What does the Bible mean when it says "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"? Is atheism foolish? Are all atheists fools?

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So, the aethists do not only think there is no supreme being but also profess it, which makes them a complete fools just like the Bible says.

It means when an atheist says in his heart that there is no God, he/she is a fool. Little wonder Ii don't take them serious.

I think you will find that the statement from the bible is straight forward and does not need any explanation.
Such people need our prayers though its not our place to belittle them

OLAADEGBU:
What does the Bible mean when it says "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"? Is atheism foolish? Are all atheists fools?

It wasn't talking about aetheists. I doubt if there were significant number of atheist in biblical days.
David was talking about a ruling elite who very likely, professed God with their mouths but in their hearts had contemplated that either God does not exist, or if gods do exist, then they did not interfere to bring judgement on man if they act wickedly.

This mindset emboldened these elites to act wickedly in their rulership, and even infect the people with such wicked behaviour, hence God could not find anyone who was a seeker.

Despite that both big man and small man were acting corruptly, God took side with the small men, and accused the big men of being the one causing the problems.

Its very much like Nigeria. The masses became corrupt because the elites devoured them in wickedness

Now that I have explained above, please read the verse again

OLAADEGBU:
What does the Bible mean when it says "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"? Is atheism foolish? Are all atheists fools?

I thinkit is straightforward.

[quote author=OLAADEGBU Are all atheists fools?[/quote] all atheists are CAPITAL FOOLS, it is important to know beleiving that theres God isn't enough because even the devilbelieve and shudder but acceptation of JESUS CHRIST as Lord and Savior

2kaybiel:


Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So, the aethists do not only think there is no supreme being but also profess it, which makes them a complete fools just like the Bible says.

Does that make them a compound fool?

OLAADEGBU:

Does that make them a compound fool?

Yes. or am I missing something here?

2kaybiel:


Yes. or am I missing something here?

You are right on point.

OLAADEGBU:


What does the Bible mean when it says "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"? Is atheism foolish? Are all atheists fools?

Suggested answer:

Question: "What does the Bible mean when it says "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"?"

Answer: Both Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1 read, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" Some take these verses to mean that atheists are stupid, i.e., lacking intelligence. However, that is not the only meaning of the Hebrew word translated "fool." In this text, the Hebrew word is nabal, which often refers to an impious person who has no perception of ethical or religious truth. The meaning of the text is not "unintelligent people do not believe in God." Rather, the meaning of the text is "sinful people do not believe in God." In other words, it is a wicked thing to deny God, and a denial of God is often accompanied by a wicked lifestyle. The verse goes on to list some other characteristics of the irreligious: "They are corrupt; their deeds are vile; / there is no one who does good." Psalm 14 is a study on the universal depravity of mankind.

Many atheists are very intelligent. It is not intelligence, or a lack thereof, that leads a person to reject belief in God. It is a lack of righteousness that leads a person to reject belief in God. Many people do not object to the idea of a Creator, as long as that Creator minds His own business and leaves them alone. What people reject is the idea of a Creator who demands morality from His creation. Rather than struggle against a guilty conscience, some people reject the idea of God altogether. Psalm 14:1 calls this type of person a "fool."

Psalm 14:1 says that denying God's existence is commonly based on a desire to lead a wicked life. Several prominent atheists have admitted the truth of this. Some, such as author Aldous Huxley, have openly admitted that a desire to avoid moral restraints was a motivation for their disbelief:

"I had motives for not wanting the world to have a meaning; and consequently assumed that it had none, and was able without any difficulty to find satisfying reasons for this assumption. The philosopher who finds no meaning in the world is not concerned exclusively with a problem in pure metaphysics. He is also concerned to prove that there is no valid reason why he personally should not do as he wants to do. For myself, as no doubt for most of my friends, the philosophy of meaninglessness was essentially an instrument of liberation from a certain system of morality. We objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual freedom. The supporters of this system claimed that it embodied the meaning - the Christian meaning, they insisted - of the world. There was one admirably simple method of confuting these people and justifying ourselves in our erotic revolt: we would deny that the world had any meaning whatever." ― Aldous Huxley, Ends and Means"

Belief in a divine Being is accompanied by a sense of accountability to that Being. So, to escape the condemnation of conscience, which itself was created by God, some simply deny the existence of God. They tell themselves, "There is no overseer of the world. There is no Judgment Day. I can live as I please." The moral pull of the conscience is thus more easily ignored.

Trying to convince oneself there is no God is unwise. The point of "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" is that it is an impious, sinful heart that will deny God. The atheist's denial flies in the face of much evidence to the contrary, including his own conscience and the universe he lives in.

A lack of evidence of God's existence is not the true reason atheists reject a belief in God. Their rejection is due to a desire to live free of the moral constraints God requires and to escape the guilt that accompanies the violation of those constraints. "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them . . . so that people are without excuse…Their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts…They exchanged the truth about God for a lie" (Romans 1:18–25).

The real reason atheists claim that God does not exist.

That statement is self explanatory, you need no interpreter. Whoever says there's no God, irrespective of who he is- professor, scholar, etc, or by whatever name they are called, is a BIG fool!

2kaybiel:


Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So, the aethists do not only think there is no supreme being but also profess it, which makes them a complete fools just like the Bible says.

At least they are better than those who with their lips profess God but deny His existence in their conducts.

I believe johnydon22 is the God who created the earth along with his girlfriend. I am not a fool

ElCount:


I think you will find that the statement from the bible is straight forward and does not need any explanation.
Such people need our prayers though its not our place to belittle them

The OP asks, what does the statement mean?

The fool says in his heart there's no god. The wise don't say it in their hearts, they say it with their mouth.

OLAADEGBU:


At least they are better than those who with their lips profess God but deny His existence in their conducts.

hmm!

For you as a person to even conceive the idea DAT There's no God qualifies u as a fool, ever wonder hw d world came into existence(some say big bang;if I hear...), the suspension of the celestial bodies, the water underground , life in it self, just not mention but a few glaring facts that proves not just the existence but the Supremacy and credibility of God Almighty

Don't be a fool and think you can make it on your own. The fool says there is no God. But, he is not foolish because he is an atheist, but because he thinks he can get away with bad moral behavior. Psalm 14 goes on to say that all people are corrupt and there is not even one who does good. So, God says that we are all immoral fools. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we can measure up to the moral perfection required by a Holy God.

Unless you think you can lead a perfectly moral life,God has a solution for your problem. God's solution is to allow you to trade your moral imperfection for the moral perfection of Jesus Christ. The trade is accomplished through faith in Jesus' sacrifice as payment for your sins. The offer is really generous, but will cost you your self-righteousness. No, you can't remain an atheist either. As the psalmist says, you must "seek God."

Atheism is Foolishness and Insanity. You talk to the Wall when you talk to an Atheist for the Wall can never lead you. It's like caging a DUNCE and a DON together or a DICTATOR and a DEMOCRAT together or IDI AMI DADA and WILSON CHURCHILL together.

esere826:


It wasn't talking about aetheists. I doubt if there were significant number of atheist in biblical days.
David was talking about a ruling elite who very likely, professed God with their mouths but in their hearts had contemplated that either God does not exist, or if gods do exist, then they did not interfere to bring judgement on man if they act wickedly.

This mindset emboldened these elites to act wickedly in their rulership, and even infect the people with such wicked behaviour, hence God could not find anyone who was a seeker.

Despite that both big man and small man were acting corruptly, God took side with the small men, and accused the big men of being the one causing the problems.

Its very much like Nigeria. The masses became corrupt because the elites devoured them in wickedness

Those are even worse than atheists.

It means the bible preys on the egos of the gullible to keep them drunk on unwarranted confidence. Humans like to feel they are "right" because it strokes our self esteem and makes us feel secure. This ego stroking is just one of the many types of psychological & emotional manipulation religions utilize to gain and retain followers.

Most people would rather feel good about themselves with little mental effort (ex. recieving praise for unquestioningly accepting unsubstantiated beliefs), than potentially have their egos harmed for more effort (ex. suffering insults or being ostracized for critically examining said beliefs). Example of the former case:

"Haha, yes, everyone who does not believe in my god is a FOOL! It says it right here in this book that I've decided to believe despite no evidence indicating the validity of it's claims! But I don't care because this means I am better than everyone else! I am NOT a fool because I believe! Praise God!"

And Christians fall for it hook, line, & sinker.

OLAADEGBU:


Suggested answer:



The real reason atheists claim that God does not exist.

Ah yes, what a simplistic, satisfying explanation for the (shallow, biased, & likely ignorant) theist. Let's pretend that intellectual honesty, education and rational examination have nothing to do with it. No, people only denounce our superstition because they fear the consequences of not following the rules of said superstition.

Too bad that explanation makes little sense for obvious reasons, nor does it coincide with what the data show. Which is that Christians and non-Christians practice the same amount of pre-marital sex on average, Christians actually get MORE divorces, and that non-Christians throughout the globe are more peaceful, less tribalistic, and commit less crimes on the whole. Widespread secularism has shown to be correlated with higher levels of human rights, better education, more equality for men and women, better healthcare, less homocide and rape, less government corruption. In other words, the only place in which "people become atheists so they can do more bad stuff", is in your own prejudiced and deluded heads.

cloudgoddess:

Ah yes, what a simplistic, satisfying explanation for the (shallow, biased, & likely ignorant) theist. Let's pretend that intellectual honesty, education and rational examination have nothing to do with it. No, people only denounce our superstition because they fear the consequences of not following the rules of said superstition.

Too bad that explanation makes little sense for obvious reasons, nor does it coincide with what the data show. Which is that Christians and non-Christians practice the same amount of pre-marital sex on average, Christians actually get MORE divorces, and that non-Christians throughout the globe are more peaceful, less tribalistic, and commit less crimes on the whole. Widespread secularism has shown to be correlated with higher levels of human rights, better education, more equality for men and women, better healthcare, less homocide and rape, less government corruption. In other words, the only place in which "people become atheists so they can do more bad stuff", is in your own prejudiced and deluded heads.

satan prevent bad thing from happening to his children so that they wouldn't run for help to another.

malvisguy212:
satan prevent bad thing from happening to his children so that they wouldn't run for help to another.

Of course. When all else fails, just blame Satan, another imaginary entity. More illogical excuses for your illogical arguments.

Even if this wasn't just a ridiculous cop-out born of serious religious brainwashing and lazy thinking, what you've basically just conceded is that Satan is more useful, powerful, and trustworthy than god. Satan has the power to make prosperous, safe, lawful nations while god can only sit back as millions who believe in him starve to death, suffer at the hands of corrupt governments, die from curable diseases, and kill eachother.

cloudgoddess:

Of course. When all else fails, just blame Satan, another imaginary entity. More illogical excuses for your illogical arguments.

Even if this wasn't just a ridiculous cop-out born of serious religious brainwashing and lazy thinking, what you've basically just conceded is that Satan is more useful, powerful, and trustworthy than god. Satan has the power to make prosperous, safe, lawful nations while god can only sit back as millions who believe in him starve to death, suffer at the hands of corrupt governments, die from curable diseases, and kill eachother.

you may be wise, intelligent brave...name it. BUT I can assure you, you have no idea of what you are talking about, is like the apostles paul knows, people like this will arise in the later days when he say, and I read:

Romans 1:22
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

So keep it up, without people like you, this will be unfulfilled prophecy. Thank you.

nseke:


all atheists are CAPITAL FOOLS, it is important to know beleiving that theres God isn't enough because even the devilbelieve and shudder but acceptation of Jesus CHRIST as Lord and Savior

True. Using their physical senses should tell them that there is God but do they use it?

Splinz:


That statement is self explanatory, you need no interpreter. Whoever says there's no God, irrespective of who he is- professor, scholar, etc, or by whatever name they are called, is a BIG fool!

Our physical senses is enough to prove that there is God, there is no need for faith to come to the realisation that there is a God.

OLAADEGBU:


Our physical senses is enough to prove that there is God, there is no need for faith to come to the realisation that there is a God.

Yeah, right bro. I'm currently dealing on this topic, "Does God Exist?". You need see the thread.

Anyone who believes the world came from nothing and by nothing is a fool. And deserves to be called one.

Splinz:


Yeah, right bro. I'm currently dealing on this topic, "Does God Exist?". You need see the thread.

Where is the thread?