So atheists, what is the real reason you do not subscribe to christianity?

Question

It piqued my interest as I realized by reading some of your (atheist's) replies that you hold some grudge against christianity. My guess is that your moral codes do not coincide with christian moral code. If so, in what ways? To clarify, some of you expressed condescension towards christian lack of reason... but anything about the lifestyle of the christians you despise so much?


If I may make a stab in the dark, I think many of you (atheists) do not have a goal to be 'good' as christians try to be whether there is hell fire or not. The endeavor to be 'good' is really an endeavor to be like the God we serve.

I also want to know why there are so many atheists here in this religion and spirituality corner, as I understand you are far far from either interests...

Ok, be defensive if you must, but it isn't effective in getting your point across. Target the problem by probing, not slamming the door

Hmmm... sounds like some of you have misconceptions of christianity and christians. Most genuine christians do not fear hell fire. I am personally unaffected by hell fire, so what? Haven't you heard of instrinsic and extrinsic rewards? There IS indeed intrinsic rewards to trying to please God. It isn't a fable. Perhaps some of you need to understand not all things of God are according to human reason.

I just thought it was interesting. I was enlightened that there was a confession that he wasn't up to par with a viable moral code. At least he is admitting it. Some of you think you're just as 'good' as any christian just without the fear of hell fire and all the nonsensical/lack of reason involved in accepting the violent bible. Well, my question then is, if you really endeavor to be good would you not one day end up against a dead end in which there is really no consistency day in and day out and impulsive drives still rule?

Answer 1

I used to be a christian.
Christianity is a lie, how about you get informed about the falsity of religions?
Here where to start.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7785317849743909385
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fau1yZvzt_I&mode=related&search=
http://youtube.com/watch?v=05Oe1UAEATE&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuIQVfmBEp8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnsPyhJj9Mg
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5216975979627863972
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvDOtpsmxbc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QQ-kvw1fYXs
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4736152108778037322

Answer 2

That IS a huge stab in the dark, most certainly.

You really want to know? It's that my moral code as a nominal Christian (when I made the decision to no longer be one)the moral codes of my family and friends more closely followed the precepts of christianity than way too many people in my church, especially in the youth group!

Lying, deceit, sex, drugs, alcohol, number of abortions among this group of 50 teenagers was HIGHER than my entire class at the high school - which was over 400 kids!

I could not reconcile their behavior with the "face" they put on for church and in front of their parents. I decided then that if this kind of dishonesty was what christianity was teaching these people, then I didn't want to be a christian.

The parents were no better - concerned with money and clothing, like going to church was to put on a display of wealth rather that to worship. Luckily, we had a great new minister in those days, who did call the church to account for their behavior after hearing the pre-session lobby discussions. He was just as - and likely much more, being what he was, disgusted and upset as i was.Only time I ever saw that man pissed off about anything.


THAT is what drove me away, not me having poor morals. I still have a better moral code and act more honestly, more decently than most of those people - and we're all in our 40s now. Luckily, some of them grew up and realized that their behavior was very poor at best. Sadly, some still think they were in the right and that they are "true" christians.

Honestly, I have met many "Christians" in my life - I've had jobs that deal with the public - but I can still only count on both hands - and not even hit all 10 fingers - GOOD Christians. And luckily, I've had the joy of being friends with several of them.

All I have to say, if those people I used to know are examples of endeavouring to be just like god, then I'm tending to believe in the god of the OT rather than the kinder, gentler, santa type version presented so often today.

Ah, and just one other point - just because someone does not ascribe to a religion, it doesn't mean they are at the mercy of impulse all the time. Most people - christian and not - DO have the sense and ability to think and rationalize, so that impulse is the LAST thing that runs their lives.

I think YOU are also living under a misconception that the non religious are akin to animals, living from impulse to impulse with nothing else. Sorry - we are taught to think. And we do. Being Christian doesn't exempt you from those random impulses either. If it did, then sin would be a non issue, wouldn't it?

EDIT - as for grudge- heh - why would I waste my time and energy on one? As you pointd out, there are so many other interests. I don't waste time with grudges and hating people- it's pointless, would just give me an ulcer and drain my energy, energy I can better use living and enjoying my life.

Answer 3

You have not read the answers to the many times that this question has been asked.

Simple put: there is no evidence for any deity or holy book. For Christianity in particular (as well as Islam and Judaism) the god described is violent, capricious and contradictory.

From a moral viewpoint, the end result of my morals are similar to Christan's although are more nature/genetically based.

On the contrary I, and from what I can tell others, do try to be what we term as good, or perhaps it's better to say that I don't live a life of debauchery, I strive to be nice and caring in most situations, I support charities etc. I'd say that I'm more moral or good now than when I was a Christian. The way you use the term "good" is up for interpretation as what you think of as good may not be the same as what I do, for example for you not exposing your kids to evolution as a fact maybe good, for me that is evil incarnate as is any effort to suppress knowledge and learning. On the other had the general principles of good may be the same, i.e human rights, freedom to believe, speech etc, the betterment of all human condition, etc. The major difference is tht I don't need a reward or fear in order for me to want to follow my morals.

As far as the Christian lifestyle, there are two things I despise: 1 you try to legislate your morals on others i.e same sex marriages. 2. Christians tend to equate science and faith, in that you can choose to "believe" in science or that "faith" makes facts. When asked for evidence, a christian will say "I feel god's presence" which by no stretch of imagination is evidence, or will point to a Creationist web site or book that is so full of fallicies and false assumptions that they should be considered bold face lies (Dr Dino comes to mind).

Answer 4

My moral code somewhat intersects that of Christianity. Don't kill, don't steal, don't lie, be faithful to your spouse/partner/what have you. Don't hurt people at all, really. Treat others how you want to be treated. You'll live a happier life if you don't envy those around you. General morals are the same.

I'm mostly disappointed by the lifestyle of Christians and how they don't always coincide with what Christianity actually teaches. I know no one is perfect, but you'd expect it to be at least a little better.

I, and most other atheists, do have a goal to be good. I, and most other atheists, just don't understand why one has to be threatened by hellfire and damnation to be good. One should be good on their own accord, not because they'll pay for eternity if they don't. I want to be good because it makes me happy, it makes those around me happy, and it's my little part to make the world somewhat better.

What bothers me most about Christianity specifically at this point in time is that you're trying to get your no-so-general morals passed into laws, i.e. absolutely no abortion or stem cell research or gay marriage.

Answer 5

Oh, you mean the moral codes of the Bible - like stoning a disobedient son, beating your slaves, eating your children, dashing infants on the rocks. Stuff like that? Or like the moral codes of the Catholic priests?

Nah, I would rather just be nice to everyone, Christian or not.

Here's a couple of quotes from the REVERAND Pat Robertson. Maybe you have the same moral character as he does.

"You say you're supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists and this, that, and the other thing. Nonsense. I don't have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist." -- Pat Robertson, The 700 Club, January 14, 1991

Pray to Yahweh, infallible white man who sits on a toilet-like White Throne of Judgment on a carpet of stars, defecating the unsaved into a swirling, fecal-stained porcelain portal to Hell, that the remaining liberal Supreme Court Justices – are of whom are old, feeble, and riddled with secret VD even Chinese whores don't get – all fall victim to sudden, career-ending, cranium-imploding brain aneurysms!

http://www.whitehouse.org/news/2003/101203.asp

Answer 6

By definition, an atheist does not believe in any God. So the Christian belief in a God would be the reason they do not subscribe to your religion OR ANY OTHER. Some atheists may have grudges with how Christians have behaved, or with some Christian teachings that have caused them distress in their lives.....

I am a Hellenic Polytheist so Atheists do not believe in my religion, but Christianity does not speak to my heart the way the worship of my Gods does. Does this mean that I do not try to do the right thing? Absolutely not, and it does not mean that an atheist will not do the right thing DESPITE their lack of belief in "Eternal Punishment for sin".....

Answer 7

Your comment at the end is stupid. I am atheist and I still take an interest in religion and spirituality. I agree with the teachings of jesus, I like his attitude. Nice peaceful cat. But I DO NOT agree with how christianity often buggers up personal freedoms. I do not believe jesus was the son of god, just a real nice dude with real sweet ideas. A lot of what christians do is really good, with there whole charity and stuff, I love it. But i wonder, do they do it because otherwise they would go to hell? and because they are scared of punishment? OR do they do it because they want to genuinely help out other people. As I am free from the worries of going to hell, I help people when I can because I want to help them, not because I'm worried that I will burn for eternity.


**As i wrote that, people posted answers, I like a lot of the answers im reading guys. Makes me quite happy.

Answer 8

So that's the only reason you behave decently? To be like "God?" Then by that logic, if you found out tomorrow there was no God, you would start pillaging, murdering, and raping? Of course not. I hope you can see how belief in a higher power isn't necessary to develop morals. All you really have to do is realize that your fellow living creatures feel and struggle and suffer just as you do, to know that all those things are wrong.

Answer 9

To reply to your first statement ( that "we" hold some grudge against christianity. My guess is that our moral codes do not coincide with christian moral code) As many other people have metioned already in your list of answers we dont pretent to be nice or give charity becuase we are afraid of fiery brimstone rather we do it out of choice. It's not so much of a grudge it's more like we are just tired of hearing the same ole sh*t!!

Answer 10

Gee...like three drinks in one question.

Dude I was only 10 when I figured it out. They told me that plants were created before the Sun and all the stars in Sunday school. I knew that was BS. No matter how much I wanted to be wrong, I couldn't convince myself otherwise.

Most of our issues come with evangelicals that want to take science back to the Dark Ages when religion ruled the Earth. It has nothing to do with moral codes. I wouldn't have to live any differently if I was a Christian other than I would be busy Sunday morning.

Answer 11

I don't subscribe to Christianity because my neighbor's kid who was doing the magazine sales didn't have that one.

What I think you're asking me is why I'm not a Christian. Simply put, I see no evidence that the God of the Bible exists. None. Zero. Zip. Nada. Plus, even if there was evidence, if the Bible is true, God is not even slightly deserving of any worship whatsoever.