The Hutchinson Educational Encyclopedia 2000, states that, “atheism is the non-belief in, or the positive denial of, the existence of a God or gods.” It also states that theism, (the opposite of atheism) cannot be proven or disproved conclusively. The study further states that, “ perhaps the strongest atheist argument concerns the existence of evil, which is hard to reconcile with the notion (in Christianity and other religions) that the world was created by an omnipotent, all-loving God.” This article will seek to differentiate the various beliefs of Christianity and Atheism, so that one of sound mind and faith will come to the knowledge of the truth from a Christian perspective.

As the Christian Religion is divided into different denominations for example, Catholics, Baptists, Anglicans etc… Atheism is no different. “Dogmatic atheism; asserts that there is no God. Skeptical atheism maintains that the finite human mind is so constituted as to be incapable of discovering that there is or is not a God. Critical atheism holds that the evidence for theism is inadequate. This type is related to Philosophical atheism, which fails to find evidence of a God manifested in the universe. Speculative atheism comprises the belief, of those who, like the German philosopher Kant, find it impossible to demonstrate the existence of God.”

Atheism along with many other Religious sectors of humanity see the Holy Bible which is studied by Christians as an ancient book of stories written by a group of men and the laws therein are not applicable to this modern time. As a Lawyer seeks to discredit evidence against his/her client though he/she is guilty in a court of law, the same way an atheist search the scriptures of the Bible to discredit the Holy Word of God to prove His non-existence. The sad dilemma of this scenario is, when the truth is distorted and discredited, it is believed by many. Therefore the manifestation of evil is allowed to take its place in the various realms of human existence.

The Atheist believes that from a scientific point of view, the earth was brought about through evolution and life form on earth evolved in response to the natural forces. Having looked at all of the scientific data to support their claim, they believe that no educated person would believe what is written in the Bible with regards to creation or the laws of God to govern humanity. Yes! We are all entitled to our own opinions and religious beliefs. However, the questions still remain, with all of the inspired biblical text to prove the existence of God, the various signs on earth in our daily lives, who gave mankind the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to reach thus far? Christians are sure it is not evolution.

The question still remains as to why is there so much doubt in the heart of an atheist as to the existence of the Christian God? The book of Romans chapter 1 verses 20-21 says that, “ For the invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse; Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” A study shows that atheism seeks to defy the supernatural of their day and advance the culture of reason and science. If something cannot be scientifically proven (the existence of God) it is not worth believing, in the eyes of an atheist. ‘Sin,’ brought on by Adam and Eve from the beginning of time is responsible for the various crises (evil) in the life of humanity. Is this too simple an answer to accept from God to believe in Him because it cannot be scientifically proven? Though science has its role in life, should we allow it to replace the existence of God, as the atheist would have it to be? God forbid. The thought of this is looked at as blasphemy and idolatry in the hearts of Christians.

Many students continue to educate themselves in various religious doctrines and atheism. In doing this, one must be very careful. Many Christians lack knowledge about their faith thus they are unable to defend their belief when questions are asked. Titus chapter 3 verses 8-9 states, “ This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

A person of sound mind and faith in God who reads the Bible can see that the Bible speaks of every aspect of human existence from the creation of the world to Revelation as to what is to come. Persons living in this generation and past generations have seen the Word of God come to past and is still being revealed today. From a Christian point of view Solomon the wisest man who ever lived said in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 14, “ I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.” The question is, what type of persons would say that there is no God or God does not exist. Psalm chapter 14 verses 1 says, “ The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

The major difference between Christians and Atheist is ‘Love’. As Christians we are mandated by God to love everyone no matter what religion or non-religious groupings. Our Bible teaches us in 1st John chapter 4 verse 16 that ‘God is Love.’ How then, can an artiest that does not believe in the existence of God or gods comprehend what love is? How can they love, in the God sense of the word love, if they deny that God who is love exists?

As debates continue to persist all over the world on the existence of God by atheists activists and others, Christians can conclude that His presence is with all mankind in our sub-consciousness. However, for many persons the spirit of denial has taken root in their hearts to fulfill their own personal lusts. To those of you reading this article and are still in the valley of decision, remember these words a songwriter once wrote, “ God is already here, can’t you feel His presence He’s already here. All you have to do is just open up your heart for He’s already here.” May God continue to reign supreme.


Roderick R. Mckenzie
Roddie30@hotmail. Com.

An interesting article that does a good job in presenting the correct definitions of atheism and theism correctly says that neither can be scientifically proven. However, it is weak in reducing the major difference between the 2 as being love. You see, God can be experienced through the person of His son Jesus Christ who was God of God and man of man. Scripture says, taste and see... Scripture also says God is light. Therefore, if a person does not believe in light, he can trust the testimony of people like us who testify to having seen and experienced the difference light makes by slightly opening a window in the dark the room that he is in. If light is on the outside, it will shine in and that cannot be denied.

All the atheist has to do is humble himself and acknowledge that he does not know everything. Therefore, God could exist but he (the atheist) just does not know. So the atheist would be wise to at least be open to the possibility he could just be ignorant of the fact that God does exist. He has nothing to lose.

However, here is the most important difference between atheism and theism. By theism, I do not mean believing in A god. While the encyclopedia definition of theism is wider, for what I am about to say I mean belief in the true God, eternally co-existing in the persons of Father Son and Holy Spirit. The difference is the down side of being wrong. Consider the down side of believing in God, saving grace through Christ, future judgment, eternal life and eternal damnation etc. Suppose all of that is a bunch of fables and there is nothing and no consequences after this life. Well, the downside is that Christians would have led sober, meaningful lives that end in nothingness. Nothing lost here. However, suppose the atheist is believing fables and it turns out that God does exist and every human being who ever lived will stand before Him and be judged and face an eternal consequence - life or damnation.

The down side for the atheist is huge and unthinkable. Therefore, atheists would be wise to recognize the downside to their belief and at least be open to the possibility of the existence of a supreme God and ask Him to reveal Himself to them. They could also be open to the many people in their lives who claim to have seen and experienced Light.

Before you close your mind to reason and rational go to the website www.infidel.org. There are numerous articles especially in the library section which answers all of the criticisms of atheism by theists. Most atheists are decent people who have earnestly studied the scriptures in the bible and other religious books and have found no evidence for the existance of any god. Church leaders try to demonize atheists because they realize the truth in atheism. Sin is a human invention and morality is relative. What is wrong in one society may be totally acceptible in another. The previous writers offers an unconvincing argument against atheism. There circular arguments are full of holes that any intelligent well read individual could see straight through. After having visited www.infidel.org and perusing the many articles listed, if you are still unconvince then perhaps there can be no help for you. Jesus Christ said that he was the good shephard and if his flock hear his call they would come to him. The only reason shephards keep flocks of sheep is to fleece and for their meat. Think about it.
Seek your own answers don't follow the herd.

Originally posted by Ryan
Before you close your mind to reason and rational go to the website www.infidel.org.
:D

That is an excellent resource. Thanks. So many sites exist for the religious bums to defend their point, seeing a site that allows you to argue the opposing position is a nice change.

It really is a shame though that children are brought up in religious homes, and attend religious schools only to have "faith" crammed down their throats with a shoehorn. We should only be teaching them scientific fact, not myths and stories passed down and obfuscated by generations.

Oh well, such is life. Maybe we can teach them rain dances too.

Let me give you both some advice.
"GOD DOESN'T SLEEP"

I am glad that you both have noticed the true purpose of this site which is the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Both you and Ryan are a blessing to me as it reminds me of the unlimited Grace which Jesus distributes to all sinners and believers alike.

However let me advise you to not take His grace or the freedom of this website in vain. God gave you life and He can also take it away whether you believe it or not.

If you think that I created this website of my own will you are wrong. This website belongs to Jesus Christ. Just a couple of years ago I didn't even know how to send an e-mail.

I am not wishing any harm on any of you but the Lord has spoken to me concerning you and Ryan. He said that you both "will have your reward in full".
I am sorry.

My hands tremble as I write this to you as I know that is was Him that I heard and I have seen the things that He can do to anyone who opposes His will. You and Ryan must have been hurt deeply in your past to generate such anger towards God.

I cry inside for both of you and I will pray for His grace and forgiveness upon you one more time. I will not reply to you in this thread again as the Lord has advised me not to.

Originally posted by Delroy
Let me give you both some advice.
"GOD DOESN'T SLEEP"

I am glad that you both have noticed the true purpose of this site which is the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Both you and Ryan are a blessing to me as it reminds me of the unlimited Grace which Jesus distributes to all sinners and believers alike.
I was under the impression that this site was a forum to discuss political, religious and business issues. Simply a place for community discussion to be aired openly.
Was I wrong? Is this just another venue to beat the war drums for Jebus?

However let me advise you to not take His grace or the freedom of this website in vain. God gave you life and He can also take it away whether you believe it or not.

If you think that I created this website of my own will you are wrong. This website belongs to Jesus Christ. Just a couple of years ago I didn't even know how to send an e-mail.
Over the past few days I have become fairy vocal about my views here, however you have only seen my rebuttals to other people's views and ideas. Let me take a moment to explain where I come from spiritually.

I was raised in a fairly agnostic family; my mother was Catholic by upbrining so that brought with it trips to Catholic mass on Easter and Christmas but nothing other than that. My father came from an atheistic home, but always had a feeling that something "more" was out there. His views seem to be what I have followed so far.

I know there is something out there, but Catholicism is not the answer, and while in school I met up with some good Christian kids and even gave that whole kick a shot. Was in church every Sunday for the better part of two years. Read my Bible daily, in fact I have read the NIV cover to cover. However, it was not meant to be. Coming into Christianity I kept an open mind, I am willing to give anything a shot. But every time I made progress, I would trip over one of the many contradictions in the good book, or see yet another TV evangelist get locked up for corruption. That showed me that an institution that broken could not be what I was looking for. Oh well, at least I gave it a shot. More than most people could say.

Currently, I am not 100% sure where I stand spiritually. Christianity has proved itself to me as being a farce, as I had always suspected. Zen Buddhism looks quite attractive and I may yet find enough patience to give it a try. If anyone would like to explore Buddhism, I would suggest finding a copy of the "Tao of Pooh". Quite a good book. http://www.just-pooh.com/tao.html

Friends of mine are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Rastas, Buddhists, and Pagans. One day I hope to have tried them all and have found the truth. For the time being, I will settle on admitting there is some spirit, or being, or common consciousness that lives in all of us. I don't believe our lives are predestined, or that there is a gray haired pensioner watching over our lives from a slowly orbiting cloud.

I am not wishing any harm on any of you but the Lord has spoken to me concerning you and Ryan. He said that you both "will have your reward in full".
I am sorry.

My hands tremble as I write this to you as I know that is was Him that I heard and I have seen the things that He can do to anyone who opposes His will. You and Ryan must have been hurt deeply in your past to generate such anger towards God.

I cry inside for both of you and I will pray for His grace and forgiveness upon you one more time. I will not reply to you in this thread again as the Lord has advised me not to.
So because I don't praise the great spirit in the sky he will make me suffer? This sounds like a very vain and insecure god. If he will make a creature (man) and give him free will, yet curse him to the depths of hell when this creature is not grateful, this does not sound like a very loving, compassionate, or even fair god. Further on that point, I would like you to read a short summation of Christianity. I have read every page of your bible, so I think it is only fair. :D Kissing Hank. Of all the literature I have read, this does the best job of summarizing Christianity for me

I look forward to discussing your views further.

Hello Joe,

I have a couple of very simple questions for you.... I hope that you will take a few moments to enlighten me with a response....

I read your last post and you spoke of searching for something "more" spiritually or religeously for that matter... Here's my question: Ideally, what would the PERFECT "more" consist of? What would it take for you to find spiritual rest/peace within?

I can understand your confusion... However, as you said...this is a community forum where we all come to share/discuss any issues openly to gain positive/constructive feedback from our peers... I honestly would like to gain a clear understanding of the issue at hand...

Joe, although you don't have a clear spiritual understanding of all things, all you need is at the tip of your tongue and within your heart... Trust me, Jesus is willing & ready to answer each of the questions you have in regards to spirituality... Are you willing to pause a second and listen for His answers to the questions you have?

Let's talk...

Delroy I am sorry that you are suffering from religious delusions because of my posts. You also need to get that hand shaking checked by a doctor. It could be the onset of some neurological disorder. So what is wrong with having opposing views? Why is it that everytime christians are confronted with the truth about their religion they respond in that fashion. Shunning me and praying to your imaginary friend in the sky for my deliverance or harm is not going frighten me into changing my views. I have read too much literature about christianity to believe what you believe. My reason for deleting god out of my life was not because of some deep hurt I suffered but from the knowledge I have gained. Perhaps if you were not so close minded you could discover these same facts. I don't believe that Jesus Christ was a real person much less a god. I don't believe Adam and Eve ever existed. I don't believe in the noah's flood, in fact I don't believe the majority of the stories in the bible actually took place. Myths and fairytales my brother, used by the leaders to control the masses that's all. I hope you continue responding to my posts because I think it is healthy to disagree. This forum is about learning and I look forward to learning from you even if you are a kingdom worker.

Ryan,

If you please, I also have a couple of questions for you...

I have read both your original and latest posts and I definitely agree to disagree... However, why all of the hostility? If you would like for us all to see the "truth" as you think to know it... Why all of the anger and aggressive/offensive tones?

Have you ever heard the old saying "you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar"?lol I’ve tried this one in various areas of my life and it has proven true time and time again for me… I immediately think of having “Cujo” versus “Lassie” in my home. Personally, I think of “Lassie” as very pleasant/loving/compassionate and “Cujo” as extremely angry/vicious/irritated. Imagine the two in a pet shop…. Which would you choose to have in your home?

At any rate, I do not claim to be a bible nor scientific scholar, but I do believe in right & wrong, good & bad, and pure & unclean. The “Word”(Christ) of God has been my venue to a clear understanding of these concepts in the simplest forms. Through my personal experience, reading the “Word” of God (the Bible) without a spiritual mindset left me clueless and confused as well… So, I can understand your frustrations…

However, think about it… would you allow just anybody to know your most intimate thoughts and secrets without a sincere commitment to you? I wouldn’t! lol Personally, the only people I have allowed to know and understand me intimately and in depth are true loved ones. Trust me, it wasn’t until I made a true, heartfelt commitment to Jesus Christ and received the Holy Spirit in my heart that He began to give me an understanding of His written word. I hunger and thirst after what is right. You will need Him to understand His words, as I would need to ask of you to truly understand you and your thoughts…

In closing, Ryan, I must share with you that it is loving-kindness that continues to draw me closer and closer to Jesus Christ... This is the same loving-kindness and patience that is being extended to you whenever you come in contact with Christians. I believe in my heart that you do feel His love and therefore feel at ease in frequently visiting this site and communing with Him via conversation with His children. Jesus understands your confusion, and His presence is definitely in this forum... You are in the right place! I count it a tremendous privilege to have the opportunity to pass His love along to you…

May God's love and blessings shower you…

ASB :angel:

Apostle Cedric Moss, I would love to see how you answer Ryan with his statement (smile). His entanglement into the web of Atheism is beyond penetration. I have done my best with the article that I have written. I can do no more. However, I am happy to be in a position to accept the fact that as a sower sow his seeds, not all will come to fruition as seen in this case and in many other cases. For the evil forces of this world have taken many. There is no mystery to this level of mentality, for the word of God must come to past.

Roddie:

I was happy to just continue to "listen" to the discussion without further input since I felt I had made my contribution. My further contribution at this point is in the form of a question:

Ryan, I accept your represented position that you are athiest. However, lets just suppose/imagine that a supreme God/Being does exist. Would you like to experience/come to know that God/Being?

I'll wait for your answer and then I will share further.

Yes I would like to know him/her/it but not to worship or have a personal relationship with. First I would want to study and understand this God/Supreme Being. I would have many question to ask of it. Now please don't tell me this God exists throughout the Holy Bible and manifested himself in Jesus Christ who travelled the dusty roads of Palestine healing the sick, preaching the good news about God's coming Kingdom and after his death and resurrection sent the holy ghost to minister to his followers on his behalf. I don't buy that one bit. That story is a MYTH=NOT TRUE=False. This type of story about a virginborn, miracle working, crucified resurrected savior man-god can be found in the writings of practically all civilizations predating christianity e.g Mithra, Perseus.Tammuz, Baal, Hercules and Buddha all had life stories similar to Jesus Christ. The secular web is a good place to look for information on these and many other pagan savior-gods. Check it out. If Jesus Christ was real then these pagan gods were real as well. The same reasons you use to discount these gods as real can also be applied to Jesus Christ.

Originally posted by roddie
Apostle Cedric Moss, I would love to see how you answer Ryan with his statement (smile). His entanglement into the web of Atheism is beyond penetration. I have done my best with the article that I have written. I can do no more. However, I am happy to be in a position to accept the fact that as a sower sow his seeds, not all will come to fruition as seen in this case and in many other cases. For the evil forces of this world have taken many. There is no mystery to this level of mentality, for the word of God must come to past.

"To YOU I am an atheist; To God I am the Loyal Opposition"
Woody Allen

Ryan:

Thanks for responding. I was only expecting a yes or no answer so I will only reply to the first sentence of your response which is:

"Yes I would like to know him/her/it but not to worship or have a personal relationship with."

This first sentence of your response triggered a further question.

In addition to the previous assumption, let's also make the assumption that this supreme God/Being is your creator and the creator of the world and therefore has called for all of his creation to worhip him and follow his/her/its values/principles about life and at the end of the day (death or whatever) you will stand before this God/Being and be accountable for your life.

Again...pure assumptions... but based on these assumptions would you still object to worshipping this God/being and object to having a personal relationship with him/her/it?

No. I would still not worship or want to have a personal relationship with this Supreme Being. Just because it commands me to worship it doesn't necessarily mean I will. Any God who is my creator would first have to earn my respect and commitment not demand it. It is somewhat difficult for me to imagine a God who created the universe and everything within it requiring worship and adoration from his creations. Why would it require worship. Why would a God with that immense power care whether or not I love It or not. What would having a personal relationship with me do for this God. What possible benefits would accrue to this God by my worshipping it. If eternal existance with this Being is my reward for a life of devotion and worship then I would rather not exists. This imaginary God of yours sounds more like a human with a huge ego problem.