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One thing I find funny is that atheists I talk to often like to vigorously deny that atheism is a religion. They usually say that atheism is not a religion, and that they get annoyed when us “idiot” (brilliant) Christians call atheism a religion. They insist they are not religious at all, and atheism should not be classified as a religion.

But is this the truth, or once again are atheists just trying to avoid the truth? What is the truth? Is atheism a religion? Let us look and see….

Is Atheism a Religion? Are Atheists Religious and Do They Fit the Definition of Religion?

To answer this, let us first look at the popular definitions for the word “religion.” Here are a few definitions of religion on the web:

1. An organized set of beliefs about a deity or deities.
2.  the service and worship of God or the supernatural
3. commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
4. a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
5. archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
6. a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
7. A particular system of faith and worship.
8. Devotion to some principle; a strict fidelity or faithfulness; conscientiousness; pious affection or attachment.
9. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one’s vow

These are the most popular and common uses of the word “religion” in the English language. Those are pretty clear-cut. So let us now compare common atheists beliefs and practices (as we can easily gather from their websites, public speeches, books, etc.), and decide on whether atheists are religious or not.

As I think you will quickly realize, most atheists are indeed VERY religious. In fact, atheists are some of the most religious people I know.

Atheist Religious Comparison: Are They Religious or Not?

First, do atheists share a set belief about God or a deity (or deities)? The answer, of course, is YES. They do have a belief about god/gods. They belief God is a myth, and that gods don’t exist. So they in fact have a set belief about gods. Therefore, they are religious in this sense of the word.

Second, do atheists worship of God or supernatural? Do they worship anything? That depends on how you define worship. If you mean having a “strong devotion to,” then yes, atheists worship their beliefs in naturalism. They worship evolutionary theory strongly. They worship their belief in naturalism. In fact, let us really show how much atheism parallels almost any major world religion with the below comparison:

• Atheists have a belief about God or Gods (They believe they don’t exist). So do other religions.
• Atheists have a creation story that they all generally believe (it is called abiogenesis, the big bang, and evolution). Every religion has a creation account.
• Atheists have faith in their beliefs (they don’t know if we evolved from non-life, they just believe this and have faith this is how it happened). Faith is a component of every religion. We can’t know everything in life, so faith is required to fill those gaps in knowledge.
• Atheists have organizations and groups. They meet on websites, message boards, speaking events, and so forth. Same as other religions.
• Atheists raise and donate money collectively, and do so often with intent of spreading their belief system. Sound familiar?
• Atheists have a bible (called the Origin of Species). So do other religions.
• Atheists have famous spiritual leaders, writers, and preachers (Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, etc. etc.). Every religion has these people.
• Atheists have thousands of evangelists (they run blogs and websites, they get on forums, they write books, they do speaking events, debates, etc.). So do other famous religions.
• Atheists have modified their behavior to match their world-view. Just as a new Christian may modify their lifestyle once they come to Christ (aka being born again), an atheist may  modify their lifestyle once they reject God or become firm in their beliefs that God doesn’t exist. (example: an atheist may start preaching atheism, or they may stop observing Christian holidays, etc.).
• Atheists have a belief of what happens after death. Of course, no one knows what happens after death. Atheists generally believe you die, your atoms are recycled and your knowledge and personality cease to exist, and that’s that. All religions have some belief about what happens after death (since death is one of the big questions religion attempts to answer).
• Atheists try to change laws. I always find it funny how atheists bark at Christians for trying to change laws or get religiously favored laws passed. While atheists do the same thing without realizing it. Atheists try to influence politics with their world views just as much, if not more, than Christians. So religious people try to change and influence laws….enough said.
• Atheists reject prayer in school, but yet want to make sure your kids get dowsed with the unprovable atheistic theory of macro evolution. How hypocritical, huh? So once again we see atheists wanting to collectively spread their beliefs in the school systems.

Isn’t it abundantly clear at this point that atheism is absolutely a religion in almost every sense of the word?? This matches up perfectly to everything we know about religion and religious practices. So when an atheist approaches you to try and “convert” you, just remember that they are no different than any other false religlion trying to get more converts.

Can Religion Be Escaped? Every Person That Can Reason is Religious

I guarantee you that every single human being alive right now that has the ability to think and reason has a religion. When I say “religion,” I am speaking about the common use of the term. Because every person will develop a belief about God (what God is like, if god or gods exist, etc.).

Every single person will develop a set of principles to live by based on their beliefs. Example, a Christian will try to follow the bible, an atheist may have their own moral code (and may try to follow societies moral code), etc.

Unfortunately, religion is inescapable. It is a fact of life, and something we all will have. Even the poor agnostic who isn’t sure about religion or god is religious. Because they have decided that it isn’t important to make a decision, thus, they are making a decision in doing that by default. Therefore, their religious belief is simply: it isn’t important, and I will arrange my own beliefs based on experience and preference.

Atheists are clearly VERY religious, and follow a religion. Many atheists are very strong in their beliefs, so much so, that they are closed minded to even the hint of a god existing.

If We All Have a Religion, Shouldn’t We Make Sure We Are In the Correct Religion?

It is quite clear that we will all form a religious belief in our lives. So if we are going to pick a religion (atheists included), shouldn’t we choose the right one? And shouldn’t our religions offer us something?

So if we have to be religious, we have to have faith, and so forth, why not put your faith in the most believable God in history (the God of the bible)? Why not have faith in a religion that is scientifically compatible, with historical evidence, eyewitness accounts, is logically sound, and reasonably true?

Why not choose a religion that offers to make you a better moral person by following it, that offers forgiveness for your moral flaws (and we all have them), that offers you eternity of life of happiness, peace, and prosperity (and we all know something out there is eternal)? Why not choose a religion that can change the world, change you, and all of this? Why not choose a religion that not only teaches those things, but actually exists in reality, and will all come to pass as truth?

Christianity is the ONLY religion that fits this bill. I certainly would have never changed from a former atheist to a current Christian if there was any truth to atheists claims. God is the Truth. God is the light in this dark world.

Christianity has made me a better person. Even though I still sometimes fall short of the glory of God, I know in my  heart that I am a changed man. That I have improved my bad habits for the better, and as a result, God’s word has helped change my life in an amazing way. I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

So if you have to choose a religion, choose one that makes sense. Choose Christianity. You won’t be sorry. I promise. You can’t escape religion, and you HAVE to decide on one to follow throughout your life. If you don’t choose, you choose by default. So choose God. Follow Christ.

Posted under comparative religions

People sometimes wonder if smoking marijuana (aka, Mary Jane, Pot, Wacky Weed, etc.) is a sin. Here is a question I have received related to this issue:

Hi,

I want to thank you for the great site and articles. I have a question regarding smoking marijuana. I have smoked pot a lot with friends in the past, but I have recently decided to follow God. I was wondering what the bible says about smoking pot. Is it a sin? Does God allow people to smoke pot?

Regards,

Dexter

What the Bible Says About Smoking Marijuana or Pot

Thanks so much for the question Dexter. The bible does not specifically name marijuana as a drug in the bible. Of course, it doesn’t name cocaine, heroine, cigarettes or any of those other drugs either specifically by name (although to be fair, the bible doesn’t mention many modern sins specifically by name, such as pornography).  There are also no recorded events that describe a person smoking pot directly. There are priests who lit incense, but that is a different thing altogether, and they weren’t smoking them.

Even though the bible does not specifically name marijuana, there are other scriptures that indirectly show us that smoking pot is absolutely a sin, and wrong. If you are genuinely interested in doing God’s will perfectly, the pot has got to go! Not only that, but you will learn some startling information and true-life experiences in this article that may make you think twice before you strike up another joint.

Bible Verses That Show us Smoking Pot or Doing Other Drugs is a Sin

The bible gives us several guidelines that can help us identify when a behavior is sinful or wrong. First, we have to obey what is known as “the laws of the land.”

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)

This is a very powerful scripture which shows us that obeying the governmental laws are, in fact, following God’s will. Most countries, including the US, treat smoking marijuana, selling marijuana, and so forth as a serious offense. You could face jail time, fines, and worse. So since smoking marijuana for recreational uses is illegal, and the bible instructs us to follow the laws of the land, that goes for pot too. Therefore, smoking pot is definitely a sin based on this alone. However, that isn’t the ONLY reason. Keep reading.

Another way we can know that smoking pot is a sin is because the bible gives us several verses dealing with what God considers appropriate behavior. A short list of these scriptures is below:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (1 Corinthians 5:11)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, (Titus 3:1)

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18)

These verses above show us quite clearly that smoking pot for recreational use would absolutely not be appealing to God. It would be a sin, and something that is just wrong. The bible also has this interesting verse:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

The word sorcery above was highlighted and underlined in this verse because “sorcerers” in the olden times used to use herbal and odd concoctions to induce drug highs. In fact, the word used in the bible for “sorcery” is is pharmakeia, which is where we get our word “pharmacy.”

Just based on those verses alone (and there are other similar verses to be found), it becomes quite clear that smoking pot, being a drunk, or doing any behavior which causes a person to become “high” for recreational purposes is wrong, probably illegal, and definitely a sin.

Other Reasons Why You Should NEVER Smoke Pot (or do drugs)

If the fear of God isn’t enough to motivate you to stopping smoking (or continue avoiding) pot, then I hope the truth of the matter will convince you. Here are some great reasons to NEVER smoke pot in your life:

• It is illegal. If you get caught smoking pot, you could face jail time, ruin your career, have a criminal record, and so much more. Police are great at catching people smoking pot during routine traffic stops, and so forth. Is that little joint worth ruining your whole life, career, and more?
• It is unhealthy. Smoking pot is much more dangerous and cancerous than smoking cigarettes. Pot generally has no filter like cigarettes do, and are far more carcinogenic. That’s great news if you really want lung cancer, but if you don’t, avoid it.
• It stinks. I can’t stand the smell of pot. It stinks link something funky. Do you want that on your clothes, fingers, hair, etc.?
• Its addictive. Any drug that is addictive should be avoided. Many people struggle with addictions, and I know people who are addicted to marijuana. If they don’t smoke a “joint,” they get very cranky until they do.
• It can ruin your life. Pot can ruin your life in so many ways. Because you have to obtain it illegally, you must deal with drug dealers, gang members, etc. to even obtain it. These people are generally dangerous, and not the kind of people you should hang around. You can also ruin your career, form an addiction, ruin a marriage, embarrass your family, and so many things. Why do it?
• It expensive. Good luck getting rich if you are a drug addict. Drugs certainly are NOT cheap, and pot is included. You will soon be surprised that most of your income will go to finance your drug habit.
• Drug Tests. Most companies make you take drug tests for employment, and also sometimes randomly tests employees. Companies are getting more and more strict about this. Some people may say, “there are ways around drug tests.” My reply to that would be, “if you have to lie and scheme to pass a drug test, you already have some serious issues.”
• It’s a Gateway Drug. I have witness many friends and even family go from smoking pot, to drinking, and then cocaine, and other serious and hard drugs. Pot is a known gateway drug which opens the doors and forces you to  mingle with bad influences. Just avoid it.
• It Could Kill You. I had a friend who was seriously brain damaged by smoking pot. Some people have died from it. Why? I will explain below.

And those things above are just a tiny list of reasons you DON’T want to ever smoke pot. In fact, I had a friend in high school named David. He started smoking pot with his older brothers. He began doing it more and more frequently. I thought it was wrong, and hoped he would quit. One day I noticed he wasn’t in school for a few days. So I called him up on the phone.

As it turned out, he had been in the hospital, and was in serious medical trouble. It turns out that someone had “laced” the marijuana (pot) with some chemical, that caused him to pass out. He suffered several mental problems after this, losing most of his memory, and was never the same person. He never returned to my school, and had to have special care.

That is an HONEST true story that I witnessed first hand. Because pot is an illegal drug, it is grown and produced illegally. You never know what someone may have put in it, or what chemicals, pesticides, or whatever you may be smoking. You could inhale a dangerous chemical that could cause lasting brain damage.

I have also seen distant family members lose their jobs, go to jail, and so many other things. All because they were so “addicted” or just had to smoke grass.

Commonly Used Excuses On Why Some Say Smoking Pot Isn’t a Sin

Some people claim smoking pot is okay. They say it isn’t a sin, or that it is normal to do. Even worse, some lunatics actually try to convince people it is healthy (yeah right).  I would like to show you why these arguments are absolutely ridiculous and absurd.

1. The bible says God gave us all herbs for us to use. Some people point to a verse in Genesis in which God says he gave us all the “herbs” to use. This is absurd and based on faulty logic. First, he says we can “eat” them, not smoke them. Second, if you really think smoking pot is okay because of that verse, then I guess you also eat sticker/thorn bushes, poison ivy, cocaine, cyanide, poison berries, and any other ridiculous example you can imagine. Bottom line, there is no scriptural basis for smoking pot at all. Anyone who says otherwise is seriously diluting and twisting scriptures, and their faulty logic is painfully obvious.
2. The bible says we whatever we do, we should glorify God–That is also an absurd excuse. So can we now kill people to glorify God? Can I cheat on my wife to glorify God? Can I lie, steal, and cheat to glorify God? Absurd.
3. We are Under a New Covenant in Christ–This lame excuse is used by many liberal Christians for anything they now want to get away with. Christ came to fulfill the law, and actually made it HARDER for us. The old testament says don’t commit adultery. Jesus says don’t look at another woman with lust. Do you think that is easier? So if you think Jesus hung on a cross bleeding so you can get high with your friends, think again. You are seriously mistaken. If you use that excuse, then I guess we can say that for anything. I can say, I am not under “law” , therefore, I can go kill someone now. Get real people.
4. Smoking Pot Relaxes Me–Getting a massage relaxes me. So does watching a good movie, reading  a book, taking a hot shower, eating a good meal, and a whole slew of activities that are LEGAL, and HEALTHY. So why smoke pot? Are you that uncreative that you can’t find a way to relax without breaking the law and risking your health?
5. Smoking Pot Makes Me Laugh–Reading atheist’s arguments make me laugh. Watching a funny movie makes me laugh. Hearing a joke makes me laugh. I certainly don’t have to puff on some dead grass to do it, do you?
6. Smoking Pot Makes Me Fit In–So will jumping off a bridge if that’s what your “crowd” is doing. But I don’t think you would do that. Smoking pot makes you “fit in” with a type of person or crowd that you should be avoiding in the first place. Simple as that.
7. Smoking Pot is Healthy—Yeah right. That not only contradicts loads of medical evidence, but I have witnessed countless times how destructive this drug is. It may seem harmless compared to meth or other hard drugs, but it is just as dangerous. If you think it will make you healthy, then keep puffing. You will find out the hard way, just like those who claim cigarettes aren’t unhealthy or dangerous. Skin cancer, memory loss/problems, and so many other things await you in due time. You can’t change the laws of physics, no matter how much you love drugs.
8. Smoking Pot Will Make Me Famous–Yes, it is true many famous celebrities, musicians, and so forth smoke pot. How do I know? Because we all usually hear about them going into rehab, or being busted by the cops for it. Is that your dream for your life? Being mocked on TMZ for being a druggie that got caught? Or struggling, getting a divorce, or any other problems that celebrities and others show us daily?
9. Your a Closed Minded Bigot Idiot–Some may get upset about this article (probably if they are addicted to pot), and think I am being closed minded. Well by all means folks, let us all be open minded. But  not so open minded that our brains fall out. There is zero good reason to smoke pot. If it makes me a bigot because I am not a “hippie” or a “liberal” then so be it. According to these people, God Himself is a bigot. So if God is a bigot, then I want to be a bigot too (according to your definition).
10. Smoking Pot is Legal in Some Countries–So is pornography, slavery, child slavery, sex slavery, and a whole slew of other terrible things. Do I need to say more?
11. Smoking Pot is Legal for Medicine Purposes–Medicinal marijuana isn’t a very popular idea for good reason: Very little evidence suggests it helps do ANYTHING. For any claimed benefits, there are tons of other prescription medications that could help terminally ill patients take away the pain. So why smoke pot? No reason!

How to Stop Smoking Pot, or Get Help for an Addiction

Through the power of God you can do all things, and that includes kicking a bad habit. If you find that you are addicted to pot, you owe it to yourself, your family, and God to stop. Some people are able to stop “cold-turkey.” This is great, and if you only experimented or occasionally used pot, then you may be able to stop immediately.

If you find you are addicted, you should seek support from friends, family, and even a church. If that isn’t good enough, then don’t neglect seeing a drug addiction rehab facility. There are so many ways to get help, and you can stop smoking pot.

Another big important thing to stop smoking pot is to avoid people who try to get you to smoke pot. If a friend tries to get you to smoke pot, they are NOT your friend. Any person that tried to get me to do something dangerous to my health, and ILLEGAL is certainly no friend of mine.

Conclusion: The Bible Clearly Shows us Smoking Pot is a Sin. Common Sense and Evidence Confirm Why

Smoking pot is clearly against the will of God. God wants us to be healthy and happy. Pot does not fit into that equation in any way. God warns us to avoid the dangers of drugs and inappropriate behavior. Pot is an illegal, unhealthy, and dangerous drug. You should avoid marijuana at all costs, and treat it as if it is cyanide, meth, or any other dangerous drug.

Some people try to throw out excuses to say smoking marijuana isn’t a sin, or that it is healthy, or that it is okay. That is a flat out lie. Any person with common sense can look around and see how marijuana is ruining people’s lives daily. They get arrested, lose jobs, die, and so forth.

Be smart, and don’t be a fool. Follow God’s will. Trust in Him. Good luck, and God bless.

Posted under bible questions, drugs