...An Atheist or a non-Christian?

[Classik]

An atheist and a non-Chrisrian.

I have been thinking about these two lately. The difference between the two is that while one believes in a god (say, a muslim) the other (atheist) doesn't believe in any god/God.


But they have one thing in common: THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN CHRIST:shocked


In your own opinion would you consider a person being an atheist or a non-christian safer? (which would be easier to convert?).
Or,

Which is better, being a non-christian or an atheist?


Sorry about the ramble. I'm trying to compare the two (considering the fact they are not part of CHRIST at all - [unless John 3:16 works in them])




[SIZE=-4]And this is not related to soccer. reba must be glad;)[/SIZE]

 

[DarkHorseRising]

Being Christian or Atheist is irrelevant to salvation. The Bible makes it clear how to do so, and all who do have a place in Christ regardless of what name they identify as.

 

[ColdBlooded]

I think that God would just know that you are not with Christ, and wouldn't bother with what other faith/non-faith you would hold.

I'm not really sure what's worse, but God does say that thou shalt not hold another God before me. Meaning that he is just on top, not the only one.

That could be wrong but that was the interpretation I got.

 

[Grazer]

I think that God would just know that you are not with Christ, and wouldn't bother with what other faith/non-faith you would hold.

I'm not really sure what's worse, but God does say that thou shalt not hold another God before me. Meaning that he is just on top, not the only one.

That could be wrong but that was the interpretation I got.

That is certainly one interpretation of it. Literature written before/during the OT period shows people worshipping other Gods. Peter Enns argues in his book that God has used existing knowledge, literature and custom like a template to correct certain errors (I may have just completely mis-represented his point so please don't take what I've put as saying "this is what Peter Enns believes") But I think your interpretation is a valid one.

Peter Enns website - http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/

 

[Mike]

Being Christian or Atheist is irrelevant to salvation. The Bible makes it clear how to do so, and all who do have a place in Christ regardless of what name they identify as.

I never... never say someone is going to hell, preferring that condemnation comes from the One with the Authority to determine it. And not everyone who claims to be a Christian likely will be saved. What I can't understand is how being an atheist is irrelevant to salvation. Are you suggesting that scripture somehow implies that even a very basic acknowledgment of the Creator God is not necessary?

 

[Classik]

Being Christian or Atheist is irrelevant to salvation.

Is your reference from the Christian bible?:dunno

 

[Classik]

Before the ball rolls out of the pitch....The OP asks a question: which would be easier to handle or convert, an atheist or a non-Christian?

 

[DarkHorseRising]

I never... never say someone is going to hell, preferring that condemnation comes from the One with the Authority to determine it. And not everyone who claims to be a Christian likely will be saved. What I can't understand is how being an atheist is irrelevant to salvation. Are you suggesting that scripture somehow implies that even a very basic acknowledgment of the Creator God is not necessary?

You clearly don't understand that not all atheists are against God. People who believe in and serve God but don't follow any religion can still get into Heaven. It's not an exclusive club for everyone who was a big fish at their local church. Go ahead, give me another infraction for disagreeing with you.

 

[DarkHorseRising]

Before the ball rolls out of the pitch....The OP asks a question: which would be easier to handle or convert, an atheist or a non-Christian?

In rough order from easiest to hardest:

- Other religion that follows the Bible
- Agnostic ("never really thought about it")
- Nonreligious that believes in God
- Other religion that doesn't follow the Bible
- Non-God atheist

 

[Grazer]

You clearly don't understand that not all atheists are against God. People who believe in and serve God but don't follow any religion can still get into Heaven. It's not an exclusive club for everyone who was a big fish at their local church. Go ahead, give me another infraction for disagreeing with you.

I'm very confused. How can you believe in and serve God but be an atheist? What definition are you using for atheist? Below is the one from the English dictionary:

a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods:

 

[DarkHorseRising]

I'm very confused. How can you believe in and serve God but be an atheist? What definition are you using for atheist? Below is the one from the English dictionary:

a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods:

I serve God, not Christianity. I don't need a religion to believe in or serve God, and it baffles me why people seem to think otherwise. There's this huge lie, believed by many, that the church is a dispenser of salvation. It isn't.

 

[Grazer]

I serve God, not Christianity. I don't need a religion to believe in or serve God, and it baffles me why people seem to think otherwise. There's this huge lie, believed by many, that the church is a dispenser of salvation. It isn't.

I completely agree. I've said many times I follow Christ not Christianity but that doesn't make me an atheist, especially if you take the definition I provided.

 

[DarkHorseRising]

I completely agree. I've said many times I follow Christ not Christianity but that doesn't make me an atheist, especially if you take the definition I provided.

My problem lies in that as soon as I label myself a Christian (and I've done so at various points in my life), two things happen:

1. To Christians, they assume I immediately 100% agree with every last nuance of their brand of Christianity and badger me to death if I have a slightly different interpretation. In addition, they assume I must obey all manner of random, nonBiblical things (such as prosperity gospels, etc). No, just no.

2. To non-Christians, I immediately become responsible for the actions of every Christian throughout history, including the modern idiots who preach or do moronic things (like the televangelists who live in multimillion dollar houses, or sexual abuse pastors, etc). I simply don't have the stamina to defend the actions of so many evil people. Again, just no.

I just say I'm an atheist, and that I follow God and the Bible. If people want to hate me for it, so be it. But there are some very nice people out there who are atheists and/or non-Christians.

 

[Classik]

My problem lies in that as soon as I label myself a Christian (and I've done so at various points in my life), two things happen:

1. To Christians, they assume I immediately 100% agree with every last nuance of their brand of Christianity and badger me to death if I have a slightly different interpretation. In addition, they assume I must obey all manner of random, nonBiblical things (such as prosperity gospels, etc). No, just no.

2. To non-Christians, I immediately become responsible for the actions of every Christian throughout history, including the modern idiots who preach or do moronic things (like the televangelists who live in multimillion dollar houses, or sexual abuse pastors, etc). I simply don't have the stamina to defend the actions of so many evil people. Again, just no.

I just say I'm an atheist, and that I follow God and the Bible. If people want to hate me for it, so be it. But there are some very nice people out there who are atheists and/or non-Christians.

I see you may be a little confused about theism, atheism and Christianity.

It's just like saying (your definition): somebody killed nobody.

Proverb!

 

[Free]

You clearly don't understand that not all atheists are against God. People who believe in and serve God but don't follow any religion can still get into Heaven. It's not an exclusive club for everyone who was a big fish at their local church. Go ahead, give me another infraction for disagreeing with you.

If someone believes in God, they are not an atheist. By definition, atheists do not believe in God.

I serve God, not Christianity. I don't need a religion to believe in or serve God, and it baffles me why people seem to think otherwise. There's this huge lie, believed by many, that the church is a dispenser of salvation. It isn't.

But that has nothing to do with atheism.

I just say I'm an atheist, and that I follow God and the Bible.

Again, this is a contradiction. You are a theist.

 

[DarkHorseRising]

You are a theist.

I don't call you names.

 

[Free]

I don't call you names.

You called yourself a name so I just thought I would join in with the correct name.

If someone believes in the existence of at least one god, they are a theist. An atheist, by definition, does not believe in the existence of any deity.

 

[Mike]

This is a most confusing discussion! How do we get from (incorrectly) including people who believe in, and follow, God "atheists". They are atheists because they don't call themselves Christians?

Atheist - "a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings."

If someone believes in a deity or creator of any kind, s/he is not an atheist. There has to be a basic understanding of the terminology on both sides of discussion if it's going to make any sense.

 

[ColdBlooded]

Atheism simply means "Does not believe in a deity".

That's it. It means nothing else but that.
You can believe anything else, but not in a God/Godlike figure.

I'ts not complicated.

I just say I'm an atheist, and that I follow God and the Bible.

But that's... How?

Atheism pertains to God/'s not religion.

What you just said is "I don't believe in God, it's just I believe in God and the Bible".