I have always said this myself - from the ones that I have known, they were angry at God or had problems growing up going to Catholic school. Look at Madalyn Murray O’Hair, her problem was because she could not get her lover who was Catholic to divorce his wife.
I’ve always said that my atheist brother is just really mad at God. He had this “pie in the sky” view of God and religion, he thought that he was supposed to have a painless life with no sorrow. God disappointed him when he was about 20 and he hasn’t forgiven Him yet.
This is certainly true of some atheists I have known. My ex-husband claimed jokingly to have an adversarial relationship with God. He was irritated at anyone, even God, suggesting that the profligate, licentious way he conducted his life was wrong—he rejected the concept of “wrong” because it limited his ability to indulge himself. So he merely denied the existence of God. (Later, fortunately, he learned how mistaken he was.)
On the other hand I know a very gracious, gentle, joyful, wise woman who is an atheist. It’s hard to believe she’s not full of the Holy Spirit; she’s so happy and such a joy.
Ever wonder why most Homosexuals not only hate God, but the very concept of God?
This Bishop provided the answer for you.
It does seem at least in our country that atheists attack Christianity specifically more than any other religion(s).
The majority of the atheists that I've come across seem more angry at religion (pick your brand) or the people that practice religion. For some, they may feel threatened by the authority it represents. I've also come across many non-believers who are more analytical or skeptical in their way of thinking and don't hold strong opinions on the matter either way. Although I am not a believer nor am I religious, I don't hate religion or the people that practice it. I do speak out critically on the really "messed up" issues (honor killings, hate, abuse, etc) but I recognize that there is much more good in religion than bad and how can I not support that?
Having been on both sides of the fence (was raised conservative christian), I think there is great misunderstanding on both sides with equal amounts of bravado. ;)
“RELIGIOUS leaders have used their Easter sermons and messages to condemn the rise of atheism, with Sydney Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen describing the philosophy as an “assault on God”.
A day after Sydney Catholic Archbishop Cardinal George Pell criticised non-believers, Dr Jensen said in his Good Friday sermon at Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral that atheism was a form idolatry.”
What concerns me most about the two religious leaders mentioned in the article is that they are highly educated individuals. They are as well acquainted with the correct definition of ‘atheist’ as anyone can be, and to conflate ‘atheist’ with ‘hater of god’ is blatant intellectual dishonesty on their part. I would expect better from them.
I just believe in one fewer god than most people.
I am not an athiest, but if I was, this kind of crap would only strengthen my lack of belief. I would just chalk this up as more arrogant believers who think they know what resides in people’s hearts and minds. It is no different than the homosexual agenda claiming that homophobes are actually people who are hiding their own homosexuality. It is dispicable and you should be ashamed for being so narrow minded.
I think the Bishop nailed it. 90% of those who call themselves atheists are really antitheists.
The antitheists I’ve met spent their time plotting against God, denying God, decrying the concept of God, telling believers that they were wrong and stupid. And they would burst out with this stuff out of the blue.
It really was the most bizarre thing to do with their lives, but they did it.
May God help and bless them. May the real, historical Christ: God-who-was-made-Man, remove the scales from their eyes.
This is a completely unfair accusation. I didn’t choose to be an atheist, I’m stuck with it. Life is miserable and can’t be over quickly enough.
Don’t bother evangelizing to me it’s hopeless.
To not know God is to be dead. To be given knowledge of God is to be given the greatest gift and the greatest knowledge imaginable.
A lot of atheists, don’t necessarily believe that there isn’t a God, but just that they are going to live their lives assuming that there isn’t one.