Atheists, have you ever read the Gospels?

Question

I believe the Bible is unique, because it is not just this "fairy-tale" story where everyone is happy and believes in God, but focuses on disbelief in God, suffering, and our redemption. Try reading a gospel. Also, the letters in the new testament, they speak about unbelievers (atheists)>If you really want to know if there is a God give them a try before you make up your mind> I'm not forcing you, but giving you valuable alternatives if you wish to know>

Answer 1

Preach on brother.

Answer 2

I think that you might be surprised to learn that most atheists, in the US at least, have come to their disbelief BECAUSE they have read the bible. Most atheists that I am aquainted with know MUCH more about the bible, and Christianity, and the HISORY of Christianity than most Christians do. The key difference, though, is that these same atheists know how to THINK properly... and the the myths, superstitions, fairy tales and fantastical delusions of a tribe of ignorant Bronze Age fishermen and peripatetic goat herders just cannot withstand the glaring light of reason and critical thought.

Science, logic, reason, and critical thought have long been regarded (by religious people) as the enemies of religion. Considering that those are the tools of highly intelligent people, it should not come as a huge shock to learn that intelligence (or lack of it) has some connection to religious belief. In fact, there are about 40 studies, conducted over the past 80 years or so, that reveal a statistically significant NEGATIVE CORRELATION between intelligence and religiosity. In plainer language, that means that they found that the more intelligent a person is, the LESS likely that person is to be religious... or, conversely, the LESS intelligent a person is, the MORE likely that person is to be religious.

If you think about it, those findings make a lot of sense. Intelligence tests mainly provide an indication of reasoning ability and problem solving ability... logic, reason and critical thought. These are the very qualities that see through religion, and recognize it for what it is; i.e., religion cannot survive the glaring light of reason and critical thought. This was well understood by important figures in religious history. This is why the early church destroyed all the 'tainted' (non-canonical) writings, which were in conflict with dogma... Greek philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, engineering... all the good stuff. By this means, Christianity dragged humanity directly into the Dark Ages.

Just to illustrate the point, let's see what Martin Luther, the 'father' of protestantism, had to say about 'reason' and secular knowledge:

"Reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed. Faith must trample underfoot all reason, sense, and understanding, and whatever it sees must be put out of sight and ... know nothing but the word of God." ~ Martin Luther

"Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but -- more frequently than not -- struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God." ~ Martin Luther

"There is on earth among all dangers no more dangerous thing than a richly endowed and adroit reason... Reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed." ~ Martin Luther

"Reason should be destroyed in all Christians." ~ Martin Luther

Answer 3

When I was a Christian, I read and studied the Bible constantly. I prayed over it for understanding, and still had problems with it, including the Gospels.

After I became an Atheist I realized that the Bible was no more than a lot of stories told by people to people thousands of years ago. There was no divine inspiration, no plan, no God. Just a collection of good and bad stories.

That's when the Bible finally made sense to me.

I still read the Bible - it's become a hobby for me now. I have memorized more of the Bible as an Atheist than I did as a Christian. I have a bookshelf full of bibles of different flavors.

I've also started reading other "Holy" texts. I have the Quran, the Book of Mormon, and a lot of Scientology texts. I've found them to be all equally silly.

"Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived." (Attributed to Isaac Asimov)

Answer 4

You see? That is part of the problem. Just because a story mentions the non-believers, that doesn't make the story any more true. Have you ever seen the movie 'The Godfather"? Well, believe it or not, NY and New Jersey are real places. There is a real mafia, that also has tabs on real life crooked cops. My point, is that just because they arem entioned in the bible, it doesn't make the story any more real. Personally, the reasons I don't believe the bible is based on the fact that it contradicts itself too many times.
I can't, or I choose not to believe a god that even though he is all-knowing, he wouldn't write, or inspire his book to be written in a way that there is no misunderstanding. Why would he contradict himself so many times? Why do some parts apply and some other parts do not? Now, I know you are going to go back to 'that would take away our free-will", but he already says in the bible that if believers ask him to cure the sick man, it will be done. So, which one are we to believe? He does or does not cure miracles? Juts too much to suspend disbelief on. Oh, and one day when I finally realized there is no real difference between christian style religions and greek mythology I realized it was over. The only difference between that religion and modern ones is that we know enough about the world to firmly disprove Zeus and the other gods of olympus. We have yet to firmly and undeniably have solid proof that no gods exist. In time, we will though...

Answer 5

A great many non-believers have read much more througly than many who claim to be Christian. That dose not mean anything except to them. As they can not know The Truth of it without the leading of The Holy Spirit. The Bible is not intended for the non-believer... but they still think they "know" The Bible.... Satan himself can quote The Gospel word for word in every language... but even he dose not "know" it.

If any one says the "know" The Bible they do not know what they are talking about... no mortal has even compleated a study of The Bible... many have tried but none have succeeded.

But those of The True Christian Faith keep working at it...

It is only The Salvation Message from the heart of a True believer, to a God opened heart of a non-beliver, that will reach any with The Truth of The Way.... Then study of The Word can begin in Truth.

Answer 6

I've read the Holy Bible and I've also read The Old Testament in its original Hebrew. For the most part they contain good stories with important lessons...but in no way does it prove the existance of God to me. Just because you say it was written by God through man doesn't make it true.

Answer 7

Yes I have. I had read every part of the bible a million times over for the 12 years I was at a private christian school. Luckily enough they also taught me to be a strong independent young lady with the ability to question things, utilise logic, and come to my own conclusions.

Answer 8

constructive I extremely have. I see no longer something incorrect with analyzing fiction. Now if in user-friendly terms somebody ought to get into one among those heated argument with me approximately Tolkien, Stephen King or any of the Dragonlance books, i may well be much greater involved.

Answer 9

If you intend to prove anything to anyone, you better come to the table with a whole hell of a lot more than the bible. They can tear it to shreds with the inconsistencies and falsehoods.

Answer 10

Many of them have read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But they have not read the Gospels. They may have gotten through the words, but they totally missed the message. Like Paul said, "their eyes have been blinded that they might not see the light of the Gospel".

Answer 11

have you read anything other then the bible?