Christian Atheists

[ForeverFaithful]

Are they still our Christian brothers, are then under grace?

my favorite author Geogre Orwell was a Practicing Anglican but had no faith, will I met him in New Jerusalem or no?

 

[CaptainXeroid]

Considering that Christian commonly refers to someone who accepts that God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save us from our sins, and that an atheist is one who does not believe that God exists, Christian atheist appears to be an oxymoron. Perhaps you could elaborate on their beliefs.

As for George Orwell in the example you gave, the fact he attended an Anglican church would not make him a Christian.

 

[ForeverFaithful]

Considering that Christian commonly refers to someone who accepts that God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save us from our sins, and that an atheist is one who does not believe that God exists, Christian atheist appears to be an oxymoron. Perhaps you could elaborate on their beliefs.

As for George Orwell in the example you gave, the fact he attended an Anglican church would not make him a Christian.

is it orwell s fault that he had no faith, some people just can't believe

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Considering that Christian commonly refers to someone who accepts that God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save us from our sins, and that an atheist is one who does not believe that God exists, Christian atheist appears to be an oxymoron. Perhaps you could elaborate on their beliefs.

As for George Orwell in the example you gave, the fact he attended an Anglican church would not make him a Christian.

It would certainly make him an Anglican.

You can discover God in worship and the litany, with out understanding or believing anything about faith or Dogma. Anglicans have always known this, even if they sometimes keep quiet about it.

 

[Revoltingest]

Would it be possible that a weak atheist could also be a Xian, but unsure, & therefore a 'weak Xian"?

 

[ChristineES]

I can't answer the question. But I believe that a person can have religion yet be atheist.

 

[cablescavenger]

Considering that Christian commonly refers to someone who accepts that God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save us from our sins, and that an atheist is one who does not believe that God exists, Christian atheist appears to be an oxymoron. Perhaps you could elaborate on their beliefs.

As for George Orwell in the example you gave, the fact he attended an Anglican church would not make him a Christian.

I am atheist, but I was christened

 

[Bob Dixon]

Quakers are Christian, yet there are Non-Theistic ones.

Yes, I think that an atheist can be a Christian.

Read this:
BBC - Religion - Atheism: Types - Christian Atheism

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I heard a Christian pastor once say that first and foremost, he's a follower of Christ rather than a believer in God, and while he does believe in God, he was led to this belief by his acceptance of Jesus' teachings.

If a person took a similar approach but their take on Jesus' teachings didn't dictate a belief in a literal God, would you consider that person a Christian?

IOW, is merely being a "follower of Christ" enough to make a person Christian even if they don't believe in God?

Or do you think that belief in God is a necessary part of beong a follower of Christ?

 

[Quiddity]

Belief in God is necessary IMO. There is a level of doubt and suspension of assent that can be; but it's necessary that it remain within and not without of the Church. I would say it's more then just belief in God, but the goal posts are moving all the time as to accomodate what is in vogue or what is hard to believe?

 

[Bob Dixon]

Belief in God is necessary IMO. There is a level of doubt and suspension of assent that can be; but it's necessary that it remain within and not without of the Church. I would say it's more then just belief in God, but the goal posts are moving all the time as to accomodate what is in vogue or what is hard to believe?

I would tend to agree, but I say allow a flexible definition of "God".

 

[bobhikes]

Considering that Christian commonly refers to someone who accepts that God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save us from our sins, and that an atheist is one who does not believe that God exists, Christian atheist appears to be an oxymoron. Perhaps you could elaborate on their beliefs.

As for George Orwell in the example you gave, the fact he attended an Anglican church would not make him a Christian.

I would consider myself a christian Atheist.

I do not believe in God/heaven/hell.

I believe all religions have value to Human kind.
I believe in the values Christ has taught.
I put my Kids into CCD class so they can learn about religion(specifically my families)
I go to church with my family.
I help out the church as time allows me.
I am a lector (I like reading the Old and New testaments).
I do not hide my beliefs if asked.

I would be interested in your thoughts on this.

 

[Richard Kastner]

Are they still our Christian brothers, are then under grace?

There is no such thing as a Christian Athiest.

my favorite author Geogre Orwell was a Practicing Anglican but had no faith, will I met him in New Jerusalem or no?

Who can know if another will be in heaven? Make sure you are.

Jn.14
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

[nekoboy]

*head explodes*

 

[Richard Kastner]

I would consider myself a christian Atheist.

I do not believe in God/heaven/hell.

I believe all religions have value to Human kind.
I believe in the values Christ has taught.
I put my Kids into CCD class so they can learn about religion(specifically my families)
I go to church with my family.
I help out the church as time allows me.
I am a lector (I like reading the Old and New testaments).
I do not hide my beliefs if asked.

I would be interested in your thoughts on this.

A Christian by defination is one who believes that Christ is the only begotten Son of God and that He came to this earth to save mankind from their sins. Believing in the values Christ taught doesn't make you a Christian. Believing in Christ does.

 

[doppelganger]

I consider myself an agnostic Christian, and the way I view Christianity and its core philosophical teaching and myths, agnosticism appears - to me - to be a more natural fit than theism.

Thomas Altizer, John Shelby Spong and arguably Paul Tillich (among others) are writers that could be deacriclbed as non-theistic Christians. And I'd recommend any of their works to understand how non-theistic Christianity can work.

 

[doppelganger]

A Christian by defination is one who believes that Christ is the only begotten Son of God and that He came to this earth to save mankind from their sins. Believing in the values Christ taught doesn't make you a Christian. Believing in Christ does.

By certain definitions. Not by mine. I think there's a lot more subtlety to that for some people. Such that it has no supernatural or superstitious element at all and functions purely on a psychological and philosophical level.

 

[Banner]

I would consider myself a christian Atheist.

I do not believe in God/heaven/hell.

I believe all religions have value to Human kind.
I believe in the values Christ has taught.
I put my Kids into CCD class so they can learn about religion(specifically my families)
I go to church with my family.
I help out the church as time allows me.
I am a lector (I like reading the Old and New testaments).
I do not hide my beliefs if asked.

I would be interested in your thoughts on this.

I can identify with you bobhikes. I too, have thought about going to church with my children but I'm just very nervous about indoctrination. I know we all have been...and do it...but I struggle with the principle of supporting something that I don't...hmm...that I don't believe is true. It's tough because I want my children to understand and be knowledgeable about what 99.9% of the people around them believe...

 

[Banner]

By certain definitions. Not by mine. I think there's a lot more subtlety to that for some people. Such that it has no supernatural or superstitious element at all and functions purely on a psychological and philosophical level.

Do you know many others with this definition? Don't get me wrong, I like it, I share it in a way, but just don't know many people who call themselves Christians that do.

 

[doppelganger]

Do you know many others with this definition? Don't get me wrong, I like it, I share it in a way, but just don't know many people who call themselves Christians that do.

It's definitely rare relative to "mainstream" theistic version of Christianity. And many people who hold my view (including myself for the most part) do not identify themselves to others as "Christian" because of the confusion it causes resulting from the assumption by most that it necessarily requires theism. But the three authors I mentioned above are all very well known and widely read. And I've met and interacted with 20-30 people on this forum over the years who take this approach.

Oh, and my girlfriend. 8?)