What is A #Christian’s View of an #Atheist?

I absolutely love Twitter (@religionsuckz), and over the last couple of months I began following some Atheist and Free Thinkers.  The one thing that I find interesting is how many Atheist have to go out of their way to essentially say, “I’m a nice and friendly person.”  There are even a few with that in their Twitter handle or blog name.  And I soon learned that the reason for this is because many believe that Christians think they are all “bad” people.

And so I asked myself, “Self, what did you think of Atheist growing up…what picture did you have in your mind?”  I have to be honest that it was not a pretty picture.  I did assume that most of them would be mean, angry, depressed, and very very big sinners!  Why?  Well because growing up in the Baptist church we were taught that only peace, joy, hope, and last but not least…forgiveness and salvation could only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Oh sure, people would say they had peace and love and all that good stuff without God, but we were told that they were lying. And what about purpose and significance?  Well, that could only come through a relationship with J.C. as well.  So your question is, “Do you still believe that?”  The quick answer is no, but let me tell you a little more of my story.

Not long ago I had what I like to call a B-F-O, which is a blinding flash of the obvious!  It happened when I was reading through my journal that I had kept while I was a pastor.  I was shocked at how depressive, anxious ridden, and dark that time was in my life.  There was very little peace and happiness.  And there was very little joy, and I sure didn’t appear to be hopeful.  I know that my Christian brethren will say that I was being attacked by Satan, or that I was in darkness because I never truly saw the light.  I won’t bother arguing about that, but I can tell you that as I looked around at other pastors and Christians I didn’t see a lot of true joy in their lives either.  Most of the pastor were totally drained and depressed.  And many pastors and Christians had relationships that were a mess.  Simply put, their lives were very messy…no more messy than those who are Atheist.

So am I saying that I don’t believe in God?  No.  Am I saying Atheist are happier than Christians?  No.  What I am saying is that a belief in God or a “relationship with Jesus” doesn’t appear to make a difference when it comes to joy, hope, peace, and happiness.  And it is very clear that a belief or non-belief has little to do with morality.  If you don’t believe me do some Google searches, and start with the phrases “Catholic Priest admits” or “Pastor admits to.”  And while it appears I’m being overly critical of Christians I want you to know that isn’t my goal.  I’m simply saying that we have to quit thinking we are superior to other groups of people.

Regardless of someone’s beliefs they have a choice to make in life.  They can choose to live a good and moral life, they can choose to focus on being joyful, and they can choose to have hope or see things as hopeless.  And believe me when I say that I WISH a belief in God just stamped all those things into someone’s life!  What…I think I just heard someone ask, “Well if someone doesn’t believe in God then how do they know what is moral?”  Please stick your head in a door, and slam it three times to see if it helps.  I find that question highly offensive and I’m not even an Atheist!