Is The Atheist My Neighbor

Do atheists hate God? Many Christians seem to think so. For the last three centuries Christians have widely assumed that atheism is always a result of a rebellious, sinful rejection of God. According to this view, at some level atheists really do know there is a God, but they sinfully suppress this knowledge because they want to live independently of God. But what if that is not correct? What if some folks are atheists not because they're sinful and foolish but because they've thought hard, they've looked carefully, and they have simply not found God? What if the common Christian assumptions about atheism are little more than an indefensible prejudice? What if the atheist really is our neighbor?

Do atheists hate God? Many Christians seem to think so. For the last three centuries Christians have widely assumed that atheism is always a result of a rebellious, sinful rejection of God. According to this view, at some level atheists really do know there is a God, but they sinfully suppress this knowledge because they want to live independently of God. But what if that is not correct? What if some folks are atheists not because they're sinful and foolish but because they've thought hard, they've looked carefully, and they have simply not found God? What if the common Christian assumptions about atheism are little more than an indefensible prejudice? What if the atheist really is our neighbor?

If Christians follow the Prince of Peace, why do they often behave so violently? What can be done to transform the church so that it looks more like Jesus? Eric Seibert explores these questions in this important and timely study. He builds a biblical and practical case for living nonviolently in all areas of life and urges Christians to reexamine their most fundamental attitudes toward violence, warfare, and killing. Through true stories and careful analysis, Seibert demonstrates that it is possible to resolve conflict, correct injustice, and stop oppression without resorting to violence. Many nonviolent alternatives are discussed throughout the book, alternatives that can be used in a wide range of situations, from dealing with an unwanted intruder at home to removing a dictator from power. In a world filled with so much violence, hate, and fear, alternatives like these are desperately needed. This book offers hope that a better way is possible, one that has the potential to transform the church and change the world. So read on and join in!

Evolutionary science teaches that humans arose as a population, sharing common ancestors with other animals. Most readers of the book of Genesis in the past understood all humans descended from Adam and Eve, a couple specially created by God. These two teachings seem contradictory, but is that necessarily so? In the fractured conversation of human origins, can new insight guide us to solid ground in both science and theology? In The Genealogical Adam and Eve, S. Joshua Swamidass tests a scientific hypothesis: What if the traditional account is somehow true, with the origins of Adam and Eve taking place alongside evolution? Building on well-established but overlooked science, Swamidass explains how it's possible for Adam and Eve to be rightly identified as the ancestors of everyone. His analysis opens up new possibilities for understanding Adam and Eve, consistent both with current scientific consensus and with traditional readings of Scripture. These new possibilities open a conversation about what it means to be human. In this book, Swamidass untangles several misunderstandings about the words human and ancestry, in both science and theology explains how genetic and genealogical ancestry are different, and how universal genealogical ancestry creates a new opportunity for rapprochement explores implications of genealogical ancestry for the theology of the image of God, the fall, and people "outside the garden" Some think Adam and Eve are a myth. Some think evolution is a myth. Either way, the best available science opens up space to engage larger questions together. In this bold exploration, Swamidass charts a new way forward for peace between mainstream science and the Christian faith.

We live amidst the largest mass migration in human history. God has chosen to use the Church, the Body of Christ, to be the instrument of Christ’s healing and restorative love in the world. The restorative and healing work of Christ can be accomplished when each Christian is moved by compassion to see and love the neighbor. Who is My Neighbor? puts a human face on a politically charged issue: refugees. It tells stories about refugees to challenge us all to reconsider our definition of “neighbor.” Little Books of Guidance are designed for you to discover how following certain practices can help you follow Jesus more fully in your daily life.

Dear non-believer, I like that when the infuriating alarm clock yells “Wake up, there’s a challenge waiting for you today”, rousing you from a pleasant dream, you do not smash it. You simply slap the off button and head to work. Let’s establish this: Your boss doesn’t care how you view your alarm clock. He or she only cares that you show up at work on time with a smile on your face. Saying, “Scientists have figured it out ... There is no god; and there is no need for one,” is common nowadays to counter Christians, Muslims and Jews, who turn up saying, “Wake up, atheist. There’s a challenge waiting for you in the afterlife.” Unfortunately, that response can be illogical: Ask any scientist, “Is the scientific community sure there is no creator?” and the likely answer will be, “No, we are only about 99% sure. Anyone could be wrong, as Richard Dawkins said.” The common response makes you a 1% gambler and frames you as defending personal conclusions instead of facts. It makes sense to defend statements such as that DNA decides biological characteristics such as eye and skin color and that chimps are our biological cousins, because these are facts. However, defending the statement “There is no creator”; after reading Adam’s story has nothing to do with defending facts. The only fact in the Adam story is that if we have a creator, he paid no attention to science while introducing himself to our ancestors. Instead, he preferred to focus on teaching them how to overcome the challenges of life. There are atheists who believe in science, but do not use it as the base of their arguments, they say “We don’t care when there is no evidence.” Be careful using this kind of reasoning. It is true that sometimes the problem is that there is no evidence. But sometimes, the problem is that there is no desire to see the evidence. There is a story about a police officer who released a murderer despite having video of him committing the crime. What was the officer’s rationale for dismissing the evidence you might ask. “It was made by the victim”;. Maybe the difference is little between the police officer and atheists who label the books, in which the Abraham story and the Mary story are written, as man-made rather than possible evidence or product of divine intervention. The troubling situation, if you’ll allow me to call it so, is easy to solve. Do you remember what we established about your boss? Think about it ... The creator, if he does exist, should not be less understanding or less open-minded than your boss. So what if you view todays Christians, Muslims and Jews as infuriating alarm clocks? What you should care about is leaving this world with a wide, confident smile similar to the smile of a confident employee when he or she says, “Good morning”; to their colleagues and boss. I am aware that you don’t deem books worth reading, unless their titles are such as ‘God Is Not Great’; or ‘God Is So Bad’, but I kindly ask you to make an exception. I want to draw that confident smile on your face. Considering the ignorance of contemporary Christians, Muslims and Jews, nothing should be easier than drawing that smile. Always remember that there is 1% probability that a creator does exist. It is not good form for you to look disoriented if the Creator says to you, “Okay, numb-skull, I appreciate your refusal to be a Christian, a Muslim or a Jew, but tell me: Why did you think I was less understanding and open-minded than your boss? Have I not made from an atheist a role model for you? What more did you want from me? Also, tell me why you have released me although I left in your hands books in which I admitted committing “crimes” against your kind?”

Just as intelligent design is not a legitimate branch of biology in public educational institutions, nor should the philosophy of religion be a legitimate branch of philosophy. So argues acclaimed author John W. Loftus in this forceful takedown of the very discipline in which he was trained. In his call for ending the philosophy of religion, he argues that, as it is presently being practiced, the main reason the discipline exists is to serve the faith claims of Christianity. Most of philosophy of religion has become little more than an effort to defend and rationalize preexisting Christian beliefs. If subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and geology are all taught without reference to faith-based supernatural forces as explanations, faith-based teachings should not be acceptable in this discipline either. While the book offers a fascinating study of the fallacies and flaws on which one whole field of study rests, it speaks to something much larger in the ongoing culture wars. By highlighting the stark differences between faith-based reasoning and evidence-based reasoning, Loftus presents vital arguments and lessons about the importance of critical thinking not only in all aspects of study but also in life. His conclusions and recommendations thus resonate far beyond the ivory towers and ivy-covered walls of academic institutions.

Christians today are very discriminating in who they consider to be a “neighbor” they should love, and what that love should look like. Jesus commanded his followers to love their neighbors (and enemies) as they love themselves. Believers are commanded to put themselves in their neighbors’ shoes, and love them accordingly. This type of love is an empathetic love; it answers the question, “What would I need if I were in this person’s situation?” My Neighbor’s Shoes: Following Jesus in Empathy Toward Others encourages Christ-followers to live a life of empathy, outlining the life and teachings of Jesus as the model for this life-changing love.