Question for atheists......?

Question

What is it that turns you away from Christianity? Why do you not believe in Jesus?
Just Wondering.

Answer 1

because blind faith is irrational, stupid, and dumb

Answer 2

What is it that turns you away from Islam, or Hinduism? Why do you not believe in Mohammad, or Vishnu? "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." -- Stephen F. Roberts

I know xtians hate to hear this, but xtianity is a fairy tale mythology just like all the other religions. It has nothing truly positive and substantial to offer the world, just dreams and false hopes, just like all the other religions. It encourages superstitious thinking and is a bane to intellectual integrity, just like all the other religions. In its history it has caused far more killing, death and suffering than it has brought peace, just like all the other religions.

Have you read the bible? I mean really, fully read it? What do you think of all the butchery, the barbarism, the killing of innocents (yes, innocents) in god's name that is told of in the bible? Does this not seem the least bit wrong to you? The least bit barbaric? Or do you believe it was right, simply because some people said it was god's will? The morality contained in the bible is appalling to say the least, and what little GOOD morality there is to be found there is common sense, not having anything to do with xtianity itself.

Tell me, if god himself appeared before you and told you there was no heaven or hell, no afterlife, just oblivion when you died, and that whatever you do in this life is of no consequence whatsoever once you're dead, would you still be a good person? In other words, are you a good person now because of the bribe of heaven or the threat of hell? We atheists believe in being good people simply for the sake of being good.

There are actually many, MANY other reasons for not believing in xtianity--or any other religion. Philosophical reasons, logical reasons, scientific reasons, pragmatic reasons, moral reasons. All these reasons are far too numerous to list here, but if you're genuinely curious about expanding your mind (and don't worry, I think even the xtian god is OK with that), then you may want to check out the two links below. One is a web page of mine that I wrote over ten years ago on why I'm an atheist, the other is a great book on the subject.

Good luck in your life's journeys.

Answer 3

I do believe in Jesus Christ, but like the Jewish religion, I don't believe he is the son of god.

What turned me "away from Christianity?" is knowledge, and hypocrisy.

When I was 12, I came to the conclusion that if there is a heaven, either no one gets in, or everyone does. Because there are no unrepentant sinners at deathbeds.

I studied as many of the world's religions as I could and I came to the following "self truths".

More people have died for the cause of/name of religion, than for any other single reason.

Religion, in any form, serves as a "feel good" to the followers, a reason for being, a way to make sense of the sensless world.

Most religious texts, again, all religions I studied, were compiled by powerful men that had a huge stake in keeping the teaming masses under control, and in line. And that's one of the reasons the old testament is so strict and violent, those were the methods of rule for the men at that time.

These are the main reasons I turned away. And I just was tired of spending time with the "amen and praise jesus" crowd, when I knew they were adulters and drinkers and wife beaters and drug users and lots of other low life apologizers. I believe in spending my time with people who are moral for the sake of doing the right thing, not Christian for the sake of doing the wrong thing and asking a third party to forgive you.

Just my thoughts, not yours.

Answer 4

First, my main problem is with the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). I am convinced the stories in that book make the most sense when you look at them as myths, like the other Greek and Roman myths of the time. The God of Abraham is clearly an imperfect, petty, jealous, irrational character imagined by the fearful desert nomads trying to make sense of their world.

Now, you ask about Jesus. I think there is a chance that there was a real man that inspired the stories of Jesus. But I think this real man believed the myths of the Hebrew Bible, and was preaching the end of times based on those myths. In other words, he was just propagating a mythology.

I find it ludicrous to believe the miracles reported in either the Old Testament or the New Testament. There is no evidence of any real miracles in modern history, and I simply find it impossible to believe that a real god would choose to stop allowing miracles and instead insist of faith in books that are clearly so flawed.

Answer 5

Every time I decide to spend a little time on Yahoo Answers, I find this question,- - - so here goes again.
I was raised by a Christian mother and father. I attended church service with them until I was about thirteen. One Sunday as the family was getting ready to go to church, I told my mother that I'm not going any more.
Mom asked why. I told her that the sermons that I've listened to all those years just didn't make sense to me. I've never gone to church service again except weddings and funerals, out of respect, not belief.
Why don't I believe in Jesus ??? I do, I believe in him as a historical figure. That doesn't make him a God. Yep, I know he said he was the son of God, and a God in his own right.
I believe in no supernaturals. You and I , and all the people you see walking the streets are natural beings. Ghosts, zombies, angels, Gods, devils, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy are all beyond tha natural, they're supernatural. In my belief, they are non-existent.
Many have claimed to be a God, Jesus, Father Devine, Nero,Caligula, no end. Claiming is not being.
A direct answer to your question about what turned me away would be the lack of convincing evidence that the supernatural is possible. Being in print is far from evidence.

Answer 6

Funny that you assume Jesus is the only alternative for atheists. My dear, there are literally hundreds of religions, sects, deities, and religious philosophies to pick from. How did you conclude yours should be considered above the others? (Please spare us the "prophesies" business - been there, seen that, it doesn't make a lick of sense.) Did you know all those other folks are totally convinced that you're wrong? They, like Christians, all "know" they're "right" - even though they, and the Christians, have never offered an iota of evidence backing their claims.

So it isn't a question of "turning away from Christianity." It's simply a question of not accepting the lore and myths of those that come before us without examination. I'm not asking you to stop believing. Don't expect me to stop thinking critically.

Answer 7

I didn't 'turn away' from Christianity. I just never believed in it in the first place. When I went to bible school as a kid, I realized that they stories were morality tales just like those in Aesop's fables. As I grew up, I realized the harm that religious belief causes in society.

As for Jesus, there is plenty of evidence for the existence of a Jewish radical that was part of a baptismal sect similar to that of the Essenes in the early first century. Nothing too unusual about that. It is also clear that this guy's message was distorted by Paul and internal conflicts in the organization after his death by Roman authorities. I certainly see no good evidence that he either rose from the dead (many early Christians didn't believe he did) or that he was divine (again, many early Christians didn't think he was).

Answer 8

It's the other way round, It's not just that something is turning me away. It's first and foremost, that nothing is bringing me close, because I just cannot believe in anything of the magical part of religions. I'm a rational person, who cannot accept things without evidence.

But besides, there ARE things that send me away. For example the way religions manipulate us all (believers and unbelievers alike). Christianity lobbies to pass laws in accordance with their principles, so they are observed by everyone. Think of this: Abortion is illegal in many countries. Gays cannot marry or adopt in many countries. Christmas is a compulsory celebration for everyone in many countries. There are some countries (few, luckily) where divorce is not permitted! And are there any reasons for this, OTHER than those presented by the Church? I don't mean to actually discuss those topics here. I'm only asking if there are non-religious reasons to force unbelievers to observe those laws...

You see, that's why I hate Christianity.

Answer 9

Common sense is a good start. Why believe in a man that may have lived 2,000 years ago in a country far a way ? Why not believe in the Buddha ? Do you know that on average, worldwide, over 10,000 children a day die from starvation and other realated causes ! And these kids are under 10 years old. Can you imagine how it feels for a small child to suffer a slow and painful death ? And then you want me to believe in an "all loving, all powerful " god ? What kind of being would allow a child to starve to death ? Keep your printed idol !

Answer 10

I was never Christian, so I didn't have to turn away from it. I do not believe that Jesus was god for the same reason you don't believe in Thor or Zeus. In my mind, it is simply illogical to believe in a god, and there is nothing I can do to change that. I can't have faith in Santa anymore than I could have have faith in Jesus. It isn't a choice, so no point in being upset about it.

Answer 11

Can we ask what is turning them away from Judaism or Islam or any other of the 4000 plus religions? Why does it have to be Christianity?