Why do Christians believe atheism is "the easy way out" when ...?

Question

a) we have to develop our own philosophy of life and not have it handed down by our parents, neighbors or cult leaders

b) we accept that we are not going to live forever.

Seems to me that Christianity is the real cop-out

Answer 1

This is so true. As an atheist, I have to accept that everything I do is my own responsibility. I can't say well, the devil made me do it he just kept tempting me, and expect to be forgiven. When I hurt someone or do something wrong, I have to live with the knowledge that I made that choice.
In some ways, I think that atheists have the moral high ground here. We try to do what is right simply because it is right, not because we are afraid some all powerful father figure will punish us or those we love because we didn't. We don't do what's right because we want to go to heaven and live forever. We do what's right inspite of knowing that we won't be punished if we don't get caught, and that there is no reward waiting for us after we die. I think that if everyone had that kind of personal responsibility the world would be a lot better place.
One of my favorite quotes is from Kurt Vonnegut, who was President of the National Humanist Society at the time: "I am a humanist, which means in part that I have tried to live my life well without fear of reward or punishment after I am dead."

Answer 2

NO! the large pink effortless button is earned AFTER the lengthy warfare to attain the enlightened state of atheistic theory! heavily! Atheism has very few 'beliefs'. you spot, human beings don’t ask, "Do you've faith that 2 plus 2 is an same as 4?" of direction, because this is reality, this is believed. human beings ask, "did you recognize?" it really is an same with atheism. words like faith, idea or declare have little or no use. As Jeff S said, nihilists argue that existence is without meaning, objective, or value or perhaps as maximum nihilists are atheists, maximum atheists at the on the spot are not nihilists. maximum atheists that I easily have met trust there is meaning, objective and value in existence, yet that it comes not from a god, yet from ourselves. This makes us some distance extra philosophical then your conventional theist. the position theists have a tendency to end with god, we'd want to look deeper. ~~

Answer 3

Very true.

Christianity is a cop-out for morality.

As a christian you learn that everyone sins, and you can not help but sin, but as long as you have faith in Jesus you are going to be awarded. In other words you can sin to your hearts content, because as long as you believe in Jesus you have a free pass to heaven.

Christianity allows an individual to abandon personal responsibility and blame all negative actions on a scape-goat (Satan).

Atheism clearly lays all responsibility at the feet of the individual, and it is the individual who must pay for their actions.

Answer 4

I've never heard any Christian refer to athiesm as an "easy way out". Actually, that's quite to the contrary, unless you consider eternal damnation and severe suffering an "easy way out".

Christians follow a doctrine that was handed down by God, not by parents, neighbors, or "cult leaders". If you choose not to believe it, that's between you and God. But if there's a one in a million chance that by accepting Christ you will avoid burning in Hell for eternity, don't you owe it to yourself to look into it?

Answer 5

Some may feel it gives you a Go card to do whatever the hell you want without fear of damnation. So, in that sense it's an easy way out. Not having to answer to anyone but yourself and the world's laws is a lot easier than having to answer to an Almighty God who may throw you azz in an eternal sea of fire.

Just my opinion.

I believe in God, BTW. One thing, though, why do you atheists always point to "Christians' when asking these sorts of questions. What about the other religions? We all pretty much believe in a higher power. Why not rag on them, too?

Answer 6

i agree. its much harder to accept the reality that there is no god than to accept it simply because it gives yo ua warm and fuzzy feelin inside.

religion is the cop out, christianity is included in the list. its a cop out because instead of you as an individual seeking the answers you simply accept the answers someone has told you. usually the answer is "god did it"...

Answer 7

I made an intellectual decision to follow Jesus. I want to be with forever. This body is not made to last, but we will have a new spiritual body in heaven that is not subjected to laws of physics.

God gave you free will. He respects your choice. I will too.

Answer 8

Cause they think we atheist just live the wild life doing whatever we want or something. You make a very good point!

Answer 9

Atheism denies responsibility for actions. If there is no eternal punishment for deeds done on earth, then what is the deterrent to sin? Why bother adhering to a moral code at all? Why not adopt a lifestyle of anarchy?

Answer 10

both paths should require a lot of work and effort to live them fruitfully, just as an athiest could be a lazy nihilist, a christian can be all lazy and not care.