Answering Christians

Something can't come from nothing

Christians often argue that "something can't come from nothing" in their defense of creationism. (This is not necessarly accurate. It may indeed be possible for something to come from nothing. Quantum processes, for instance, are thought to originate without a cause - something from nothing.) However, if we continue with the argument that something can't come from nothing, where did God come from? If beings require a creator, who created God?

Hitler was an atheist

It is hard to tell what a sociopath such as Hitler really believes. They will say whatever people want to hear in order to get what they want.

Hitler made statements that he was exterminating the Jews in the name of God. He made pro-Christian statements. He made anti-Christian statements. He made anti-atheism statements.

Pro-Christian Statement
"Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord."
Mein Kampf

Anti-Christian Statement
"The reason why the ancient world was so pure, light and serene was that it knew nothing of the two great scourges: the pox and Christianity."²⁹

Anti-atheism Statement
"We were convinced that the people need and require this faith. We have therefore undertaken the fight against the atheistic movement, and that not merely with a few theoretical declarations: we have stamped it out". ²⁹

Ted Bundy claimed to be a Christian.

"But basically I was a normal person. I wasn't some guy hanging out at bars or a bum. I wasn't a pervert in the sense that people look at somebody and say, 'I know there is something wrong with him, you can just tell.' I was essentially a normal person," Bundy told Dobson. "The basic humanity and the basic spirit that God gave me was intact, but unfortunately became overwhelmed at times." ³¹

I feel sorry for you

Some Christians seem to think that without their God life would be unbearable. They say that if there is no God then we have no purpose in life and that there would be no purpose in living. Why? Approximately 14% of the people in the world do not believe in gods.²⁰ We are the fourth largest "religious" group on the planet. More than one of every 10 people around you is a non-believer. Do you see hordes of atheists committing suicide en masse? Groups of agnostics participating in self-flaggelation? Humanists spending every last dime they have to visit icons to ask for relief from their misery? No. We live out our lives just as everyone else. We have problems just like everyone else. We experience joy and happiness like everyone else.

So why feel sorry for us?

You can't prove there is no God

I also can't prove there are no leprechauns. Does that mean they exist? It is impossible for anyone to prove a negative. That's why the burden of proof lies on the person making the claim. If you think there is a God it is up to you to prove it. If I claim there is an invisible pink unicorn living in my home it is up to me to prove it.

The Bible says so

The Bible also says that the Earth is flat, rabbits chew cud, the moon produces its own light, the sun revolves around the Earth and epilepsy is caused by demon possession. It is not exactly a reliable source.

You might also want to note that atheists, who don't believe in gods, also don't believe in books allegedly written by gods. So referring to the Bible as a source isn't very convincing.

You are going to hell

Atheists don't believe in hell so this is a rather empty threat. Mark Twain, an atheist, once said, "Heaven for the climate, Hell for the conversation." What he meant was that the more interesting, thinking people would be in Hell. Imagine. Would you rather spend eternity with Pat Robertson, Jimmy Swaggert, Billy Graham and Tammy Baker or Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, Gandhi, Kurt Vonnegut and Carl Sagan?

Also, according to the Bible Hell is about 100 degrees cooler than Heaven. So even the climate would be better. Not much of a threat if you ask me.

They found Noah's Ark

This was a hoax. Even the Christian sites will tell you that. ²¹ ²² Aerial photos purported to show a boat lodged in the side of Mount Ararat. But expeditions showed that there is no boat there. What is seen in the photos is merely a natural formation of the mountain.

Darwin Recanted

This claim was put forth by a woman called "Lady Hope". It has been shown to be untrue and was denied by both friends of family of Charles Darwin. This topic is addressed on a noted Christian site. ²³

They found Jesus' shroud (Shroud of Turin)

Another hoax, only this one occurred in Medieval times. Radiocarbon dating shows that the linen of the shroud was manufactured sometime between 1260 and 1390. ²⁴ ²⁵

They found the ossuary of Jesus' brother James

It seems this is yet another hoax. The inscription was made in two parts by two different hands it seems. The first part being "James the son of Joseph" and the second part which was added "brother of Jesus". ²⁶ ²⁷

Where do you think you came from?

My parents. I was reproduced, hence the term "human reproduction". I am merely a copy of my parents' combined DNA. All life that is on this planet right now was reproduced from a previous life form.

Where do you think the universe came from?

I have no idea. It seems most likely the Big Bang. What was before the Big Bang, if anything? I have no idea. But I see no evidence of anything supernatural.

The universe could not have come from nothing

Why not? Where does it say that something can't come from nothing? And if you can't get something from nothing, who created God?

Quantum physicists postulate that something can come from nothing in the cases of vacuum fluctuations and vacuum particles. ³² So this is not a given fact. We are still looking into whether something can indeed come from nothing.

If there is no God then our lives mean nothing, we have no purpose

So? Just because you don't like the idea doesn't make it false. If there is no God then we simply die at the end. We do not have an immortal soul living inside of us that carries on. That's just how it is. The universe doesn't contort itself just to make you feel better.

And what is this great meaning that having a God imparts? That you will suffer a life that is a test to see whether you can enter an eternity of serving him? This is better?

And as for having no purpose, you are free to assign meaning to your life all by yourself. No God is required.

If you don't believe in God life is pointless. Why don't you just give up and die? Why go on?

Die and go where??? Life is all there is. Now I have a question for you. If you really believe that there is a better life beyond this one, why not commit suicide and get to it? Some of you will claim that is against God's will. O.K.. Why not take the dangerous jobs: fireman, policeman, bomb squad, etc. if you are so sure? You could save a few lives on your way out.

If you don't believe in God life has not meaning and therefore has no value. Murder means nothing.

I actually wondered about that myself once when I first became an atheist. But I was wrong. If someone is killed who has a soul, then you have only killed their human body, which is just a shell anyway. They continue to live on a higher plane. But if a man's life is all that he has and you take it. That is the ultimate crime. So in my humble opinion it is the belief in a soul and an afterlife that cheapens this life.

Atheism is a religion

Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color. If atheism is a religion, who do atheists worship? And what do we believe in? No one, and nothing.

If you would only read the Bible you would find the truth

I did read the Bible. That's how I became an atheist.

Bible

How I Became an Atheist

If you ask God to make his presence known to you he will

I asked God for 20 years. He did not reply.

The apostles died for what they believed. Do you think people would die for nothing?

The terrorists who flew planes into the World Trade Center for Allah died for what they believed as well. Did they die for nothing? Or is Allah the one true God?

I will pray for you

And I will make a donation to the American Atheists for you.

Why do you need to pray to an omniscient god? Shouldn't he already know what you are thinking? And what are you praying for? That I should be converted to think like you? What about my free will?

If you don't believe in God what keeps you from doing whatever you want?

Because other people have rights too. Because I don't want to live in a world where people just do whatever they want at the expense of others. Because my parents taught me better. Because I have morals.

Morality

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Site Links Home Atheism God Christianity Judaism Islam Evolution References Glossary Contact About Site Map Reference Links Talk Origins The Secular Web Nag Hammadi The SAB Atheist Books Community Links ACA Atheist Parents Secularity.com Humorous Links Landover Baptist Betty Bowers IPU Yo God Detector	This page addresses Christian issues only. For more generalized discussions about religion please refer to the following pages: Answering Believers Questions for Believers Answering Christians Something can't come from nothing Hitler was an atheist I feel sorry for you You can't prove there is no God The Bible says so You are going to hell They found Noah's Ark Darwin recanted They found Jesus' shroud (Shroud of Turin) They found the ossuary of Jesus' brother James Where do you think you came from? Where do you think the universe came from? The universe could not have come from nothing If there is no God then our lives mean nothing, we have no purpose If you don't believe in God life is pointless. Why don't you just give up and die? Why go on? If you don't believe in God life has not meaning and therefore has no value. Murder means nothing. Atheism is a religion If you would only read the Bible you would find the truth If you ask God to make his presence known to you he will The apostles died for what they believed. Do you think people would die for nothing? I will pray for you If you don't believe in God what keeps you from doing whatever you want? The United States is a Christian nation See The Myth of Christian America Something can't come from nothing Christians often argue that "something can't come from nothing" in their defense of creationism. (This is not necessarly accurate. It may indeed be possible for something to come from nothing. Quantum processes, for instance, are thought to originate without a cause - something from nothing.) However, if we continue with the argument that something can't come from nothing, where did God come from? If beings require a creator, who created God? Hitler was an atheist It is hard to tell what a sociopath such as Hitler really believes. They will say whatever people want to hear in order to get what they want. Hitler made statements that he was exterminating the Jews in the name of God. He made pro-Christian statements. He made anti-Christian statements. He made anti-atheism statements. Pro-Christian Statement "Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord." Mein Kampf Anti-Christian Statement "The reason why the ancient world was so pure, light and serene was that it knew nothing of the two great scourges: the pox and Christianity."²⁹ Anti-atheism Statement "We were convinced that the people need and require this faith. We have therefore undertaken the fight against the atheistic movement, and that not merely with a few theoretical declarations: we have stamped it out". ²⁹ Ted Bundy claimed to be a Christian. "But basically I was a normal person. I wasn't some guy hanging out at bars or a bum. I wasn't a pervert in the sense that people look at somebody and say, 'I know there is something wrong with him, you can just tell.' I was essentially a normal person," Bundy told Dobson. "The basic humanity and the basic spirit that God gave me was intact, but unfortunately became overwhelmed at times." ³¹ Stalin was an atheist. So what does this all mean? Nothing as far as I'm concerned. You can't judge an entire group by one person. And you certainly can't trust the words of a sociopath to find the truth. I feel sorry for you Some Christians seem to think that without their God life would be unbearable. They say that if there is no God then we have no purpose in life and that there would be no purpose in living. Why? Approximately 14% of the people in the world do not believe in gods.²⁰ We are the fourth largest "religious" group on the planet. More than one of every 10 people around you is a non-believer. Do you see hordes of atheists committing suicide en masse? Groups of agnostics participating in self-flaggelation? Humanists spending every last dime they have to visit icons to ask for relief from their misery? No. We live out our lives just as everyone else. We have problems just like everyone else. We experience joy and happiness like everyone else. So why feel sorry for us? You can't prove there is no God I also can't prove there are no leprechauns. Does that mean they exist? It is impossible for anyone to prove a negative. That's why the burden of proof lies on the person making the claim. If you think there is a God it is up to you to prove it. If I claim there is an invisible pink unicorn living in my home it is up to me to prove it. The Bible says so The Bible also says that the Earth is flat, rabbits chew cud, the moon produces its own light, the sun revolves around the Earth and epilepsy is caused by demon possession. It is not exactly a reliable source. You might also want to note that atheists, who don't believe in gods, also don't believe in books allegedly written by gods. So referring to the Bible as a source isn't very convincing. You are going to hell Atheists don't believe in hell so this is a rather empty threat. Mark Twain, an atheist, once said, "Heaven for the climate, Hell for the conversation." What he meant was that the more interesting, thinking people would be in Hell. Imagine. Would you rather spend eternity with Pat Robertson, Jimmy Swaggert, Billy Graham and Tammy Baker or Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, Gandhi, Kurt Vonnegut and Carl Sagan? Also, according to the Bible Hell is about 100 degrees cooler than Heaven. So even the climate would be better. Not much of a threat if you ask me. They found Noah's Ark This was a hoax. Even the Christian sites will tell you that. ²¹ ²² Aerial photos purported to show a boat lodged in the side of Mount Ararat. But expeditions showed that there is no boat there. What is seen in the photos is merely a natural formation of the mountain. Darwin Recanted This claim was put forth by a woman called "Lady Hope". It has been shown to be untrue and was denied by both friends of family of Charles Darwin. This topic is addressed on a noted Christian site. ²³ They found Jesus' shroud (Shroud of Turin) Another hoax, only this one occurred in Medieval times. Radiocarbon dating shows that the linen of the shroud was manufactured sometime between 1260 and 1390. ²⁴ ²⁵ They found the ossuary of Jesus' brother James It seems this is yet another hoax. The inscription was made in two parts by two different hands it seems. The first part being "James the son of Joseph" and the second part which was added "brother of Jesus". ²⁶ ²⁷ Where do you think you came from? My parents. I was reproduced, hence the term "human reproduction". I am merely a copy of my parents' combined DNA. All life that is on this planet right now was reproduced from a previous life form. Where do you think the universe came from? I have no idea. It seems most likely the Big Bang. What was before the Big Bang, if anything? I have no idea. But I see no evidence of anything supernatural. The universe could not have come from nothing Why not? Where does it say that something can't come from nothing? And if you can't get something from nothing, who created God? Quantum physicists postulate that something can come from nothing in the cases of vacuum fluctuations and vacuum particles. ³² So this is not a given fact. We are still looking into whether something can indeed come from nothing. If there is no God then our lives mean nothing, we have no purpose So? Just because you don't like the idea doesn't make it false. If there is no God then we simply die at the end. We do not have an immortal soul living inside of us that carries on. That's just how it is. The universe doesn't contort itself just to make you feel better. And what is this great meaning that having a God imparts? That you will suffer a life that is a test to see whether you can enter an eternity of serving him? This is better? And as for having no purpose, you are free to assign meaning to your life all by yourself. No God is required. If you don't believe in God life is pointless. Why don't you just give up and die? Why go on? Die and go where??? Life is all there is. Now I have a question for you. If you really believe that there is a better life beyond this one, why not commit suicide and get to it? Some of you will claim that is against God's will. O.K.. Why not take the dangerous jobs: fireman, policeman, bomb squad, etc. if you are so sure? You could save a few lives on your way out. If you don't believe in God life has not meaning and therefore has no value. Murder means nothing. I actually wondered about that myself once when I first became an atheist. But I was wrong. If someone is killed who has a soul, then you have only killed their human body, which is just a shell anyway. They continue to live on a higher plane. But if a man's life is all that he has and you take it. That is the ultimate crime. So in my humble opinion it is the belief in a soul and an afterlife that cheapens this life. Atheism is a religion Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color. If atheism is a religion, who do atheists worship? And what do we believe in? No one, and nothing. If you would only read the Bible you would find the truth I did read the Bible. That's how I became an atheist. See Bible See also How I Became an Atheist If you ask God to make his presence known to you he will I asked God for 20 years. He did not reply. The apostles died for what they believed. Do you think people would die for nothing? The terrorists who flew planes into the World Trade Center for Allah died for what they believed as well. Did they die for nothing? Or is Allah the one true God? I will pray for you And I will make a donation to the American Atheists for you. Why do you need to pray to an omniscient god? Shouldn't he already know what you are thinking? And what are you praying for? That I should be converted to think like you? What about my free will? If you don't believe in God what keeps you from doing whatever you want? Because other people have rights too. Because I don't want to live in a world where people just do whatever they want at the expense of others. Because my parents taught me better. Because I have morals. See Morality for an in-depth discussion.	Books For more books on atheism please visit Atheist Books