Why cant atheist just respect us Christians and move on?

Question

I have Christian beliefs, but I try to respect them and share my beliefs in hope!

Answer 1

Respect goes both ways. If we as Christians want atheists to respect our beliefs then we too much respect theirs. Their beliefs in not acknowledging or accepting God is as valid and appropriate for them as our love for God is for us.

Share the good news with those who have ears to hear. You cannot force a belief on to someone else and this goes for any and all beliefs.

Offer love, acceptance and compassion when confronted with others who prove difficult.

Peace be with you,
+Michael

Answer 2

Why can't Christians respect the beliefs of others and move on? (I'm Christian, by the way.) The Christian wants to convert the Jew who wants to convert the Muslim who wants to the Hindu... and on and on it goes. Why should atheists be any different?

Atheists also react to laws, at least in this country, that are at their core Christian. For a country where there is a legal separation between church and state we sure do a lousy job.

Answer 3

I think the great majority of atheists do respect Christians. How many times has an atheist knocked on your door, wanting to convert you to their way of thinking? How many times have you been approached at a county fair by an atheist asking you if you've found the lack of proof that there is a God? How many times have you been walking down the street minding your own business only to be told by a man on a corner that the hour of judgment is coming, asking you if you are ready? It works both ways, only most atheists don't go door to door. They post on forums like this, not to try to convert Christians, but to share their beliefs like everyone else who is posting here.

Answer 4

For the same reason that Christians can't respect Atheists and move on. You say you're sharing your beliefs, I feel like preachy Christians are shoving those beliefs down my throat. I don't run around preaching about my beliefs, I keep that stuff to myself!

Answer 5

The Christian movement in this country is very frightening. there are plans underway to disregard the Constitution and it's respect for freedom of religion and turn this nation into a Christan state.

Already I have heard that this country was founded on Christianity. What happened to what we learned that it was founded on religious freedom. Or does this concept now mean freedom to worship the way you say?

And what about the way many born-Again Christians call Islam the Anti-Christ, say they worship an entirely different god, or I have even heard them call Muslims perverts.

And then there is the fact that so many Christians tell people they are going to burn in hell. Is this a way of earning respect?

Earn the respect and you will get it.

Answer 6

Well I know I will only say what I believe if I am asked or provoked. True, others are not like that, but since we are a (often hated) minority, we don't normally go around preaching our beliefs. However, many Christians seem to have no problem in forcing their religion down our throats, then act offended when we retaliate.

Don't poke the lion with the stick and you won't lose an arm.

Answer 7

The same reason Christians keep trying to convert atheists. I could ask why can't Christians just keep their beliefs to themselves but that would be silly as some do and some don't. You will always find some people who will try and push their view point on others. My advice is to ignore them and stick to your own beliefs whatever they are.

Answer 8

Why can't Christians respect athiest beliefs? Why can't Christians respect Jewish beliefs? Why can't Christians respect Islamic beliefs and vise versa? It is all just a matter of everyone trying to push their own religion/beliefs on people; that is when people get mad.

Answer 9

They could say the same abous some Christians.
Before I was a Christian, I felt that some Christians went too far and spent too much time trying to force the world into changing their beleifs.
Christians should focus on helping other people, and showing other's God's wonderful Love. Rather than trying to forcefully shove our religion down people's throats. Yes we should share the gospel with people, but Christians should not chase down people on the street and tell them that they are going to 'burn in hell'. This was what I has seen from most Christians in the past, and it made me want to stay far away from Jesus.

I came to Christ on my own, not because someone told me to.

Answer 10

I would guess that atheists (as well as those of any non-Christian religion) respect Christians (or anyone else) who are able to converse without having crammed something as personal as one's religion down their throats. Opening a conversation with, "You're going to hell because you don't believe Christ died for you," will never serve as a source of respect for someone you don't know ahead of time doesn't accept that premise.

This holds true for anyone openingly claiming in front of strangers that homosexuality is a sin, that abortion is a sin, that Magick or divination is a sin, that eating a hot dog on Fridays during lent is a sin.

The Christian who is open-minded enough to accept others' points of view and to "move on" (as you say) earns respect. The Christian who is closed-minded to the point of ensuring that his or her religion is brought into every conversation does not.