Why Atheists Attend Christmas Services
Many unbelieving scientists want their own children
to make up their own minds about religion.
Summary: Many atheists observe religious traditions at Christmas,
according to a new study. The research, led by Rice U. sociologist
Elaine Howard Ecklund, focused on atheist scientists and found that
17% attend a religious service more than once a year. Her report was
published in the December issue of the Journal for the Scientific Study
of Religion.
In her survey of 275 participants selected from elite U.S. research
universities, Ecklund found various social and personal reasons for why
some atheists observe religion. Some of the scientists said they were
encouraged to attend religious services by their religious spouses or
partners. Others enjoyed the companionship they found at places of
worship.
Perhaps the most interesting reason though was that many atheist
scientists take their children to religious services so their children could
make up their own minds about God. Ecklund was surprised by this
finding but said it was consistent with their science identity to expose
their children to all sources of knowledge. One study participant who
was raised as a Catholic, rather than passing his atheism on to his
daughter, had her learn about various religions including Christianity,
Islam and Buddhism. "I … don't indoctrinate her that she should believe
in God," he said. "I don't indoctrinate her into not believing in God."
The line between believing and not believing is not always clear, as
Ecklund’s earlier research which found 20% of atheist scientists are
“spiritual” had indicated. "Our research shows just how tightly linked
religion and family are in U.S. society — so much so that even some of
society's least religious people find religion to be important in their
private lives,” she said.
(Illustration from The Bible Revival.)
To read the entire article, click on LIVE SCIENCE.
Comment: Could it be that there are few people who are 100%
atheist, that there may reside in the soul of even the most unspoken
opponent of religion at least a sliver of doubt about their belief in the
nonexistence of God?
Surely scientists among all people are exposed on an almost daily
basis to the wonders of the world around them. They may say that such
things as the finely-tuned universe, the amazingly-designed creatures
we see around us, and our creative human minds are merely the result
of blind, random processes, but deep down, could there still be some
flicker of belief that it can’t all be just a happy accident?
The reason why some scientific atheists expose their children to religion
— in order for their kids to have the opportunity to make up their own
minds about God — is interesting. That is a mirror image of what some
Christians say about letting their own children decide on whether to
follow a religion or not. However, such a practice on the part of
Christians is not God-pleasing or biblical. God says in Proverbs 22:6,
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not
turn from it.” When they are well trained to understand the fallacies of
thinking that opposes God’s Word, children will be far less tempted to
fall for the temptations of atheism.
During this and every Christmas season, the secular side of the holiday
and the over-emphasis on earthly gift-giving tend to get in the way of
true worship of Jesus Christ, “the reason for the season.” If we could
only keep our focus on the Christ-child and why He came down to Earth
as revealed in God‘s Word, perhaps our faith might positively rub off on
those unbelievers who haven’t completely shut the door to the spiritual
gifts God wants to give to them. No better time of year than the present
exists for such hopes and prayers and evangelistic efforts on our part.
“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had
been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at
what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17-18).
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
Where can the world’s largest Christmas “tree” be found?
***************************************************************************
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those containing alternate views. However, comments containing
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comment, please allow several hours for it to appear on the blog.
Many unbelieving scientists want their own children
to make up their own minds about religion.
Summary: Many atheists observe religious traditions at Christmas,
according to a new study. The research, led by Rice U. sociologist
Elaine Howard Ecklund, focused on atheist scientists and found that
17% attend a religious service more than once a year. Her report was
published in the December issue of the Journal for the Scientific Study
of Religion.
In her survey of 275 participants selected from elite U.S. research
universities, Ecklund found various social and personal reasons for why
some atheists observe religion. Some of the scientists said they were
encouraged to attend religious services by their religious spouses or
partners. Others enjoyed the companionship they found at places of
worship.
Perhaps the most interesting reason though was that many atheist
scientists take their children to religious services so their children could
make up their own minds about God. Ecklund was surprised by this
finding but said it was consistent with their science identity to expose
their children to all sources of knowledge. One study participant who
was raised as a Catholic, rather than passing his atheism on to his
daughter, had her learn about various religions including Christianity,
Islam and Buddhism. "I … don't indoctrinate her that she should believe
in God," he said. "I don't indoctrinate her into not believing in God."
The line between believing and not believing is not always clear, as
Ecklund’s earlier research which found 20% of atheist scientists are
“spiritual” had indicated. "Our research shows just how tightly linked
religion and family are in U.S. society — so much so that even some of
society's least religious people find religion to be important in their
private lives,” she said.
(Illustration from The Bible Revival.)
To read the entire article, click on LIVE SCIENCE.
Comment: Could it be that there are few people who are 100%
atheist, that there may reside in the soul of even the most unspoken
opponent of religion at least a sliver of doubt about their belief in the
nonexistence of God?
Surely scientists among all people are exposed on an almost daily
basis to the wonders of the world around them. They may say that such
things as the finely-tuned universe, the amazingly-designed creatures
we see around us, and our creative human minds are merely the result
of blind, random processes, but deep down, could there still be some
flicker of belief that it can’t all be just a happy accident?
The reason why some scientific atheists expose their children to religion
— in order for their kids to have the opportunity to make up their own
minds about God — is interesting. That is a mirror image of what some
Christians say about letting their own children decide on whether to
follow a religion or not. However, such a practice on the part of
Christians is not God-pleasing or biblical. God says in Proverbs 22:6,
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not
turn from it.” When they are well trained to understand the fallacies of
thinking that opposes God’s Word, children will be far less tempted to
fall for the temptations of atheism.
During this and every Christmas season, the secular side of the holiday
and the over-emphasis on earthly gift-giving tend to get in the way of
true worship of Jesus Christ, “the reason for the season.” If we could
only keep our focus on the Christ-child and why He came down to Earth
as revealed in God‘s Word, perhaps our faith might positively rub off on
those unbelievers who haven’t completely shut the door to the spiritual
gifts God wants to give to them. No better time of year than the present
exists for such hopes and prayers and evangelistic efforts on our part.
“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had
been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at
what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17-18).
PRINT (Black type on white background)
NOTE: There will be no Monday post because of the Christmas
holiday.
***************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new
post? Just e-mail your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
***************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Where can the world’s largest Christmas “tree” be found?
***************************************************************************
0 Comments
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including
those containing alternate views. However, comments containing
profanity or advertisements will not be published. After posting a
comment, please allow several hours for it to appear on the blog.
Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 Prefer to read this post in Blogspot? Click Here. PRINT
Actually, it’s a 750-foot-tall mountain.
Tenderfoot Mountain overlooking Salida,
Colorado becomes Christmas mountain
after Thanksgiving when a switch is flipped
to turn on red, orange and white lights. The
lights outline the mountain to form a tree
shape complete with ornaments, garlands
and a treetop star.
Source: American Profile (Nov. 27-Dec. 3,
2011)
Tenderfoot Mountain overlooking Salida,
Colorado becomes Christmas mountain
after Thanksgiving when a switch is flipped
to turn on red, orange and white lights. The
lights outline the mountain to form a tree
shape complete with ornaments, garlands
and a treetop star.
Source: American Profile (Nov. 27-Dec. 3,
2011)
The opinions expressed
here are those of The
Editor and do not
necessarily represent
the views of the Lutheran
Science Institute. Please
note that links in older
posts may be broken.
here are those of The
Editor and do not
necessarily represent
the views of the Lutheran
Science Institute. Please
note that links in older
posts may be broken.
About Me - Warren Krug
The Editor
Decades ago I attended a
so-called Lutheran
university where I could
have lost my faith. The
science professors promoted
the theory of evolution and
made fun of anybody who
believed in the account of
creation as presented in
the book of Genesis.
Thanks be to God, some
creationist literature and
the Bible soon helped get
me back on the right track.
Ever since then I have
taken an active interest in
the creation/evolution
controversy.
Background image from NASA
The Editor
Decades ago I attended a
so-called Lutheran
university where I could
have lost my faith. The
science professors promoted
the theory of evolution and
made fun of anybody who
believed in the account of
creation as presented in
the book of Genesis.
Thanks be to God, some
creationist literature and
the Bible soon helped get
me back on the right track.
Ever since then I have
taken an active interest in
the creation/evolution
controversy.
Background image from NASA
