Why do theists pitty atheists and agnostics?? (read details)?

Question

I was just reading some questions asked by atheists and I noticed that there's always at least one person (theist) saying that they pitty atheists and agnostics, basically for being who they are...But why should they? The atheists and agnostics made the choice of being who they are and it's no one's business to judge, look down on them, and/or feel sorry for them because we do not know what drove them to make that choice...
I'm a Catholic myself, but I must admit that it's really infuriating when people are intolerant of one another's religious views and beliefs...especially when we all expect others to respect our decisions...
Also, why do theists feel the obligation and need to change atheists' views, especially when they know that they are not going to succeed in doing so??

I completely agree with "mvmnexprt"...I don't think God would say "Either love me or go to hell"...I'm pretty sure He'd be tolerant and open-minded...

Answer 1

Religious people (typically Christians) pity the atheist because the religious people are arrogant; they believe that they have it all figured out. What a perfectly simple theory believe in Christ and go to heaven don’t believe go to hell. It is arrogant to believe that life is that simple. I believe hat God and his plan is beyond our capacity to understand completely, but I have a hard time believing that god is that simple minded and arrogant to create us merely to love him, he/she sounds like a child. And if people believe in a god like that then they are also child like in their thinking. We need to stop dividing ourselves with this childish behavior. I have read the scriptures and it seems to me that most people completely miss the point, if anything Christ didn’t come to earth (assuming you believe that) to tell us to love him or else or to die for our sins; what a ridiculous idea, its pagonistic based on the idea of appeasing the gods with human sacrifice. He came to show us that we are a brutal distrustful people by nature who often fall prey to others because of our ignorance and inherent selfishness; he came to teach us to love one another and to carry on the gift of love bestowed to us by our creator. Not to further divide ourselves through self-righteousness.

Answer 2

Oh my god, thank you!

Ditto mvmnexprt. It is arrogant and pretentious to think that you somehow have all the answers. Newsflash: you don't. You do not actually know that you or anyone will go to heaven or hell, and don't pretend that you do. So you think we've chosen the "wrong path"? What exactly is the "wrong" path? And if mine isn't the right path, then what about the paths of other religions in this world? Did they choose the "wrong path" as well? I sincerely doubt it. If God only allows rabid Christians into heaven, then hell must be a very crowded place indeed.

(Disclaimer: the usage of the word "you" is not intended to be directed at you, Ms. Answerer, and I deeply apologize if I made it seem that way. Anyway, carry on.)

However, this also goes for atheists, too. What's wrong with people who've chosen religion? You might say that they're wasting their time believing in a higher power...okay, but why is this bad? Wasting time to do what? Why is time so important that we have to worry about wasting it? And anyway, some people have vastly improved their lives because of it; they might have sobered up, or started treating their family better, or just generally pieced their life back together from a shambles. Even if God turns out not to exist, how does it hurt these people? They died peacefully, living a good life, satisfied with themselves and others. What do they have to lose?

So, here's the deal: stop the pity. It's pretentious and condescending. And anyway, I happen to think that those who are being pitied are probably happier than those who are doing the pitying.

I'm agnostic, by the way.

Answer 3

Don't atheists so often feel the need to convince theists to change their minds too? When is the last time a theist sued the Federal government for NOT pushing God. Atheists sue all the time for monuments and other items that have religious connotations. For example, in California a huge cross is going to be taken down from a Korean War monument because an atheist doesn't believe in it; even though the whole town voted nearly unanimously to keep the monument. This happens all the time in the USA.

As for why some theists "pity" atheists.. well, it's like Mr. T always said on "The A-Team" TV show...
"I pity the fool!"

Many atheists... especially those on the internet bashing Christianity (even here on Yahoo Answers) are fools. They are not educated at all, they misquote and misinterpret scripture and make erroneous claims about Christ, Christianity, the early Church, the Bible, etc. They are not interested at all in backing up their arguments with researched evidence; they only desire to bash Christianity and tick off Christians. Any truly educated atheist would probably not be online bashing Christianity all the time; instead they would propose educated ideas and be open to intelligent discussion. But LOOK AROUND YOU! Just look at the things posted here on Yahoo; these people aren't interested in educated discussions or intelligent conversation. Uneducated Atheists are the WORST at trying to push their beliefs down everyone else's throats; the worst at trying to change others' views. And they'll use slander and lies to do it. All they want to do is bash religion. A true atheist has no belief, and therefore is not passionate about any belief. These people aren't true atheists, their just bigots. And bigots are fools; so... "I PITY THE FOOL!"

Also.. there's a concept in Christianity known as evangelism... Catholics aren't big on it, so it's understandable that you're not too familiar with it; but some people believe that it is their DUTY as a Christian to try and makes sure others know about Christ, even those that deny Him. It's the Great Commission that was given to every Christian, "to spread the Good news that Jesus Christ is Lord;" some Christians believe they are supposed to do that even when its hard or when they are to be ridiculed for doing so. Perhaps some of these evangelicals are motivated by pity or sorrow for the "lost" ones, or those that don't believe in Christ. The bible says that some non-believers hearts are "hardened," meaning that they've become so bitter and unhappy in life that they're hearts are made of stone, and they reject Christ and because of a lack of understanding or a lack of peace in their hearts they become hostile towards God and Christians. Wouldn't some atheists on the internet fit this description? I'd say so. And maybe some Christians feel sorry for those that are so bitter that they reject and even deny and ridicule the Truth.

Answer 4

Most theists believe in Hell. So, I guess, if I'm a particularly concerned theist, I'll try to change an atheist because I love them and don't them to go to Hell?

Personally, I'm a theist and I don't pity or try to change atheists or agnostics. Most of the atheists I've run into reveal, after some conversation, that they are merely discontent and haven't really thought much about whether God exists or not. Usually they say something like: Why should I believe in God if there's disease and hungry people in the world? Nobody can answer that. Either you believe in God or you don't.

Answer 5

Thank you for you concern.

I was a practicing Christian for over thirty years. My grandfather was a Baptist preacher and I was raised in a Baptist home.

I became an atheist after many years of study, knowing full well what others think about atheists. After all, I held most of those same thoughts for over thirty years.

It really doesn't bother me, but I do sincerely wish people who choose to follow a religion would actually practice the tenets of that religion.

And, it's unfortunate that so many Christians totally ignore the admonishment that no one has the authority or right to condemn others for their "sin" nor does anyone have the right to judge others.

I suppose it's easier to just repeat whatever they last heard one of their hate mongering (biblically illiterate) preachers or friends say than it is to actually follow the bible as it relates to Christians.

Either that, or they all think they are totally without sin. In which case they really should worry more about their own fiery homes than the fiery homes of others.

Christians are by far the most aggressive about attempting to force their beliefs on others and condemning anyone who disagrees with their beliefs.

Thanks for the question and commentary.

Peace to you.

Answer 6

You are correct. I not sure what I am, I just believe in Jesus as my way! But, I have always felt, it a personal decision for each individual. WE should be entitled to our own decisions. I never feel sorry for a person's decision in life, IT IS THEIR CHOICE, if it make them happy then fine.But, do understand on here your question is a two way street, "theists" get their "Salt" too. The problem we can see is EACH belief on here want to push what they feel. So, you see things from Gross Statements to Sarcastic.
SO, to actually answer your question, we must first restate it; "Why does anyone pity others for what they believe, and, why do they have to be "Hateful" in their responses"?
I learned something many years ago about how people do. We cut others down to justify what we feel they should believe. I learn a good saying from Old People that had peace in their Hearts; "If you not have something good to say about someone,DON'T say anything" Hard for us to do though. :-(

Answer 7

They haven't found the truth which is found in Jesus. Who died for their sins, and rose again on the third day, and is still alive today.

It's rather sad that they are so blind to what's right in front of them. And I guess that's why they're pitied.

And yes, they have change their ways, before. Like C.S. Lewis, who was once a atheist (or at least trying to disprove Creation and the Bible), but was won over to Christ instead. So there is still hope for them to believe, and that is what I want...but I know that it won't always happen, and that not all will come to faith in the Christ, the Risen Savior. Yet, I can hope and pray that they will believe.

Answer 8

Well the real problem is that everyone wants everyone else to tolerate their religious beliefs-but no one wants to hear the real truth. Satan has this world in the palm of his hand. He has all religions at war with the true religion. For example-just look at where your church stands against true Christianity. We will never have a chance for peace until we clean up our own back yards. If you could ever fix the Catholic church-then you may be able to help others, but not until then.

Answer 9

I'm Catholic too and I do agree with what you are saying but I think on the part of those who say they feel sorry for the non-believers, it comes from a deep belief that they think they are obligated to bring the word of Jesus to everyone and they are saddened when others refuse and reject that message. They think it is their job to convert others but in truth, that is God's job. This is just my opinion and perhaps thats not the reason at all but at any rate they won't change themselves either. I agree we need to develop a mutual respect for each other's decisions. For those of us who are believers, we need to let go....and let God. He alone can change hearts, but He won't ever take away our free will or the free will of those who do not accept Him.

Answer 10

you know whats common in atheists and people who believe in god- Both are inflexible in their views, both think they are right and both feel sorry for each other. A true believer of god has a broad mind, broad enough to accomodate all views in the world. Absoluteness is sign of foolishness, thats why hard core religious people and hard core atheist end up in the same place- NOWHERE. God never preached anyone to convert others to ones own religion, he never preached any religion he just preached us to be good human beings and do the right things; rest of it was assumed by humans.

Answer 11

I think the main reason these fundamentalists 'pity' non-believers is that, unlike you, they are insecure in their beliefs. Their kind of religion requires that they feel superior to other people, and 'feeling sorry' for non-fundamentalists allows them to put others down without examining their own (self evident) beliefs in any way.
What wouldn't be obvious to a Catholic who has never been exposed to American protestant fundamentalism is that their internal culture (the way they treat each other) is extremely aggressive, hostile, and ill-meaning, and that culture is influencing their comments in this forum.
Respect for other people's beliefs is non-existent in fundamentalist culture, and subtle slights and belittling asides are so routine for them that I doubt they are even aware of this aspect of their 'pity'.
Saying 'I'll pray for you.' to a non-believer, is their code for 'F**k you for being different from me'. Saying 'I pity you' is code for 'I look forward to the day when god will torture you in hell'.
It's really evil, and not like your brand of Christianity at all.