Christians, Atheists and Belief?

Question

After many answers here, this is my first question. Christians, please at least attempt to rationally explain your answer. Here is the question:

Why is atheism worse than being a theistic non-Christian?

Polls show that Americans (Who are 85% Christian) think less of atheists than Muslims. The concept of not believing in any god is reviled by Christians, but belief in something that doesn't exist appears to be better!

What they seem to be saying is that Christians respect believing in a false god (Allah, Krishna, Hinduism, etc) as superior to NOT believing in a false belief (atheism). The remarks in this forum certainly seem to support this view.

How do you justify this position? Why would you prefer to have me believe in Allah instead of not believe in Allah? Since either way, I don't beleive in yours.

Answer 1

Theists generally consider faith as a redeeming quality. If you HAVE faith, at least you have that. If you don't, you're not even on par with those with a WRONG faith.

Answer 2

Well... Im not going to say "bad" in any event. Because I dont look at someones belief as flat out "bad" anyway. But there is a difference to me (speaking for myself only) in the respect level that can be had between myself and those of a different belief. An Atheist and I can respect eachother even though we are on very different sides of the coin, a theistic non christian may have more in common with me, depending on which version of God they believe in. My best friend in the world is Agnostic and we have very deep respect for eachother, he believes I have strong beliefs and respects them, I believe (and pray) that if God needs him to know or believe differently, He will move him to do so. But as far as lets say a Muslim for example... this doesnt work well on a respect level because if we are both of strong faith, he believes I am an infidel and should be killed if I dont submit to Allah... I believe that he follows a false prophet and God wont accept him into heaven unless he follows Jesus.

So really, I would say it would be "worse" if you were Muslim.

Answer 3

I would say that it would not make any difference at all, as to believe in a false god would be no different than not believing in the one true God. I think the idea is that people who have some faith in other religions would be more likely to respond positively to the message of the Gospel, although this would seem to be a humanistic rationalization, one that many people probably do without thinking about it.

Answer 4

"on the Christian spectrum, the Bible is the be attentive to God and each thing else devil is in touch some how. on the Atheist spectrum, no longer something exists and each thing comes and is going with none afterthought." partly incorrect and frequently incorrect "yet many Buddhist, Pagan, Ba'hai, and assorted different ideals that are no longer Christian nor Atheist" Buddhism isn't a faith, i won't be able to assert something approximately the different ones you point out for the reason that i'm ignorant of those, yet Buddhism is a existence-style and not a faith and hence isn't unique to atheism or perhaps Christianity "Its like a greater colorings of gray than black and white like many fundamentalist Christians and hardcore Atheists have a tendency to be." Sorry it rather bothers me while people do no longer use its and this is sweet, hence you want to apply this is And definite there are, so what's your element? This sounds like much less of a query and greater an prolonged-winded fact the reason i'm agnostic is by technique of the fact I understand no longer something could be shown, a hundred% for specific, without shadow of the doubt i want to maintain an open innovations and entertain those opportunities, inspite of the incontrovertible fact that slender Others are greater specific of their convictions and function chosen their direction in existence, each and each man or woman has man or woman motives for doing so and there is no person popular reason you ought to grant to everyone

Answer 5

Belief in a superior being is hardwired into the human brain (and even non-humans: apes and elephants are known to display worshipping attitudes towards their elders and deceased).

But not everyone has made a true effort to break free from dogmatic behaviors. Some of us (a growing number, happily) have found, not the absolute truth (since the only absolute truth is that nothing is absolute and everything is relative) but a plausible glimpse of how things are and why they're as they are.

Hopefully those who have been clever enough to see beyond the blindfolds of dogma will help the rest-slowly but surely-to see the true light. (pretty much like the Matrix stuff)

Answer 6

I have respect for all people, it is not for me to judge you. If I was raised all my life in one type of belief, do you know how hard it is for me to change, even if you show me something new. I have studied many different types of beliefs, but looking at this world and what was created by a superior being, I can't believe this was not a God Creator. I don't believe I am any better than you, but I pray that we all will find the way to him.

Answer 7

I am a christian. Christian means to be christ like and do what christ did when he walked the earth, which was keep Gods commandments and laws. Christ never went to church on sunday, he never celebrated christmas which was a holiday long before Jesus was born, he never celebrated easter. Most christians are not aware tha the origin of easter stemed from holy temple prostitution. Don't take my word for it, just do the research. I observe and keep the days that christ wants us to keep. Most "christains" do not keep the Lords sabbath days or his laws, but they are quick to say that they are christians, denying everything Jesus stood for. Think about it, we have this huge book full of information, and all we take from it is " all you have to do is confess with your lips that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and we are saved". What a Joke. The book has alot more than that in it, so much more that people wont even take the time to just sit and read it. Why would someone go to school to teach something that has been sitting in there house all there life. Doesn't make since to me. I am a christian and I do thus saith the Lord.

Answer 8

I cannot agree with the polls but that is my opinion. Whether you believe or not is up to you. Jesus never said to make someone believe in Him. He gave the parable of the wedding for this very reason. The bridegroom's father had invited all of the most well to do people to the wedding super. They did not show up so he said to go to the highways and byways and invite them in. If I issue you an invitation and you decline that is OK with me. I did my part. It is your choice to believe in Jesus or not. As far as being atheist, apparently no one has lived a true Christian life around you. How do you know what a Christian is if you never really seen one? Someone who truly forgives before being asked to, when you have done something extremely hurtful to the person. This to most is very confusing.

Answer 9

Other beliefs they can relate with. They can all agree on some issues regarding a God. With Atheism they just can not relate. We do not believe in a God, therefore, our entire outlook of the universe is different.

The reason why they like agnostics is because they are more open to their reasoning.

Answer 10

I heard recently on the radio that a poll was taken, asking whether or not people would vote for people who had certain qualities... overwhelmingly, the people of America said they would NOT vote for a politician (whether as low as 'mayor' or as high as 'president') if he/she was an atheist. Contrast this with the situation in England, where Christianity is basically a joke, and to hold strong spiritual beliefs may actually hinder you in attempting to win political office.

Well, Christians have such a low opinion of both Muslims and Atheists that asking which is worse to be is like asking "which is worse: **** or vomit?"

I'm an atheist, by the way.

Answer 11

I'm sorry you don't believe in Jesus. We all have to make that choice. No, we don't think anyone is better than anyone else. I don't know what poll you're talking about or what "Christians" they supposedly interviewed.