How can Christians honestly say that atheists are without hope?

Question

…because to me, religion offers no hope to humanity at all. It hinders the pursuit of knowledge (science), it is the reason for many wars and it fosters bigotry, racism and hatred. Surely our only hope is a world without the divisiveness and terror caused by religion?

Answer 1

Hope to a Christian is the confidence that what God has done for us in the past guarantees our participation in what God will do in the future. It is a contrast to the world's definition of hope as "a feeling that what is wanted will happen."

Christians live in hope because of what God has done in Christ and because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

We are not tied to this "world" but those without hope are. As many worldly ones have mentioned, this is all there is.

Answer 2

First of all, true Christians should NEVER say that anyone is without hope. The blood of Christ, shed on the cross, is enough to cover ANYONE's sins, and He is enough to persuade anyone, including atheists.

As for Christianity "hindering" knowlege (which you narrowly define as ONLY science), I challenge you to read Josh McDowell's book, "Evidence that Demands a Verdict".

Saying that "many wars" and "bigotry, racism and hatred" have been done in the name of God is true, the only problem with your argument is that GOD would NEVER condone them. If someone steals from another person using your identity, should you be marked as a thief forever?

"Divisiveness and terror" would exist, even without religion.....and if you don't believe that, then you don't know much about human nature. Not every human being who has ever been a bigot, racist or a hater did so because of religion.

Answer 3

You are touching on too many subjects to be answered in one question . Tell me ,do you blame the earth for global warming , or the humans who have created the situation ? It seems silly to curse at the earth who has no control over humans extortion of her . It also is silly to blame religion for the extortion of humans . War is about money and is created by the men who control the world . They use things like religion , bigotry , fear ,etc. They finance both sides of the war , and keep it going for as long as possible to maximize their profits. The people on both sides have been manipulated into thinking they are fighting for some cause . When it's only purpose is to make some rich person richer . Religion is just one of the masks that the super rich use to keep us from seeing the truth .Eliminate religion from the world and the wars will march on .

Answer 4

I agree with JIMBO, it is people misinterpreting or misrepresenting religion that cause wars and intolerance. Besides religion is just a way to express someone's faith it isn't a living organism that can make people do things. If a Christian ever says that an athiest is without hope they they are not following true Christian principles. Anyone can SAY they are a Christian but if they are being judgemental and damning people then as a Christian I certainly don't want to be lumped in with them. Just as you don't want to be judged as hopeless, we don't want to be judged based on the actions of a few radical sects.
As for hindering the pursuit of knowledge it does not such thing. I will agree there are a few sects out there that discourage outside knowledge but they are few and far between and are not mainstream. Once again, don't lump all Christians in one category based on those that "make the news".
My hope is that everyone will find the same peace, love and joy that I have found in the Lord. Since recieving the Holy Spirit I am truely comfortable in my own skin and my in my soul and wish for all to know this happiness.

Answer 5

Why do you lift science so ? Is science not responsible for the deaths of many people through the making and marketing of drugs? Are you even aware of how many people are damaged for life or killed by the drugs that they are told will help them? Is this not the by-product of science? How about the many failures of science? How many have died or been damaged by the advancement of science? Is science not responsible for the bombs and other weapons of mass destruction? How many countless thousands have died from these scientific "creations" ? That really sounds hopeful to me.

You see, the point is this : Men can misuse many things. religion, as well as science. It is just the evil nature of man. The hope that Christians say that you are without is the hope of eternal life through Christ Jesus.

By the way, what of the divisiveness and terror caused by the use of science?

Can you see how it goes both ways?

Answer 6

Please understand the war created by human not by religious. Even there is no more religious in the world, there is still war.
Budhaist is not a religious which did not confess there was a creator who created world. Budhaist is an atheist who said that do not trust and believe him, proof ourself.
Budhaist is full of hope as he know we are happy to enjoy this moment. He can say he know everything and he can say he know nothing as reality is changing. If you want him to tell the reality, will be a silence thunder. He knows there are so many world of creatures which are according to their own willing and karmas to (enjoying their imagination) He understands that the reality is changing even he words. He said, I say fire, the word fire will not burn your fingers but real fire will. So even you follow every steps of mine, you still will not be enlightenment. Only the way, you practise yourself certain time(may thousands of year, may be 1 second.) Because you might practise previous lifes and this is the right time to enlightenment. Then you will be him; a waken creature. (All creatures are equally have chance to be enlightenment) as he said you might practise previous lifes.
He ruined the regulation of Karmas from Hindru and the same moment he presented chances in between Karmas and result. Hindru said, there is plant, there is fruit.
Budha said, in between the plant to the fruit there is chances. The seeds planted on the ground may be grown up to a tree and fruits.
If there is another chances come between fruits, such as sun dried the seed of no water, no fertilizer nor water nor sunshine etc. or even eaten by birds or warms. There will be a lot of details combine to be a fruital result. One thing happen, other too.
China have the pollution of water, what will be come to me?

Answer 7

Religion does not cause terror and divisiveness. People do.

My relationship with Christ, NOT religion, offers hope and joy. It does not hinder the pursuit of knowledge (Science) at all for me.

I do not hate anyone. I love others and treat them the way I want to be treated.
Sorry, but I disagree.

I must say, though, that you express yourself very well.

Answer 8

Dear Desiree,

I will never say that someone is without hope. I think many people in this forum believe that "christianity" is just a set of rules or traditions that one follows in accordance with membership in a church. The truth of the matter is that only God can save a person-that is give him/her a new heart (soul). This person is born from above and is a new creation. They may look the same on the outside, but in the heart they have a love for God and their fellow man and can only be happy when they are walking in fellowship with Him.

Only God knows the end from the beginning. God can take a vile person and make them into a beautiful vessel for the Master's use.

Answer 9

Atheist agendas have killed over 100 million people in the last 100 years. Evolution was used to justify racism. Go back and carefully study some world history.

God bless

Answer 10

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