Why do so many christians assume that atheist don't know what's in the bible?

Question

Like probably most of the atheists here, I grew up in a christian church and, believe it or not, I was even an alterboy.

The thing is, the more I started to understand the bible, the more I saw it's contradictions.

It lost all credibility for me before I was even a teenager.

So, why do you guys keep telling me I should "try" reading it sometime?

Answer 1

I am Catholic and fundamentalists do that to me too. Peace

Answer 2

Why do so many Christians assume that atheist don't know what's in the bible?

Because we've come to a different conclusion than they have. When it comes to "Truth", now I'm not talking about "Fact" but "Truth", Consensus can equal Truth. It's all a matter of Agreement. When person #2 agrees with person #1 then person #1 will say that person #2 has found the "Truth".

With that in mind, it's not difficult to see that the same thing is happening with Christians when it comes to their view of Atheists. A Christian will either come to 1 of 3 conclusions.

1. The Atheist has never read the Bible.
2. The Atheist read the Bible but doesn't understand it.
3. The Atheist has read the Bible understands it fully but chooses to live in their "sin" anyhow.

All 3 of which will get the same typical replies from Christians. "I'll pray for you." or some such nonsense.

Just as Christians never seem to understand why modern Jews reject Jesus, they do not understand what an Atheist could possibly have seen in religion that could turn them away from their "God".

They just don't get it, but then delusional people have no need for logic and reason.

Answer 3

It seems to me, in my experience, that a thorough reading of the Bible is *why* people I know are atheists. And any Christian who reads the Bible (which is sadly very few) and doesn't see the idiosynchricities, stereotypes, misogyny, racism, hate and downright incorrect information is truly blind.

When you wipe away all the social dogma (and basically everything Paul wrote), you will see that the point of the Bible is two-fold: to give a set of instructions, which, at their bare essentials are fairly good advice for getting along in society, and two, to teach the people to LOVE. An alien coming to earth now, witnessing current Christians, would no doubt believe that Christianity is about hate. Any Atheist knows that it's plainly put in the fairly non-corrupted part of the Bible that "God is love", and that the golden rule, which I'm assuming, perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm assuming was called the "Golden Rule" because it was, and indeed was, in fact, the most important. Hence: Gold. In layman's terms: treat each other with respect and love, the same way you want them to treat you. If respect to you means to be ignored, that's all good.

Respect also means that if someone doesn't follow your religion... that's they're own business... if you're a true Christian, you'll love them even more. If you're supposed to be evangelicising, shouldn't you be trying to show the love of Jesus through your own actions to bring them into the fold? Does hating someone and discriminating really make them want to join up with you? I don't think it was a brain-dead person who said that you can attract more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.

Point being: the more I've read the Bible, the more I've been infuriated at what has become of Christianity (and no, I'm not a Christian; I'm Pagan/Heathen), and I don't blame a single Atheist for their beliefs.

Granted, I'd like for a person to have faith in something other than themselves because it is a healthy thing for any person. But if that faith is the faith in the absolute of nothingness or faith in the absence of God, or what have you, it's still faith, and should still be treated with respect.

So Christians, if you want so much for the world to agree with you, read the Bible and believe in the Trinity, then stop spreading hate everywhere and blaspheming your own God; love and respect others as you want them to do to you, as you have been commanded. For that is the Golden Rule: the most important of them all. And if someone doesn't believe in your God or believes that there is no God, atleast be thankful that they believe *something*, for to have no faith whatsoever is a lonely, depressing, and empty position to be in. I've been there. Everyone needs a rock. For me, for the longest time, my rock was the belief that there is no "absolute", that nothing can be proven definitively (the true definition of a nihilist). That got me through the toughest part of my life, including having part of my spine removed and a catatonic depression.

Now my faith is different. I don't disagree with my former beliefs, but I've moved on in another direction. But the idea is to support people in whatever their faith is, because without faith, even the faith that there is no God, is sometimes the only thing that will keep a person alive.

Answer 4

It helps them avoid questioning their beliefs.

Thoughtful atheism is a serious challenge to the Christians who can't find the faith to admit that there's no evidence for their beliefs. If you're a believer and you admit to yourself that atheists are well-informed people who have simply accepted the obvious conclusion that there is no god, you have to ask yourself why you still believe.

Now, "faith" is a perfectly good answer to that question, but it requires a lot of character strength, and not many people are that strong. In addition, if your belief is based on faith, you've got a lot less ammunition with which to attack others who don't share your belief. Religions encourage that kind of attack, simply because a religion would die out if it didn't actively discourage members from considering other belief systems.

That means there's a basic conflict between the practices that religions use to survive and the basic notion of belief based in faith. Since most people don't have the ability to believe based on faith, and religions need a lot of people, faith loses, the attack strategy wins, and Christians have to lie to themselves about the motivations and understanding of atheists.
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I get a kick out of this comment (below):

"Why do so many Atheist group all Christians up as if we were all the same, we are not".

We really have a "if you don't have anything meaningful for your answer, just say that the question overgeneralizes" ethic here, don't we? It doesn't matter that the question didn't say that all Christians do X or that all Christians are like X.

If we had a drink everytime someone complained about nonexistent overgeneralization, we'd all already know whether or not there's life after death.

Answer 5

I have studied the Bible pretty thoroughly over the past 20 or so years, this is why I no longer identify with christians. This includes all establishments that have Jesus Christ as their founder. They are all in the same boat, even if they claim that the divisions within it are different. - Nope!
My study has removed the "scales" from my eyes. The oil in my lamp is not running low, I have no need to go out and buy more "oil" from those who are $elling it. Anyone need any eye salve? Shouldn't people stop listening to the "mans" interpretation of God? What is that broad pathway, that leads off to destruction? Presumption can be deadly.

Answer 6

Why do so many Atheist group all Christians up as if we were all the same, we are not.

The other part of your question addressing the contradictions in the Bible, is simple to explain, you see the Bible was a collection of books, put together by someone who did not wish to leave anything that God inspired out. The Bible is a story of Salvation and love. That is the central topic, and that is what it boils down to.
Similar to if you tried to put together a book of what it is to be American using truth from someone on the four corners of the U.S. Each will have its own feeling and background. But the central topic, the U.S. will remain the same.
It is sad that you have come to the conclusion on the Bible that you have, because in it is truely the history of Salvation.
God bless you and have a great day.

Answer 7

Being an Alter BOY and reading the Bible DOES NOT automatically make you understand the Word of God. There are many many so called preachers today that ARE SPIRITUALLY IGNORANT also. Just because someone goes to Church they think that their duty is done and that, that is all that is required to make into heaven on Judgment Day. People who are always putting down God and are TRYING to use the Bible to find Contradictions are SCARED and AFRAID of GOD. They have NO ANSWERS and have to blame someone so they choose God for their pettiness and ignorance in understanding God's Word. God is NOT Someone to FEAR IF you love Him and try to serve Him the best that you can. Christians, (the true ones) are NOT Perfect, they are just Forgiven of their sins and we have an Advocate with the Father, and that Someone is Jesus Christ, the ONLY Begotten Son of God. One with the kind of attitude that you have stated (lost all credibility) had better pray to God THAT He has NOT lost all creditability with THEM. I am also saying to read it as you have put it, BUT this time read it with UNDERSTANDING and KNOWLEDGE.IF you have read it, READ THIS verse, LUKE 9:62. I will help you. It is in the second half of Gods Word, the New Testament, the 3rd Gospel, 9th Chapter, 62nd verse.

Answer 8

Good question.
I am often impressed with the knowledge many of the participants here have of scripture. Not all mind you are well versed. My guess is that so often it appears that the knowledge of the words is there, but not the understanding of the meaning.
For those of us who do not "see" the same inconsistencies as others it is equally maddening I think on both sides.
Consider how frustrated you are when I seemingly refuse to see those things which to you are glaring inconsistencies... which I interpret as 'I do not fully understand yet".
So I will not say that to you, but if you do not mind, when you ask, and I think I can answer faithfully, then I will do my best to respond with loving kindness, and try to show you what I believe to be true.
Okay?

Answer 9

Because from many of the questions and answers I have seen here, most atheists never have read a Bible and are completely clueless about what it really says. Also, a poll by the Pew organization revealed recently that 80% of the general population had no idea what was in the Bible and what wasn't. For example: "God helps those who help themselves" is not biblical. It's actually theologically incorrect.

Answer 10

I don't think you need to read it because like you say you have read it in your own understanding and come to your own conclusions as to what it says and what it means....you also state that you were an alter boy when growing up too....but one thing you fail to say and is the most crucial to all things was....are you truly born again ?.....have you truly given your heart to Jesus....I'm not talking about giving it lip service but truly being born again...because that makes all the difference....I was just like you and then one day I truly gave my heart to the Lord and with that the Bible was revealed to me....God does not cast all his pearls before swine....one needs the unction of the Holy Spirit present when one studies the Word of God and that comes with salvation ....a true believer sees the Bible open not in parables and the more they grow and mature in the Lord the more is revealed....thank God the veil is removed off our eyes and we are no longer blind!....I would suggest when you have this true salvation experience start to read over again and allow God to open His word to you....you wont be disappointed....the Journey is a great one....the adventure in the Word is a daily thing....God Bless

Answer 11

Bible is a great library.
Its compilation of true stories and events,happened in past but referred and found to be relevant in what ever time period , a person seeks it.
sometimes Bible is and shld not be taken in its literary meaning.Bible has the Secrets of life and beyond....for the one who seeks it with passion and faith.
Bible seems contradictory,its absolutely true....
but when you seek it and not read it you'll see the mighty power of the Living word of God.
Bible is meant for intelligent ppl who seek God and Life.
Any one ...any one can know the Truth ,just have to seek it with love.Passion and faith.

why you think ppl around the world is after the Bible?what is the reason , you think is ,that the Bible is read all around the world by the countless ppl and yet,its the only Book to be trashed,torn,burnt, kicked,buried,...all around the world?



Elevate yourself from the rest of the worldly scholars and once again seek the Bible .
The truth shall set you free.

I don't tell you to read it,I tell you to seek it once again...
God Bless.