Christians, why aren't you an atheist?

Question

BCRanger10 · Accepted Answer

For one thing, a lot of the arguments I've heard for atheism aren't convincing. They generally come down to one of several different premises, or a combination thereof.

"There's so much evil in the world, so how could God exist?"
"Religious people do and have done bad things in the name of God."
"Religious people use their faith to get rich or control others."
"Science/logic contradicts religion."
"The Bible is self-contradicting fiction. Even so, there's gross stuff in it."
"I can't do what I want to do/church doesn't agree with me."
"There are so many different religions and so many different gods/names for God, so how can only one of them be correct?"
"I don't need God or religion to be a good person."

And then, there are also the heartbreaking stories of those who were abused, neglected, or otherwise treated horribly by parents, siblings, extended family, legal guardians, teachers, ministers, or other figures of authority and influence who were religious.

I'm sure there are other reasons that I've forgotten to list.

So my responses to these are 1) quite simply, I know my faith fairly well (I am Catholic). I'm by no means a theology doctorate, but I would honestly say that I have an at least above-adequate knowledge. Some of these objections I could answer fairly easily. As for the others, I know that there are at least two thousand years of teaching, tradition, study, prayer, and philosophical inquiry behind the Catholic Church today. My life and my mind are but a single breath in that. Obviously, there are people who know a lot more than I do. If, for example, Saint Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin, didn't seem scandalized by the supposed contradictions in the same, then clearly he knows things that I don't and his knowledge has lasted the 1,600 years since his death.

And the same is true for the other saints and scholars throughout Church history, like Saint Anthony of Padua, who had the entire Bible memorized from Genesis 1 to Apocalypse 22.

2) As it regards malicious and evil characters in the Church today or throughout history, my question is simply this: What is it to me? Their sins or the historical context (or in some cases, fabrications or distortions thereof) are not what I will answer for when I go before God for my judgment. If these evil figures are currently in Hell or will end up there, why should I give a literal damn about what they've done? God will judge me for me, not them.

3) As for the necessity of religion, quite simply, the very concept of religion involves, but is not strictly dependent on a moral code, but rather concerns man's relationship to God.

As for why I believe, but not simply based on a rejection of the above-mentioned arguments, but why I make the free and conscious choice to believe? Everything started somewhere, sometime, somehow. A machine as vast, expansive, precise, and mysterious as the universe necessarily requires the comprehensive, intentional, and deliberate action of a designer. This designer's knowledge and wisdom at the very least expands far beyond that of mortal and finite creatures like us. We were created, I was created for a purpose and I was so under no obligation of this designer. This can only be God.

Petr87 · Accepted Answer

I've noticed that at least two people here have said "Just in case", which is a really bad reason to believe anything. It means that you haven't actually been convinced by the reasons and/or evidence that support the existence of God at all, and therefore don't  actually  believe.

XHopelessRomanticX · Accepted Answer

Because I know that I am a sinner. I know that I am not naturally good; I am selfish, I am not always loving, I have thought about wanting to harm myself and have wanted to wish ill on others, I’ve told lies, I’ve looked at men with lust which means I’ve committed adultery in my heart, I’ve stolen, I’ve coveted. I truly deserve to die.

And yet I have heard of a God, different from any other deity. A God who was compassionate and merciful. A God who had a Son, only one Son, and that Son was the apple of his eye whom he was very pleased with. And that God sent his only Son to die. But He didn’t die an ordinary death. In fact, He didn’t do anything wrong, but He was given the same death that was given to thieves and murderers.

And He willingly died a murderer’s death for me. Me, the one truly deserving of death.

Daniela1982 · Accepted Answer

Because we don't want to go to hell?

smølf · Answer

Christians believe in the existence of God based on their interpretation of scripture and personal experiences. They see evidence of God's presence in the world around them, in the natural order of the universe, and in their own lives. They believe that God has revealed himself through Jesus Christ and that through faith in Jesus, they can have a personal relationship with God.

NamerOfStars · Answer

Logical analysis of what I've seen and experienced- the same reasons many atheists ARE.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

Already an atheist. I don't need dogmata for morals.

jshm2 · Answer

The same reason everyone isn't a thief, just in case.

BarryLiverstone · Answer

Because I believe in God. He is my God

dreamstar72 · Answer

Because of two simple words “what if”

Iron_Man · Answer

Because I’m a Christian 100%

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

atheistism makes zero logical sense to me.

Fuentes · Answer

Cause I know theirs a God

Anonymous · Answer

Why will i be?

Christians, why aren't you an atheist?

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