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Why are christians so desperate to deny those who became Atheists were ever christians? [Spirituality & Religion]

I used to be a devout christian but, after seriously studying the bible and examining my faith, determined it was all BS. I found the bible to be nothing more than a jumble of myths and superstitions taken from various older belief systems and frequently contradictory. As a result of my studies, I became an Atheist.

Now I find some christians are desperate to deny I was ever a christian. They just can't accept the fact that a christian could ever break away from "the truth" (as they like to call their beliefs) to become an Atheist. The idea is so alien to them they deny it's even possible. They even claim to know what the person experienced better than that person knows. Another claim is that I couldn't have studied the bible "properly" and that I should ask (their) "god" for help. What are they so scared of?

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Qwerty14

If you'd never studied the Bible then how could you have been a devout Christian?

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suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@Qwerty14 I'm not sure what you mean. Not many christians know what's in the bible, they just know a few cherry picked quotes at best. It was when I found what it actually said that I became an Atheist.

Qwerty14

@suzie1960 Christians by definition are taught and obey the teachings of Christ. If you never studied the Bible how could you consider yourself a devout Christian?

MethDozer · M

@Qwerty14 It's not about how much you read the Bible. It's purely how much faith you have that Yaweh exist and he sent himself in the form of his only son to save your soul from earthly damnnation. How studied you are on the scriptures is just icing on that cake.

Qwerty14

@MethDozer Jews believe in YHWH, Muslims believe in Jesus. The only thing Christians have that truly differs is the gospels. If you don't learn those teachings and obey them then how do you really consider yourself a [b]devout[/b] Christian. I get you might think yourself Christian but devout? Doesn't sound like you cared much about the religion if you never read the Bible

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@Qwerty14 [quote]If you never studied the Bible how could you consider yourself a devout Christian?[/quote]

I followed what I had been taught were the teachings of Jesus.

[quote]Doesn't sound like you cared much about the religion of you never read the Bible[/quote]

That's the point, I [b]did[/b] care enough but when I read it I discovered I'd been deceived.

MethDozer · M

@Qwerty14 Ughhhh, that's sorta true but not really at the same time. That's such a gross and incomplete simplification it shows a complete lack of understanding what you are talking about. I don't consider myself a Christian, I consider myself an atheist who spent 15 years in Bible based school and daily theology classes.

For the record. The Muslim Allah is the same as the Jewish and Christian Yaweh. They all beleive in him. Muslims just don't believe man should say his name to refer to him as such. They believe Jesus was a great prophet, but not the messiah or son of God. There's actually a lot of differences. Much more than what you are saying and what are saying isn't even accurate.

KeanuChrist · 26-30, M

@Qwerty14 It's funny you should say that because there are more Atheist who've read the Bible than Christians, in fact allot of Atheist became Atheist because they read the Bible.

Qwerty14

@KeanuChrist Total bs. I've yet to meet an Atheist in person who has genuinely read the Bible. They have just researched quotes online. If even just 1% of Christians read the Bible there would be more Christians who had read the Bible than there are self identified atheists. So statistically it's highly unlikely there are more atheists who read the Bible.

Qwerty14

@MethDozer [quote]That's such a gross and incomplete simplification it shows a complete lack of understanding what you are talking about.[/quote]

You need to elaborate on why you think this.

As for your lesson on Islam... I don't need it. I know they believe in YHWH too. In fact the word "Allah" just means God or literally "the creator" but for some reason doesn't get translated when people print the Qur'an in English.

KeanuChrist · 26-30, M

@Qwerty14 http://www.pewforum.org/2010/09/28/u-s-religious-knowledge-survey/

Gusman · 61-69, M

@Qwerty14 Why so much negativity towards someone who has decided the Bible is no more than a mish mash of Stories from various sources?
Obviously suzie was bought up "In the Christian Way".
Upon delving into "The Book" and educating herself, she made an informed decision to not be deluded any more.

MethDozer · M

@Qwerty14 Actually it is a contraction and means. " The God".

Quizzical · 46-50, M

@KeanuChrist A case of 'Know thine enemy', lol

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@KeanuChrist [quote]in fact allot of Atheist became Atheist because they read the Bible[/quote]
Exactly. I am just one of many.

When I mentioned something in Revelation to one "devout, practising christian", she countered with "Ah, we don't go by the old testament." 🤷‍♀️

Qwerty14

@suzie1960 It sounds like you weren't taught properly then. Your God Parents (assuming you had them) should have made sure you had access to a Bible and understood it. Still though I don't believe you can call yourself very devout without reading it.

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@Qwerty14 [quote]If even just 1% of Christians read the Bible there would be more Christians who had read the Bible than there are self identified atheists.[/quote]
Non sequitur. Just because you haven't met any Atheists who have read the bible doesn't mean we don't exist.

Qwerty14

@Gusman No negativity. Just questioning the choice of wording. You can't be very devout to anything if you haven't done the basics. Reading and knowing the teachings of Christ is pretty much the only thing you need to do as a Christian

Qwerty14

@suzie1960 I'm not claiming they don't exist. Just that it's statistically almost impossible that atheists can outnumber Christians that have read the Bible

suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@Qwerty14 [quote]It sounds like you weren't taught properly then. Your God Parents (assuming you had them) should have made sure you had access to a Bible and understood it.[/quote]

In christian parlance that just means "Believe the same as I do."

Qwerty14

@MethDozer Allah means a lot of things. The Creator is what Muslim friends of mine have told me is a better translation so I'm sticking with that. You can see though how the word Elohim evolved to Allah by looking at the Aramaic "Elaha"

Quizzical · 46-50, M

@Qwerty14 I wouldn't put much stock in godparents... I've got seven godchildren and I've ALWAYS been an Athiest, lol

MethDozer · M

@Qwerty14 Yes, it exist in similar forms in all the Semitic languages. Where it means deity.

Qwerty14

@Quizzical Yeah that's because the church that baptised them clearly doesn't care much for traditions. You aren't meant to allow godparents of other religions (or lack thereof) unless you're certain they'll be raised correctly (in the right religion).

Quizzical · 46-50, M

@Qwerty14 We live in the UK. Religion doesn't matter so much here.

Besides, I was Christened as a baby, so I'm on their books as a member, lol

Qwerty14

@Quizzical Your nation is much more religious than mine is. More conservative too.

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