2007-09-26 16:44:48 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christians cause people to become atheists.
2007-09-26 16:48:20 · answer #1 · answered by Cap'n Zeemboo 3 · 12⤊ 9⤋
As an atheist/agnostic myself (depends on the day which one), a lot of factors contributed. After studying the Bible, I found too many contradictions to hang on to a literalist interpretation. After a few more years, even a metaphorical/allegorical interpretation seemed untenable. I also found much of the text directed at ancient audiences, so that the language/ideas/and concepts do not often translate well into our own time. It seemed sort of like trying to hang on to a Dark Ages concept of science and medicine, it just doesn't work.
Also, a perfect, omnipotent God doesn't seem to work either. Could just be a mystery I guess, but philosophically, it just makes little sense. An imperfect God seems more logical, but I'm just not sure.
Finally, some of the worst human beings I've ever encountered in my life were church going, self proclaimed Christian people. Many were some of the the most closed minded, mean, non caring people I've ever met. I can find enough of those folks outside the walls of the church, so I see little point in going inside the walls of an institution that purports to be loving, just, and non judgemental, and yet fails miserably on all counts.
Anyway, that's just my own idiosyncratic take. I'm happier now than I've ever been, so I don't feel like I'm missing too much.
2007-09-26 23:56:51 · answer #2 · answered by Tukiki 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm atheist, but I'm just wondering if the answer that "not everyone is brought up in a church-going setting" is applicable.
I know that's not BECOMING atheist...but atheism is the natural state of being. It's only when outside stimuli and people begin to tell us about religion that changes our brains first to agnostic, then Christian.
Did you know when information enters the brain it is AUTOMATICALLY accepted as TRUE? It is only the following seconds afterwards that logic sets in and doubt until you know for sure if the fact was true or false.
Thus why little kids believe everything you tell them. They don't have the experience or knowledge to understand reindeer can't fly, or Santa can't come down the chimney, or that mommy and daddy wrap all those presents and put them under the tree when you're asleep.
But as that information becomes available and known to the brain, it begins backchecking all those supposed truths with this new data. Comparing it for faults or concurrence. If the new evidence supports Santa is real, they still believe in him. If the new evidence (ie: maybe they see mommy bringing in presents when they should be sleeping) does NOT support the fact...then the fact is dismissed as doubtful, and then false.
2007-09-26 23:56:51 · answer #3 · answered by Kailee 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Most likely their selfishness and wanting to live in their fleshly desires.
I love how Christians are always closed-minded for believing in God and atheists are always critical thinkers because they have thought it through and decided there is no God, how silly and foolish.
Just because someone becomes a Christian does not mean we have been raised as such, told the stories over and over, have no other choice, or are too afraid to walk away from Christianity. Many Christians have researched what we believe and know why we believe it and not just say "cause the bible tells me so". I am a critical thinker and read many, many things on all sides of religion.
Is there any other way I can be considered by atheists a critical thinker other than by becoming an athest? Source(s) Main Entry: critical thinking
Part of Speech: n
Definition: the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion
Webster's New Millennium⢠Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.7)
Copyright © 2003-2007 Lexico Publishing Group, LLC
Atheism is just as much a concept as Christianity is. Concepts take faith to believe in. There is no proof that God does or does not exist, only that feeling I have within me, and frankly you cannot see it, hear it, touch it, analyze it, evaluate it or apply it--but I can!
2007-09-27 00:12:53 · answer #4 · answered by *Kimmie* 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
As an atheist, I'll tell you what did it for me - rational and logical thinking, with a healthy dose of reading every single modern religious holy text I could get my hand on, and then moving onto the even more ancient ones (none of which can provide a valid support for any claim in a debate); combined with lots and lots of thinking and 'soul-searching'. I've asked every god I can think of to speak to me, and I've not heard any voices that weren't my mind's own. If there is a god out there, it's not for a lack of trying that I haven't found it. So after doing all the above, the only logical conclusion I can come to is there isn't one.
2007-09-26 23:57:25 · answer #5 · answered by nobody important 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is difficult to scientifically determine what is really an Atheist.
We are as humans all born with the Essence of Life.That means we have all the same needs to realize our existence.
Human nature is basically egoistic.The tendency of man is more likely to surround himself with Himself. On that basis he is basically Ignoring that There exist a Creator that made him for a purpose.
Since he does not experience a relationship with his Creator because he is too wrapped up with Himself,he basically is ignorant about it.
Hence atheism is the religion about himself because he thinks he knows it all. But without real communication with his Creator thinking he has the true religion ,he only becomes a deceived person concerning reality and the Essence of life.
One does not have a realistic Undertanding of his Creator till there is a real relationship with Him.
One can have religions which teaches philosophy and beliefs.
However, its all futile if he does not have a personal acceptance of the Salvation that our Creator has set for all mankind. We have a world where there is a lot of spiritual sickness that needs to be healed.
2007-09-27 08:14:14 · answer #6 · answered by goring 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I do not know. I am certain that all are unique in their conclusions.
edit: wow, that was the FASTEST thumbs down I ever got. My head is spinning!!!
*edit again* what are the chances of an atheist getting best answer for this question, which was clearly aimed at Christians? (rubs chin) I'd say pretty damn high.
2007-09-26 23:57:24 · answer #7 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
they got angry with Him when something bad happened in their life. they will deny this but i know this is true for alot. some were probably raised as a child to believe there is no God from a hard hearted parent for the same reason. God has made Himself known in different ways but ppl refuse to believe. there might be other reasons but i feel these are the 2 main ones.
2007-09-27 00:01:44 · answer #8 · answered by warrior*in*the*making 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Common Sense.
2007-09-26 23:51:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋
Apparently there are a lot of extremely foolish Christians. The reality of it is education. The higher education you get the less likely you are to be religious.
2007-09-26 23:51:33 · answer #10 · answered by meissen97 6 · 6⤊ 3⤋
I believe that personal crisis, trauma, etc,, can cause a person to lose their faith. Or just the conditions that we live in today make many people feel as though there couldn't be a God.
2007-09-26 23:49:04 · answer #11 · answered by C. J. 5 · 5⤊ 3⤋