Your immediate answer is probably a resounding NO! They are complete opposites. Devout Christians believe in God, and devout atheists don’t. And you can’t get any more different than that, right? Yes, but wait. There is something that both devout Christians and devout atheists share.
BELIEF.
Sure, they’re on opposite ends of it. But the belief itself…they share. It’s genuine, they’re both passionate about it, and they’ll debate their beliefs relentlessly. Okay, so they can’t both be right. The point is, they actually BELIEVE something. And in today’s ambivalent, self-absorbed culture, I find that refreshing.
Agnostics, on the other hand, aren’t sure what they believe. And New Age followers accept everything so can you even call that belief? Even among the greater Christian community, complacency has so diluted the faith that in the lives of many Christians, beliefs and convictions are as firm and resolute as a slinky on the staircase.
Devout Christians don’t have that problem. Instead, they are considered rigid, Bible Thumpers and often labeled close minded and intolerant. That’s because their beliefs are based on the Bible, which they believe is the absolute Word of God. And by definition, absolute is, well…absolute. And that doesn’t leave you much flexibility.
But at least you know where devout Christians stand. At least there’s no politically correct double speak so riddled with trite talk you can’t understand what they’re saying-much less what they actually believe. And the same is true of devout atheists. They are just as adamant about their belief in God’s non-existence and just as ready to defend their position.
My only point of contention is that many atheists reject Christianity without even knowing its basic beliefs.
So how do devout Christians and devout atheists become friends?
Through mutual respect.
Because they both stand for something. And that seems to be a quality that’s generally lacking everywhere. So both devout Christians and devout atheists can appreciate the other for standing up and sticking to their guns.
Obviously, both will never understand the other. Devout Christians will pray for the salvation of devout atheists and devout atheists will recommend qualified therapists to help Christians come to their senses. And probably always wonder why committed Christians aren’t institutionally committed. But neither one will ever argue the other side over. That kind of about face only happens through personal revelation.
Instead, devout Christians and devout atheists should agree to disagree…and then direct their energies into other, more worthwhile causes.
Chip Tudor is a professional, freelance copywriter, published creative writer, and pastor to Adults 55+/Men at Fairhaven Church in Dayton, Ohio. His E-book, Christianity for the Average Joe is available at Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0080Q8HWE
Posted in Pacific Copper
The girlfriend from the ‘Miami cannibal’ states he would be a devout Christian and might have designed a good father on her kids. Don’t let be keeping an eye on other Christian believers?
would like to understand what the chinese think.
I’ve 5 versions from the bible on my small computer. I just read it regularly and discuss this is of the items I’ve read having a friend who’s a devout Christian. The number of Christian believers here not just read their bible but discuss what they’ve read in an effort to understanding?
Servant of Jesus – lol, I request an issue because I am thinking about the number of Christian believers regularly read and discuss their bible and also you question my manhood. You are special.
general dogbitz – this type of sharp wit. I wager you are only here since you pity us poor fools who’ve no existence, right?
I am talking about the simple truth is most Christian believers derive from their own families religious values before their birth although most will argue tooth and nails saying it’s not so. No other religious followers feel just like strong about there religious choice? The primary factor for me would be to learn to respect and love others as you would like completed to you! And religion is not related to that but personal choice does!
how was or was your relationship with this person? how lengthy di it last? I am askinf because I am presently inside a relationship like this. I am Christian and my boyfriend is really a Wiccan/Questionnable. we have been together for any couple of several weeks now. I’d hate for the religions in the future between us.
Just thinking about your story of methods you’ve handled it and just what transitions you experienced or are dealing with.
Uhh… well his parents are extremely religious they “cant accept someone who does not have confidence in god” and that he is much like getting major issues coping with such devout christian believers. He found me for advice but idk things to say.
My pal explained he has declared themself a Universal Unitarian. He stated it had something related to Seeking your personal spiritual path and really researching about religion and determining in what you consider to be real (verses just saying im atheist or in my opinion in jesus…) Opinions onto it?
I’m a devout Christian however i have numerous close buddies which are non-followers, atheist, or agnostic. I still love them. I’m very open concerning the fact that I am a Christian and want simply to determine them enter into relationship with God however i don’t judge them or pressure anything in it. In addition, each and every Christian friend which i have is identical way. Most atheists which i encounter the very first time will instantly jump to spew hate toward me the moment I mention God without dealing with know me they think that I’ll hate and select them so thats the things they’re doing in my experience.
Certainly one of my buddies, who’s an atheist, and who I’ve been attempting to convert for any couple of several weeks now, stated in my experience Jesus’ miracles did not really happen. I had been shocked only at that statement. How do you show him that they are real?
My friend used to invite me and my family non stop to go to her church to learn about the Jesus.
Just now she locked her keys in her car. Of all the church ‘family of Jesus’ people, she called me to help open her car. Any ideas why family of Jesus people wasn’t her preferred choice for opening her car?
Just curious how it operates in the united states. I just read in lots of books that they’re Protestant but a buddy explained they do not visit chapel.
The majority of my buddies and that i try to stay obvious of talking about religion as the majority of my buddies are Christian and i’m Atheist. We respect one anothers values and steer clear of speaking about this to ensure that we do not enter into arguments.
My boyfriend Lincoln subsequently is the only person of my buddies who’s Atheist much like me, although my closest friend Isabella is beginning to doubt their is really a God (although not due to anything used to do).
What exactly about both you and your buddies do everyone discuss religion?
An issue from the foreigner,
Here the Roman Catholics and also the Evanglicals (and also the Jeowah’s witnesses) hate each other peoples guts, could it be exactly the same with Chapel of England?
How can the number of Christian confessions get on in the uk?
Please take time to read why I request this. It may only be clarified by somebody that is deeply religious. It does not need to be a Christian believer however it does need to be somebody that thinks within the concepts of excellent and evil.
I am not really a religious person myself however i am what you are able call a spiritual person along with a philosopher with a balanced view, an Agnostic maybe. Becoming an adult, I did previously attend Sunday school so from an earlier age I learnt to assume how much of an evil world could be like. Lately, it has got me wondering, exactly what a devoted Christian must think once they take a look at society? I am confident if a person in the past (maybe from 100 yrs ago) often see what society is becoming, they’d be horrified because of it and think that evil has truly taken around the globe.
What troubles me about society:
The way in which many people in society survive through the avarice of consumerism and lack of knowledge towards its wider global effects. How 90% of individuals spend their lives watching tv and also have become familiar with seeing extreme violence and perverted amounts of sex. The way in which people now judge their neighbors rather than being charitable and sort. How somebody’s status and price is dependent upon the quantity of materialistic possessions they own. The energy and authority we’ve provided to our government and exactly how we’ve permitted technology to exchange our liberties, particularly Closed-circuit television. As well as the colonial actions in our military underneath the perception of security from terrorism. The amount of innocents who’ve died within the title of the security with disgusting words showing up within our language like ‘collateral damage’ and ‘Greater Good’
Capitalism may be the supply of the majority of our crimes as just like a virus, it’s spread into all areas of existence on earth. Speaking from the planet, society has been doing more harm to the earth within the last half a century compared to relaxation of history combined. Damage for example eliminating almost 90% from the seafood within the oceans, global pollution, the destruction of ancient forests and drawing our planet dry of all of the oil. All these have the effect of roughly 120 species going extinct on earth Each day. All within the title of capitalism and western consumerism. That’s 120 species, Each Day.
Our avarice-based consumer society offers quite a bit to reply to for and personally, I believe we are here due to the propaganda of fear and corruption from the couple of effective and wealthy evil males. That isn’t discounting our very own responsibility because everyone who’ve took part in consumerism are responsible for the worldwide effects of mass production. Educated or otherwise.
A couple of inquiries to ponder…
So, what is your opinion? Is that this the way you imagined an EVIL world could be much like me? Let me understand how a devout Christian sights society? Also, would you believe lack of knowledge is really a justified excuse for evil? Could it be suitable for us to aid a society that demands someone using the traits of the sociopath and narcissist to be able to be effective? Could it be any question that deeply religious individuals other areas around the globe consider society evil?
@Jerome: Maybe so but I am still thinking about their opinion.
Dainty Doe: Teaching Catechism enables you to an ideal person to reply to my question.
@Jackie
You are making a fascinating point about our daily bread. This is actually the absolute complete opposite of consumerism as consumerism demands mass manufacture of assets where individuals are purchasing for future years. I have always stated, ‘If everybody only required the things they needed, once they needed it, it might solve the majority of the mobile phone industry’s problems very quickly whatsoever” It might eliminate poverty and supply enough assets for everybody. Thanks, Irrrve never made that link with that prayer by Jesus before. That single quote by Jesus defined the sin of contemporary consumerism. Very smart words indeed. Many thanks.
How will you properly debate with Christian believers if you do not understand what they feel in and also you arent prepared to know. Then why ton this area.
I prevously requested an issue and lots of Atheist didn’t even bother to see. How then are you able to relate understandly together with your christian buddies. Arent we here to reason? Otherwise why spend your time. You simply want quick 3 points for foolish solutions? If ur like this then Get-a-Existence.
I had been speaking to some friend whose a devout christian and that he explained that their own salvation was the most crucial factor which he wouldn’t stop as being a christian for another person to become one. If every action and good deed you are taking is for your own personel salvation does not which means that every action and good deed you are taking can also be for your own personel gain and for that reason not for the best reasons.
If you have no proof they’re bad people? Are you currently jealous? Why the hate?
Theists: What’s the rationale behind your religion of preference?
I understand this must’ve been requested in regards to a million occasions, however i actually want to comprehend why one becomes religious. My closest friend, who had been an atheist, is now an very devout Christian. He’d a spiritual “awakening” of sorts. I did not realize that being possible, but apparently it’s.
What exactly comprises belief? So why do people become faithful?
I’d hate to state belief may be the willful suspension of critical thought, but it’s what it’s, and just how does a rational person become irrational?
Christian conservatives always state that education indoctrinates individuals to be liberal however i think Bible camps and Christian schools indoctrinate our kids to think in certain mystical being by looking into making them sing tunes about god and browse the bible and discuss sins.
how can devout christian believers think? will they think they are sinning if they are hanging out atheists?
i do not see myself being a christian, like ever.
I’m atheist, and she or he is really a devout Christian. Please i truly want her back.
I’ve got a book report due which i haven’t browse the book. someone please let me know an overview about this. page amounts could be appreciated.