Many assent to theism ("I believe in God"...) or even Christian truth ("I believe in Jesus Christ"...). They believe it, assent to it, affirm it, confess it. It is a tenet of their belief-system.
These same people live as if God does not exist. They ignore God. God is irrelevant to their lives. They do not communicate with God, seek the direction of God, allow Jesus Christ to be Lord of their lives, recognize Jesus as their life, or seek to allow the expression of His character in all situations (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, etc.). They are "practical atheists."
I love this quote:
"The three great apostles of practical atheism are health, wealth and power." ~ F. Charles Colton
Originally posted by epiphinehasBeen there, done that.
Many assent to theism ("I believe in God"...) or even Christian truth ("I believe in Jesus Christ"...). They believe it, assent to it, affirm it, confess it. It is a tenet of their belief-system.
These same people live as if God does not exist. They ignore God. God is irrelevant to their lives. They do not communicate with God, seek the direction of G ...[text shortened]... e great apostles of practical atheism are health, wealth and power." ~ F. Charles Colton
Thank God for His Grace.
Originally posted by epiphinehasdid you do some warm up before you attempted that awesome leap in logic? i wouldn't want you to pull a brain muscle.
Many assent to theism ("I believe in God"...) or even Christian truth ("I believe in Jesus Christ"...). They believe it, assent to it, affirm it, confess it. It is a tenet of their belief-system.
These same people live as if God does not exist. They ignore God. God is irrelevant to their lives. They do not communicate with God, seek the direction of G ...[text shortened]... e great apostles of practical atheism are health, wealth and power." ~ F. Charles Colton
also that quote makes no sense. you might want to supply some context.
Originally posted by epiphinehasYou are confusing a belief in the existence of God or lack thereof with beliefs about how you should behave towards God (or gods).
These same people live as if God does not exist. They ignore God. God is irrelevant to their lives. They do not communicate with God, seek the direction of God, allow Jesus Christ to be Lord of their lives, recognize Jesus as their life, or seek to allow the expression of His character in all situations (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, etc.). They are "practical atheists."
I realize that many such people claim to be Christian and clearly their behavior shows that they are either deceiving themselves or deceiving us as their behavior does not tally with their claims.
But I don't think that is reason to label them 'practical atheist', or even associate them with atheists, unless you feel that them not actually believing in Gods existence is the best explanation for their behavior.
I must also point out that even Christians who do "communicate with God, seek the direction of God, allow Jesus Christ to be Lord of their lives, recognize Jesus as their life, or seek to allow the expression of His character in all situations" frequently make claims that they apparently don't believe nor behave as if they believe.