Functionally atheist? What? No! I absolutely believe in God.
Why then all the worry, fear, stress, and anxiety?
How has God failed us so that we insist on making sure we make things happen that please us?
How has God failed us so that we are constantly pressed from fear of one thing to worry about another? Is it possible that people are not attracted to Christianity because Christians are afraid as much or more than others and they are afraid of God on top of that?
If God is our God, then we would be completely free to be happily honest about dependence on the life He brings to us. After all, He is the one who makes our heart beat, our world turn, our sun shine and everything else that brings life. “He who did not spare His Own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also freely with Him give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
Functionally theist? Yes, please! God, Himself, works honesty about dependence in our lives so that we can walk on turbulent waters rather than sinking in them. When we are more aware and conscious of the hand of Christ that holds ours than we are of the wind and the waves, then the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus; walking on water with Him; floating serenely upon His care for us rather than flailing about like a person drowning in a sea of distress.