2007-10-02 07:55:04 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Don't be so smug about that Bertrand Russell quote. The difference here is that I'm asking about the perception Christians have about the purpose of individual lives vs. Russell's statement about life in general. Most atheists will readily acknowledge that life itself has no purpose EXCEPT for those we bring to it, AS INDIVIDUALS. Most Christians believe that a god has determined what that purpose is for ALL of humankind.
2007-10-02 14:33:15 · update #1
.... well?
2007-10-02 14:34:07 · update #2
Because thinking that way validates their choice of faith.
What would it say about their choice if atheists lead rich lives filled with purpose?
2007-10-02 08:01:53 · answer #1 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because a lot of Christians live for God... and only for God. They cannot imagine living life for any other purpose, hence believe that anyone who does not do so has no purpose in their life.
I am a Christian and I do put God first in my life. Behind God are my family, my children, and my friends. If God were removed from that list, I would still have family, children, and friends to live for. Most atheists would agree that that list would accurately describe what they live for.
2007-10-02 08:01:00 · answer #2 · answered by The Apple Chick 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Have you ever heard the expression 'there but for the grace of God go I.....' I too am a question asker and I want good answerer's so I understand them fundamentally
Well the purpose of an atheist is to make us think about what we believe in. To challenge our belief system and push us to closely exam ourselves.
I think atheist are great I have a more clear understanding of my own belief system because of the questions from the atheist.
2007-10-02 08:09:03 · answer #3 · answered by theladygeorge 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
(mathew ch 24) and its not the christians you need to be paying attention to my friend as you well know man is imperfect and as a result many hudreds of thousands have perished because of false prophets, these are the signs christ warned us of and they are right on time with the lord jesus' prophecy so read and ask christ why your lives have no purpose i promise you he will answer you,dont sweat the christians these days my friend most of them are liars and misinformed because they are victims of false prophets,a real christian will only show you love and affection and he will not judge you!! he will simply win you over to the lord and the lord himself does the winning the true christian is simply a vessel and if he is truly a child of GOD youll notice an intense kindness almost nauseatingly kind hahahaha! that my friend is a christian and yes an athiests life does have purpose its just that its purpose does not lend itself to the kingdom of GOD.
2007-10-02 08:21:18 · answer #4 · answered by ssleslito 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is part of having a superiority complex mixed with a condescending attitude toward others who do not share in the same beliefs that Christianity is so well known for.
Added:
A few answers have already shown the condescending behavior we Atheists are so familiar with.They say things like "they are not living up to their full potential.Jesus would bring them so much more" or something along those lines.They have already just basically said that I am wrong for being Atheist and that I could do better.That is very condescending.And they wonder why we tell them they have a superiority complex.
2007-10-02 07:59:31 · answer #5 · answered by Demopublican 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Well, try this from a famous atheist:
“Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” –Bertrand Russell (Nobel laureate and atheist)
Well?
2007-10-02 12:14:56 · answer #6 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What? Christians think this?? Certainly you have been misinformed.
Atheists contribute a great deal to the world, and many are very ambitious.
But what good is it to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul in the process… even unto eternity?
2007-10-02 08:15:59 · answer #7 · answered by Jedidiah 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not our fault. For years atheists have been saying things like "Something randomly exploded a while ago, we randomly evolved a bit later, one day earth will be blasted by an asteroid and/or the sun will go supernova. The end."
Now we get into trouble because we think you are serious about it? No pleasing some people ;)
2007-10-02 08:29:03 · answer #8 · answered by PeteTheYowie 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Christians don't say that, people who claim they are christians say that. In short, Jesus commanded us to love our brother as ourself, right? In this case doesn't that include athiest? Sure it does and therefore when christians don't love them they're going against God's will. Real christians should never consider people's lives pointless no matter what they done or what they believe in. Fellow Christians, please stop the negative talking. Jesus said if they reject the gospel, "shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." This means leave peacefully.
2007-10-02 08:04:34 · answer #9 · answered by a.braynen 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I didn't think that because I believe God has a great purpose to all of us and everythuing and anything seen and unseen.
2007-10-02 08:07:00 · answer #10 · answered by sweetie29 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋