Sun with face looking at you.
 

 

Cartoon: Santa Claus tells little girl: "you deny the existance of Santa, do you? Then you shall burn in hell.

How becoming an atheist is like losing your belief in Santa

By Jeffrey

The other day on Facebook, a religiously passionate friend was bemoaning the fact that one of her friends had rejected God and entered the fold of atheism. Being in Texas, where Christianity of any kind is the de facto state religion, my friend's friends were quick to jump in an offer prayers for the new non-believer. Several suggested the new atheist was doubtless angry with God and would soon get over it. "Maybe she prayed for something and didn't get it." ventured more than one Christian.

In fact, this notion that Christians who become atheists do so because they are angry with God is a myth. And, if you stop to think about it, it is a ridiculous one! How can you be angry with someone you do not believe in?

For most ex-Christians turned atheists their experience is much like a child losing her belief in Santa Claus. For years, everyone tells her that Santa Claus exists, that if the girl is a good child, she will get gifts from Santa. Santa's existence is unquestioned and reinforced by family, school, the media and the community. So, for years, the girl does not question it.

But, eventually, she gets older. A maturing intellect begins to question the logical inconsistencies of Santa and the physical impossibility of his supposed ability to pop down every chimney in the world and deliver presents. She starts to doubt, even though she wants to believe in him. She questions her friends and parents who, eventually, acknowledge, "Ha ha! You're right, Santa doesn't exist. We made the whole thing up. But hasn't it been fun?"

In other words, the girl follows a logical path of reason from blind acceptance of Santa Claus, to questioning his existence to accepting rationally that he does not exist. She is not angry with Santa. She knows he does not exist.

This Is Pretty Much What Happens to Christians turned Atheists

This is pretty much what happens to most Christians turned atheists. They are told by their parents that God exists and the bible is unquestioned − and never to be questioned − truth. This obligatory belief is reinforced by the family, school, media, the community and, of course, the church.

If a rational person begins to question her god and her religion, she will find a lot of logical inconsistencies and a lot that simply does not make sense. However, when she raises her questions with her family and community, she is not told, "Ha ha! You're right, God doesn't exist. We made the whole thing up. But hasn't it been fun?" Instead, she is often rebuked, or worse, for daring to question her religion. This is important.

Angry with Christians

Imagine how you would feel if you had told your Mum and Dad that you did not believe in Santa and if, instead of admitting Santa did not exist, they scolded you severely and told you never, ever to question Santa Claus again.

Imagine telling school friends you doubted that Santa could exist and, instead of agreeing with you, they threatened to beat you up.

Imagine your entire community ostracising you because you question Santa Claus. Imagine people telephoning you with death threats for not believing in Santa's love.

This is what happens to many atheists, especially those who live in socially conservative environments. This is why many atheists are angry. But they are not angry at the God they do not believe in, any more than they are angry with Santa. They are angry with the people who make their lives hell for failing to believe in a supposedly loving God who nevertheless seems to inspire a lot of hatred among His followers.

Fortunately, it is not always this way. For those of us who live in more enlightened environments, we are accepted for what we are. We are allowed not to believe and we are content to allow others to believe. We make no attempt to convert them or their children and they make no attempt to convert us or our children (Incidentally, my children have been exposed to Christianity, especially Catholicism, Buddhism and atheism and have always been allowed to make their own choices when it comes to religion).

Hope

Fortunately, the situation is improving for atheists trapped in closed-minded communities. There are blogs, web sites and virtual communities for atheists. Many of these places provide a warm and loving welcome much needed by atheists ostracised by their communities and, in some cases, by their families. There are even on-line communities for priests who have come to disbelieve.

Suggestion to Christians

So, if you are a Christian, and a friend begins to disbelieve, don't accuse her of being angry with God. Don't threaten her. Don't ostracise her. Instead, show her that a Christian can be just as loving, welcoming and understanding as an atheist.

 


 

 

 


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