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If someone was born a Christian, but decides that God doesn't exist, Jesus was an ordinary human being, and that the Holy Spirit doesn't exist, and becomes an atheist, are they still perceived as Christians by Muslims?

Someone tweeted today

Atheists who've repeatedly insulted Christians draw a cartoon of Muhammad, so Muslims burn down churches. Go figure. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30863159 …

and I wanted to know if the categories of "Christians" and "Atheists" make sense.

Related question: In Islam, is Atheism considered a religion?

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Golden Cuy
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  • Also related: http://islam.stackexchange.com/q/9407/2469 – Daniel Jan 18 '15 at 00:39
  • there's a big difference between believing in God and following a religion. same thing between a non-muslim faith and atheism. I wouldn't go by Zoli's argument. my personal thoughts though - i'm not an expert. – user3880721 Jan 19 '15 at 08:12
  • It's worth mentioning that those people are just a few- regardless of how Islam views them, not everyone is going to view ex-Christian atheists as Christians and not everyone is going to care about the distinction. – PointlessSpike Jan 20 '15 at 16:28

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We don't believe anyone is born a Christian, or even a Muslim, or a Jew. We believe everyone is born upon something called a "fitra."

It's how the child is raised that becomes his way, but he/she has been given an intellect to choose what they want and are held responsible.

So if a child is raised Christian, and accepts Christianity willingly, thereafter becomes an Atheist, then he/she is considered an Atheist and not from the People of the Book.

Sayyid
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Even worse: They are considered as atheists!

Atheism is not a religion. Muslims consider atheists as people denying Allah, the great, and His Prophet.

This is worse than any other religion.

zoli
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    Do you have any references to back this up? – Golden Cuy Jan 18 '15 at 08:00
  • My answer is self explanatory. – zoli Jan 18 '15 at 23:03
  • OK. Read Quran, 8th verse, 12 paragraph. – zoli Jan 18 '15 at 23:19
  • Al-Anfal (12) That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger. Whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, (for him) lo! Allah is severe in punishment. – zoli Jan 18 '15 at 23:35
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    @zoli, atheists don't "oppose" Allah. You can't oppose something you believe doesn't exist. – PointlessSpike Jan 20 '15 at 16:30
  • Right! One doesn't oppose a spiritual being by denying his/her existence UNLESS it is his/her message that he/she exists. Let's see what oppose those sinners who don't know about their sins. I am telling you: they unconsciously, though, oppose the spirit of the law. Do we allow at the court, as an excuse, that somebody believes that the sin he/she committed was not considered to be a sin by him/her? – zoli Jan 21 '15 at 17:35