Christian Atheism

[piterski123]

Alot of you probably have heard of Christian Atheism. My friend recently declared himself as a Christian Atheist, I heard the term before but I didn't really know what it was. So I read up about it. It seems pretty weird to me. Atheism is defined as a lack of religion or belief in God. The name Christian Atheist kind of contradicts itself. In my opinion you can't be a christian and an atheist. Fair enough Christian Atheists don't believe in the existence of God but they follow the teachings of Jesus. I maybe wrong on this. But to me this all seems ilogical. If I'm wrong with my opinion can you just clear it up to me. Thanks.

[FatAndFaithless]

Atheism is defined as a lack of religion or belief in God.

Just one correction because definitions are important in conversation: Atheism is lack of belief in god, that's all. Buddhists can still be atheists and part of that religion.

[piterski123]

Atheism is defined as a lack of religion or belief in God.

Just one correction because definitions are important in conversation: Atheism is lack of belief in god, that's all.  Buddhists can still be atheists and part of that religion.

Thanks 

[SteelCurtain]

Didn't we already do this?

I guess it was someone else. Atheism is nothing more than the answer to one question: Do you believe in a god? If no, that's it. You're an atheist.

You can believe whatever else you want and still call yourself an atheist. If a person can trick themselves into believing that the Bible is a great document to live by, but ascribe no deity to Jesus, then by all means, you are still an atheist.

My thought is that this particular movement is a stepping stone for most people in it. They aren't ready to commit to one camp or another, and so they straddle the fence. If that's what they need, then good for them. I find it intellectually dishonest and not for me.

[piterski123]

Didn't we already do this?

I guess it was someone else. Atheism is nothing more than the answer to one question: Do you believe in a god? If no, that's it. You're an atheist.

You can believe whatever else you want and still call yourself an atheist. If a person can trick themselves into believing that the Bible is a great document to live by, but ascribe no deity to Jesus, then by all means, you are still an atheist.

My thought is that this particular movement is a stepping stone for most people in it. They aren't ready to commit to one camp or another, and so they straddle the fence. If that's what they need, then good for them. I find it intellectually dishonest and not for me.

Wow I really didn't think this through I kinda feel abit ignorant now....

[FatAndFaithless]

When it comes to "Christian Atheism", I have nothing really to say on it. I find it weird, but labels are things people can choose for themselves, and if someone wants to call themself an "Atheist Christian", I'm not really in any position to say that he/she's not. I personally see it as a rather unnecessarily confusing and loaded label to pick.

[piterski123]

When it comes to "Christian Atheism", I have nothing really to say on it.  I find it weird, but labels are things people can choose for themselves, and if someone wants to call themself an "Atheist Christian", I'm not really in any position to say that he/she's not.  I personally see it as a rather unnecessarily confusing and loaded label to pick.

I mean I don't really give two shits about what my friend labels himself as but I just found Christian Atheism a weird name/label

[FatAndFaithless]

It is a strange label. Labels are generally used to give a shortcut description about something or help give someone an idea of your views. "Christian" and "Atheist" are already very commonly used labels with a few things that are also very commonly associated with them (except in "Atheist" has exactly one thing attached to it). Intentionally choosing two already-loaded labels that seem to be in conflict to the majority of the population is just a hassle.

[Jenny A]

There are people who do not believe in god or that Jesus was divine, but try to follow Jesus' moral teachings.  Some of them call themselves Christian Atheists.  It's an odd name since though they follow Jesus they don't appear to think he was Christ.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_atheism  Atheists for Jesus might be a better description.  http://www.atheists-for-jesus.com/about.php  And then there are people who want the ritualistic and perhaps some other aspects of Christianity without the believing in god part. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/...eism.shtml   And then there are people like me, I'm culturally Christian atheist.   That doesn't mean I believe in god, or that I'm religious, only that I was raised Christian and much of world view is colored by that.  And there are things about hymns, and the Lutheran liturgy that I enjoy and which make me feel very at home.

What kind of Christian Atheist is your friend?

[Pyrrho]

You might want to read Bertrand Russell's essay "Why I am not a Christian":

http://www.users.drew.edu/~jlenz/whynot.html

He explains why even following Jesus is a bad idea, regardless of whether you believe in god or not.  You can also read up on that here, as there are many who find fault with the morality of Christianity.

Then you might want to have a talk with your friend, and see what he has to say about these things.

As for labels, maybe people can call themselves whatever they want.  But if I choose to call myself the "Queen of England," it does not make me the Queen of England.  Labels are not magic and do not make someone something one is not.