What do you think of this atheist's statement?

Question

I guy I work with outwardly professes himself to be an atheist. I have no opinion of this really, but I found what he said once interesting. I asked him "Was there some event that caused you to become a non-believer?" He said "Yeah, I grew up!". He explained that as he became more worldy and knowledgable that religion (esp. Christianity) just seemed to be a silly form of make- believe? What do you think of this???? I haven't had a chance to talk to him lately as he's been off with a really bad illness for the last week.

Answer 1

too many children are made to go to church, and never really know why, it is just something the their parents do, going to church and being religious, however does not make you a christian.
and these as thy grow up thing that they are Christians, but have never felt the presence of God, so they turn away and do not believe.

Answer 2

I think this man's statement is what he believes and he has been deceived. Why not ask folks why they are Christians and what caused them to become completely different persons who stopped drinking, smoking, drugs, cursing, lying cheating, and sexually promiscuous behaviours, ? Ask how the hardened criminal can be completely changed by the love, grace, mercy and blood of Jesus Christ? Ask how they were able to forgive their enemies and how they came to have peace, joy, love and a right mind and how Jesus heals not only hearts but bodies? You'll be more impressed with the truth of the gospel than a lie from someone decieved and being decieved. I mean, a lack of God doesn't change anyone's lives for the better does it? I've never read an inspiring testimony of an atheist. NEVER. Not living, not one who has lived and not a single good one about their death-bed testimonies. NOT ONE!

Answer 3

Do you wonder why he is so ill? He does not have God in his life and satan is taking over him. Most atheists are mean like this. They are so not polite because they don't have God in their lives. They have turned their backs on God and most followers of God are blessed with the Holy Spirit which makes them good people. Atheists do not have this. Not that they can't, but they just don't for some reason that I will never understand and I don't think it is due to believing that the Bible is a fairy tail. I think they are afraid of hell and that they are afraid they have not been good enough to go to Heaven so they take comfort in not believing and that way they feel they are off the hook. This is too bad. Just because you don't believe in hell does not mean you wont go there.

Answer 4

There comes a point in a man's life where he must decide for himself which way he is going to go.

There is a good expression: God has no grandchildren.

You cannot rely on the faith or beliefs of your parents. It must become personal, real, alive in you.

so this person has chosen against Christianity.

what was this person taught? Was he really taught the bible or just alot of religious rituals and traditions of men?

what were his experiences? did he have parents that exemplified the teachings of christ or did he see hypocrisy?

what are his sins? along with "becoming more worldly" did he begin to engage in sinful habits that tend to dominate and crowd out the "good seed" of the word of God?

and finally, what are his goals? does he have an understanding that death is just as near to him as a person lying a nursing home or hospital somewhere, does he realize that at any moment his life could be taken away from him? does he have an "eat ,drink, and be merry" philosophy that is shallow and unsatisfying?

God knocks on the door of our hearts.... God will continue to knock at this man's heart's door.....I pray that he will hear and answer....

God bless!!

Answer 5

Every human being has a right to live their life as they see fit. They can believe or not. They can worship or not. I personally have a very strong relationship with a higher power I call the Holy Spirit. Hey, it works for me but it might not work for others. I totally respect each human's right to live their lives-physically,spiritually, emotionally and totally as they see fit. When he have to argue with folks about our belief's it somehow just seems cheap to me, i dunno..My Love to all of any faith or none...I still think your cool.

Answer 6

I agree! I think religion is just something that was made up to anwser the question of: Where did we come from? Thinking that there was something out there that created us is probably a comforting thought to some. They don't have to dwell on that question. I don't think the idea of a God or Goddess is logical whatsoever. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Answer 7

I think that was a little harsh of him, but I would have to be there and actually have seen his body language, context, and tone of voice...

However, the sentiment is that as he got older and learned more, the religion made less and less sense. And, then the concept of god itself made less and less sense or became more and more meaningless.

And, that pretty much sums it up for many of us atheists as a simplified explanation.

Answer 8

That's how it works...you're fed this stuff as a child, but when you grow up, hopefully you have the sense to analyse it and realise it's just make believe.

All kids growing up get to a point where they stop believing in Father Christmas, the tooth fairy, and the easter bunny...I don't understand why so many fail to see through the last fairytale of religion...

Answer 9

I believe that he must have had a very limited exposure to religion. Many eastern religions (Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism) are in no way based in "make-believe". To dismiss something before you understand it is to be foolish, and he should not make blanket statements like that, it is a logical fallacy...

- Atmadeepo Bhava -

Answer 10

I thought this way when I was a child, not that it was silly, but it seemed more like make believe. Now that I am much older GOD seems so real to me. When I was a teenager I believed and knew GOD was real, but I didnt feel very close to HIM, you know like he was far away looking down at my every move. Now I can feel HIM in my heart and soul, its like I crave to know more about HIM. I dont go to church that often, but I watch pastors on t.v, and listen to Christian radio alot. I think that your coworker needs to look into christianity more, read the BIBLE, listen to some good pastors, and maybe he can have a mature faith. It usually takes time to understand all of what the BIBLE has to say. I notice that now when I open the BIBLE and start reading, it usually pertains to what is bothering me, the same happens when I turn on a christian program, It usually is talking about what kind of problems I am dealing with at that time in my life. GOD does work in mysterous ways.

Answer 11

He's just living in his 3 (or is it 4) dimensional universe, where people refuse to believe that which they cannot comprehend. We're just amoebae under the microscope, neither aware of the spectator, nor fully understanding the complexities of our own existence.