Are Christians dismissing gods of all other religions atheist relative to those religions?

Question

When you think about it, Atheists and Christians are aligned in their dismissal of all god of all religions, the only difference being that atheists dismiss just one more god.

If Christians and atheists are aligned in their views in regards to so many religions, are their means of conclusions really that different? What is is about atheists (or Christians for that matter) that make them sway relative to the Christian god?

Answer 1

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen Roberts

The difference is that atheists tend to base their beliefs on RESEARCH and KNOWLEDGE, not on FEAR and SUPERSTITION. We are totally secure in knowing that there's no Sky Daddy to fix everything or favor us over anyone else.

Answer 2

Although Christians believe in only one God, this is not what the original Hebrew scriptures tell us. In the first chapter of Genesis, as well as in 2601 other places in the Old Testament. the word God is translated from the Hebrew word 'ĕlôhîym which literally means gods. It's plural.

In the beginning, the gods created the heavens and the earth. Jehovah (yehôvâh) isn't mentioned until Gen 2:4, after the seventh day. At that point, he took over possession of the earth. The word earth comes from the Hebrew 'erets ,which can mean either the Earth as a whole or an area of land.

The Bible speaks of other gods…either by name - i.e. Baal, Ashtoreth or by insinuation. For example: Ex. 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. And Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image.

Since Christianity is a monotheistic religion, the plurality is, and always has, been ignored. Throughout history the translators of the Bible have always translated the plural word as a singular.

There are many similarities in some of the doctrines and other beliefs (such as creation or the flood) between the worlds religions

I believe that two possibilities exist to explain the similarities between different religions both past and present.

Yhovah may have been known by different names by people that spoke different languages and He may have had different plans for the different cultures. One good example of this is the fact that Muslims, who are descended from Abraham, call God Allah and certainly live by different religious doctrine.

Though as a Christian, I‘m less inclined to believe that explanation covers all the worlds religions. I’m more inclined to believe that Yhovah is the God of Jews and Christians (and as Allah to the Muslims) whereas there were (and still may be) other gods who were (are) in charge of other cultures, civilizations and nations. As a matter of fact, The Aramaeans used the Babylonian pronunciation Bel for Baal; Bel became the Greek Belos who was identified with Zeus. It’s quite possible that many, if not all, of the gods that we consider false or mythical may be quite real.

The scriptures clearly tell us that there are other gods (not to be confused with idols which are mentioned separately). The surviving religions of the world, as well as some extinct ones, show many similarities and there are historical clues that confirm this. To answer your question, most Christians are simply ignorant of what was originally written about the other gods and simply go along with what they’re taught. It’s considered heresy to acknowledge the existence of the other gods. The idea of only one God comes from a time when Paganism (I’m using the word Paganism as a generic word meaning those that worship multiple gods) was a major religion. To keep people from “becoming Pagans” the Jews (and later, the Christians) developed a monotheistic attitude. Instead of Yhovah being the only god worthy of our loyalty, praise and worship, it was (and is) taught that He was the ONLY god…period.

As for why Atheists and Christians sway toward the Christian belief system is anybody’s guess since the Christian church is so full of misconceptions, misleading doctrine and outright lies. I’m a Christian because after studying the original Hebrew and Greek scriptures, I believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is who He said He was.

One last point…the difference between believing in one God or none is a major difference. The average Christian may have his facts wrong concerning the nature of God(s) but they believe in a creator and an afterlife. The Atheist believes in neither so does not believe we have any real purpose for being here and has no place to go after death other than the grave.

Answer 3

Atheists' and Christians' reasons for denying all other gods are different.

Christians dismiss other gods simply because the Bible tells them their God is the only one, and that's enough thinking on that topic that they do. Atheists deny them for the same reasons they deny the Christian God (science, logic, reason, etc.).

So, while their views are the same, they will never collaborate or see eye to eye based on the reasons why they dismiss other gods.

Answer 4

I just want to say at how surprised I am at the "thumbs down" on pro-God remarks and "thumbs up" on anti-God remarks. Are the answers really offensive to you?

Anyway, I think it's just society that brings atheists to be against a Christian God. Christianity is the popular religion of the U.S., and atheists speak out against the popular religion. If it was another religion that was popular, I'm sure they would be more outspoken against that one.

Answer 5

interesting point. The fact is: all religion is worthless. Christianity is NOT a religion, but a RELATIONSHIP with the one God of all creation. There are two huge difference between the founders of all the world's major religions and Jesus Christ. He claimed to be God, and He proved it by resurrecting from the dead. This resurrection is a verifiable fact of history.

Answer 6

you need to look up the "creation epic".
You will find instead that Christians and Judaism claim
God created all things. When everyone sat around
the fire telling their stories about their gods...
the Judaic creation epic took authority over all the other gods.
Didn't NECESSARILY say they did not exist... just took authority over them.
The Creation Epic of Genesis was an answer to all the other gods.

Answer 7

Jesus M needs another hug! :)

(((Jesus M)))

As to your question, I see your point completely. I think another poster has it correct.. atheists dismiss all gods because their reason tells them to. Christians (and other religions) dismiss all gods but one because their religion tells them too. It's similar in theory, but that's about as far as it goes.

Answer 8

Nope. They are merely dismissing the importance of women in society. Perhaps, all those so-called Conservative City women should spend more time with the poor suburban Conservative womenfolk and find out for themselves how these women think and act and what percentage of them are battered women.

Answer 9

The difference is in the source of the dismissal.

Atheists tend to dismiss gods based on knowledge, research, facts, and logic.

Christians tend to dismiss all of the other gods based on a different mythology.

Answer 10

I'm sorry I'm not following you. Atheists don't believe in God at all. Christians believe there is only one God, and only one way to God, by Jesus Christ. I see no similarity whatsoever.