--- title: "Atheists Appalled as Elon Musk Embraces “Teachings of Christ’" description: "Erstwhile secularist Elon Musk now seems to be pissing off the atheists of Reddit as they debate the sincerity of his newfound Christianity." date: "2024-11-05" modified: "2024-11-05" authors: - name: "Noor Al-Sibai" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/nooralsibai" url: "https://futurism.com/atheists-appalled-elon-musk-christian" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "christianity" - "elon musk" - "politics" - "religion" --- # Atheists Appalled as Elon Musk Embraces “Teachings of Christ’ ![Erstwhile secularist Elon Musk now seems to be pissing off the atheists of Reddit as they debate the sincerity of his newfound Christianity.]() *\Image: Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post via Getty\* Erstwhile [secularist Elon Musk]() now seems to be pissing off the non-believers. After [we remarked]() on the billionaire announcing during a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump last week that he's now following the "[teachings of \[Jesus\] Christ]()," [atheist Redditors]() voiced their displeasure at [Musk's recent turn towards the cross](). From the many r/Atheism users who think Musk is likely trying to "[get ahead]()" of [potentially forthcoming allegations]() to those who think he's trying to score political points off real believers, the responses to the multi-hyphenate's latest religious declaration are fascinating. "I have to admit," [u/IMTrick sarcastically remarked](), "I've also found Jesus a lot more appealing since he abandoned all that 'eye of the needle' and 'love thy neighbor' crap and got a little more reasonable about getting rich and fucking over minorities." "Christian sheep are easy to fleece," [seethed u/AstroTravellin](), a seeming reference to the [fervent religious right that supports Trump](). Others still took issue with our original headline calling Musk an "atheist hero" in the first place — though he certainly was revered by that crowd back in the day. "He was never an atheist hero," [u/Fr1501 declared](). "He seemed like a decent guy until he could not keep his mouth shut and people started digging into his past and how he got his money." In response to another user who [queried Musk's status]() as an icon of the secular movement, [u/Feinberg offered an excellent explainer](). "He was a kind of futurist, progressive, and environmentally conscious figure," the user wrote. "Those tend to be atheist-adjacent traits, or at least antithetical to religion." To be fair, it's not clear if Musk ever used the exact word "atheist" to describe his beliefs. He did, however, criticize the concept of "some superconsciousness watching over our every movement" [during a 2013 talk]() with "The Office" actor Rainn Wilson, and has since made oblique references to believing in science over religion [as recently as last year](). "I’m ok with going to hell," he [wrote in 2022](), "if that is indeed my destination, since the vast majority of all humans ever born will be there." While he now refers to himself as "[cultural Christian]()," a previous and sadder Musk statement seems to suggest that he may have left that energy behind. "Atheism left an empty space, secular religion took its place," the [53-year-old power player wrote]() in an awkward poem this past September. "But left the people in despair, childless hedonism sans care." "Maybe religion’s not so bad," he continued, "to keep you from being sad." Back on Reddit, one r/Atheism user's commentary stands out among the debates about the sincerity of Musk's faith. "Shut the fuck up," [u/Toph-a-Loph posted](), "and get us to Mars, Elon." More on Musk: [*Azealia Banks Says She's Voting for Kamala Harris Because Elon Musk Is an "Overrated Ketamine Addict"*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've often been drawn to unpacking the narratives that underlie technological, scientific and medical progress, with a special interest in areas of conflict and ambiguity that end up setting agendas and steering the fates of both elites and the hoi polloi. I'm a committed generalist, but I often find myself returning to work involving NASA and the private space sector, the effects of AI on media and society, and the mechanics of the pharmaceutical industry, with a specific focus on the spread of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Prior to Futurism, I worked for publications ranging from Media Matters and Truthdig to Raw Story and Bustle. I'm also the author of "Myspace Scene Queens," a 2024 title in Instar Books' acclaimed "Remember the Internet" series. My work at Futurism has been cited by outlets including the New Yorker, Slate, Nieman Lab, the Verge, the MIT Technology Review, the Sunday Times, and the Daily Beast. I grew up in North Carolina, attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and now live in Brooklyn, New York. In my free time, I'm an avid reader and music fan; you can probably find me at a local poetry reading, concert, underground rave, or DJ set. I'm the proud parent of an ineffable orange cat named Mee-Mow. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()