What do Christians think of atheists?

[jarrlous]

Could any Christians here tell me why they think some people chose atheism over theism?

[JoeyKnothead]

I 'chose' to be an atheist, 'cause I can't choose to believe the absurd.

[Bust Nak]

...emotional reasons (death of a loved one, inexplained injustice and suffering)...

The other stuff I can understand, but these stood out to me. Isn't it more typical that major setbacks or challenges are why people turn to, not away from religion? I mean you don't have to look far to find endless witnessing/testimony of Christians finding God in their moment of desperation.

[JehovahsWitness]

...emotional reasons (death of a loved one, inexplained injustice and suffering)...

The other stuff I can understand, but these stood out to me. Isn't it more typical that major setbacks or challenges are why people turn to, not away from religion?

Firstly if I'm not mistaken the question isn't about religion its about GOD, belief that there is one and in my experience generally people that have suffered injustice or loss seek to understand why such things happen. They ask "If there is a loving God why is there so much suffering? Why did he let this happen to me?!"

In the absence of satisfying answers or worse being told "It's God's will*" they decide that he (God) cannot exist or if he does doesn't care about us, which for all intents and purposes comes to the same thing. People that already believe in God can lose their faith and those that are just observing can decide there is no rhyme or reason to such things so there must be no God (at least not a loving one).

Of course there are those that do NOT react in this way, but there are an awful lot of "atheists" out there who take that position as a reaction to what they see as inconsistencies around them. I know because I have talked to them.

JW

[JehovahsWitness]

... you don't have to look far to find endless witnessing/testimony of Christians finding God in their moment of desperation.

Of course this does happen too... I'm not saying it doesn't, but in my experience, this catagory of person already believe in God. They may have left the faith of their childhood to pursue other things - but deep down they still believe in a Creator. When the chips are down, when they have lost all hope, they remember the God of their youth and experience an "enlightenment" but I wouldn't say generally that atheists become believers because they experience suffering, no.

So again, I'm not saying its all or nothing, humans are complex creatures and react in different ways, but they do say Darwin developed his theory of evolution following the emotionally devastating loss of his daughter...

JW

[ttruscott]

[Replying to post 1 by jarrlous]

The term "chose atheism" is interesting, what made you think atheists chose anything? I don't think beliefs can be chosen at all. One is either convinced or isn't convinced, it is something that happens to you as opposed an action.

Is there overwhelming proof of no GOD? Is there overwhelming proof of a GOD?

Without proof I contend that any position about GOD is a choice toward / in the direction of that which you like the best and see the most hope for a happy future.

[Kenisaw]

... you don't have to look far to find endless witnessing/testimony of Christians finding God in their moment of desperation.

Of course this does happen too... I'm not saying it doesn't, but in my experience, this catagory of person already believe in God. They may have left the faith of their childhood to pursue other things - but deep down they still believe in a Creator. When the chips are down, when they have lost all hope, they remember the God of their youth and experience an "enlightenment" but I wouldn't say generally that atheists become believers because they experience suffering, no.

So again, I'm not saying its all or nothing, humans are complex creatures and react in different ways, but they do say Darwin developed his theory of evolution following the emotionally devastating loss of his daughter...

JW

As a point of information, I believe Darwin had developed his theory by 1838. Anna died in 1851, and Darwin published in 1859. It is believed that her death did help him decide to publish his (for the time) controversial ideas, because after her death he didn't care about the consequences of releasing it nearly so much. Her death was a serious blow to their family.

[Kenisaw]

[Replying to post 1 by jarrlous]

The term "chose atheism" is interesting, what made you think atheists chose anything? I don't think beliefs can be chosen at all. One is either convinced or isn't convinced, it is something that happens to you as opposed an action.

Is there overwhelming proof of no GOD? Is there overwhelming proof of a GOD?

Without proof I contend that any position about GOD is a choice toward / in the direction of that which you like the best and see the most hope for a happy future.

There is NO evidence of a god, and the only rational conclusion to reach in light of that is that one does not exist. Either way is a choice as you say, but they are not equal in intellectual honesty...

[ttruscott]

[Replying to post 1 by jarrlous]

The term "chose atheism" is interesting, what made you think atheists chose anything? I don't think beliefs can be chosen at all. One is either convinced or isn't convinced, it is something that happens to you as opposed an action.

Is there overwhelming proof of no GOD? Is there overwhelming proof of a GOD?

Without proof I contend that any position about GOD is a choice toward / in the direction of that which you like the best and see the most hope for a happy future.

There is NO evidence of a god, and the only rational conclusion to reach in light of that is that one does not exist. Either way is a choice as you say, but they are not equal in intellectual honesty...

Your experiences define reality??? Your inability to see the evidence, not proof, has nothing to say to me.

You are denying the validity of my experience which is not what you have experienced. Calling Christians dishonest is gaslighting me or something seriously against the rules...?

[Kenisaw]

[Replying to post 1 by jarrlous]

The term "chose atheism" is interesting, what made you think atheists chose anything? I don't think beliefs can be chosen at all. One is either convinced or isn't convinced, it is something that happens to you as opposed an action.

Is there overwhelming proof of no GOD? Is there overwhelming proof of a GOD?

Without proof I contend that any position about GOD is a choice toward / in the direction of that which you like the best and see the most hope for a happy future.

There is NO evidence of a god, and the only rational conclusion to reach in light of that is that one does not exist. Either way is a choice as you say, but they are not equal in intellectual honesty...

Your experiences define reality??? Your inability to see the evidence, not proof, has nothing to say to me.

You are denying the validity of my experience which is not what you have experienced. Calling Christians dishonest is gaslighting me or something seriously against the rules...?

Where did I say experiences? I said evidence. Experiences aren't evidence, so I agree that my experiences don't define reality. What does is empirical data and evidence, and there isn't any that supports the claim that a god creature exists. If you have something that refutes that, by all means share it. I've been asking for this from many for a long time and I've yet to see anything.

I have no idea what your experiences are. I have no idea if your brain has interpreted things to fit an expectation or the events are portrayed accurately in your memory. I have no idea if anything actually happened or not. That's why personal experience isn't evidence, because objectivity (intellectual honesty) cannot be confirmed.

If you feel I an "gaslighting you" (defined as intimidation or psychological abuse) then please report it. I find that charge absurd though.

[ttruscott]

[Replying to post 7 by JehovahsWitness]

IMHO, that is the most offensive post I've seen on this site.

"but mostly ignorance and laziness, not giving the matter much indepth study or thought. "

Looked in a mirror lately? Really!

Sounds to me much like the characterization of Christians by non-believers though.