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The ''Christian Post'' reports about the Christian philosopher James S. Spiegel's book ''The Making of an Atheist'':  

The ''Christian Post'' reports about the Christian philosopher James S. Spiegel's book ''The Making of an Atheist'':  

{{Cquote|Spiegel, who converted to Christianity in 1980, has witnessed the pattern among several of his friends. Their path from Christianity to atheism involved: moral slippage (such as infidelity, resentment or unforgiveness); followed by withdrawal from contact with fellow believers; followed by growing doubts about their faith, accompanied by continued indulgence in the respective sin; and culminating in a conscious rejection of God.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-philosopher-explores-causes-of-atheism-44353/ Christian Philosopher Explores Causes of Atheism]</ref>}}

{{Cquote|Spiegel, who converted to Christianity in 1980, has witnessed the pattern among several of his friends. Their path from Christianity to atheism involved: moral slippage (such as infidelity, resentment or unforgiveness); followed by withdrawal from contact with fellow believers; followed by growing doubts about their faith, accompanied by continued indulgence in the respective sin; and culminating in a conscious rejection of God.<ref name="christianpost.com">[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-philosopher-explores-causes-of-atheism-44353/ Christian Philosopher Explores Causes of Atheism]</ref>}}

[[Jesus Christ]] and [[Christianity|Christendom]] have emphasized the important of forgiveness and in the last few decades mental health specialists have increasingly seen the importance of forgiveness to alleviate bitterness and other emotional problems within individuals.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2755173/ Indian J Psychiatry. 2009 Apr-Jun; 51(2): 153–156. doi:  10.4103/0019-5545.49459, PMCID: PMC2755173, ''Forgiveness: A note for psychiatrists'' by Prakash Gangdev]</ref>

[[Jesus Christ]] and [[Christianity|Christendom]] have emphasized the important of forgiveness and in the last few decades mental health specialists have increasingly seen the importance of forgiveness to alleviate bitterness and other emotional problems within individuals.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2755173/ Indian J Psychiatry. 2009 Apr-Jun; 51(2): 153–156. doi:  10.4103/0019-5545.49459, PMCID: PMC2755173, ''Forgiveness: A note for psychiatrists'' by Prakash Gangdev]</ref>

Atheists are often viewed with disdain - particularly in theistic societies (See: [[Views on Atheists|Views on atheists]]). Their atheism is not viewed as an intellectual decision, but rather due to having low character (see also: [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Moral failures of the atheist community]]). The atheist community/population has helped foster this view of atheists by the dodging of various public debate offers (See: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).  

Atheists are often viewed with disdain - particularly in theistic societies (See: [[Views on Atheists|Views on atheists]]). Their atheism is not viewed as an intellectual decision, but rather due to having low character (see also: [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Moral failures of the atheist community]]). The atheist community/population has helped foster this view of atheists by the dodging of various public debate offers (See: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).  

Dr. [[Sam Harris]] is one of the founders of the [[New Atheism]] movement. [[Sam Harris]] is quite aware of the stigma surrounding atheism and has even advocated that atheists no longer call themselves atheists.<ref name="Harris">Roberts, Jessica, et al. (June 19, 2007).  [http://news21.com/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist "Interview with an atheist"].  News21.  Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref> In fact, Dr. Harris has said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."<ref name="Harris">Roberts, Jessica, et al. (June 19, 2007).  [http://news21.com/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist "Interview with an atheist"].  News21.  Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref> See also: [[Atheism and social outcasts]]

Dr. [[Sam Harris]] is one of the founders of the [[New Atheism]] movement. [[Sam Harris]] is quite aware of the stigma surrounding atheism and has even advocated that atheists no longer call themselves atheists.<ref name="Harris">Roberts, Jessica, et al. (June 19, 2007).  [http://news21.com/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist "Interview with an atheist"].  News21.  Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref> In fact, Dr. Harris has said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."<ref name="Harris"/> See also: [[Atheism and social outcasts]]

Furthermore, in many secular countries, due to the sub-replacement fertility rate of atheists/agnostics/non-religious, there is a significant amount of immigration involving religious conservatives which is a source of consternation to many atheists (see: [[Global atheism]] and [[Secular Europe]]).

Furthermore, in many secular countries, due to the sub-replacement fertility rate of atheists/agnostics/non-religious, there is a significant amount of immigration involving religious conservatives which is a source of consternation to many atheists (see: [[Global atheism]] and [[Secular Europe]]).

== Atheism and anger ==

== Atheism and anger ==

[[File:Angry atheist.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|An angry atheist speaking to a woman with a Bible in her hand.

[[File:Angry atheist.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|An angry atheist speaking to a woman with a Bible in her hand.

 

The Christian philosopher James S. Spiegel says the path from Christianity to atheism among several of his friends involved moral slippage such as resentment or unforgiveness.<ref name="christianpost.com">[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-philosopher-explores-causes-of-atheism-44353/ Christian Philosopher Explores Causes of Atheism]</ref> See: [[Atheism and forgiveness|Atheism and unforgiveness]] ]]

The Christian philosopher James S. Spiegel says the path from Christianity to atheism among several of his friends involved moral slippage such as resentment or unforgiveness.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-philosopher-explores-causes-of-atheism-44353/ Christian Philosopher Explores Causes of Atheism]</ref> See: [[Atheism and forgiveness|Atheism and unforgiveness]] ]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and anger]] and [[Atheism and forgiveness|Atheism and unforgiveness]]  

''See also:'' [[Atheism and anger]] and [[Atheism and forgiveness|Atheism and unforgiveness]]  

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[[Category: Atheism]]

[[Category:Atheism]]