Atheists-If you don't believe in God, why does it offend you when someone says you are going to hell?

Question

Or tell you that you are a sinner? In your mind they're just dope heads any way right? Why does it offend you to the point that you would not want Christianity in your society? I know there are some butt heads out there preaching and throwing the Bible at people, but I've met ALOT of Christians that are actually good people who all they care about is helping people. Unfortunately, they all left the country to help clean up poverty in other areas of the world, leaving behind all the backwoods, extremist Bible thumpers behind to portray a terrible image for Christianity. I'm sorry about that.

But why do they offend you so much anyway if you don't believe in anything they talk about? No hell, no God, no sin--everything that makes you mad about them has to do with those three things, right? When they insult you, calling you wicked, saying you are going to hell, why does it really matter if there is no hell?

Please don't answer if you're going to crack jokes or if you're not an Atheist.

If one can't judge anyone else, then what measure do you have to judge yourself??? (I also believe noone has the right to judge you)

I'm not saying that every Atheist follows these rules, I'm saying why do you if you do. I'm not a presumptuous, generalizing person, I promise.

Answer 1

I would never question the right of anyone to practice whatever religion they wanted (as long as they didn't interfere with someone else's ability to have the same freedom).

As a non-Christian (and by the way not all non-Christians are atheists, it doesn't break down that way) we understand that your 'hell' is the worst place imaginable. The ultimate punishment for the worst crimes against humanity. Am I right?

Why wouldn't we be offended if you hated us enough to tell us that we are going there? How would you feel if I told you that you deserved the worst kind of punishment in my social club just because you don't belong? Its not because we believe in hell, its because we believe that you believe in hell.

I'm pretty comfortable that I'm not going to hell anyway. Just because I interpret the bible differently than you do doesn't make me evil. There are people who read and learn from the Bible who don't call themselves Christians and I'm one of them. I believe that God accepts all forms of love.

There are some wonderful people who call themselves Christians but Christianity is neither the only kind of love nor is it exclusively a loving bunch of people.

After all, isn't that the real message. Love. Peace. Brotherhood. Isn't that what Jesus' teachings are really all about? I just can't get into the 'my-group-is-better-than-your-group' way of interpreting the great works of religion. It only spreads hatred and Jihad and Hell, right here on Earth.

Answer 2

It doesnt offend me in the least. They're perfectly entitled to their own opinions, but when its pushed in my face it becomes annoying. I dont believe in any faith and that is my own personal choice. Every individual is entitled to their own thoughts and comments, and nobody has any right to enforce that view on anyone else.

"why does it offend you to the point that you would not want Christianity in your society?"
OK i'm very confused by that statement. Not only is it just presuming that people who are atheist also want there to be no Christianity in the world, but I would find that more insulting than your original comment because it suggests that atheists are trying to wipe it [Christianity] out.

I think its also important to remember that there are different degrees of an Atheist belief, and its unfair to just generalize the idea that all Atheists are offended by religion.

Answer 3

I'm not an atheist, but as a member of one of the many Pagan religions in the world today I can definitely relate to this.

If a Christian tells me that I am going to hell, I don't let it offend me. In my opinion, they have no true ways of explaining their beliefs (showing a lack of intelligence) and are suffering from a severe superiority complex (which can show a psychological imbalance that needs a shrink to see to). Also, saying that I'll be going to hell is little more than trying to blackmail me into converting to Christianity. You'd probably be offended yourself if someone tried to blackmail you into doing something that you didn't want to do.

Answer 4

The words that are used aren't what bothers me. I've had honest conversations with people about hell, heaven and sin and it didn't offend me when they said because I don't believe I'll go to hell. It's when some self-righteous (fill in the blank) is rude about it and won't give my arguments any consideration. It also bothers me when some Christians try to discredit science, and force their beliefs into public school.

Answer 5

It IS because they are being insulting. I personally get offended because the individual thinks he/she is better than I am and can judge me. No one can judge me -but me. I must account to my own conscience for any misdeeds I have done or good deeds I have accomplished.

Answer 6

Nope, it's just annoying as...well, hell. It sounds just like my mother nagging when you say that.