People accept Christianity without even a though yet atheists think for a long time before becoming atheists?

Question

When I say people I don't mean all people I mean some people are Christians without thinking. (From what I can tell the majority)

Why do Christians think that a simple re-reading of the Bible, a chat with a priest/pastor/minister or praying will suddenly make atheists see what is supposedly written between the lines in invisible ink and may not actually be written there at all?

I spelled thought wrong. Sorry

I've read C.S. Lewis. He is no philosopher.

Why when you clearly state that some people do something people respond saying "well I don't do it" That's why I said some, stupid.

Answer 1

It's true. I'm certain that they have absolutely no clue as to how much thought was involved in my "transition", so to speak. I didn't snap my fingers and say "goodbye God, you're dead to me".

No.... sorry.... it wasn't that simple.

Answer 2

To play off your "some" point, not all people who think for a long time become atheists. SOME become Jewish, Muslim, Buddist, Hindu, Confusian, Wiccan, Satanic, Scientoligist, some other form of Christianity or the wonderful catch all term "pagan". To SOME the logics of the world say "there is no god", to SOME they say "there are many gods", to SOME they say "there is a god but I have been worshipping him wrong". Ultimately, many will never know the truth until the day they die.

But to answer your question, one of Jesus' own commands to his disciples was "Go forth and teach my word", (though some where along the temporal way a Pope and a King decided to pencil in "and kill those who don't listen to you so I am send them to hell" to validate their own bull**** but that is a different rant) and so SOME Christians feel it is their duty to do as Christ did and convert the masses. Others want to share their faith and the joys it brings (because it can and does bring people happiness) with those they care about. Others want to feel important and victorious, to smite the non-believers under neither their feet and feel powerful.

But, like you said, that is only SOME people. Not all Christians do this, SOME will accept that fact that not everyone believes and SOME will even take it a step further and accept those who don't share similar believes as friends.

Ironically, I have noticed over the passed few years that the ONLY other people who are just as adament and just as vocal about their believes, who try their hardest to convert, who want to share the joys in their faith and insist on being right are SOME Atheists.

~~ Abaddon

Answer 3

Actually, I think there are irrational jump to conclusions type people on both sides. Obviously there are more of these who are christian due to family education -more house holds teaching it. At one time I was basically an Atheist. I had not formed an opinion one way or another and had no 'proof' for myself that was, in my opinion, conclusive either way. What I did believe in is the capacity for humans to learn, when they choose to, so I fumbled around with all sorts from strict scientific minded no believers to evangelical Christians. I didn't start believing either way until I discovered energy healing, and some interesting science findings on cells and atoms.

To keep things brief, the one I like the most is a study currently under way of atoms and their similarity to two bit processors. The first ring holds two the second eight and down the line thirty two. The idea is that atoms hold information or rudimentary intelligence. To me this suggests that science and spirituality will one day come to the same conclusions, that there is something more and it does have intelligence of it's own. If you were to explain this to a cave man you might call it 'god.'

Now the question of authority. Does this underlying intelligence 'control' the actions, futures and options of each of us? I say no because of 'free will.' I think even our cells have free will and have chosen to accompany us to facilitate our journey. When we live in harmony with them, they work very well at keeping us healthy. The scientific equivalent is relativity and cause and effect.

In general if we give others too much authority over our own choices, we fall into the trap of hypocrisy. I believe this happens on both sides. The more we choose to be harmonious and live with differences, the more we have peace and can find our own belief systems that promote freedom and harmony.

Answer 4

Sho-Nuff
Your question struck me as sincere, although, a bit jaded.
Like a person looking for answers, but embarrassed.

Jesus said that if you do not become like one of these (talking about little kids), you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Many think he was referring to their simpleness. You don't have to talk a child into believing in God - they all do. It is Adults who come along and unteach them later - my point - the fundamental belief that God IS, is in each persons heart . . . it can be crowded out by a number of things.

Faith is what the scientist uses when he says everything that IS started from nothing . . . I don't think that makes any sense (or science) at all . . . but PH D's preach this Gospel . . .

God has played a funny trick . . . he has made the simple hard to understand and allowed foolishness to rule the minds of men who choose it.

I'm gonna go with the guy who died and came back (after 3 days) and the more than 500 that saw him latter, and the 12 who saw and touched and wrote about it all . . .

Answer 5

Most christians were brought into it at birth ... baptized, raised in the church, raised by christian family members and being told that this is the way it is, simple as that.

To offer an analogy ... we're raised, at the beginning, to believe in Santa Claus. We believe in him wholeheartedly, until we reach a certain age where our friends start telling us he's not real. The problem with religion is .... no one says he isn't real, and if they do .. the parents and the church, authority figures who you look up to, are right there saying he IS real. It's almost impossible to discard an ingrained ideal when everyone around you is telling you that it is so.

What most christians don't realize is .. a good portion of atheists WERE raised religious. We've had the background and ingrained superstition, and moved past it. We found out Santa wasn't real, so to speak.

Many christians believe we simply don't know any better, or we're rebelling, or that we really do believe and just don't want to admit it for whatever reason. They can't conceive of the idea that we actually discard the idea of God altogether, simply because it's so ingrained into them that they don't know any differently. I remember being that brainwashed once.

Another thing christians don't seem to comprehend .... most atheists HAVE read the bible, several times. You have to be armed with the knowledge in order to dispute it. So obviously reading the bible a time or two isn't going to influence us towards belief. If anything, reading it again only reinforces our standpoint ... through contradiction, error and whatnot, the book needs to be discarded.

Answer 6

Gah. I do not like C.S. Lewis.

What surprises me more than the reading-of-the-scripture attempts at conversion is the complete lack of understanding of the atheist's point of view.

Too often have I seen one Christian say "Why are there atheists?" and, rather than waiting for an actual atheist to answer, another Christian answers "Because they're scared of God" or "Because they want to sin as much as they want". Then both the Christians nod and pat themselves on the back, convinced that they have it worked out.

Most atheists that I have met simply do not see any reason to believe something simply because a book tells them it is true. They are more than willing to believe in a God, but they want actual verification, rather than an epic Lord-of-the-Rings style mythology. There's nothing sinister in that, but so many people seem to believe it is.

Edit - Kudos to Ciniful: Perfect Post!

Answer 7

Odd, I've found the opposite where I live. People generally leave Christianity for paganism or athiesm without much thought and then spend years of doubt before going back. I've seen it several times, myself included. I think people pick Christianity with a lot of thought behind it. No one who is serious about a religion changes overnight. Unless they're just doing it to be "cool" and "one of the gang". Seen that too.

Answer 8

Well here's a good idea! Read about C.S. Lewis he was an atheist for a time, but then became a christian.

Answer 9

My Christianity required a lifetime of thought. I was born into a Christian family and we discuss and debate certain issues of our religion. I'm not going to drag an atheist to church and I don't expect to convert them... so long as they live their life with morals then it's not my business what they choose to believe or not believe in. Why are you on here insulting Christians though.. you want us to respect what choice you have made but you are showing no respect for our choice.

Answer 10

Very good question. And, you are right. Most Christians have never even considered that there are different ways and viewpoints. They'd become bewildered, or angry, if you confront them with this.

I did alot of thinking and studying--converted to Judaism from Christianity. Atheists have their reasons for thinking as they do. That is their privilege and right. I wish all people would study and learn their own religions, to see if they can accept it, and not just accept blindly.

Answer 11

i think that each person is different. so what might apply to one person, might not apply to another. I know that to accept any religion, it's not a snap of the fingers. i'm a christian, and i know that it can't always be easy for a person to accept any religion. you can't just read into your religion. you have to decide, cycle through your thoughts, and through your emotions. you know, i'm constantly wondering if God even exists, or cares. or can save me, scince im the worst screw up. but i have to decide what i'm gonna belive in. You are right about some of those people.