Fürstentum Liechtenstein wrote:Very strictly speaking, you are correct, Gman; and my dictionary confirms that atheism is nothing more than the doctrine of the non-existence of God or gods. In the real world, however, atheism is usually accompanied by hatred of God and derision of all other gods. That was my experience when, as an atheist, I met weekly with other atheists to listen to taped lectures by our ...guru. (!)
Also, if you judge by the numerous atheists that show up here only to be banned later on for misconduct, they do very much hate God.
Yes, I get what you mean... Although I wonder if some of this hatred is directed to what atheists feel is immoral or immorality by the Christians. As an example environmental issues... Now Christians are commanded by God to be
stewards of the earth, not to litter, protect God's creation, etc... Technically we should be the leaders of it... However, when an atheists catches a Christian poo pooing environmental concerns, they will USE that as an argument against Christianity and Christians themselves...Claiming moral victory... Other items are freedom of choice, etc... So basically what we have here is one group proclaiming their morality over another groups morality. So then God, if caught up into this argument (being an anti-environmentalist) one one side, then ultimately He is poo pooed too.
Here is my belief about this, although I can't say this about all atheists. If they ever really did a deep search of their heart and the scriptures (as I did) they would flock to God in a second. I think a lot of this could be ignorance, but then again sometimes it is too late, or their mind has been made up and nothing will change that
1 Timothy 4:2. Again, God is ultimately the judge of this... Not me..
I will say this though.. Before I turned to God, I had a lot of confusion.. Now I can't say that I can't get that way sometimes, but my contentment is solid.. God for me is everything pure, all knowing, sacred, and everything loving... So when someone attacks my faith, they are attacking to what I think is pure, sacred and loving. And if anyone took the time to understand sanctification, I believe they would be blown away... This is not man made and it is crystal clear to me...
Fürstentum Liechtenstein wrote:So, okay...you win a technical victory, Gman. I claim a moral victory!
Ha! Ok, well maybe you got me there...
Fürstentum Liechtenstein wrote:You're way too fair with the enemy, Gman!
FL
Well, just trying to play the devils advocate I suppose..