TO atheist's and Agnostics. Why do you try to convince belivers?

Question

What's the purpose to convince belivers that there is no GOD?
Think before answering. It's easier to control one group of ppl then 100's. Its easier to accomplish something when they are fools around you then ppl who can think. Look at the USSR, before we were need to control 1 person, now we got so many idiots running around. Don't you think its nice that we have belivers? we can sell them any story , tell them that we have 500 witness and live well.

for the " simply ask for the same respect in return. Jesus said "Do Unto Others...."? Remember? :-)
"
If you get chance to read the bible you would notice it was not jesus who said that. It was in old testement, 1000 year before Jesus even came to plate. And before bible it was in Book of Death in Egipt, and it also was in many pagans religion but to know that you will need to do some reading:)

for BluueNikki
The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” or similar words, is not a Christian invention. Versions of it occur in the Old and New Testaments (see Matthew 7:12 for one version). But versions of it also occur in many other places, including in texts that predate the New Testament and that are not part of Judeo-Christian heritage. For example, Confucius is believed to have written, about 500 years before the start of the Common/Christian era, “Do to every man as thou would’st have him do to thee; and do not unto another what thou would’st not have done to thee” (George Seldes, The Great Quotations, The Citadel Press, 1983, p. 174). And, according to The Interpreter’s Bible (New York: Abingdon Press, 1952, Volume 7, p. 329), The Golden Rule “is not a new rule. Lao-tzu, Confucius, Plato, and the Old Testament all taught it in positive or negative forms.”

Answer 1

I would like more of the faithful to become atheists because I feel that when people let their interpretations of what imaginary beings want intrude on their actions they have made an error in judgment. Now, by and large, it doesn't matter what people believe, but often times the whims of these "gods" intrude on the rights of others.

I have seen, on this very site, people who I am sure are decent, pleasant, respectful people post venomous responses to gay kids looking for advice. They post purely hateful things because they think that their god wants them to do so. This is unacceptable.

I feel that my country is currently engaged in an unjust war. I am afraid that one of the reasons that thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of others have died is because our president believes that it is god's will that he invade these places. Not only is this unacceptable, it is a blight on our reputation as well as an atrocity.

The point you make is well known by the higher-ups in the world's churches. Their entire business is based on selling the gullible a story. Faith in this country generates billions (with a "b") of dollars of revenue every year. The people who cash those checks are well versed in your theory. However, I feel that the cost for humanity is too high, even though some of us are getting rich in the mean time.

Answer 2

I, as one spiritual atheist, do not bother trying to convince theists. :-) Live and let live. :-)

I simply ask for the same respect in return. Jesus said "Do Unto Others...."? Remember? :-)

EDIT: Thank you for the correction. I am asking other atheists who have read the bible thoroughly to check your "claim" out. :-) I will keep this on watch list and let you know what I learn! :-)

EDIT Pt. 2: I found several sites that claim that Jesus said or repeated the Golden Rule. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12

I have an old NT. I looked up Matthew 7:12, and read the entire Matthew 7 for context. Frankly, honey, I think Jesus said this. Please provide REFERENCES next time for your claims. :-) Feel free to email me---but I ask you be civil. I look forward to learning something from you, if you are so inclined.

Answer 3

good question, I've thought of this myself...it must be a primitive fear of a mass group of zealots (who can be bred from the most loving Christians-do you really think it's wise to get a group of zealots together and give them a reason to harm others?). After all, that has happened before. Christians were very brutal in the past, even though they're not today. As an Atheist, even though I can reason that most modern Christians are harmless, my first response is to get defensive and angry. I've wondered if it's not b/c we are reincarnated and the dislike/fear is already there from previous experience.

Answer 4

I really hate when Christians ask that! First of all, its not true, the truth is every person that believes in God and finds out I'm an atheists make it a job of theirs to convince me untill the only reason they speak to me is to shove religion and guilt down my throat! Second of all, most athiests just want to be left alone and since the majority of the world believes in one god or another, its to dangerous to argue. Christians are the ones that try to change athiests not the other way around.

Answer 5

I didn't understand half of your question. (What about about the USSR?)

Anyway, I think it's a moral act to debate with religious people. For one, their belief and support of a backwards, violent and irrational barbarian religion (3 actually) has brought nothing but misery and horror on the world. I believe when you see someone who has been misled to believe in said false belief system, isn't it your duty as a good and moral person to show them that what they've been told is a lie and hopefully they will see this for themselves?
Also, I realize that there are people who will never realize this and thrive on the hatred of their religious dogma. I fight them because they need to be fought. The more people they try to brainwash the worse this world and society becomes.

Answer 6

I see your point (and it's a mildly amusing one) but I don't entirely agree. Yes, many people are simply gullible and that's why they believe; but many others believe because it's part of their upbringing, entwined with their family and community relationships , and essential in their business or political dealings. Finally, for some it's essentially a habit, and habits are hard to break.

However, I think it's worthwhile to point out to them that their way of looking at the world has some huge flaws and that there are people -- such as myself -- who do not share their beliefs. It's worthwhile for the same reason that it's worthwhile to teach children that two plus two always equals four.

Answer 7

Actually most atheists don't go around trying to convince believers that there is no god. We don't believe in god so we really don't think about it that much. On the other hand, many believers go around trying to convince us that there is a god. Isn't this the same thing that you are complaining about? If they don't believe then just leave them alone. It makes life much easier.

To Neil above me: I don't believe that gay marriage and abortion are strictly religious issues and they shouldn't be treated as such. I don't believe in god but I also don't believe in abortion. It is ignorant to assume that someone is religious because of their beliefs on abortion. By your statement it appears that all atheists believe in killing the unborn because of the inconvenience of raising a child. That makes us look like monsters which we are not. If you actually took a poll you'd find many atheists against abortion.

Answer 8

I'm not an atheist or agnostic, but the question that really needs to be asked is why do so many believers try to convince everyone else that there is a God? Can't people just let other believe the way they want to?

Answer 9

I'm agnostic and I don't try to convince other people or anything...I just justify my beliefs. It is the Christians who are trying to transform everyone....and to them I ask, what happens when everyone is the same religion? We need to have diversity...you shouldn't force the indians in the amazon or the tribes in africa or anyone to be christian...their unique beliefs and customs will be lost forever.

Answer 10

I don't want to deny anyone their belief. I know a lot of people get a great deal of strength from their religion - who am I to take that away?
As Nikki said - all I ask is that people afford me the same respect.