Causes of atheism
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Conservative (talk | contribs) at 03:58, December 16, 2007. It may differ significantly from current revision.
In regards to the causes of atheism, there are a number of reasonable explanations for atheism:
- Rebellion: Atheism stems from a deliberate choice to ignore the reality of God's existence[1]
- Moral depravity: Moral depravity has been demonstrated in the atheist community through history and through various studies.[2][3][4][5] The Bible asserts that "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." (Psalms 14:1 (KJV)). The biblical fool is said to be lacking in sound judgment and the biblical fool is also associated with moral depravity. For example, the biblical book of Proverbs states: "A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated. The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge."(Proverbs 14:16-18 (NASB)). The book of Proverbs also has strong words regarding the depravity of biblical fools: "The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but [it is] abomination to fools to depart from evil." (Proverbs 13:9 (KJV)). Regarding the deceitfulness of fools Proverbs states: "The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit." (Proverbs 14:8 (KJV)). Noted Bible commentator and clergyman Matthew Henry wrote regarding atheism: "A man that is endued with the powers of reason, by which he is capable of knowing, serving, glorifying, and enjoying his Maker, and yet lives without God in the world, is certainly the most despicable and the most miserable animal under the sun."[6]
- Superficiality: Noted ex-atheist and psychologist Dr. Paul Vitz has stated that he had superficial reasons for becoming an atheist such as the desire to be accepted by his Stanford professors who were united in disbelief regarding God.[7]
- Error: Some argue that atheism partly stems from a failure to fairly and judiciously consider the facts [8]
- State churches: Rates of atheism are much higher in countries with a state sanctioned religion (such as many European countries), and lower in states without a sanctioned religion (such as the United States). Some argue this is because state churches become bloated, corrupt, and/or out of touch with the religious intuitions of the population, 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 publicly admitted atheism is punishable by death. [9]
- Poor relationship with father: Some argue that a troubled/non-existent relationship with a father may influence one towards becoming an atheist.[10] 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.[11][12] 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.[13] Dr. Vitz has also stated other common factors he observed in the leading atheists he profiled: they were all intelligent and arrogant.[14]
- Division in religion: According to Francis Bacon, atheism is caused by "divisions in religion, if they be many; for any one main division addeth zeal to both sides, but many divisions introduce atheism." [15]
- Learned times, peace, and prosperity: Francis Bacon argued that atheism was partly caused by "Learned times, specially with peace and prosperity; for troubles and adversities do more bow men’s minds to religion."[16]
- Negative experiences with theists
- ↑ "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..." —Romans 1:19-20 (NKJV)
- ↑ http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5527
- ↑ http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=272
- ↑ http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Story?id=2682730&page=2
- ↑ http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=152
- ↑ http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc1.ii.html
- ↑ http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt
- ↑ "A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere--'Bibles laid open, millions of surprises,' as Herbert says, 'fine nets and stratagems.' God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous." -- C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy.
- ↑ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118434936941966055.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
- ↑ http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth12.html
- ↑ Vitz, Paul, The Psychology of Atheism, September 24, 1997 (lecture notes taken by an audience member).
- ↑ Anders, Kerby, Atheists and Their Fathers (Probe Ministries)
- ↑ http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt
- ↑ http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt
- ↑ http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/ofatheism.html
- ↑ http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/ofatheism.html