What causes Biblically-educated Atheists & Christians to reach different conclusions?

Question

Many Atheists have an education deeply rooted in biblical studies and theology from the same schools that produced Christian clergy and church leaders.

They have each examined the same scriptures, learned Greek & Hebrew along side one another, and often shared dormitory rooms and studied in study groups together.

What causes these "two peas from the same pod" to produce such different results?

Why are the biblically-educated Atheists unconvinced of God's reality?
Why are the Christian graduates from the same programs not convinced that God is imaginary?

Z->Z^2+C: I'm the son, grandson, nephew, and cousin of ministers. I somehow don't think my agnostic atheism can be traced to genetics.

Answer 1

I grew up believing in a christian religion and I eventually left. For me, there was something inside me that wanted to find the answers. When I was a believer I studied everything about the church I belonged, because they said they had the truth. As I continued to grow and go to school and learn more about the world, I found that that what I was taught did not fit in with the reality of the world around me. I had to be true to myself, the truth shouldn't have to be forced in a box (your religious worldview).

To me it is being honest with the evidence and what they say. Taking an honest look at history and what it says. Not being afraid to look at all sides and coming to an honest conclusion about reality.

I think those that stay in a religious worldview is because of the comfort and the community that it provides. I mean look at the Catholic Church and the terrible history that it has (destruction of pagan churches, Inquisitions, witch burning), even the recent molestation accusations of children, yet it is the largest Christian organization in the world. I don't see Catholics leaving in droves because of this, they stay because it is what they have taught in the family and provides community and comfort.

Answer 2

Great question.

This is one of many reasons why I do not believe the Bible is divinely inspired truth.

The way I see it, if God decided to write a book, there would be no room for arguments because certainly God would be capable of making himself perfectly clear.

Additional:
I realized I didn't exactly answer your question regarding well-studied individuals coming to opposite conclusions:

I think that’s a factor of how an individual sets their priorities. Those who prioritize faith over logic (whether out of fear, guilt, hope, or trust in someone else’s opinion) will always be able to rationalize away the inconsistencies. Those who rate logic as a higher ideal than faith will be unable to see past the glaringly obvious flaws.

Obviously I'm with the second camp. Am I really to believe that God Almighty would devote some 350 words to describing the desired curtains for the tabernacle in ridiculous detail (Exd, Chapter 26) and yet be unable to give a straight answer regarding the divinity of Jesus? If the God of Abraham exists, then he was being deliberately vague, and I can only come to the conclusion that he is unworthy of worship.

Answer 3

I do wish I understood the answer to this question. The thought of God not being real has just never occurred to me, not once in my life. Even in college as I studied for a degree in nursing, I didn't doubt His existence when faced with sciences and illnesses. I didn't raise my children going to church on Sundays to find Gods Truths, neither did I send them to school with an understanding that all they learned there was truth. They as adults are Spiritual and know the presence of God. I've met people who I like very much, and they don't know His presence. I just can't understand why, unless these people have actually never asked God to make His presence known to Him. Like, for some reason they can't open their minds to accept Him. I wish I could understand them. I'd bet they have an equally difficult time trying to understand me.

Answer 4

Excellent question. I would consider myself a "Biblically educated agnostic" and I have come to different conclusions than both believers and Atheists. The key term here is "interpretation". Everybody processes information differently.

Answer 5

Good question, NH! In my feeble little mind I believe that for some reason many people are unable to deal with the concept of a finite life. Others can, and do, cope with the realization that we, as humans, have a beginning, middle and an end.

Answer 6

Each person views the world through very personal and varying lenses. Viewpoint and ability to act upon learned information is directly influenced by such colored lenses of life experience. It is perfectly legitimate to choose not to act upon any topical information imparted to us. Many choose not to accept certain information as truth for them, while others do accept and make it a part of their existence. For instance, if a doctor diagnoses you with terminal cancer, you can choose to deny what you have been told. However, just because you have chosen not to believe him, does not make it any less fact.
There always have been, and will continue to be a majority of people who, because of past "lensing", just cannot seem to accept a faith in God. That is as the Bible declares it will be. In fact, Scripture teaches that "only a remnant will be saved".

Answer 7

NH,
I read that Billy Graham had a good friend that was in ministry same as he. Went to same school, same convictions UNTIL one day his friend rejected that there was a God. He claimed he couldn't accept a God that would let bad things happen to "good" people.
He lived his life writing many books about atheism. I wish I could think of his name. Anyway he was interviewed by Lee Strobel author of "the Case for Christ" and this man said the biggest thing he missed about being a Christian was Jesus.
Interesting eh?
†

Answer 8

My personal take on that: I kept asking questions that no one wanted to answer. The only answer I ever got was "that's the way it was" or "it is god's will". That was not sufficient for me. I guess I don't believe in blind faith.

Also, I learned about different religions in the world and observed some very similar teachings (Buddhism, for example) which were still reviled by Christians. In the name of christ, of course. I could not stand hypocrisy.

Answer 9

The key is not why they do or don't, it is how they understand.
This is the key! Understanding!

I personally do not understand many things. However I may lean towards my own understanding, which can lead me to a form of ignorance. It also can lead me towards a form of Logic or Intelligence or Rationality, etc., etc., etc..

Does this understanding I have help me to help others. Maybe! Maybe not! But what it is, is my own understanding.

Now if I step outside of my own understanding and look towards another's understanding, will this enable me or disable me. For some the answer is yes! For others the answer is no!
Why?
If my answer was no, it is because I prefer my own understanding as the only way.
If my answer is yes, it is because I realized that my way is not the absolute way.

Does this make me stronger or weaker. For some it is a weakness, for others it is a strength.

The key to this whole issue is Understanding!

Answer 10

The difference is that one is a Christian and the other is an Atheist. That may sound silly, but that it the correct answer. Many scientist are similar to this. Same school, same environment, same evidence-but, depending on their individual world views, one will see evidence for Noah's flood and the other will see erosion over many years. The school does not make the man. The man uses what he learned, one for good, and one for not so good.