Looking at the growing atheist movement in the west, I can't hope but analyze it from my perspective as a muslim. So in this article, I will try to describe the two major steps that a western christian (generally young) go through before becoming an atheist.
First step: Learning more about his religion and discovering the obvious
Christianity and the bible are filled with contradictions and mistakes that were pointed out throughout history by christians themselves. And any real study of the religion will immediality prove that. Here is a list of some of those problems:
1- Trinity: This notion that God is one and three at the same time is at the heart of christian theology but it doesn't make any sense. It is like trying to justify that 1 = 3 and 3 = 1. Here is a video on the subject:
1- Trinity: This notion that God is one and three at the same time is at the heart of christian theology but it doesn't make any sense. It is like trying to justify that 1 = 3 and 3 = 1. Here is a video on the subject:
2- The original sin: the idea that the Merciful will punish all humanity for a sin that they didn't commit is also against logic.
3- The stories in the Bible: If you read the Bible, you will find a vey detailed stories about subjects like incest and adultery. Those stories should give the Bible (like many had suggested) an X-rating. I invite you to search on google "bible x-rating".
4- Scientific mistakes in the Bible: Again You can research the subject on the net or read this article: http://www.discoveringislam.org/bible_scientific_errors.htm
Second Step: Deciding that God doesn't exist and declaring himself an atheist
Now this is the really intersting part. After completing the first step, the person becomes for very good reasons convinced that what he was taught in his childhood is false. Now rather that searching for the Truth, he prefers to conclude this unlogical statement: Christianity is false therefore every other religion is false therefore God doesn't exist.
So Why would someone makes such an illogical shortcut? I would argue that it is strictly for political and tribal reasons. The main attraction with Atheism is that it isn't affiliated (at least in people's mind) with any particular nation or race. Take for example Islam, when Americans are asked about Islam the first word they think of is "Foreign" for them Islam is the religion of the arabs despite the fact that the vast majority of muslims aren't arabs. So rather than choosing what he considers the religions of other races, Atheism enables him to feel liberated without betraying his own race and nation; and in that he succumbes to the most primitive of feelings which is nationalism and tribalism. This is what enable some self proclaimed atheist on the left to agree with some christians on the right on the subject of defending Israel and her right to kill palestinians and occupy their land.
As we saw by choosing Atheism, rather than demonstrating intellectual freedom, the person demonstrates quite the contrary which is an allegiance to the worst of ideologies which is nationalism and tribalism.
So Why would someone makes such an illogical shortcut? I would argue that it is strictly for political and tribal reasons. The main attraction with Atheism is that it isn't affiliated (at least in people's mind) with any particular nation or race. Take for example Islam, when Americans are asked about Islam the first word they think of is "Foreign" for them Islam is the religion of the arabs despite the fact that the vast majority of muslims aren't arabs. So rather than choosing what he considers the religions of other races, Atheism enables him to feel liberated without betraying his own race and nation; and in that he succumbes to the most primitive of feelings which is nationalism and tribalism. This is what enable some self proclaimed atheist on the left to agree with some christians on the right on the subject of defending Israel and her right to kill palestinians and occupy their land.
As we saw by choosing Atheism, rather than demonstrating intellectual freedom, the person demonstrates quite the contrary which is an allegiance to the worst of ideologies which is nationalism and tribalism.
Conclusion
In the end my message to anyone who is seeking the Truth and happiness don't be blinded by the feelings of nationalism and tribalism and know that you will be judged alone.
Finally I will live with this verses from the Noble Qu'ran:
The Almighty says in Surat 80:
Verse 33 : "But when there comes the Deafening Blast"
Verse 34: "On the Day a man will flee from his brother"
Verse 35: "And his mother and his father"
Verse 36: "And his wife and his children,"
Verse 37: "For every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him."
Finally I will live with this verses from the Noble Qu'ran:
The Almighty says in Surat 80:
Verse 33 : "But when there comes the Deafening Blast"
Verse 34: "On the Day a man will flee from his brother"
Verse 35: "And his mother and his father"
Verse 36: "And his wife and his children,"
Verse 37: "For every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him."