atheists=devil worshippers?

[Etoh*the*Greato]

The Lord's word clearly states that there is no middle ground and that you are either for God or for Satan(Lucifer).

I'm sure no one here questions that, but the question was whether or not they worship the devil. As they've got no real form of worship - except for science in a few cases - I think we can say that they don't. At least insofar as there is no "church of atheists."

[Ingemar]

In my mind, calling an atheist a "devil-worshiper" is more a rhetorical device than an actual statement of fact, on the grounds that those who do not obey the will of God are of the party of Satan. But to say that an atheist ACTUALLY worships the devil is, of course, just plain stupid.

By the same token, Christians who sin constantly without repenting can also be considered a "devil-worshiper."

[Gabriel 9.0]

I'm sure no one here questions that, but the question was whether or not they worship the devil. As they've got no real form of worship - except for science in a few cases - I think we can say that they don't. At least insofar as there is no "church of atheists."

True, but they are openly denying God and even the one that seduces in which Satan wants in the first place.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Gabriel's has a point. In the end they are doing the devil's work.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

They certainly are, but it would be far easier to say that they worship sin and the world than the devil. There's less of a rhetorical leap there.

[Nate]

Or themselves as, as I stated earlier, humans have an inherent sinful nature. They don't worship the devil.

To put it this way, the devil is defined by sin, but sin is not defined by the devil.

[skylender]

In my mind, calling an atheist a "devil-worshiper" is more a rhetorical device than an actual statement of fact, on the grounds that those who do not obey the will of God are of the party of Satan. But to say that an atheist ACTUALLY worships the devil is, of course, just plain stupid.

By the same token, Christians who sin constantly without repenting can also be considered a "devil-worshiper."

I agree.

[termyt]

“Atheists are devil-worshippers” is a very disappointing statement to me.

Whether or not it is true is purely a matter of semantics. It can be reasonably argued that all who deny Christ do the devil’s bidding and, thus, honor/worship him.

What I would question is the point of making such an assertion at all. Atheists certainly would not agree with such a label being applied to them – in fact they are likely to find it offensive. Just exactly how are we to convince anyone of their need for a relationship with God by first offending them? It seems such a line of argument serves more to alienate and divide than to spread the gospel.

In that regard, calling atheists devil-worshippers is a reflection of hate of sin and not love of sinner. I simply hate the old cliche “hate the sin and love the sinner.” It seems apropos to me that the statement is ordered that way because we seem to spend most of our time hating the sin and very little of it loving the sinner. Why not love the sinner first and hate the sin second? How would that change our view on atheists, homosexuals, or any other group out there that much more acutely feels our hate of their sin over the love we (supposedly) have of the sinner?

[Kunoichi]

This is my own opinion, so if you don't like it that's ok ^_^

In my opinion, atheism is still a religion in itself. If you are not worshipping God, or Satan or any real "relgious" icon so to speak, well then you are worshipping yourself ultimately. You are serving your own self-interests. Athiests, at least those that I have personal friendships in, do not have to be "bad" people. But well in terms of redemption it never is about "bad" or "good". Mother Teresa certaintly did a lot of good, but well if she didn't know the true Lord and Savior, she still chose separation from God. *Note: i dont' know if she was a Christ follower or not just using this as an example*

I have a friend who is an atheist, raised Christian, supports those who are Christians and is a cop who lives to protect people. Certaintly he is not what you would call "Bad" or anything but he is still sinful. He still worships himself in the fact that since he believes this is it, he will do what he thinks is best for his life.

This is my sense of Atheism.

[yippee2393]

An Atheist is, by definition, one who denies there is a divine being. Whether it is God or a god. So they can't worship the devil, because they deny he exists. I think they are unknowingly serve the devil, but no-one who knows who God and the devil really are can worship the devil.

[uc pseudonym]

I think we can agree this discussion isn't going anywhere; the same points have been said multiple times and no one is going to change their mind. Read what termyt said a few posts ago for a good ending note. With that, thread locked.