Believers, what's with the false notion that us atheists are ignorant of the bible's writings?

Question

Did you know that many atheists are quite versed in theology and some of us know more than you do about your own religion?

I myself attended a strict Catholic school (unwillingly) since first grade and trust me I know PLENTY, so you cannot say it is our ignorance of religion that makes us non-believers, in fact, reading the bible has made me realize how flawed it truly is and if anything it made my atheistic beliefs even stronger.

Nintendo_FanGTX- before telling me to get a life, why don't you try getting a life yourself loser? Nothing I hate more than a filthy hypocrite.

race_car_bed- LOL no I was not beaten by a nun.

Answer 1

Put it this way, they will say us atheists are :

Reading the bible on it's words but not in faith, therefore the holy spirit does not bestow it's wisdom onto the atheists to see the truth.

Personal translation:

Reading the bible by reading it words and not believing it blindly, therefore delusion cannot slip in and be confused with reality to accept lies as the truth.

Answer 2

People, even theologians, make the mistake of thinking that understanding from the scriptures in the bible comes from reading the words. It's true that what is written tells us many great and important things, but what is written is but a history book and that, because of man, has had many pure and precious truths taken out of it. It is the types and shadows within the words that tell us the most important things. These things can only be discerned by and through the spirit and the spirit of God will bear witness unto us of their truthfulness. It is impossible for those without the gift of the Holy Ghost to discern these types and shadows thus leaving them with confusion and wrong ideas. I submit that you might be well read in the words of the bible but you have no clue what the true religion of the bible is. Non-believers will one day wish they had chosen to put forth the effort to find out the real truth instead of taking the easy path. Until you are on your death bed, you have the choice, or until Christ comes once more. At either time, you have waited too long.

Answer 3

You know, it depends on who you are talking to. I am convinced that no one can understand the Bible without an education in modern criticism, the original languages, ancient history, and similar ancient literature in parallel genres. Anything less than this, and you are going to have a hard time understanding the Bible at all, regardless of Church attendence and Christian education.

I have a friend who, with no philosophical background whatsoever, opened Plato's Symposium and immediately hated it. He has been on an anti-Plato kick ever since. But I had another friend who carefully studied the Platonic corpus over time, following study guides and philosophical analyses. He walked away a devout Platonist. The point is that you can't open up a 2000 year book, evaluate it in a vacuum, and then walk away with an informed opinion. That goes for Christians as well as atheists.

Answer 4

i am a believer.!!
but i think that many take to heart the idea that if you have read the bible and know of it's writings how ,can you not believe.
i think this is very true for those people who attend fundamentalist christian religions.
Don't take this the wrong way, i am all about you believing as you do but i want too propose some ideas too you.
Since our understanding of the human genome and to the point that we have it almost completely mapped out, our sciences can tell us exactly down too the molecule the composition of every cell in the body we know how cells divide and what causes them to divide.
Yet not a single scientist has of yet too ever create a living multi-celled organism with out the process of pro-creation.!!!
my last thought for you as well, science still has of yet too explain how a complex amino acid chain that is believed too have started life on this rock, that can be recreated in a lab does not begin too change in to a single celled organism.
as such i believe in creationist evolution, there are things that the bible doesn't fully explain but there are things that science cant explain either.!!! (well that my two cents anyway)

Answer 5

You are right. Many atheists are as well versed in scripture as Christians if not more so. Some Christians may unfortunately think that atheists or agnostics have never read the Bible --- and this may be true for some atheists or agnostics. But it would be ignorant to assume that all or even most have never read it.

I would say, and I know you won't agree, but that's okay, that it's not whether or not you've read the Bible, it is whether or not the eyes of your heart have been opened to understanding the Bible. Sorry if this offends, but speaking as one who also grew up religious and didn't believe until well until adulthood, I can say that both the scriptures and experience back this up.

Answer 6

As an ex-Catholic I am aware as I'm sure you are, that much of what the Catholic Church teaches is contrary to what the Bible teaches. It seems you chose to reject both, whereas I chose to reject the Catholic Church and accept the Bible. However it should be noted that a great many people who follow the Bible are not aware of what it really teaches. However on the most important doctrines, such the true nature of man, why man can not implement a perfect government, why human nature in general does not get better over time, and what God's true plan really is, frankly makes a lot of sense .

Answer 7

Hi Egg Head :) If some have said Atheists are ignorant, then I'm sorry that has happened if it did. It could be possible for Atheists to have read more of the Bible than me, and that would not surprise me. Some might have an anxious desire to disprove God, which might consume them with ferocious reading habits.

Even the Devil knows more of the Bible than me.

Have a nice day :)

Answer 8

As a catholic turned Christian, I can say that being well versed in the catholic religion does not make one knowledgeable of the bible or theology. I even taught catechism. An independent scientific method study of religion and theology would give someone more credibility(i.e.; college degree). Curious though, what other religions have you studied or have in depth knowledge of? May I ask your credentials?

Answer 9

It was said that Khrushchev (atheist and Soviet leader at time of Cuba crisis) could recite the four gospels by heart. Not many Christians can recite but a few verses from each by heart. But if you are presenting the Roman church's view of Christianity then your theology is going to be seriously challenged

Answer 10

Atheists are just as bad as Believers. They are just on the opposite sides of extremism.. Both just as annoying and headstrong.
But to answer your question.. Most atheists know more about the bible then most believers. Mainly because an atheist goes out of his/her way to disprove a believer through the use of the Bible. And this is an assumption, but i think most people who claim to be believers are just to lazy and think they are already saved without needing to read the bible.

Answer 11

I think the notion is that because we choose not to believe in a book written by various authors, transcribed from several different languages we must be ignorant or stupid. If a book says its true then we are just stupid not to take the complete religion on hey!

But , cheers, they worked hard to write such a thrilling novel - the plot is ingenious!