Before we can discuss atheism, we need to define it. According to an official atheism website, atheists define themselves this way: “Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods.” Those who identify as atheists prefer to emphasize their lack of belief rather than the refusal to believe. They consider atheism to be intellectually superior to faith in God. However, this definition clashes with the biblical worldview, which states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). Since atheists can agree with people of faith that every human being has the freedom to choose what he or she thinks or believes, we will define atheism here as the choice to disbelieve in any kind of Supreme Being to which mankind is accountable.
Statistics show that atheism is on the rise in countries that have historically had a strong Christian influence. These statistics include those raised in godless homes, but they also show an alarming increase among those who once held to some form of religious faith. When we hear of a prominent figure in Christianity renouncing the faith he or she used to claim, we are left wondering, “Why?” Why would so many people stop believing in God when His handiwork is everywhere (Psalm 19:1; 97:6; Romans 1:20)? Every culture on earth recognizes some form of deity, so why are so many people claiming they do not believe in any god at all?
There are several reasons people may define themselves as atheists. The first is ignorance. Due to lack of correct information, a person may conclude that nothing exists beyond this universe and man’s experience of it. Since there remains a great deal we do not know, ignorance often invents ideas to fill in the blanks. This often results in either false religions or atheism. Sketchy information about God is often tainted by mythology or religious superstition to the extent that anything supernatural sounds like a fairy tale. Exposed to a mishmash of confusing claims, some people decide there is no truth to any of it and throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Disillusionment is another reason some people become atheists. Due to negative experiences, such as having a prayer go unanswered or seeing hypocritical behavior in others, a person may conclude that God does not exist. This response is often fueled by anger or hurt. These people reason that, if God existed, He would behave in ways they could comprehend or agree with. Since He did not respond the way they wanted Him to, they conclude that He must not exist at all. They may stumble over complicated concepts such as hell, Old Testament genocide, or eternity and conclude the God of the Bible is too confusing to be real. Disillusionment propels people to find comfort in what is seen and known, rather than an invisible deity. To avoid the possibility of more disappointment, they abandon any attempt at faith and find a measure of comfort in deciding that God simply does not exist.
Closely linked to the disillusioned are those who call themselves “atheists” when, in fact, they are anti-God. Atheist is a label some hide behind to mask a deep hatred toward God. Often due to childhood trauma or abuse in the name of religion, these people are consumed by an antipathy toward all things religious. The only way they can retaliate against a God they consider cruel is to deny Him vehemently. Events of the past have left wounds so deep that it is easier to deny the reality of God than admit that they hate Him. True atheists would not include this group in their numbers, as they recognize that to be angry with God is to acknowledge His existence. But many people do, in fact, call themselves atheists while simultaneously expressing outrage toward a God whose existence they deny.
Still others reject the idea of God because they want Him to be easier to find. When well-known atheist Richard Dawkins was asked, “What would you say if you faced God after death?” he responded, “I would say to Him, ‘Why did you take such great pains to conceal yourself?’” Some people frown at the fact that God is Spirit, invisible, and found only through faith (Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 29:13). They adopt the attitude that the Creator of the universe owes them evidence of His existence beyond what He has already lavishly given (Psalm 19:1; 102:25; Romans 1:20). Jesus dealt with this mindset when He walked the earth. In Mark 8, Jesus had just fed four thousand people with a sack lunch, but the intellectual elites came to Him demanding that He perform a sign to “prove” He was the Messiah (verse11). Jesus illustrated this hardness of heart in His parable about the rich man in hell who longed to warn his brothers about what awaited them after death (Luke 16:19–31). From heaven, Abraham answered, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”
The most likely explanation for the continuing rise of atheism has not changed since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6; Romans 3:23). The very essence of all sin is self-determination. By denying the existence of a Creator, atheists can do whatever they please without concern for future judgment or eternal consequences (Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4:5; Hebrews 4:13). In the twenty-first century, self-worship has become culturally acceptable. Atheism appeals to a generation raised on evolutionary theory and moral relativism. John 3:19 says, “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” If human beings are self-created, self-determined, and self-centered, then there is no moral law or lawgiver to whom they must submit. There are no absolutes and no one to whom they are ultimately accountable. By adopting such a mindset, atheists can focus on seeking pleasure in this life alone.
As long as scientists, professors, and philosophers peddle their atheistic viewpoints as truth and wisdom, people will continue to buy it because the idea of self-determination appeals to our rebellious natures. The attitude is nothing new, but the changing cultural norms are making it more openly acceptable. Romans 1:18–31 details the results of this rejection of God’s authority. Verse 28 says, “God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” Our world is seeing the results of that depravity. What atheists call “enlightenment,” God calls foolishness. Verses 22–23 say, “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” Since the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10), then the denial of the Lord (atheism) is the beginning of foolishness.
I am not an atheist. I believe in God, but i do see where abuses in religion serve to push people away from God. Sadly, where there is organized religion, there are abuses of authority.
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Larry;
I can’t agree with you more. Yet, let’s not limit this to religion only. The adage of “absolute power corrupts absolutely” is at play in many areas of living and life. There have, historically, been many abuses within the church (Christendom) as well as, other religions through time. There have been, there are currently and will continue to be “people who corrupt or abuse the trust people place in them and their position’s”. In my opinion it’s not a Catholic, Protestant or Islamic issue alone; but throughout the whole realm of religion there can be found abuses and wrongdoing.
But this is not to say that religion is bad because of the few who abuse it. We must look toward the individual, in Christendom, making up the Church. Each of us who believe in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us, are the Church. Collectively we are the “Body of Christ and He is our cornerstone.” You might recall, as members of the body of Christ, when we find an abuse, corruption or sin within the body we are to go to them and confront them and work with them individually and as a Church overall. Whether this is a Pastor or Priest, a Deacon or elder; or a Congregationalist we are to reach out to them in earnest to bring them back into the flock. If we can not bring them to repentance then we are to cut them off until they do repent so the whole body is not corrupted. At which time, of their repentance, we are to accept them back.
Larry, once again, thank you for your comment. It is greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
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It is abusive almost in its entirety.
And there probably isn’t enough space on your blog to list everything.
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And where atheists have actual political control, there is abuse of Christians.
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Not to mention other religious entities as ISIS who persecute Christians worldwide.
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What it comes down to is a matter of the will. There are good reasons to believe in an origin of all contingent things and calling that God, for there has never been something that came from nothing. For me, in my atheism, it was a matter of the will. I wanted to do what I wanted. God was an obstacle to that.
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Rosalie;
I wish to thank you for your most candid and real response to the post. I believe many will appreciate and respect you for your openness.
I have said countless times “there are people who claim to be Christian; however, their actions speak volumes about who and what they really are.” In other words they attend church; they fellowship with others and believe in the existence of God or god(s). However, they don’t walk the walk. They, similar to you, want no obstacles in their way, such are the people attending the feel good churches well established today. They want no rules hindering their everyday lives. They want the outward social appearance of being righteous while living the life they want (without the obstacles).
Once again I thank you, sincerely, for your comment and honesty. Both are greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
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I think there are so many atheists due to God being a terrible communicator. Coca Cola is a brand know throughout the world. David Beckham is a name known around the world. God has more trouble being known or followed around the world. How does the creator of the universe struggle to be known more than a soft drinks brand or a retired footballer? That should raise theist alarm bells.
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How? Because people don’t want to hear the truth.
You are actually comparing tht to Coca Cola and Beckham? LOL! What messages of truth are they trying to convey?
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You’re lacking the intelligence to understand that it isn’t anyone’s rejection of the truth-in which you really want to be the case- but the lack of interest in a belief that hardly provides any answers.
Beckham and Coca Cola manage to get their names out there despite only limited human ability. Your God can’t keep up with them, a little embarrassing to say the least.
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Hello, R. E. and welcome to altruistico;
I believe you have your opening line backwards. The world has many “professing Christians” of whom Christ refers to in Revelations. They are the Church of Laodicea. The church who runs neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 1 John 2:4. So, by all reasoning, these people who “only profess knowing Christ” do reject the truth and not merely lack interest.
I am afraid your second comment is seemingly backwards as well: “Beckham and Coca Cola manage to get their names out there despite only limited human ability. Your God can’t keep up with them, a little embarrassing to say the least.”
Let’s compare some facts.
Coca Cola has been around for approximately 150 years (Beckham considerably less). The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has been around for thousands of years.
You state Beckham and Coca Cola manage to get their name out there with “limited human ability.” It takes hundreds of top executives and personnel to run and operate a corporation of Coca Cola’s size. Thousands of workers. Not to mention the countless personnel at existing advertising agencies worldwide who strain daily to keep up with promotion of the name and brand. This is not a source of “limited human ability.” Not to mention the millions of continuous dollars spent to maintain the name and brand recognition.
Speaking of a “limited human ability;” there are 40 authors of the books of the Bible. It’s brand and name are known worldwide. The Bible, for years, has been the # 1 selling book and it’s product has never been changed. Can Coca Cola claim such a record?
I also think you last comment, “your God can not keep up with them,” is very much misplaced if not inappropriate. Do you think Coca Cola will be around for thousands of years like the Word of God has been? The records speak for themselves. It’s Coca Cola who can’t keep up with God and there’s nothing embarrassing to a Christian about that………
Thank you, R. E. for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you, and yours, always.
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Thank you. I would still consider hundreds of thousands of workers and billions of dollars somewhat limited in comparison to a God. Wouldn’t you?
And if there are wars and violence in the name of Coca Cola like there has been in the name of religion, Cola Cola itself will be on the lips of people in thousands of years time.
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It is very difficult to take seriously a post that in its opening paragraph basically says ‘I don’t care how atheists define themselves, I will define them the very way they actively reject’.
The choices people make to become an atheist vary person to person. I, personally, chose to be consistent in the sceptical enquiry I lend to God as to all other intellectual enquiry, and found all the arguments for God are massively wanting. Atheism was the result, not the choice.
If you choose to offer special credulity to claims of God that you wouldn’t offer to scientific claims or other intellectual claims, it would be simpler if you could at least admit it.
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Hello, Allallt and welcome to altruistico;
I do not know where you have gotten the notion I have some how stated “I don’t care how atheists define themselves, I will define them the very way they actively reject’.
My only comment concerning defining atheism, from the opening paragraph, is in the following: “Since atheists can agree with people of faith that every human being has the freedom to choose what he or she thinks or believes, we will define atheism here as the choice to disbelieve in any kind of Supreme Being to which mankind is accountable.” What is so terribly wrong with this statement?
You could have become a believer by faith, an agnostic or, as you chose, an atheist. It was not as a result of your study or skeptical enquiry. The fact of your entering the enquiry as a skeptic didn’t help your retention of facts which most likely occurred during such review. However you define it – it was your choice.
If what you mean by: “If you choose to offer special credulity to claims of God that you wouldn’t offer to scientific” as meaning “Do faith in God and science contradict?” my answer would be no. However, a Christian’s belief in science should never be like our belief in God. A Christian can have faith in God and respect for science, as long as we remember which is perfect and which is not.
I wish to thank you for your questions and comments. Both are welcome and greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
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Firstly, not all atheists agree that we can choose what we believe. I’ve written on this exact issue before (allallt.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/am-i-free-to-believe/). So, that’s wrong.
Secondly, you quoted “an official atheism website” as saying “Atheism is not a disbelief in gods…”, but then go on to define atheism as a choice to disbelieve in gods. That is exactly what I accused you of.
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allallt;
Near everything is a “choice.” There are some things which we have little or no control over and those may always be out of our control and choosing. But generally everything is a choice regardless of some notions to the contrary.
Thank you for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, may He bless and keep you.
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There a are plenty of atheists who bluntly state that “there is no God”. The so called “Freedom” From Religion Foundation even makes a big deal about putting up bill boards to that effect.
That “lack of belief” definition seems like a dodge to avoid any burden of proof.
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I would have to agree, Jimmy. Atheists continuously deny the existence of God. They claim no evidence exists supporting His existence or being. They deny Christ as “the Living God” of whom was the savior prophesized hundreds of years before His birth. Man’s denial of God or of Christ is not evidence of His nonexistence. It is as you have said; “seems like a dodge to avoid any burden of proof.”
I wish to thank you for your comment. It is greatly appreciated, Jimmy.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you, and yours, always.
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