Jumpin said:
“I'm afraid you're quite mistaken. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god or gods.
Definition of Religion:
- The belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers, regarded as creating and governing the universe.
"respect for religion."
- A particular variety of such belief, especially when organized into a system of doctrine and practice.
"the world's many religions."
- A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
Atheism isn't any of these. In fact, atheism precludes belief in religion, leaving adherence to religion as nothing more than social obligation.”
Here’s my response:
Thanks for your reply. A “lack of belief in a god or gods”…IS a belief. But let’s not argue semantics here. If you don’t want atheism to be identified as a “religion,” that’s fine. But it definitely is a worldview. You have beliefs regarding the origin of the universe, the origin of life, how you are to live life here on earth, and what happens to you when you die. These beliefs color your perspective on life and impact what you think & do everyday. That is a worldview, and you have one.
You also have a god…that god is YOU. As a professed atheist, you have rejected the one true God of the Bible who made the universe & you. And He revealed Himself to you through the Bible (specifically) and creation & conscience (generally). As an atheist, you have instead decided that He doesn’t exist, and you are not beholden to Him. Rather, you’ve made the decision to live your life according to your own rules & desires. That makes you the “god” of your life.
Even though I don’t know you, I love you with a Godly love. I will pray for you (and others on this thread), that God will do a work in your life to draw you to Him. Perhaps you will soften your heart and let Him in. He will not force Himself on you, because that is not love. You have been blessed with a free will, and only you can choose to accept Him or not. Here are a few verses from the Bible that may you may find useful. And remember, these are the very words of God (written by men but inspired by the Holy Spirit).
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie…Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy…they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them…But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” (Romans 1:18-2:5).
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:24-28).
Last edited by JamesCantu - on 25 June 2025
