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more cited, Christian sources on causes of atheism.
A number of causes of atheism have been offered:
A number of causes of atheism have been offered:
* '''State churches:''' Rates of atheism are much higher in countries with state sanctioned religion (such as many European countries), and lower in states without a sanctioned religion (such as the United State). The argument is that state churches become bloated, corrupt, and/or out of touch with the religious intuitions of the popoulation, while churches independent of the state are leaner and more adaptable. It is important to distinguish "state-sanctioned churches" where participation is voluntary from state-mandated churches (such as Saudi Arabia) with much lower atheism rates because public atheism is punishable by death. <ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118434936941966055.html?mod=googlenews_wsj</ref>
* '''Rebellion:''' Atheism stems from a deliberate choice to ignore the reality of God's existence<ref>"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." —{{Bible ref|Romans|1|19-20|version=NKJV}}</ref>
* '''Rebellion:''' Atheism stems from a deliberate choice to ignore the reality of God's existence<ref>"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." —{{Bible ref|Romans|1|19-20|version=NKJV}}</ref>
[[Image:Matthew-henry.jpg|thumbnail|150px|right|[[Matthew Henry]]]]
[[Image:Matthew-henry.jpg|thumbnail|150px|right|[[Matthew Henry]]]]
* '''Poor relationship with father:''' A troubled/non-existent relationship with a father may influence one towards becoming an atheist.<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth12.html</ref> Dr. Paul Vitz wrote a book entitled ''Faith of the Fatherless'' in which he points out that after studying the lives of more than a dozen leading atheists he found that a large majority of them had a father who was present but weak, present but abusive, or absent.<ref>Vitz, Paul, [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt The Psychology of Atheism], September 24, 1997 (lecture notes taken by an audience member).</ref><ref>Anders, Kerby, [http://www.probe.org/content/view/36/91/ Atheists and Their Fathers] (Probe Ministries)</ref> Dr. Vitz also examined the lives of prominent theists who were contemporaneous to their atheist counterparts and from the same culture and in every instance these prominent theists had a good relationship with his father.<ref>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt</ref> Dr. Vitz has also stated other common factors he observed in the famous atheists he profiled: they were all intelligent and arrogant.<ref>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt</ref>
* '''Poor relationship with father:''' A troubled/non-existent relationship with a father may influence one towards becoming an atheist.<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth12.html</ref> Dr. Paul Vitz wrote a book entitled ''Faith of the Fatherless'' in which he points out that after studying the lives of more than a dozen leading atheists he found that a large majority of them had a father who was present but weak, present but abusive, or absent.<ref>Vitz, Paul, [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt The Psychology of Atheism], September 24, 1997 (lecture notes taken by an audience member).</ref><ref>Anders, Kerby, [http://www.probe.org/content/view/36/91/ Atheists and Their Fathers] (Probe Ministries)</ref> Dr. Vitz also examined the lives of prominent theists who were contemporaneous to their atheist counterparts and from the same culture and in every instance these prominent theists had a good relationship with his father.<ref>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt</ref> Dr. Vitz has also stated other common factors he observed in the famous atheists he profiled: they were all intelligent and arrogant.<ref>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt</ref>
* '''Negative experiences with Christians:''' "The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."<ref>Brennan Manning</ref>
* '''Division in religion''': According to Francis Bacon, atheism is cased by "divisions in religion, if they be many; for any one main division addeth zeal to both sides, but many divisions introduce atheism." <ref>http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/ofatheism.html</ref>
* '''Learned times, peace, and prosperity''': Francis Bacon argued that atheism was caused by "Learned times, specially with peace and prosperity; for troubles and adversities do more bow men’s minds to religion."<ref>http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/ofatheism.html</ref>
==Tenuousness of Atheism in Prominent People Who Claimed to Atheist==
==Tenuousness of Atheism in Prominent People Who Claimed to Atheist==