Are religious people theoretical theists in church, but practical atheists out of church?

Answer 1

I think this question is very interesting. I believe that John Wesley, the famous English preacher from seventeenth century, made a similar observation about this. Many Christians tend to be practical atheists. I am a pastor and I hold convictions which would be considered conservative by many. I am a pastor of a church where people would consider themselves to be spiritual more than religious. Nevertheless, the end result is the same, most people in my congregation and in other congregations of different Christians denominations ( according to their pastors and priests) are practical atheist.
Religion is about relationship with God. God is the supreme being and therefore, our relationship with God demands our supreme attention. This is where the problem lies. Most Christians know that our relationship with God cannot be limited to a mere theoretical debate or couple of blessed hours in the church service but it requires complete dedication of one's energy. However, in practical life, many Christians, myself included, tend to find the easiest way out of fulfilling this commitment. It is human nature to try to find the easiest and least painful way tol love. We like to have the best of both worlds. But in reality we lose out on our relationship with God. A good example would be to observe modern parents with their children. Many parents indulge their children with unnecessary gifts to compensate their lack of quality time with their children. Parents are aware that it is important to spend time with their children but they find the cost of it sometimes too overburdening. They want materially comfort so much and sometimes ofr some reason or rather, working overtime at the office seems less stressful than spending time with the children. I think any relationship requires time and sacrifice. Many people in church recognize that they need the relationship with God but very few are willing to pay for it in their daily life. Jesus Himself said, the gate to knowledge and fulfilment in God is narrow (Matt. 7:13-14)(my paraphrase) . It is narrow not because God meant it to be but it is narrow because human nature does not like it.
Therefore, to answer your question, are most people theoretical theists but practical atheists out of church. Yes. I agree wholeheartedly with this statement because this what Jesus predicted as well. Jesus even forewarned that many would claim many things in His Name but they are really only a few that would know Him. Jesus cannot force anyone to seek to really know Him. It is up to the individual to seek to know someone and whether they are willing to invest the time and energy for it. I hope I was not too long-winded in my answer. It is a good question and I think it deserved a thought-out( on my part) answer. God Bless.

Answer 2

Some are..some atheists are very God like in their everyday actions. God reveals Himself according to His will, and we either "see" and believe and allow the experience to grow and evolve, or we are not called and look around us for guiding principles and follow those that make the most sense. This is why those that are "called" are needed to act and practice the beliefs we have been called in order to set an example. Non believers should understand that we are all human and prone to sin (self worship) and fail often. This doesn't mean they are false, or hypocrites--just struggling in this world as the rest.

Answer 3

The statement that you made that it's "religious people" makes it sound very uniform and applies to all religious people. But for the sake of argument, if you are refering to a non-specific group I would have to say that a lot of the time, many religious people tend to do that. Being religious and being spiritual are two very different things.

Putting me in a garage dosen't make me a car.
Dahlia

Answer 4

that was once a bum funny story, however it was once a cracker, what he will have to have remembered ladies regularly difference their brain what is in Fashion one week is not in Fashion the following, even with regards to buttcracks. I notion that was once very humorous.

Answer 5

This was the case when I attended seminary.

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