I'd be questioning the validity of their statistics. The very definition of an atheist is the lack of belief in the existance of deities. They may be lumping agnostics and atheists together, however.
Hi Cole, I'm reminded of a story of a Buddhist who told a Christian friend that she sensed God wanted her to tell her Christian friend something. When her friend pointed out that Buddhists don't believe in God her friend responded, "I know, isn't that weird?"
I agree with Cole that if they are truely atheists, they wouldn't believe in God - but I would guess that the group "atheist" was the people who *considered* themselves atheists. I know someone who told me that they were an athiest, and then followed it up by saying that they thought God existed but was unknowable - which would be more of a diest or agnostic belief. They would probably have been in the 20% of this survey.
I think this survery is interesting from an evangelism/relational standpoint: it shows the title doesn't tell it all. My mom knows someone who was formerly a Muslim, and now is a Jehovah's Witness. She switched beliefs because she saw the love offered from Jehovah, and the redemption offered from sins through Jesus - which was a stark contrast to what she saw in Islam. Now, there are differences between JW and Christianity - but to go in debating with guns blazing may undermine the work the Spirit is doing. This applies to the Christian side as well. "Daddy - I'm dating a great guy. You don't need to worry, he's a Christian." I'd still be concerned. :-)
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Hmmm... Maybe titles don't tell it all. Who knew?
I'd be questioning the validity of their statistics. The very definition of an atheist is the lack of belief in the existance of deities. They may be lumping agnostics and atheists together, however.
Hi Cole,
I'm reminded of a story of a Buddhist who told a Christian friend that she sensed God wanted her to tell her Christian friend something. When her friend pointed out that Buddhists don't believe in God her friend responded, "I know, isn't that weird?"
I agree with Cole that if they are truely atheists, they wouldn't believe in God - but I would guess that the group "atheist" was the people who *considered* themselves atheists. I know someone who told me that they were an athiest, and then followed it up by saying that they thought God existed but was unknowable - which would be more of a diest or agnostic belief. They would probably have been in the 20% of this survey.
I think this survery is interesting from an evangelism/relational standpoint: it shows the title doesn't tell it all.
My mom knows someone who was formerly a Muslim, and now is a Jehovah's Witness. She switched beliefs because she saw the love offered from Jehovah, and the redemption offered from sins through Jesus - which was a stark contrast to what she saw in Islam. Now, there are differences between JW and Christianity - but to go in debating with guns blazing may undermine the work the Spirit is doing.
This applies to the Christian side as well. "Daddy - I'm dating a great guy. You don't need to worry, he's a Christian." I'd still be concerned. :-)
Sorry for the length, Larry. :-)
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