There seem to be more and more atheists, obstinate in their defiance, day after day.
I hate how people condemn the Bible for it's validity before they've even read it. And, as usually is the case, they never do read it.
It seems to me that the diminishing number of Christians correlates to a growing laziness when it comes to reading the Bible, and actually hear what God has to say.
2007-04-12 09:40:21 · 17 answers · asked by swoosh 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The diminishing number of Christians is not due to people not reading the Bible.
It's due to the bad witness of Christians. Sad but true. A large percentage of Americans say they are Christians but most don't even practice their "faith."
This is a terrible scandal.
2007-04-12 09:45:30 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most Atheists are fallen away Christians. Some have judged all Christians by actions of few. Some have decided to pick through the Bible and instead of trying to understand why the flood happened, or why the people died in the wilderness, or why Sodom and Gommorah was destroyed, or why were the children in 2 Kings cursed by Elisha, they have decided that God isn't righteous and have decided not to serve Him.
This has already been spoken about in the parable of the sower. Luke 8:5+. Every person falls into one of those categories.
So just remember Psalms 91 and remain positive.
2007-04-12 10:12:37 · answer #2 · answered by hyrlady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an agnostic and I have read the bible fairly well in the past. I usually (but by no means always) throw in with the atheists because I am anti-dogma.
Maybe it's laziness when reading the bible, maybe it's bad christians alienating people, maybe it's christians deciding their religion isn't true. Probably it's a factor of all these and many more.
2007-04-12 09:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ryan, you are wrong in your contention that Atheists haven't read the bible. In fact, you will find, especially in this section that a majority of the Atheists come from a Christian upbringing and are intimately familiar with the bible and its teachings.
I find that there are more Christians who rely on tradition and generational beliefs rather than reading the bible, than there are Atheists who don't read it.
If you spend the time to read the bible with a secular perspective you will understand where Atheists are coming from. Many of us spent years in church and have read the bible many times over. It is very interesting reading the bible as a born again one year, and then reading it as an agnostic a few years later. You notice things that you once glossed over as a Christian.
For instance, in reading the OT, as a Christian you see many instances where God delivers the Jews from their enemies and helps them conquer the promised land. It is wonderful.
However as an agnostic, you see instances where the Jews, led by theocratic men, went into another land and barbarically killed men, women and children in the name of God. There are many villages and cities that were raised to the ground and even the animals were put to death.
I used to gloss over those stories as a Christian and focus on how wonderful God was in delivering the promised land to the Jews. I ignored the horrific results to innocent hittites, philistines and other indiginous peoples. God slaughtered them in the thousands, that is NOT Loving.
2007-04-12 09:50:58 · answer #4 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some of us have found true enlightenment and are following Jesus's example on the path of light...
The bible was complied at the request of the Roman (Pagan) emperior Constantine. Now that more and more people are learning the truth and realizing that the Catholic church has been keeping secrets and out right lying to people- don't you think that more and more people will turn their backs from their faith and that those who were unsure will simply walk away out of a feeling of betrayal.
Read the Dea Sea Scrolls, Read the Nag Hammadi Library.
Seek and ye shall find...
2007-04-12 09:50:42 · answer #5 · answered by wonder woman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't be surprised if the world hates you (1 John 3:13-14). You are not going to change a worldly person. They have to be enabled to come (John 6:44). The world will persecute true Christians (John 15:18-25). Even worldly Christians will persecute true Christians (Galatians 4:29). Don't get caught up with them. A friend of the world becomes an enemy of God (James 4:4). Check the verses to see if what I am telling you is true.
Respectfully, Alan Ballou www.thehealingbook.com
2007-04-12 09:50:18 · answer #6 · answered by alanpballou 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have read the bible, have taken sacred scripture courses in University, 27 years of Cathecism and lots of independent study. I am not an atheist, I decided after all of my research to become a Buddhist. I do NOT hate Jesus. I think he and the Buddha make natural spiritual ancestors. Everyone on here is permitted to believe what they like.
2007-04-12 09:45:54 · answer #7 · answered by Yogini 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All of this is part of the end time event, hardening of hearts, a great falling away from the faith, denial of God, and being haters of what is good and right. It was all prophesied long long ago and is now coming to fruition. I for one am glad to see it. It confirms the righteousness of God's word and lets me know His return is imminent. One other thing, Athiests will claim they have read the Bible and many may have. However, it does not mean they understand what they read.
2007-04-12 09:53:38 · answer #8 · answered by rico3151 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many atheists have read the Bible cover to cover.
And being atheistic doesn't mean we "hate" Jesus. The opposite is commonly true. Richard Dawkins even has has an "Atheists for Jesus" T-shirt.
2007-04-12 09:49:47 · answer #9 · answered by Logan 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In all honesty I think the declining numbers may be because they actually DID read the bible and hear what that god says.
2007-04-12 09:47:31 · answer #10 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋