Christians: do you agree with this?

Question

I have seen a few christians offer that one evidence of the strength of the logic of apologetics is that christianity has endured 2000 years of people trying to disprove it.

Now, the way i see it, skepticism and atheism are both remarkably NEW ideologies.

first of all, up until 300 years ago, atheism as a philoshical view was so virtually non-existant that there did not even exist a word for someone who did not believe in god. The word "Atheist" first meant someone who did whatever they wished without concern of god's laws and such.

And even though atheism has existed as a philosophy for the last few hundred years, the ideas and arguments that argue for atheism (textual criticism, empiricism, philosophical arguments, ect.) has been given almost no exposure to the common man.

even these last few generation (1940-1980's) atheism has been such a anathematical, taboo issue that most people had never been introduced to it in any meaningful way. Most people had never heard articulate arguments in support of atheism. Chances were that the any time the idea of atheism was ever brought up to most people, it was dismissed with barely even a superficial examination. It was never taken seriously and there was good reason for that. Why would many average people take too much of an effort to disprove the existence of god. Especially when atheism was quite unpopular?

Even today atheism is taboo.
Just a couple months ago, for the first time, a member of congress admitted that he is an atheist. The first one.

My point is this: aren’t these last few years, in which people have been arguing about the veracity of Christianity on the internet, print media, and tv, the real birth of atheism?
Haven’t these last five or so years been the first time where average people have been exposed to passionate and earnest skeptical contentions to faith?

Ryan H: wow, i really hope you read this edit because you really need to know that your argument is WRONG.

first of all, of course there was "skepticism" of christianity in the early christian history. it was a new faith. most of the world wasn't christian as it is now. the fact that men 2000 years ago had yet to be indoctrinated by christianity is quite irrelevant. I can't believe you offered that as a rebuttal.

Secondly, can you hears the words coming out of you mouth:
"During the rule of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe, yes, it was hush hush to question the Bible and the Church. That doesn't mean it wasn't done in the past, however."

are you in denial? the only mentionable period in which atheism was a "hush-hush" was in the middle ages. Quit this delusion. you have to admit that atheism has been subjected to a hush-hush level even in modern history. GOOD GOD!

Answer 1

I think it is far more interesting that Christians today are willing to die for their faith. In the beginning when there was virtually no literature and few disciples(proponents) Christians were still willing to die for their beliefs. I've never had the opportunity to ask an atheist if they would be willing to die for their non faith, but upon reflection it might well be fun to ask here for the opportunity of responses. Atheist don't have a standard creed/dogma and it is an individuals rejection of all deities and religions based on faith in deities. I would be very interested to know if there is a common "raison d'etre" among atheists. While I'm not sure Atheism is new ideology, the dissemination of information on a large scale is fairly recent, as is tolerance and lack of persecution for unpopular practices/beliefs in most of the civilized world. Perhaps, it is simply unpopular because it offers no hope and no moral code of ethics. Hope of life after death can be very comforting and compelling as well. It may also be indicative of the intuitive spirit of man that Atheism is a minority view and not accepted by a majority of humanity including very primitive peoples.

Answer 2

I was raised a Christian. And I guess if I had to classify myself in one religion it would be Christian.

It seems Atheists, primarily argue with limited philosophical and scientific knowledge as a way to disprove the existence of God.

There are many good humanitarian parts to some religions and there are some real crazy stuff too (my persona opinion).

All Religions were made by man. Supposedly inspired by God.

There is either a God/Higher Power or there is not and Man has no control over his, her or it's existence.

It is my belief that Atheists have had very little success in disproving the existence of God or a Higher Power threw either of these methods. And Vice Verse.

I am an open minded thinker (not rigid) in this area and I am open to the belief God created science, math... and those are all part of the Universe which is visible and tangible to our senses! OR NOT! You see how vested I am in this. Relax, it is out of your control mentally, spiritually & physically.

I hope this helps, read the books below.

Hey buddy, My view is somewhat like LiveFor2day, I didn't even read the whole thing you wrote 'til just now. There recently are many books about Atheism (it's almost a fad) on the shelves for sale (see below). Anyway it's a waist of time, be good person and feel good about yourself, and what will be, will be. My theory is it is not provable by science or any other means, you either believe, you're an agnostic or you're an atheist. It's all good, Alright! See Ya!

Answer 3

Well i would have to disagree partly. Even though most people are not atheists does not mean that no one has really heard of them. I am in my 20's and can not remember a time when i did not know about atheists. I don't think that I am in the minority. As far as it's struggle into the lime-light, i think that has to do more with religion as an organization than as spiritual leadership. After all if it was socially OK for everyone to stop believing in God then not a lot of money would be coming into the churches. In the past 50 years or so atheism my have enjoyed more of a public eye, but that public eye could hardly be considered it's birth. If that was the case then Christianity would not have existed until first counsel decided to make Jesus into an official deity.

Answer 4

It is a very good question with some interesting points.

At one time there were no automobile drivers. Then, when science and invention brought us the automobile, voila! But, alas, there were not many drivers at first. As the understanding of the reasons why one would want an automobile, people accepted them as the "truth" of the future and their burden in life was eased.

As we understand more and more of how things actually "work" there is less and less need for some super natural string puller to be behind everything. Depending on what writings you believe, non-religion is the fastest growing segment of the population. There are less and less people who believe that you can actually round up and get 2 of every animal in a boat... even if you can all keep warm standing by the burning bush while drinking your wine which was just water.

I am serious that you presented an interesting question, however. There were probably always people who didn't believe, however they were probably killed for non-conformance. We don't have as large a problem with that anymore.

Answer 5

I find that Atheism is still trying to find it's identity. If people were committed to thinking that they were right about Atheism, they wouldn't waste their time with challenging Christianity, but they do. And so since they do, the plain modern definition of Atheism isn't all there is too it, as they run to the definition *** soon as they are cornered. They don't have the sophistication or maturity of people who have time to spend on what they value, but would rather spend their time on things that others value.

Hence, it leads me to believe that science and logic are not their forte's, at least not here. And if it was so incredibly interesting, again they wouldn't find the time to talk about religion very much at all.

Also, as a Christian, I see what is really pulling them here, the desire comes from outside of them. It causes them to unwittingly become a part of Satan's desire; to mislead as many as possible, and to cause as many Christians as possible to fail in bringing the message of the Gospel.

Answer 6

I would say that the first few centuries of Christianity was arguably the worst for Christianity's believability. In your historical account, you failed to mention that Christians were dying left and right at the hands of non Christians in Rome. They were not only questioned by the pagans of their day, but by the Jews from whom their faith originated.

During the rule of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe, yes, it was hush hush to question the Bible and the Church. That doesn't mean it wasn't done in the past, however.

Until you start burning us or feeding us to lions, you're questioning will have to get a lot more severe to reach the peak of antiChristian animosity.

Answer 7

Atheism as a world view? Bald as a hair style choice? ( I shave my head) But in the case of god, no action is required to have a lack of somehting, that is God's existence.


Tube, I have to say, your opinion of Atheists is rooted in your need to protect your superstitious beleif that a magical being created the entire universe. For which you can offer exactly zero evidence. I pity people like you, honestly, I feel it is a civic duty to at least try to disabuse the superstitious of their folly. Many are kind and generous people, most are humble. You seem to have a problem with humility, I thought that was a Good Christian trait.. hmmmm

Answer 8

..... No offense but You lost my attention after the first 14 pages of meaningless details

Heres a relevant superfcial examination...... seek something that is harder to find, even without concern of any law or God. if it helps your mindset
seek it withh allll the energy you put into this question...And God bless even agnostics been around since the world began
they just did not know the truth rather ignorant to it

Answer 9

It never occurred to me that atheism and skepticism are more recent additions. I'll have to look more about this on-line. I believe in God but also in lesser deities and nature spirits. Not sure where this would fit in. It's food for thought though. Thanks.

Answer 10

Just more evidence of the downfall of man, and pointing toward the day God will put an end to it all.