What is atheism?

[OneLight]

A question for TheStudent. What do you call what you believe? Do you follow any known type of belief system or are you a "one of a kind"?

[Ovedya]

If your religious views were irrefutable everyone in the world would hold them.

That's a fallacy. there are plenty of irrefutable facts which are not universally held as true.

[Ovedya]

Atheism means one thing only: without belief in God, god, gods.

That's exactly what I wrote, with only one caveat: Atheism necessitates a system of beliefs. Therefore, atheism is "a belief system that is against God."

[OneLight]

As Christians, we take His words to heart. When Jesus said in Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.", we take Him at his word and this is how we view it. Now, Atheist do not believe in any god or gods, so they state that they just don't believe, period. We see Atheist as being against what Christ said while they don't believe in Jesus as the Christ. We will never agree on what Atheism is all about since some refuse to admit that not believing is the same as begin against.

[Elllie]

I was reading another topic on the hardest commandment, and for allot of people including me it is to 'love thy Neighbour' it is hard to extend that love particularly to people who hate God and Jesus as it makes you feel like you are being disloyal to Jesus when you extend the hand of friendship and you get blasphemy thrown back at you.

Doesn't the bible say we shouldn't associate with atheists?

[Believer1997]

I was reading another topic on the hardest commandment, and for allot of people including me it is to 'love thy Neighbour' it is hard to extend that love particularly to people who hate God and Jesus as it makes you feel like you are being disloyal to Jesus when you extend the hand of friendship and you get blasphemy thrown back at you.

Doesn't the bible say we shouldn't associate with atheists?

Yes... it does - but you should also be a witness for Jesus.

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Blessings...

[pokemaughan]

It's where all the cool kids kick it.

Is that what they are?

You'll either come to know Jesus as the Great Redeemer, or the Grim Reaper. 'Unbeliever' isn't cool.

[Believer1997]

Atheism... I cannot imagine the utter grief of emptiness and believing that one only has oneself to rely upon and answer to... that after this... "life" - that there is no other.

What you imagine I feel is really only what you think you would feel if ever you learned that there is no God. You are imposing your own feelings on what you think I must feel. I can only speak for myself and a few close family members who are atheists, there is no grief.

That to have no faith in a higher being or to be loved unconditionally by a loving Father in Heaven is all there is to your life.

If you believe that is all there is to life I can see why you must think atheists are forlorn.

I do not recall who said this, but it is rather thought-provoking:

... I would rather live a life that is pleasing and obedient to God and when I die only to find out that there is no God - than to live like there is no God and to die and find out that He does, indeed exist...

It is a version of Pascal's gambit.

That's why I said "I"... And I cannot imagine it because from the other side of the veil - I have such amazing peace and grace in my life from God... I never had it before I was a Christian. I was just ... here. Breathing in and out and doing what I needed to do .... Now.. there is just a Peace and Love that I cannot adequately describe to one who does not have God. It's not easy to put into words. My life is not perfect - far from it, but with God, I have the security of a well-loved child. If I did not have faith and hope in God - I really would not want to be here. I cannot (again "I")imagine going back to the emptiness. Blessings to you Hitchey. How's your Mum?

[MorningGlory]

atheism-if you break it down into two parts, a means against and theism means God, so atheism is something that is against God.

That's rewriting the intent of the definition to suit what you believe about atheism. I have never seen a dictionary definition of atheism that states atheists are against God.

A=against

Theism=The philosophy of God's existence.

So technically one could argue that atheism is, in fact, a belief system that is against God.

Nope. A= absence of (see latin)

[MorningGlory]

The word belief is more appropriate for they which have not a knowledge of God.

I have a multitidue of personal witnesses and experiences of God which allow

me to profess a knowledge of God, though in no sense an authoritative nor complete

knowledge. They are surely priviledged and Holy, and are the basis for my life now,

yet I am more a seeker than a submitter and my devotion to the Truths I can see

must always temper my decisions.

My current views concerning Jesus are more established from his own direct statements

in the Gospels, and not necessarily what protestant faith supposes him to be.