Ethnographic Research
Ethnographic research is based on the observation and interpretation of vast cultural communities of people that coexist and communicate over time. The research refers to a collection of qualitative models used in social sciences that focuses on the observation of social endeavors and experiences. The general goal of ethnographic analysis is to closely examine a situation without imposing any deductive structure on it, with the goal of identifying elemental distinctions or uniqueness. The thesis is primarily focused on observing the intrinsic section of people's culture as the primary data collection model. This ethnographic study aims at analyzing the difference between atheist and Christian beliefs based on my perspective following my religious affiliation change from atheism to Christianity. Faith, belief, and religion are an inherent part of human culture.
Believe in a Supernatural Being (God)
A Christian is a theist. A theist is a person who believes in theism. Theism is the belief in the presence of supernatural beings or being, for instance, God, who controls the universe (Bloch, 83). An atheist does not believe in theism; thus he or she rejects the existence of a powerful being who created the universe and still controls it. He or she denies the presence of the maker and sovereign ruler of the universe. Atheists hold the belief that people survive without the help of any God or scriptures. The atheist comprehension emanates from a deliberate human option or even from an inherent incapacity to trust in the presence of a god due to the multiple occurrences in the society and absence of evidence-based proof of god or essence of any religion. Many atheist believe that religion does not have associated functional meaning (Williamson & George, 49).
The Christian Doctrine
The Christian doctrine upholds theism; however, its theism wholly lies on the dual solid fundamentals of the special revelation explained in the Bible and overall revelation undertaken by the created order. The Bible explains the character and behavior of God and explains His process of full workmanship of the universe. Theism entails several groups of people who believe in the presence of multiple gods, but Christians believe in the presence of one God. The reverence and description of God are notable in many religions which recognize the presence of Gods, Goddesses, Deities and many other supernatural beings that are believed to have divine powers and are worshiped in different forms by different religions.
Creator of the Earth
Research shows that conflicts between theists and atheists commenced long time ago. It is notable that some atheists through the use of scientific explanation have consistently waged war against the belief in God. The conflict started long before birth or Christianity as it predicted that Christianity is around 2000 years old when Jesus was on earth. Christian theism believes in Monotheism which refers to a God who is considered an omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) and omnipresent (present everywhere) and that He controls the universe (Chryssides, 37).
On the Contrary
On the contrary, many atheists believe that human beings exist on their own without any assistance. It is no doubt that many atheists believe in science as the foundation of human existence on the earth and the main solution to human problems. Several technological and scientific explanations have been provided to try to explain issues that were initially unknown to humankind. Science had made it easier for more people to associate with atheism as opposed to earlier times when there was technological darkness. Some of the early discoveries such as the rotation and revolution of the earth were found to discredit earlier imaginations about the earth's creation work of God. A bunch of scientists believe the religion is going through a steady and gradual decline as new gaps in the scientific world are constantly being filled with discoveries (Williamson & George, 19).
Connection to a Religion
Christians are linked to the religion called Christianity. Jesus Christ was the founder of the religion. He was the first to collect or gather followers called disciples who later established the church which has propagated Christianity for more than 2000 years spanning over several eras and regimes. Christianity has multiple denominations worldwide who believe in the presence of God, his son, Jesus, and Spirit. Christian faithful believe that the three being (holy trinity) work in unison and they have the same desire and want. Christianity is founded on the belief of son God, Jesus, who was sent to save mankind from sin that disconnected him or her to God. Christianity exhibits Jesus as the final judge who will judge mankind on the final day. Jesus received that authority from God the Father, and he will separate the bad from good. Christianity outlines that Jesus will come in the end days to pick his people (Chryssides, 68).
Contrast with Christian
The atheists do not recognize religion neither do they recognize the end of the times. They believe that human being ceases to be when he or she dies. The Christians believe in the presence of the second life which is the main life. Several Christians believe that life in the earth is a small journey of humankind. They believe that, after death, there is life in paradise or hell. People who did right while on earth and got salvation before death will be awarded life in heaven while those who did contrary will burn in hell. The atheists do not believe in the presence of hell, Jesus, salvation or anything spiritual (Williamson & George, 99).
Explanation of Mysterious Occurrences
Over many centuries, the church has always depended on 'Godly miracles' to explain what may appear as abnormal or complex. Some of such occurrences are the universe, human biological systems, evolution, volcanoes and many other issues that were not apparent to humankind. However, the Atheists have constantly depended on physics, the presence of energy and matter amongst many other science related explanations to explain the worldly occurrences. In many occasions, some of the explanations have not been satisfactory to the audience. The best example is the biological evolution theory which tries to link man to apes. The theory faced multiple resistance while other accepted it.
It is Apparent
It is apparent that while Christians or theists connect such occurrence with 'acts of supernatural being' the atheists always supports theories until they reach a palpable truth and evidence-based scientific finding. The two cases have had several instances failing to answer some questions regarding human existences and survival in the earth (Jones, 43).
Similarities
While the two beliefs dispute several foundations of each other, they share in some essential and elementary understandings. Many atheists and Christian share in the need for a just and peaceful society. Apart from extremist Christians and extremist atheists, many of the believers in the various faiths co-exist seamlessly with one another (Williamson & George, 99). They all exhibit respect for life, a just society and always calls for accommodation of each other. Laws that Jesus gave to his followers was to spread the gospel to the entire world. He always advocated for peaceful gospel whereby he guided his followers to keep spreading the gospel to the Gentiles globally. Jesus teachings to his followers were based on tolerance of one another, and gospel outlines how humble Jesus and his followers were even in times of persecution (Chryssides, 67). Christianity is unlike Jewish religion and laws of Moses which required Israelites to exterminate the native Canaanites who worshiped idols. The Bible also challenges the Christians not to be the judge or feel holly as it is only God who is allowed the judge and is the holly one.
Conclusion
Following my shift from atheism to Christianity (Christian theism) I have understood the cultural foundations on which both beliefs exist. The world can be apportioned in two main segments as atheist and theists. Human culture as portrayed based on faith, belief, and religious orientation is complex to understand. It is vividly clear that gaps in the human environment lead to the search for faith and religion to answer many of the world's mysteries. Christians have constantly believed in the presence of God as outlined in the biblical account despite the inability to see Him. God has never revealed to anybody what kind of being He is. Atheists also experience had times trying to explain several occurrences both in the earth and in the universe. While Christians believe in the presence of 'a supernatural being,' the atheists reject such understanding. The atheist rejects religion, God, miracles and many other things that form the foundation of Christianity. The ideological conflicts between theists and atheists are common and often results in long debates.
Work Cited
Bloch, Ernst. Atheism in Christianity: The Religion of the Exodus and the Kingdom. London: Verso, 2009. Print.
Chryssides, George D. Christianity Today. London: Continuum, 2010. Print.
Jones, Benjamin T. Atheism for Christians: Are There Lessons for the Religious World from the Secular Tradition?S.l.: Wipf And Stock Pub, 2016. Print.
Williamson, David, and George A. Yancey. There Is No God: Atheists in America. , 2013. Print.
