As an atheist, do I have a get-out clause?

Question

If I'm wrong and it turns out there is a God, can I just say:
"Well, sorry, clearly I was wrong, but you obviously created me, gave me the gift of an intelligent and analytical brain and left me to go and work things out for myself. As you are omniscient and omnipotent, you knew I was barking up the wrong tree, but allowed me to carry on doing so. Basically, God, it's your own fault I didn't believe in you - you made me this way."

Or might this not wash the Almighty?

Answer 1

If you live a righteous life, meaning adhering to values such as honesty, integrity, helping others, etc., then yes, it will "wash." I am a practicing Christian, but I don't believe that we are judged by how many hours we spend sitting in a pew. I think it is the way we live that counts. If you are a good person, all will be well.

Answer 2

Interesting point - and a variation of the question I have always asked which is - what was the whole deal with the tree in Eden, becasue the all seeing all knowing creator MUST have known that Adam and Eve would take the fruit (how many of you religious people think it was an apple? Put your hands up then go read your bible and hang your heads in shame!)
Incidentally, out of all the religions I have asked this - only the Mormons have a sensible answer for this!

But yes - if god is all powerful, and he knows what all of us are like, what is the point of the whole test thing anyway? Either pre-destination exists, or we have free will and God is nowt the all powerful being he pretends to be!

Answer 3

become agnostic it might be a little easier to swallow ;O)

Seriously though, as an agnostic/atheist I still live my life in a respectful and 'christian' way. The bible to me is only a set of guidelines of how to act toward other human beings, common sence in reality, but people have become more tolerant (well some have) in recent times and so some of the acts that used to be seen as 'evil' are now more accepted and in my view to be disregarded. Homosexuality being one of them) And I live with in that.

And this whole, "you must worship me or else spend an eternity burning in hell" (which probably is just an interpretation of a place where you can indulge in all your earthly sins ;O)) is a tad too dictatorial and bullish for my liking and so if living my life within these guidelines, yet not 'believing' in god means that I burn in hell, then so be it. I'd rather do that than spend an eternity 'obeying' a god who obviously doesn't respect me and my values.

Answer 4

I'm so pleased you've popped another Q 'cause after you pulled your Q on evolution I posted one to get you to respond. I wanted to know why you'd pulled the plug, though knew you'd taken a lot of stick from Christians. My Q resulted in me taking a lot of stick from evolutionists! It's not fair, is it? But there's no law written in stone saying life must be fair!

However, there ARE laws written in stone that tell us God's minimum requirements from his creatures. I've checked the small print and, no, there are no get-out clauses - for anyone (so don't take this personally). The point is that even believers are obviously wrong, obviously bark up wrong trees, and use "the woman thou gavest me" excuse (as you will resort to if faced with your Maker). I don't recommend it.

As you are considering the possibility you might be wrong, there's hope for you. Further, you're even willing to acknowledge God as being omniscient and omnipotent (proving you're an agnostic, not an atheist) but you slipped up in thinking God just left you to work things out for yourself. You've heard of The Ten Commandments. You've heard of Jesus Christ. You know the Bible exists. You have observed the world you live in. You have a conscience. Did you originate all those things, or were they provided for you? Are you going to put them all together and start taking them seriously? Until you do, you needn't expect enlightenment of the divine sort. Why don't you get to work on what you've been given and try another take on life? One heartfelt prayer to this unknown God would set you off on the right track.

Answer 5

You do make a valid point, but hon, there are people as smart and smarter than you who have accepted Jesus. Being a beliver doesn't make one stupid you know.

What is going to happen if you continue to reject God is at the White Throne Judgement you will be in front of Jesus, looking at your life. You will see every sin you have ever done and be lack to pay for them outside of the second death. You will see every chance you were given to believe, because God makes it clear to every person one or more times in their life. You cannot plead ignorance, you cannot plead "I just couldn't believe" How do we know there is a God, it is all around us, look outside your window and look at the work He has done. Your knee will bow, and everything you think you are going to say (smart off) will flee and you will confess Jesus as Lord. Then your punishment will be carried out and you will be cast away from God for eternity.

the outcome can be different. Being smart doesn't absolve one from believing in God. You could act upon the Truth and what will happen is that you will be raptured (either rising from the dead or disappearing in the twinkle of an eye) your life will still be judged, but as for payment of sins, you won't have to pay the second death. The choice is yours, the time is now. Don't be fooled into thinking you are going to one up God on judgement day. Make the choice for life now, to ensure your life after you die.

Answer 6

I'd not imagine so...

But then why would you want to?
Something in the world would have to change for any sensible, sane and reasonable person to start believing in a god..... and when that change took place, you could well blame the god in question for not making it sooner..... and that given what WAS initially available, it wasn't reasonable to believe in a god.

If the god in question doesn't accept that..... then you're dealing with an unreasonable and thus unworthy god...


And that is why.... given the circumstances, if I was faced with the christian god in some actual form.... I would probably just give him a sarky glance and tell him to bugger off back to wherever he came from and leave me alone again...

Besides... he has no power over me. I'm a Nihilist, and effectively fearless.

Answer 7

well God gave u a choice so that u could choose the right path for urself,so that u culdnt say u were forced into it,u had a choice didnt u?
so no...it will not wash the Almighty...my honest advice to u fellow human,is for u to open ur eyes and see...u cant possibly believe all of THIS..this world,the millions of little creatures of endless variety were actually created by chance do u?

Answer 8

Your argument works for me, although as an atheist, I've already been accused of "insulting God for not believing in Him." I suppose we could both turn up at the gates and try apologising for our insults - after all, we would have an awful lot of time from then on to worship Him if he let us in, wouldn't we?

Answer 9

God has given everyone a measure of faith, and plenty of opportunity to repent of following their own pleasures, and to turn and follow Him. God, being all knowing, has a point at which He will stop trying to convince you and just let you have your own way. So please don't try and blame God because you want to be stubborn. It won't work, He'll win every time.

Romans 1:28-32
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Also of note is Proverbs 29:1 "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

Answer 10

I'll try the same thing if Christianity turns out to be true. If that explanation doesn't go over too well with God, then he's probably not the kind of deity I would want to spend eternity with anyway, so no big deal.