The Atheist Voice | We're Not Atheists Because You're Bad Christians @TheAtheistVoice | Uploaded May 2015 | Updated October 2024, 3 hours ago.
We're not atheists because you're bad Christians
Hemant Mehta (friendlyatheist.com, patreon.com/Hemant , facebook.com/friendlyatheist)
patheos.com/blogs/godlessindixie/2015/05/06/its-not-just-the-messengers
There's this idea in some Christian circles that the reason a lot of us are atheists is because a lot of Christians aren't Christianing right. They're hypocrites, or they're not generous enough, or they're not talking about their faith enough.
They think that the whole "love the sinner, hate the sin" thing makes sense. Like if they treated gay people kindly, we would totally forgive the fact that they actively oppose equal rights for LGBT people. Sure...
The late Christian author Brennan Manning famously said,
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle."
He could not have been more wrong.
The problem isn't the messenger. The problem is the message.
If Pat Robertson and Ted Haggard and all those televangelists were never around, sure it'd be a little tougher to laugh at Christianity.
It's easy to point out hypocrisy because it shows that Christianity isn't even good at the one thing it's supposed to be good at: making you a better person.
Christianity, you had one job, and you failed.
But we're not atheists because a lot of Christians don't live up to some ridiculous standard.
To paraphrase my friend Neil Carter, no atheists have ever argued that we would believe in the divinity of Christ... if only Christians lived more biblically.
We're atheists because Christian doctrine just doesn't make any sense. Neither does any other religious doctrine for that matter.
We're atheists because all the evidence points away from the faith.
Because snakes don't talk.
Because humans aren't inherently bad just because a woman had the nerve to get some knowledge.
Because the world wasn't created for your benefit. We're just lucky to be here.
Because the world wasn't created in 6 days, no matter how long you think those days were.
Because living your life according to a single book is a horrible idea.
Because if the stories from the Bible happened today, if someone said they rose from the dead, or a virgin said she gave birth, you'd dismiss it in a heartbeat. Just because it took place "a long time ago" doesn't mean it actually happened.
Because no one else can die for your sins and take responsibility for your actions. That's on you.
Because prayer is a placebo and no one is listening.
Because we have free will and God doesn't know what our future holds.
Because your God's unconditional love has a hell of a lot of conditions.
So stop with the lie that Christians who behave badly give the faith a bad name. No. It's your beliefs that give your faith a bad name. You're just not helping.
Sometimes the problem isn't the users. It's the product.
If you want us to take you seriously, then just stop believing silly things. It's as simple as that. But you being nice isn't gonna stop us from thinking critically.
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Join the conversation. Leave your questions and comments below and we'll try to address them in future videos. Don't forget to subscribe for more!
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The Atheist Voice provides a platform for discussion for atheist leaders, authors, bloggers, activists, and everybody else who is passionate about atheism, and secularism. Join the discussion by commenting under the videos or submitting video responses. If you'd like to collaborate on this channel or if you'd like to appear in our videos please visit our website www.TheAtheistVoice.com
We're not atheists because you're bad Christians
Hemant Mehta (friendlyatheist.com, patreon.com/Hemant , facebook.com/friendlyatheist)
patheos.com/blogs/godlessindixie/2015/05/06/its-not-just-the-messengers
There's this idea in some Christian circles that the reason a lot of us are atheists is because a lot of Christians aren't Christianing right. They're hypocrites, or they're not generous enough, or they're not talking about their faith enough.
They think that the whole "love the sinner, hate the sin" thing makes sense. Like if they treated gay people kindly, we would totally forgive the fact that they actively oppose equal rights for LGBT people. Sure...
The late Christian author Brennan Manning famously said,
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle."
He could not have been more wrong.
The problem isn't the messenger. The problem is the message.
If Pat Robertson and Ted Haggard and all those televangelists were never around, sure it'd be a little tougher to laugh at Christianity.
It's easy to point out hypocrisy because it shows that Christianity isn't even good at the one thing it's supposed to be good at: making you a better person.
Christianity, you had one job, and you failed.
But we're not atheists because a lot of Christians don't live up to some ridiculous standard.
To paraphrase my friend Neil Carter, no atheists have ever argued that we would believe in the divinity of Christ... if only Christians lived more biblically.
We're atheists because Christian doctrine just doesn't make any sense. Neither does any other religious doctrine for that matter.
We're atheists because all the evidence points away from the faith.
Because snakes don't talk.
Because humans aren't inherently bad just because a woman had the nerve to get some knowledge.
Because the world wasn't created for your benefit. We're just lucky to be here.
Because the world wasn't created in 6 days, no matter how long you think those days were.
Because living your life according to a single book is a horrible idea.
Because if the stories from the Bible happened today, if someone said they rose from the dead, or a virgin said she gave birth, you'd dismiss it in a heartbeat. Just because it took place "a long time ago" doesn't mean it actually happened.
Because no one else can die for your sins and take responsibility for your actions. That's on you.
Because prayer is a placebo and no one is listening.
Because we have free will and God doesn't know what our future holds.
Because your God's unconditional love has a hell of a lot of conditions.
So stop with the lie that Christians who behave badly give the faith a bad name. No. It's your beliefs that give your faith a bad name. You're just not helping.
Sometimes the problem isn't the users. It's the product.
If you want us to take you seriously, then just stop believing silly things. It's as simple as that. But you being nice isn't gonna stop us from thinking critically.
You Might Also Like ...
22 Reasons to STOP Believing in God
youtube.com/watch?v=OddQmMEYhvY&list=PLZGLqPtxUOKEZxzukuev1YpLUQp-CtKDq&index=139
25 things that DON'T DISPROVE Evolution
youtube.com/watch?v=S5-7mn5kDqo&list=PLZGLqPtxUOKEZxzukuev1YpLUQp-CtKDq&index=140
12 Best Things About HELL
youtube.com/watch?v=be5xXURXNxA&index=141&list=PLZGLqPtxUOKEZxzukuev1YpLUQp-CtKDq
Join the conversation. Leave your questions and comments below and we'll try to address them in future videos. Don't forget to subscribe for more!
Also, follow us at ...
twitter.com/atheistvoices
facebook.com/TheAtheistVoices
plus.google.com/u/0/b/106662137332631352312/106662137332631352312/posts/p/pub
theatheistvoice.tumblr.com
theatheistvoice.com
The Atheist Voice provides a platform for discussion for atheist leaders, authors, bloggers, activists, and everybody else who is passionate about atheism, and secularism. Join the discussion by commenting under the videos or submitting video responses. If you'd like to collaborate on this channel or if you'd like to appear in our videos please visit our website www.TheAtheistVoice.com
