Athiests: do you truly understand the Christian plan of salvation against which you so vociferously rail?

Question

You say you don't believe in God, and you seem particularly opposed to the Christian concept thereof, but do you understand exactly what it is you are opposing?

Explain to me the plan of salvation as laid out in the New Testament of the bible. I am curious to see if you know exactly what it is you are rejecting as false.

Well, a lot of editorializing so far, and a few cop-outs of the "since it's all fictional I don't care to answer" variety, but we've actually had a few accurate descriptions! I look forward to reading more!

Atheists (and I apologize for spelling it wrong in the original question... it was a simple typo), I thank you in advance for not turning this into another "why I don't believe in God" thread. If you can't. or won't answer the question as-is, please move on to one you *are* interested in answering.

Answer 1

Bonus points for using "vociferously". As an atheist and someone who has never bought into Christianity I'll give it a shot:

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

This part seems pretty obvious to me.

Anyway, admit you're a sinner:
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)

repent/turn from sin
Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)

You have to buy the whole "died for us, got buried, and rose"
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

invite Jesus in your life through prayer:
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

Answer 2

Yeah, I know, I'm dumb. Because I "reject the plan of salvation as laid out in The New Testament of The Bible".

Because I choose to believe there is no God and there's been no Jesus dying for our sins but I don't try to persuade others into believing the same thing. Because I don't ask you what kind of salvation are you talking about and do you really believe there's a Heaven and a way to get there and are you sure I'm gonna go to Hell just because I'm an atheist. For that, I'm dumb.

Answer 3

Jesus, a jewish rabbi and zealot, teaches peace and love, then dies. Once dead, his followers state that he was of virgin birth and actually WAS god. Not only was he and god (who was supposed to be his father) god, but a third person called the Holy Ghost that no one knows anything about joined the party. His followers told everyone that the reason Jesus died was to wash away their original sin, and now if they want to go to heaven, they must believe that he was the son of god...or was it that he was really god...and then the believing will be the magic key to get them into this heaven where there is a mansion for you and lots of other people like you who have attaned divinity for eternity. Not all of the people you love will be there, but you will be so glorified that you won't even care. No pets are allowed in heaven, so get used to the idea that you will never see your beloved pets again.

Now comes the good part, all those that didn't make it to heaven with you, will be burning for eternity in hell. Just for one reason, that you were not able to make sense of the whole plan. And this is by a god who loves you more than mankind can ever imagine.

atheist

Answer 4

This is important to you; this is not important to me.
Why isn't it important to me?
To start going down that road I'd have to believe in an InvisibleSkyChappie and his son, TheKid.
Sorry (I'm not - it's just something I say), I don't believe in any type of ImaginaryFriend for which I have seen no evidence.

I don't 'vociferously rail' against your DreamFriends; I just think it's all a crock and I say so and why every opportunity I get.

Theists have never disappointed me - you click their 'on' button and off they go.
Fish, kittens and children are amusing to watch but for the ultimate decadence there's nothing like mixing it with a xian.
I know I'm cheating by using Logic and Reason AND my brain (I'm hard-wired to use it), but it's still lotsa fun.
Whether they use references to Circular Logic or their GoatHerders' Guide to the Galaxy or their VERY SPECIAL version of Invisible Sky Chappie, it's just a laugh a minute.

I especially like how they are able, with consummate ease, to discount the existence of Allah, Thor, Zeus, et all by using a special brand of 'logic' and THEN, with then next breath, claim their version of InvisibleSkyGuy really does exist and anyway he can piss further than all the others.

Do you realise that this ScamStingCon, is the only one supported by many governments - that means we, through tax breaks (they pay NONE), WE help fund them whether we're theists or not AND it's the only MadnessDelusionPsychosis that PsychiatristsPsychologists won't sent you to the nut-house for, AND most prospective employers see the belief in InvisibleSkyMonsters as a plus.

You just couldn’t make this shït up.
[/end rant]

Answer 5

I fully and very clearly understand the Christian plan of salvation. I've read the Bible. I attended church and Sunday school throughout my childhood. I attended a religious college for a year. I really understand.
I do not have time or interest in transcribing lots of scripture about how we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of god and only by believing in Jesus as savior can we avoid going to hell. I understand all that and you might understand it too.
I'm an atheist.
I do not mind your being a Christian as long as you keep it to yourself and do not interfere with the beliefs of others. That's difficult for Christians to do. Many Christians are very willing to murder infidels and scientists.
That disgusts me.
I believe Christianity and all of the other Middle Eastern religious cults are primitive, barbaric and brutal. Their god is felonious and we should no longer tolerate glorifying a deity that would burn his children. That is really sick.

Answer 6

I am not opposed to the Christian concept particularly. I am opposed to the three Abrahamic religions simply for the violence and hate they perpetrate in the world. If not for that, I couldn't care less what xtians, hindu's, muslims, pagans, etc. believe in.
I've read the whole bible and as a child I went to church and sunday school. I know what the concept of salvation is and understand it fully. I just don't believe in it. But to answer your question, the plan is the ''acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior and that he died on the cross for humanity's sins, admitting that we are sinners and repenting of our sins, and spreading the gospel to others so that they can also be saved".
OTH, I also understand the Muslim, Judaic, Hindu, etc. faiths and know what Buddism is about. I even dabbled in paganism when much younger but realised its also just mythology.
B.B. gave a very good answer, though he didn't really answer the question ;)

Answer 7

I do understand.

To be "saved" under Christianity, I have to accept Jesus Christ as my savior. Easy enough to understand.

However, it also requires me to believe in a god and accept the bible as proof that god exists, follow its rules and accept its alleged revelations about the universe.

I do not believe in god, nor a Christian's viewpoint of the bible, nor their view of "salvation".

If you want the reasons why, then I'll be happy to email them to you. But you only asked if I knew about the Christian plan of salvation, which I have answered. And I do not want to waste electrons writing something you will probably not read.

Plus I need some sleep - its midnight here! =)

Rob

Answer 8

I'm a polytheist, not an atheist. Yet I totally reject the notion that we need salvation in the first place. Why are YOU so eager to believe there's something inherently wrong with being human, for which you must spend your entire life apologizing? What a waste!

The indigenous, pre-Christian faith of my ancestors (and yours as well?) doesn't crush my spirit or beat me into submission with the notion that I am full of faults and utterly unworthy. It encourages its followers to stand tall and live a life filled with positive values, to earn a good reputation through worthy deeds, and not to be afraid of death.

Being human is a great gift. Embrace it and celebrate it. Don't weep and grovel. I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees.

Answer 9

I am not an atheist, I am a deist, but Christians have called me atheist because I do not believe that the bible is the word of God.

Plan of salvation? Why would God need to kill himself to forgive our sins, why does he need blood shed in order to do that ,when he could have simply forgiven Adam and Eve from the beginning for having eaten a stupid fruit?

Why should I be impressed by a God that demends animal and human sacrifices to clean sins?THAT TO ME IS A CULT.

I give more respect to God, I do not think IT(GOD has no gender)is so stupid like religions have made it to be.

A God that set the universe in motion needs BLOOD to save people from a HELL he created from the beginning?
Don't you see anything wrong there?

Answer 10

well, i'm not an Atheist. I'm an Agnostic but i'll tell you what i know of the "Christian" plan of salvation". first off ... i thought it was God/Jesus' plan of salvation not the plan of a man made religion.

in any case, the reason i don't believe in the "Christian plan of salvation" is because i do not believe in blood sacrifice, especially not human blood sacrifice, is useful in appeasing the wrath of a savage invisible super beings. the whole concept is disgusting. and i have no respect for people who would accept having someone else be punished for their wrongs.