Is hypocrisy the real reason for atheism? (A dare for atheists)

I've been thinking recently about a quote from Brennan Manning: "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him with their lifestyle.  That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."  

(Right now, older fans of DC Talk are thinking "Where have I heard that before?"  Answer: At the start of their song "What if I stumble?") 

I used to really like this quote.  I appreciate that it's trying to point out how damaging hypocrisy is and how we Christians need to be careful how we live because people are watching.  And this is true.  I know there are people out there who've been incredibly hurt by those who call themselves Christians, people who are now afraid of God or disgusted by Christianity because of it.  

But after thinking about it more, I don't really agree with this quote anymore.  I don't think it's biblical.

Yes, hypocrisy is a cause, but not the cause.  I think the cause is much simpler than that...  

The greatest single cause of atheism is not bad Christian examples or Christian hypocrisy.  It's that atheists don't want God in their lives.  They want to be their own "gods," make their own rules, answer to no one but themselves.  And they use poorly-behaving Christians, Christian hypocrisy, as their excuse for rejecting God, as if God will accept it as a valid reason when they stand before Him on judgment day.

Romans 1:18-21,28: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened... Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind...”

People are atheists not really because someone was a bad Christian example to them.

They are atheists because they want to be.

And they use Christian hypocrisy as their excuse.

But it's an excuse that won't hold up in the end. 

Romans 2:5: "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed."

Take responsibility for your decisions, atheists.  And if you've been hurt by Christians before, don't blame God or Jesus for it.  Get to know who He is, apart from those of us who follow/reflect Him imperfectly.  Don't miss out because of someone's bad example.  

God loves you.  Jesus died for you.  He offers you eternal healing and life.  

But you have to want it.  You have to accept it.  (And if you do, you'll begin to understand why we Christians say that "Christians aren't perfect; we're just forgiven.")

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

“He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord...” (2 Thess. 1:8-9)

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8, this means for you too)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Eph. 1:7)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." (Titus 2:11, this means to you too)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9, eternal life is the gift, offered to all, but like any gift, you have to accept it)

“For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already ...” (John 3:16-18)

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)

“if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved... ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”  (Rom. 10:9-10,13)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”  (1 John 1:9-10)

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  (1 Cor. 1:18)

“He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matt. 11:15)

Want to see how much God loves you?  What Jesus did for you?

Watch these songs and see.  In fact, atheists, I dare you to watch these songs - each one, all the way through, while you're alone and quiet.  And not only that, but also ask God, out loud, to show you if He's real.  Tell Him you really want to know the truth.  (And don't just say you really want to know the truth, but really do want to know the truth.)  And then see what happens throughout the next few weeks.  I dare you.  If God's not really real, like you think right now, then what have you got to lose?

Secret Ambition by Michael W. Smith

Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle

I Am by Crowder

Oh, What Love by The City Harmonic

Hallelujah Christmas by Cloverton

Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North

This is why I worship Him, why I love Him.  Only He can give us the healing, hope, answers, and life that we need.  And we Christians, even if we behave badly sometimes, want this healing, hope, answers, and life for you too.

He died so that you could live.  How could you turn down a gift that that?

Don't miss out.  Don't miss your chance to find Him.  We will all face the consequences of our choices someday.  Accept His offer of salvation, of eternal life, while there's still time.  Someday - someday soon - it will be too late.

Is. 55:6: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near."

Heb. 4:7: "...'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.'"

Rev. 3:20: "Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Rev. 22:12,17: "Behold, I am coming soon!... 'Come!'  Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." 

 

[Another possible cause of atheism: They've been listening to Calvinists about what God is like, and they don't want anything to do with a monster god like that.  And you know what?  If the god of Calvinism was truly the God of the Bible, I'd probably be an atheist too.  So I thank God that He isn't who Calvinists say He is.  See "If you are rejecting God... (And ''What is Calvinism?')".  And for why I could never be an atheist, see "Atheism, World Religions, and Christianity."]