Christians and Atheism Essay -- Christianity Atheist Religion Essays

Christians and Atheism The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. – DC Talk, contemporary Christian band There are three general reasons why Christianity turns people off: 1) The teachings of Jesus and the Bible are not appealing; 2) particular aspects of the Bible (or the Bible as a whole) do not seem feasible (such as the existence of Hell or an omnipotent, all-loving God); or 3) some experience with a Christian or the institution of Church is/was offending or repelling. This last reason why many people dislike Christianity is the most common and most painful for Christians to accept. It is saddening for a true Christian to witness the loving message of the Bible get lost behind the legality of the church (especially regarding political issues) or the hypocritical, unloving attitudes of those who call themselves Christians. And it is a grave problem for churches, especially in the sight of evangelism. The church needs to address the causes of such a turn-off from Christianity in order for it to be remedied. A specific look at how Christians themselves turn people off from Christianity reveals that Christian history, Christians today, and the institution of the church are all unique factors. Christian history is one of the first and most obvious reasons why some people dislike the Christian faith. Here we review some of the great tribulations of the â€Å"Christian† religion: evangelical movements in the Old and New worlds, Salem witch trials, Crusades, the Inquisition, and so on. In his essay â€Å"Why I Am Not a ... .... 7:1-5). There is a way to judge without making people feel hated or rejected. Judge without malice or hate, and always communicate in a respectful, loving manner. If the Christian body can hone in on this, Christians themselves will be a testament to the loving message of God. Works Cited Cahill, Mark. One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven . Atkinson, NH: Genesis II, 2004. Casting Crowns. â€Å"If We Are the Body.† Beach Street Records, 2003. DC Talk, ed. Jesus Freaks . Vol. 2. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 2002. 2 vols. DC Talk. â€Å"What If I Stumble?† Jesus Freak . Virgin Records America, Inc., 1995. Muncaster, Ralph O. A Skeptic's Search for God . Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2002. Russell, Bertrand. â€Å"Why I Am Not a Christian.† The Writer's Presence . Eds. Donald McQuade and Robert Atwan. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003.