It seems to me that if you're concern over if God exists stems from the abundence of suffering in the world, that the greatest number of atheist should be found among those that are actually doing the suffering? The fastest growing Churches are those in Africa and Asia where the most malnurished and poor reside.
I can assure you these people aren't stupid and you'd be racist to claim it.
Why is it that most atheists are relatively well-off? Does their disbelief stem from a feeling that they simply don't need God? Is this a pride issue?
Do the poor and suffering just have a greater ability to grasp the grace and love of Jesus Christ?
"Blessed are the meek"
2006-11-01 05:50:06 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because rich people worship money and possession, and poor people have neither; therefore, they worship Jesus.
2006-11-01 05:52:23 · answer #1 · answered by Preacher 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
People need hope to survive. Those with no power or resources see a bleak existence and a looming death if they can't believe that someone is taking care of them. So they tend to believe.
People with power and resources to take care of themselves have less need of believing. Their support systems are working just fine. This does not mean they are not believers. Some Christians actually believe that prosperity is a sign of God's favor. Others cynically belong to churches because it's expected and they don't mind exploting the delusions of the poor. And some really do believe in the compassion of God and their role in it. There is a difference between not believing in God and acting as if there is no God.
The fact that an atheist may be well off is irrelevant. A poor atheist sounds pitiful, helpless AND hopeless (unless he finds a way to prick the consciences of the well-to-do). Atheists are not automatically hedonists and anarchists. A thinking atheist believes this is the only world we get to work with and if we don't pay attention to the suffering in it, it will only get worse. So we should also make a distinction between those who believe in God and those who seem to act as if there was one.
Could it be you see wealthy atheists because money talks and the rich atheists speak up? Could it be that poor people seem to "have a greater ability to grasp the grace and love of Jesus" because there is little else they are able to grasp?
2006-11-01 06:15:14 · answer #2 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the hell are you on?
Are you actually basing your question on some sort of evidence or are you making it up as you go along, like a lot of people on here.
You can't just generalise saying that most atheists are well off, without any evidence. For your information, disbelief comes from KNOWING there are no gods, based on knowledge, evidence and common sense. Something the churches lack!
The reason some religious people are poor and down-trodden might be because of the churches lining their greedy pockets. I hope that your question isn't intended to get sympathy for religious types for their supposed poorness. It just doesn't wash with me. They're part of one of the most corrupt organisations ever in the history of the world
2006-11-01 06:22:09 · answer #3 · answered by GayAtheist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The poor and downtrodden are more receptive to the Gospel message somehow, since they have no riches to trust in. God shames the wise, the things which are strong, and humbles the high and mighty of this world. Look at the passage below, too. Consider this passage from 1 Corinthians 1:
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God.
...Those who are rich in this life can be haughty, proud and too self-sufficient.
...I don't know any atheists - many profess to be to try to impress others, but...I think deep down most are agnostics, because they are unwilling to say that they absolutely know that there is no God, since they know very little of all the knowledge that one can know. Since they know so little, how can they be sure there is no God?
2006-11-01 06:08:47 · answer #4 · answered by carson123 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good observation! You see, in a relationship with Christ, He wants you to give EVERYTHING in your life to Him. He wants your focus daily! He is trying to get your attention so that you can realize that He IS the most important thing on earth! Now, with all of that, dont you think if you have a mansion with 30 cars, 10 plasma tv's, and a private jet you would get just a little distracted? When your life is TRUE and you have not very many "material" possessions to distract you, it is ALOT easier to give your complete focus and attention to God! After all, thats all He wants. If you have any further questions, feel free to e-mail me! May the Lord Bless YOU Abundantly!!!
2006-11-01 06:02:53 · answer #5 · answered by lordsavedme 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The grace of God is offered to those who want it most! America got its roots from the word of God. But as we became more and more affluent, we abandoned the principle's of the Bible, and we have placed our wealth, our status, in God's place. The word says that God is close to the broken-hearted. When you have no where left to go but up, then....you become willing to look for a help greater than what the world can offer....
2006-11-01 05:55:35 · answer #6 · answered by every woman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cant say most that are religious are the poor and down trodden, the ones i know are not.(God blesses all in different ways.)
God says we are in this world but not to be of the world. Most realize that this is just our temporary home and better things are to come. Also they may realize that money does not make us happy.The meek are those who let God take care of the business of being God. They are fully aware of evil, and do not crumble at the sight of it. The meek are strong. They are strong in faith. They are strong in prayer. They wait for God. They entrust their well being to God. Yes, they work hard, but they wait for God to deal with their enemies. They wait for God to deal with His enemies. The meek go about doing good, and trusting God to be God.
2006-11-01 06:03:49 · answer #7 · answered by K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the poor and downtrodden are typically uneducated, or "stupid" as you like to put it.
Education is the difference between the theist and the atheist. Concern over suffering in the world is not. You are simply mistaken.
2006-11-01 05:55:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Those type of people are humbled by their life circumstance. Can you imagine how much more willing and open one of suffering (to any degree) would be to the love of God as opposed to a rich man who can get everything he wants? Somewhere in the Bible it says something about it being just as hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven as it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle? Something along those lines :)
2006-11-01 05:54:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You are certainly on the right track. The meek the humble, the poor, the children have the kingdom of heaven. You say atheists seem well off, well according to the bible, it says you cannot be consumed with earthly things & see the kingdom of heaven. We are to be charitable to those who don't have, & are in need. The poor & suffering have more to pray for I think, I'm not exactly poor (but sort of in this suffering economy!) but by no means near rich, BUT EVERYDAY I FEEL WEALTHY! For God always feels close to my heart & mind, I thank Him for all things, & I don't worry. When my mind starts to race about bills, expenses etc. I remind myself by worrying I am showing God I don't trust He will take care of me. I know He will. Atheists rely on themselves to obtain more. I rely on God to give me enough, & to be able & charitable to give what I can.
2006-11-01 06:02:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where your treasure is, that is where your heart is. When we seek out heavenly things we are not focused on "us" but God. We don't care if we have mansions here on earth, because we will have mansions in heaven, those mansions can never burn down, corrupt or be broken into.
Power and wealth stems from "I" the focus on "I" if you are willing to put forth all effort to obtain power and wealth you will one day get it, through legal or illegal means. So with Christians, we don't focus (or shouldn't focus) on "I" but God and we are content with little or much.
2006-11-01 05:55:30 · answer #11 · answered by newcovenant0 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋