Why do Americans still dislike atheists? (page 7)

d

Because they it was during the cold war with Godless communism I think we need to move on from that and see religion and God for what it is a oppressive force used to indocrinate people.

james_woods

Because they it was during the cold war with Godless communism I think we need to move on from that and see religion and God for what it is a oppressive force used to indocrinate people.

But isn't it obvious that communism is also an oppresive force used to indoctrinate people?

jaguarbass

If I were an atheist, I wouldnt tell people I work with. I would talk about it at a place like this.

If I wanted to be president, I would probably join a religion.

A lot of people use their religion unlike JW's were many are used by the religion.

Discussing politics or religion with people you work with can cause you problems.

Most people who would give you trouble classify atheism under religion.

Nickolas

Lie? at times, yes, to get what they wanted (control)

And I think the first century proponents of Christianity wanted control, too. Religion, including and maybe even especially Christianity throughout the ages, is all about control. Control of what you eat, control of what you say and think, control of who you associate with, control of what you do in bed, control of what you look at and listen to, control of what you desire, control of everything you do by defining a box for you to stay in. The OT is all about control, yes, but so is the NT. The NT is just more subtle about it.

I just find it problematic.

As do I, newchapter. There seems, to me at least, to be a need for some Christians to divorce the OT from Christianity in order for their interpretation of Christianity to make sense.

NewChapter

As do I, newchapter. There seems, to me at least, to be a need for some Christians to divorce the OT from Christianity in order for their interpretation of Christianity to make sense.

Very true Nickolas. The problem with that is that Jesus did not divorce himself from the OT. Perhaps they need to concern themselves with Jesus' interpretation. However, if it gives them some type of peace or focus, that's okay. I'm just trying to understand on what basis they dismiss the OT when Jesus did not.

NC

PSacramento

PS, this is an honest question because I don't understand. I understand how I was able to reconcile things when I believed, cognitive dissonance, but here is the part I don't understand. You've said the old testament description of god is wrong, but the new testament description is correct. What do you base your decision on? Jesus quoted extensivly from the OT, therefore in his opinion it was accurate. He never offered any corrections. He never pointed to any account and insist that it was a misrepresentation of his father. I just think he would have done that if his loving father was so slandered. Since he believed that satan was the father of the lie, I think he would have called out any lies in scripture. After all he was jealous for his father's name---reputation.

I don't think that ALL that was written about God in the OT was wrong, some of it was indeed and we are warned about that ( Jeramiah 8).

Of course ancient man wrote to his limited understanding and the revelatory aspect of the OT reflects this, as they understood God better their view of God and things like death for example "changed".

Along comes Jesus, who is the full revelation of God and God's will and what does he do?

He makes it clear that God is NOT a God of jelousy or hate or of vengeance as WE UNDERSTAND it ( or I should say THEY understood it), but a God of love and light and a perfect example is Jesus taking the "golden rule" to the next level ( love your neighbour becomes love your enemy).

Jesus also mentioned how the scribes had written/copied things according to what THEY wanted them to say and not How God is.

Jesus himself points to the people and followers of the temple as chidlren of Satan and of lies.

If it's because you like the message better, I totally get that. I have nothing against Jesus and his teachings sit well with me. I think that in a world surrounded by angry gods, including the Hebrew god, his message of love was noteworthy. But from everything he is recorded as saying, I conclude that he fully supported all actions of this murderous god, even though he wanted to bring about a new era. I just find it problematic.

Do I like the message better?

Well yes, who wouldn't but perhaps NOT for the reason you think.

IF we are made in God's image then we reflect God and the FACT that we know those things attributed to the OT God are wrong and immoral reflects that true essence of God within US, as such, believing in Jesus is more rational than believing that the OT writers got it 100% right about YHWH.

NewChapter

I don't think that ALL that was written about God in the OT was wrong, some of it was indeed and we are warned about that ( Jeramiah 8).

But how do you decide WHICH parts are right and wrong? Did god not reveal himself to Moses? How about the prophets? Do you just go on what FEELS right?

IF we are made in God's image then we reflect God and the FACT that we know those things attributed to the OT God are wrong and immoral reflects that true essence of God within US, as such, believing in Jesus is more rational than believing that the OT writers got it 100% right about YHWH.

So people that existed before the NT and wanted to serve a god didn't have the same option? Were they not made in god's image as they slaughtered a race of people? Sure believing in Jesus seems more rational but is that to say all those that came before were not rational?

Jesus also mentioned how the scribes had written/copied things according to what THEY wanted them to say and not How God is.

You would have to show this to me. I've read the bible extensively and at NO TIME did Jesus disown the scriptures. On the contrary he would add authority to his teachings by saying "It is written...".

Look if you want to pick and choose what you believe and what you reject, that is fine. I'm just trying to figure out what method you use. If it feels wrong you don't believe? Or is there some process you use to test the writings to decide. It just seems that you would choose to discount all of the prophets that Jesus referenced. If they were good enough for him, why not today's Christians?

NC

Think and Think Again

In Australia the prime minister is an Atheist, who incidently lives "in-sin" at the Lodge with her hair-dresser boyfriend. People seem to be coping well in Au although there was alot of mud slung around at the beginning.

I am not Atheist, I lean more towards Agnostic but was raised catholic. I find that people who are moral with no sense of future reward for themselves (such as promise of heaven) to be, by far, more morally superior than those that are moral just so that they can get into heaven or survive to live in paradise.

Nickolas

Of course ancient man wrote to his limited understanding and the revelatory aspect of the OT reflects this, as they understood God better their view of God and things like death for example "changed".

Along comes Jesus, who is the full revelation of God and God's will and what does he do?

All sounds like New Light reasoning to me, Paul. Sciptures are inspired by God or they're not. If they're not, then they're just the words of men.

talesin

Some atheists can act very SUPERIOR when talking to/about Christians (Dawkins is a good example). It's true, I admit it.

I don't believe in Christ/the Bible,,, BUT respect Christians who practice the 'golden rule' (includes being nonjudgemental) ... ie,, if you strive to be 'christlike',,, then I respect you. Made a friend recently who is very, very religious, and I told him that upfront -- we get along GREAT! Mutual respect for each others' belief/nonbelief systems.

and an aside to PSac FYI

pagans believe in gods,,, just not the god of the bible

atheists do not believe in god

there's no such thing as a pagan atheist :)

t

Why do Americans still dislike atheists?

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