If a person simply does not believe in God, or does not care about God, then it seems like he would just ignore all of the "religious talk" that permeates our society. However, if atheism or agnosticism is his religion and/or world view (either stated or unstated), he will fight back against the very idea of God.This is happening more and more in our country. George Barna has recently completed a study about this issue. Click here to read more.
4 comments:
Believe it or not, but I do not actually see this as a bad thing. In fact, I find it very encouraging. This is the easiest way for us to discern the wheat from the tares. I would rather live in a country where there was a distinction between a believer and a non-believer than a country with people who claimed to be believers but in all reality were not.
Just my two cents :)
God's Glory,
Lew
Lew,
Thanks for commenting.
You make a good point. It is also easier to know who needs Christ when you are surrounded by atheists.
My primary concern with this is on social issues. Atheists and agnostics are usually very liberal on abortion in particular; pseudo-Christians of the bible belt at least usually support more conservative social values.
I guess there are pros and cons to each situation.
Eric,
Yeah, I understand what you are saying. I lean in a weird direction when it comes to politics. The fact that my tax dollars goes to help non-profit organizations like planned parenthood does not really bother me. Now I will definitely agree that abortion is an atrocious act of murder, but I see no attempt in the NT to change the government. I also know that Jesus told us to pay our taxes (and I am sure he knew that money was not used for directly used for the Kingdom). I could be wrong though.
I actually believe that our current government is largely flawed because it allows us (Christians) to strong-arm Christian morality to a people who care little about God or morality.
I am not saying that you are supporting or saying this at all. These are just some observations I have made and conclusions I have drawn. Of course, and as always, I am still working out these issues, challenging my own beliefs, and drawing new (and unusual) conclusions.
In a way, I am torn between the realization that my position allows for the government to support the slaughter of millions of unborn humans and that God is in complete control of these things to which my only responsibility is to be a light to those who are committing such acts.
As far as I can tell, the only solution to the problem is not Christians in the government or strong-armed morality, but an indwelling of Christ in the lost.
God's Glory,
Lew
P.S. I only touch on abortion here because you did - I feel the same way about all government supported sin.
Lew,
Things certainly get messy whenever the church gets too cozy with the state. Whenever this occurs, the church compromises itself to the wishes of the state. That is, obviously, never a good thing.
As far as changing the gov't is concerned, we live in a unique society. We actually have a say in gov't, unlike so many in N.T. times. Since we can vote, I think we should vote for those most in-line with biblical values.
I brought up abortion specifically because it seems to be the big "over-under" issue. I will vote for those who oppose abortion, but I am not going to expect non-Christians to hold to the same values I do.
To expect the lost to act saved is ridiculous in gov't or within the walls of the church.
Thanks again.
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