Do atheists have the right...?

Question

to quote scriptures and doctrine in order to judge Christians? It just seems wrong to judge someone by something you don't believe in.

More

I do neither nore do most of the people on this forum while alot of atheist I have answers from do do what I have talked about.

I can't pay enough attention to type todayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. sorry

Answer 1

I think you're right.

Answer 2

I am not an atheist, and I don't mean to suggest I'm right either. Keep in mind, however, that the scriptures and doctrines have been contorted and re-interpreted many times over through time. Humans are the ones who have been at the heart of these interpretations.

In that way, I believe More tea vicar? has a point. As a variation of the old adage goes, power can be abused.

One constant, through time, has been freedom of expression. I am a Christian, but I try to remember that the Bible does not account for many of the human-made traditions that have evolved. I am not judging you for asking your question. I am merely providing you with an objective alternative to consider. Atheists may be trying to do the same.

Answer 3

Absolutely they have that right. You can not discuss contradictions in scripture or theology without giving examples of the source.

Like many atheists I know, I am very well educated in biblical scripture. That's mostly what made me an atheist in the first place. Also, you can't exactly reject a doctrine if you don't know what the doctrine is in the first place.

I have found that most creationists know absolutely nothing about the evolution they denounce other than the mischaracterizations and lies they read in creationist literature. On the other hand, most atheists are very well educated in biblical scripture.

It should give you some hint as to which position is based on information and awareness.

Answer 4

I used to be a Christian, so I have a lot of Biblical knowledge. I'm no theologian, but I still have a basic idea of scriptures. Why shouldn't I also use the same scriptures to ask questions or answer questions that relate to Christianity? The last I heard, you don't have to be a believer to read or know the Bible. Feel free to quote atheists and their writings, too. It's a free country.

Answer 5

You state: "It just seems wrong to judge someone by something you don't believe in."

So it's okay to judge someone just so long as you believe in what they do? Does that make any sense? Why would you pass judgment on somebody that believed the same thing you did? We usually judge those who have differing views.

Otherwise by your argument, Christians don't have a right to use logic and reason to refute atheism since "it's wrong to judge somebody by something they don't believe in".

I find every sect, as far as reason will help them, make use of it gladly; and where it fails them, they cry out, it is a matter of faith, and above reason.
— John Locke (1632-1704)

Now if your point is that nobody should be judging others (he who is without sin...) then you might have a better argument.

Answer 6

There's no judgement involved. Reciting scripture is to offer to a believer something that THEY apparently hold to be important, but if it contains internal contradictions (which is somewhat the case with the Bible) the believer ought to offer an account of it. Judgement, if any, is based on how convincingly the believer rationalized the apparently irrational.

What you seem to be saying, however, is that you don't like it when atheists comment on religion without having read anything about it, and you don't like it when an atheist knows their scripture well enough to quote it back at you.... bit of a cake-and-eat-it situation you've got there, friend.

Answer 7

An atheist denies the existence of God right? So why would one use the Bible for any of their purposes since it is a book compiled of Divine inspirations from the Lord.

No one has the right to judge others, Christians or otherwise.

I liked the question though.

Answer 8

No, we have the right to quote scriptures and doctrine in order to judge scriptures and doctrine and hold the evidence up to Christians so they can see it for what it is.

Answer 9

All paths are valid as all paths lead to the divine. We all have much to learn, how we go about that determines a great deal of our reality. One thing to note is it is the Bible, not a book for Atheists, that tells people to "Judge not lest ye be judged", and yet I see many professing to be Christians passing judgement upon homosexuals, pagans, and atheists. Isn't it OUR resposibility, as Christians, to worry about how we act, not others?
- Esoteric CHRISTIAN Mystic.

Answer 10

Well, excuse us.

Look, if you use the Bible to make a point, wouldnt it be wise of us to use that same Bible to make a counterpoint?? I mean, if you say "The Bible says X." what am I gonna come back with? "The Koran says Y?" That wont get a point across....but using your own book does. Heck, by being able to do so, we show you the contradictory nature of the Bible.

Since you judge others based upon Scriptures that we do not beleive in, then we have ever right to use those same scriptures against you. Deal with it.

Answer 11

Leviticus 19:15
In righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.