it on his own?

Answer 6

Neither are sheep, those of us who grew up as atheists have since backed up our opinions with scientific evidence.

Answer 7

Obviously the ones who grew up with religion, the answer is so patent that this question is moot.

Answer 8

sheep ???
they are humans, and some of them became atheist after going to seminary school, and now head religious studies departments in colleges

Answer 9

i would be prejudice to the christian area yet i think of you shouldnt communicate on the subject of the christians as an entire, thats in simple terms stereotyping. i don't call out or insult athiests or people from different religions, i in user-friendly terms for my area have faith faith is a greater efficient course for existence and after existence. via fact of religion i dont reason any violence in my existence, i attempt to be thoroughly honest, i handle females as equals and dont in simple terms lust over them, idk faith makes me a greater efficient individual and that i be responsive to if i didnt have self belief it could make me a far greater immoral individual. I recommend whats to provide up me from doing against the regulation different than regulation enforcement? I dont decide different religions via fact being judgemental i think is a sin itself. I additionally dont have faith all people ought to pass to hell

Answer 10

Actually, I think the athiests would be the minority. That's kind of why they are so pissed and scared of life. They aren't free to live the life they want to live. Because they are opressed everywhere by religion and government trying to guilt them and put them in jail.

When in actuality maybe religion and governement is trying to keep them from killing themselves and being a waste of life....hmmmm? Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Are secular humanists really secular humanists? What is the athiest rallying cry. "Everybody should be free to live the life they want to live". They want to live the life they choose. Yet they don't give a damn about the life others choose. Yet... Oh my goodness!....the life others choose affects them. Damn those other people!