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Atheistic Christians?

Jeremiah Ames

Well-Known Member
A strange thought entered my mind today.

It’s kind of about atheists but mostly about Christians.

I’m thinking that atheists are honest regarding their beliefs while many Christians are not. Let me try to explain.


Christians all claim to follow Jesus and believe in him, yet the actions of many don’t bear out their words. To believe in Jesus is not just having knowledge of Jesus. There are many books that speak of Jesus. Atheists have access to all the information that Christians do, and many know the same information. So true belief is made manifest by the actions of the believer. Words are nothing without actions.


So true belief in Jesus is lacking in many who simply claim to have it. Further, Christians (in general) believe that Jesus is God.

Therefore , those who only claim to believe in Jesus but do not, also do not believe in God.

Therefore, those are also actually atheists. Yet, they do not want to admit it.


I’m speaking of a subset of Christianity.

Matthew 7:16 “by their fruit you will recognize them”.


What do you think?
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Have some personal experience with this subject and all I can say is, the OP descriptions overcomplicate things a bit. There are Christians of various denominations, pantheists, etc. Which makes it even less about "Christians vs. atheists" than it already is.
 

Jeremiah Ames

Well-Known Member
Have some personal experience with this subject and all I can say is, the OP descriptions overcomplicate things a bit. There are Christians of various denominations, pantheists, etc. Which makes it even less about "Christians vs. atheists" than it already is.
I never mentioned Christians vs. atheists.
I’m trying to explore whether a subset of Christians are actually atheists.
Perhaps you didn’t read the entire post.
 

Nimos

Well-Known Member
A strange thought entered my mind today.

It’s kind of about atheists but mostly about Christians.

I’m thinking that atheists are honest regarding their beliefs while many Christians are not. Let me try to explain.


Christians all claim to follow Jesus and believe in him, yet the actions of many don’t bear out their words. To believe in Jesus is not just having knowledge of Jesus. There are many books that speak of Jesus. Atheists have access to all the information that Christians do, and many know the same information. So true belief is made manifest by the actions of the believer. Words are nothing without actions.


So true belief in Jesus is lacking in many who simply claim to have it. Further, Christians (in general) believe that Jesus is God.

Therefore , those who only claim to believe in Jesus but do not, also do not believe in God.

Therefore, those are also actually atheists. Yet, they do not want to admit it.


I’m speaking of a subset of Christianity.

Matthew 7:16 “by their fruit you will recognize them”.


What do you think?
I think it makes no sense :D

You basically apply your own rules to what it means to be a Christian and in a sense call all the others that doesn't share that view for liars. I don't see why atheists have to be involved in it?
 

Jeremiah Ames

Well-Known Member
I think it makes no sense :D

You basically apply your own rules to what it means to be a Christian and in a sense call all the others that doesn't share that view for liars. I don't see why atheists have to be involved in it?

I think what you just said makes no sense.
Maybe cuz it’s late. I’ll go with that.
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
I never mentioned Christians vs. atheists.
I’m trying to explore whether a subset of Christians are actually atheists.
Perhaps you didn’t read the entire post.

I read it but I'm having a difficult time forming a premise in my head. If some Christians are atheists in disguise, what does that make say, pantheists for example?

I was stating that the descriptions were broad, yet the ideas a bit narrow.

But okay let's say some Christians are atheists. Where do we go from there?
 

Enoch07

It's all a sick freaking joke.
Premium Member
What do you think?

Where is your data to evidence your assertion that Christian's actions do not follow their beliefs?

Where is you data that atheist actions more reflect the beliefs of Christian's?
 

Nimos

Well-Known Member
I think what you just said makes no sense.
Maybe cuz it’s late. I’ll go with that.
Well if some Christians doesn't do as you describe they should, they must in fact be atheist, which would make them liars about being Christians, right? Which is why I don't understand why atheist have to be involved as most, if not all of us, have no issue with saying that we are. So why should someone pretend to believe in Jesus or God, it makes little sense.
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I’m trying to explore whether a subset of Christians are actually atheists.
Perhaps you didn’t read the entire post.
No, they're not atheists. Atheists are courageous enough in their views to declare their disbelief. Those you are referring to have another word. Jesus used it a lot. It's the word hypocrites.
 
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The Reverend Bob

Fart Machine and Beastmaster
Faith and morality is dead without actual works or love. It is as simple as that. You have to actualize your faith and convictions in a very loving way in order for them to mean something. Many an atheist actually do this when so-called Christians fall very short. The difference is between being fake or real.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
A strange thought entered my mind today.

It’s kind of about atheists but mostly about Christians.

I’m thinking that atheists are honest regarding their beliefs while many Christians are not. Let me try to explain.


Christians all claim to follow Jesus and believe in him, yet the actions of many don’t bear out their words. To believe in Jesus is not just having knowledge of Jesus. There are many books that speak of Jesus. Atheists have access to all the information that Christians do, and many know the same information. So true belief is made manifest by the actions of the believer. Words are nothing without actions.


So true belief in Jesus is lacking in many who simply claim to have it. Further, Christians (in general) believe that Jesus is God.

Therefore , those who only claim to believe in Jesus but do not, also do not believe in God.

Therefore, those are also actually atheists. Yet, they do not want to admit it.


I’m speaking of a subset of Christianity.

Matthew 7:16 “by their fruit you will recognize them”.


What do you think?

I think it's easier to 'follow' atheism, since there is no dogma. Lack of belief is the end of the requirement.
 

Left Coast

This Is Water
Staff member
Premium Member
A strange thought entered my mind today.

It’s kind of about atheists but mostly about Christians.

I’m thinking that atheists are honest regarding their beliefs while many Christians are not. Let me try to explain.


Christians all claim to follow Jesus and believe in him, yet the actions of many don’t bear out their words.
What actions are you expecting to see from Christians that you don't?

Further, Christians (in general) believe that Jesus is God.
Therefore , those who only claim to believe in Jesus but do not, also do not believe in God.
I don't understand this point. Arian Christians are atheists?

What do you think?
Although you seem to be making the old, "Look at all these Christians who live like atheists, don't truly rely on God in their daily lives, etc." critique that is repeated often in Christian circles, I do think it's true that some professed Christians are actually literal atheists. Many people who are deeply embedded in Christian culture (either through family and friends, or even employment) find it difficult to extricate themselves and remain in the closet regarding their atheism.
 

Cooky

Veteran Member
A strange thought entered my mind today.

It’s kind of about atheists but mostly about Christians.

I’m thinking that atheists are honest regarding their beliefs while many Christians are not. Let me try to explain.


Christians all claim to follow Jesus and believe in him, yet the actions of many don’t bear out their words. To believe in Jesus is not just having knowledge of Jesus. There are many books that speak of Jesus. Atheists have access to all the information that Christians do, and many know the same information. So true belief is made manifest by the actions of the believer. Words are nothing without actions.


So true belief in Jesus is lacking in many who simply claim to have it. Further, Christians (in general) believe that Jesus is God.

Therefore , those who only claim to believe in Jesus but do not, also do not believe in God.

Therefore, those are also actually atheists. Yet, they do not want to admit it.


I’m speaking of a subset of Christianity.

Matthew 7:16 “by their fruit you will recognize them”.


What do you think?

No. We're all human beings and we all sin, regardless of what we believe and regardless of Matthew 7:16.

Show me a person who is sinless, and I'll show you a liar.
 

Jeremiah Ames

Well-Known Member
Have some personal experience with this subject and all I can say is, the OP descriptions overcomplicate things a bit. There are Christians of various denominations, pantheists, etc. Which makes it even less about "Christians vs. atheists" than it already is.
I think my wording over complicated something I saw as not complicated. I definitely don’t see the world as Christians vs. atheists, as it appears many do. Far from it, imo. More like the opposite.
 
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