Posted on 04/01/2010 9:48:35 PM PDT by JoeProBono
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.
"As we can see by the sheer passion and virulence of the atheist - they seem to hate the Christian God - we are not dealing here with cool philosophy up against faith without a brain," Dr Jensen told worshippers.
"Atheism is every bit of a religious commitment as Christianity itself.
"It represents the latest version of the human assault on God, born out of resentment that we do not in fact rule the world and that God calls on us to submit our lives to him.
"It is a form of idolatry in which we worship ourselves....."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
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.
The atheists I know cannot believe anybody is greater than themselves.
Ever wonder why most Homosexuals not only hate God, but the very concept of God?
This Bishop provided the answer for you.
The camp should be divided into two groups, atheists and antitheists. People like Dawkins and Hitchens fall into the antitheist wing. That wing seems to be a lot larger than the atheist wing, by the way.
An atheist may be wise about some things, but their wisdom just can’t be very deep as they are missing the very foundation of all existence.
It does seem at least in our country that atheists attack Christianity specifically more than any other religion(s).
They hate religiously observant Jews too. I’m a Hindu and they hate religiously observant Hindus as well, there are just way fewer of religious Jews and Hindus.
Someone I knew very well who was a lifelong avowed atheist used to strongly criticize all devout religious believers, specifically because they believed in God. He thought anyone who believed in God was an idiot and a knave - a wrong, bad person who could be right about nothing. Unfortunately as far as I know he died unrepentent. The moral absolutes that are taught in every religion are abhorrant to such people.
No doubt about it. Not all atheists, but many who claim to be atheists are anti-God. If they believe there is not God why do they care to hate Him so much and why do they hate believers for loving Him so much.
I think alot of the rabid ones are satanists and/or of other religions who hate Jesus. This happened in the seventies, too, when the left unleashed the dogs on the country.
Perhaps I hear more anti-Christian rhetoric because we have a majority of Christians in our country.
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. ;)
Absolutely - most religious people in this country are Christian so Christians are the main target, and the more observant, the more they’re targeted. They war against Christmas and Easter, not Janmastami or Rama Vijaya.
Seems you and I are very much the same in this regard.
Over time I have come to realize that I am indeed an atheist. By atheist I mean the lack of acceptance of the existence of any god due to the lack of independently verifiable evidence for its existence or manifestation in reality.
This article is logically flawed. It builds a strawman by conflating atheists with people that believe in god. Before you can hate god you have to accept that god actually exists, which would mean that you are not atheist.
“The camp should be divided into two groups, atheists and antitheists. People like Dawkins and Hitchens fall into the antitheist wing. That wing seems to be a lot larger than the atheist wing, by the way.”
How do you define ‘antitheist’?
“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.
You seem like a sensible fella- so I must ask, how can you not see a reason for the rhyme and rhythm all around your good self?
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.
“You seem like a sensible fella- so I must ask, how can you not see a reason for the rhyme and rhythm all around your good self?”
I’m not entirely sure that a reason exists or is necessary, and if there is indeed a reason, that anyone can say what it is with greater certainty than anyone else.
Good. Best to ya.
Well, my brother is in love with himself and his own intelligence too.
Someone who actively hates God and religion, as opposed to someone who is indifferent.
Excellent answer.
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.
Are you serious? If so I’ve been there man, but things are so much better for me now, hang in there. Remember, there are things way more important than the US and our Constituion, that won’t go over well here and I totally support our country, but don’t let this get to you, if obama runs it down the tube so what, life is better and bigger than the US ...
I can also answer that question: I just don’t. As far as I can see there is no God there.
I keep trying to see one there and...nothing.
“Once upon a time, there was a kingdom which was ruled by a very wise king. One day, someone poisoned all of the kingdom’s water supply with something that made everyone go mad overnight........”
I can no longer see the goodness in anything. Everything is an ocean-sized cesspool.
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.
Check your private mail ...
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.
When I was younger and stupider, I once thought to myself that it didn't matter if I believed in God and behaved that way when I was alive; if, when I died, He really existed I would simply argue my way into heaven.....
It was a watershed moment, when I figured out how monstrously silly an idea that was.
What it was for me, and I suspect for many supposedly devout atheists, is more a matter of pridefulness than of disbelief. And fear -- not of God, but of being seen to express an opinion on the subject of God that differed from what had been said before.
While it is undoubtedly true that the likes of Mr. Dawkins are driven by hatred, I think pridefulness and fear of being wrong -- not hatred of God -- are probably what drive most "atheists."
At least you’re looking. I sure wasn’t.
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