New Atheist and Their Histories

[presonorek]

There is this odd discussion I have seen in threads. Here is an imaginary example:

New Atheist: I am not a Christian anymore.

Christian: That is because you were taught false doctrines. You are in the wrong church.

New Atheist: Oh no. It has nothing to do with that. I just don't believe the factual claims in the Bible actually happened.

Christian: If you were in the right church then you would have a proper understanding of God. The church you went to really warped your view of God.

New Atheist: Honestly. A superior theology cannot negate the fact that the only information I have from God comes from the claims of others. A powerful theology will never eliminate that aspect of it.

 

[presonorek]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

 

[OldLady]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

People need the consolation of religion. Just because you no longer believe in it is no reason to try and take that consolation from others. IMO.

 

[presonorek]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

People need the consolation of religion. Just because you no longer believe in it is no reason to try and take that consolation from others. IMO.

I agree but I am still curious. Which religious ideologies keep their congregations from drifting into an atheistic world view?

 

[Disir]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

Origen was not a fan of biblical literalism. There was a period in early Christianity where there was a whole lot of self castration going on. Origen did that in his twenties and then came back and said the bible should not be taken literally. Learning on the curve.

There are a lot of new atheists that are angry, feel deceived and want to share the Good News. That's fine.

But, over time you figure out there are far more pressing problems in the world and that most of the people you encounter are regular people. They aren't movers and shakers. The world is a crappy place and attending church or believing as they do helps them cope. That's fine, too.

 

[presonorek]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

Origen was not a fan of biblical literalism. There was a period in early Christianity where there was a whole lot of self castration going on. Origen did that in his twenties and then came back and said the bible should not be taken literally. Learning on the curve.

There are a lot of new atheists that are angry, feel deceived and want to share the Good News. That's fine.

But, over time you figure out there are far more pressing problems in the world and that most of the people you encounter are regular people. They aren't movers and shakers. The world is a crappy place and attending church or believing as they do helps them cope. That's fine, too.

I understand but it is funny that they think disbelieving unlikely things is shocking.

 

[Disir]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

Origen was not a fan of biblical literalism. There was a period in early Christianity where there was a whole lot of self castration going on. Origen did that in his twenties and then came back and said the bible should not be taken literally. Learning on the curve.

There are a lot of new atheists that are angry, feel deceived and want to share the Good News. That's fine.

But, over time you figure out there are far more pressing problems in the world and that most of the people you encounter are regular people. They aren't movers and shakers. The world is a crappy place and attending church or believing as they do helps them cope. That's fine, too.

I understand but it is funny that they think disbelieving unlikely things is shocking.

Many of them don't take the bible literally. There are Christians on this forum that do not believe in a literal interpretation.

 

[rightwinger]

Atheists have just heard all the mythology and don’t believe it to be true

If you want to believe in magic, you are welcome to it

 

[Disir]

Atheists have just heard all the mythology and don’t believe it to be true

If you want to believe in magic, you are welcome to it

As it should be.

 

[petro]

Atheists have just heard all the mythology and don’t believe it to be true

If you want to believe in magic, you are welcome to it

Not a follower of any religion, but the current crop of Atheists come across as douches offended by anything mentioning God.
Seems God still has the power to offend.
As far as Creation, the Big Bang and assumption of a Singularity sounds as magical to me as God creating the Universe.

 

[Penelope]

Religious fanaticism is a problem and they are mainly with radical Islam and Evangelicals.

 

[norwegen]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

People need the consolation of religion. Just because you no longer believe in it is no reason to try and take that consolation from others. IMO.

I agree but I am still curious. Which religious ideologies keep their congregations from drifting into an atheistic world view?

Nobody from Heaven's Gate ever turned atheist.

 

[presonorek]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

People need the consolation of religion. Just because you no longer believe in it is no reason to try and take that consolation from others. IMO.

I agree but I am still curious. Which religious ideologies keep their congregations from drifting into an atheistic world view?

Nobody from Heaven's Gate ever turned atheist.

That's not true. lol. A lot of them left.

 

[ding]

There is this odd discussion I have seen in threads. Here is an imaginary example:

New Atheist: I am not a Christian anymore.

Christian: That is because you were taught false doctrines. You are in the wrong church.

New Atheist: Oh no. It has nothing to do with that. I just don't believe the factual claims in the Bible actually happened.

Christian: If you were in the right church then you would have a proper understanding of God. The church you went to really warped your view of God.

New Atheist: Honestly. A superior theology cannot negate the fact that the only information I have from God comes from the claims of others. A powerful theology will never eliminate that aspect of it.

You left out the part where new atheism condemns respect for people who believe in God.

 

[presonorek]

There is this odd discussion I have seen in threads. Here is an imaginary example:

New Atheist: I am not a Christian anymore.

Christian: That is because you were taught false doctrines. You are in the wrong church.

New Atheist: Oh no. It has nothing to do with that. I just don't believe the factual claims in the Bible actually happened.

Christian: If you were in the right church then you would have a proper understanding of God. The church you went to really warped your view of God.

New Atheist: Honestly. A superior theology cannot negate the fact that the only information I have from God comes from the claims of others. A powerful theology will never eliminate that aspect of it.

You left out the part where new atheism condemns respect for people who believe in God.

Yes. I also left out the recipe for butter pecan ice cream.

 

[ding]

There is this odd discussion I have seen in threads. Here is an imaginary example:

New Atheist: I am not a Christian anymore.

Christian: That is because you were taught false doctrines. You are in the wrong church.

New Atheist: Oh no. It has nothing to do with that. I just don't believe the factual claims in the Bible actually happened.

Christian: If you were in the right church then you would have a proper understanding of God. The church you went to really warped your view of God.

New Atheist: Honestly. A superior theology cannot negate the fact that the only information I have from God comes from the claims of others. A powerful theology will never eliminate that aspect of it.

You left out the part where new atheism condemns respect for people who believe in God.

Yes. I also left out the recipe for butter pecan ice cream.

I just thought you might like to tell both sides of the story. My bad.

 

[presonorek]

There is this odd discussion I have seen in threads. Here is an imaginary example:

New Atheist: I am not a Christian anymore.

Christian: That is because you were taught false doctrines. You are in the wrong church.

New Atheist: Oh no. It has nothing to do with that. I just don't believe the factual claims in the Bible actually happened.

Christian: If you were in the right church then you would have a proper understanding of God. The church you went to really warped your view of God.

New Atheist: Honestly. A superior theology cannot negate the fact that the only information I have from God comes from the claims of others. A powerful theology will never eliminate that aspect of it.

You left out the part where new atheism condemns respect for people who believe in God.

Yes. I also left out the recipe for butter pecan ice cream.

I just thought you might like to tell both sides of the story. My bad.

My question is why do people find atheism so shocking?

And what religious doctrines prevent people from turning to an atheistic thought pattern?

I wasn't telling any sides. I am asking questions.

 

[presonorek]

There is this odd discussion I have seen in threads. Here is an imaginary example:

New Atheist: I am not a Christian anymore.

Christian: That is because you were taught false doctrines. You are in the wrong church.

New Atheist: Oh no. It has nothing to do with that. I just don't believe the factual claims in the Bible actually happened.

Christian: If you were in the right church then you would have a proper understanding of God. The church you went to really warped your view of God.

New Atheist: Honestly. A superior theology cannot negate the fact that the only information I have from God comes from the claims of others. A powerful theology will never eliminate that aspect of it.

You left out the part where new atheism condemns respect for people who believe in God.

Yes. I also left out the recipe for butter pecan ice cream.

I just thought you might like to tell both sides of the story. My bad.

Supposedly there are some superior Christian teachings out there that prevent people from exploring any alternatives. I want to know about those so that I can study them.

 

[ding]

There is this odd discussion I have seen in threads. Here is an imaginary example:

New Atheist: I am not a Christian anymore.

Christian: That is because you were taught false doctrines. You are in the wrong church.

New Atheist: Oh no. It has nothing to do with that. I just don't believe the factual claims in the Bible actually happened.

Christian: If you were in the right church then you would have a proper understanding of God. The church you went to really warped your view of God.

New Atheist: Honestly. A superior theology cannot negate the fact that the only information I have from God comes from the claims of others. A powerful theology will never eliminate that aspect of it.

You left out the part where new atheism condemns respect for people who believe in God.

Yes. I also left out the recipe for butter pecan ice cream.

I just thought you might like to tell both sides of the story. My bad.

My question is why do people find atheism so shocking?

And what religious doctrines prevent people from turning to an atheistic thought pattern?

I wasn't telling any sides. I am asking questions.

I don’t. Don’t kid yourself as long as there has been someone believing in God there has always been another who didn’t. It just so happens they are in the minority.

What atheistic thought pattern would you like us to turn to?

 

[presonorek]

Why is it so surprising that people do not believe a snake talked to a woman, a flood destroyed the entire earth, the Red Sea opened at the perfect moment to spare the Israelites and killed Egyptian soldiers, Jonah lived in a fish for three days, that Ezekiel breathed on rotten bones that became soldiers, that Jesus turned water to wine, that Jesus walked on water, that Jesus touched people and they became well of any infirmity, that Jesus died for three days and came back to life, that Jesus magically ascended to heaven, Jesus's blood protects me from hell and that every human being is obligated to believe all of this for no reason whatsoever?

Honestly, why are we shocked when someone rejects such nonsense? Any rational human knows these claims are absurd. Even non-rational humans can observe the absurdity. My question is deeper than that.

Which Christian theology is superior at getting people to embrace this rubbish and never convert to an atheist ideology? and why is it so successful?

Origen was not a fan of biblical literalism. There was a period in early Christianity where there was a whole lot of self castration going on. Origen did that in his twenties and then came back and said the bible should not be taken literally. Learning on the curve.

There are a lot of new atheists that are angry, feel deceived and want to share the Good News. That's fine.

But, over time you figure out there are far more pressing problems in the world and that most of the people you encounter are regular people. They aren't movers and shakers. The world is a crappy place and attending church or believing as they do helps them cope. That's fine, too.

I understand but it is funny that they think disbelieving unlikely things is shocking.

Many of them don't take the bible literally. There are Christians on this forum that do not believe in a literal interpretation.

That is odd. If some of the Bible is false then how can you determine the true parts?

In the New Testament Jesus frequently uses parables but they are declared to be parables.

The bulk of the Bible is asserted as true. If I am free to reject insignificant minute details then what obligates me to believe more relevant theologically imperative doctrines?

I believe the Bible is the greatest and most powerful work of literature ever written (or compiled if you are BreezeWood). I reject none of it. All of it is useful. Just because I passionately love the Bible doesn't require me to believe what another person says I should believe just because they saw a Bible one time.