Christians and atheists: Why don’t we just tolerate each other?

Question

I just got this brilliant idea (and I’m not joking either). Why don’t we just adopt a peaceful “you do your thing I’ll do mine” mentality? We don’t have to agree with each other, but that doesn’t mean we should attack each other either. Both sides are guilty of bigotry. I admit I find myself judgmental and impatient at times, because it’s hard for me to be tolerant and respectful of atheist beliefs when they can’t even do the same for me. But if atheists would stop harassing me, I would be more than happy to do the same for them. We can practice our beliefs without putting the other down, or choose to avoid religious discussion altogether (however choosing not to discuss doesn't mean banning).This isn’t about who’s right. But I can assure happiness and good things will come to everyone if we try this.

JT and Slim that's exactly what I'm talking about. Tolerance goes both ways.

Christian-centric goverment like mentioned can be bigoted, but so is separtation-of-church-and-state because what that really does is oppress and discriminate against religious people. You can see the bigotry in some of the answers just given me.

Christians: You are only driving people away from Christianity by being intolerant. Trying tolerance actually gets people to listen to you more, I'm serious.

Dead serious;-)

Answer 1

I will not tolerate the intolerant, regardless of their religious affiliation. Someone who condemns all gay people, for example, is intolerant (whether or not he claims divine inspiration for his beliefs and behaviour) and I cannot tolerate him.

Excluding that, however, as an atheist I believe very strongly in the good and the beauty of the human race, and I prefer to give all people - regardless of their God-opinion - the benefit of the doubt. I have many friends and family members who believe in God. I love them all regardless.

Religious discussion does not imply intolerance or putting-people-down. I have very little experience in my life with literalist Christians, and I am fascinated and want to learn about them. I ask questions. I answer their question. I ignore bigots and intolerant people as much as possible.

I consider this all very healthy.

Answer 2

oh how i sooo agree on this... if people would stop getting their panties all tied up in a bunch and getting ticked off everytime someone mentioned to them what they are or what they believe, etc. etc. and just let people live how they want, the world would be a much better place.

it goes both ways- shoving unnecessary information down people's throats.... People don't change--- usually... so why continue all the fussing and arguing?

If someone wants to believe that God doesn't exist, just leave that person alone... just love them, anyway. If someone wants to believe that God does exist, just leave that person alone... love them, anyway. When Jesus was here, you didn't see Him trying to make people think His way... He just lived His life, TOLERATED everyone, lived among the heathen, didn't judge and loved all. Christians are supposed to be striving to be like Him, but they're going about it completely wrong. The Bible says "those who saves souls are wise...." so if Christians were smart, they'd keep their mouths shut because it's only gonna tick the nonbelievers off, shoving what is "useless" information to the Atheists, down their throats.

Just live and love. We're all human, we're all on this earth for a very short time... and we should just agree to disagree if anything.

Answer 3

Actually, the insults, it's worth it.

I divide this section into two different categories. The good people and the bad people. Both good and bad people come from both sides. Christians/Muslims as well as Atheists.

The good people wanna spread love, the bad people wanna spread hatred.

The good people can see right through all the silly insults and judgemental opinions. The bad people can't see that, and they continue spreading hatred.

If the good people just step over the insults, and continue spreading the message of Love, then in the end we (the good people) will always win. Even if we convert one person from the bad to the good side, then our visit to this forum was succesfull.

Trust me, we really are bigger than a few insults :)

Answer 4

I agree, i once gave the same answer to some one who was attacking christianity!! I think we should learn to live together without goin into so much details of beliefs if we dont agree. This does not however mean we shouldnt discuss this, just respect each other's views and "do to others what u would love them do to U". The world would be a wonderfull place!!!

Answer 5

Not a problem just as soon as you convince the "religious right" to stop trying to use the legal system and their "religious freedom" to impose their archaic values on everyone else.

There would be no conflict if preachers confined their preaching to church houses and stayed out of schools and state houses.

Perhaps you should define tolerance. It appears you mean non-Christians should just shut up and let the fundies take over the government.

If that's what you mean, you are going to be real disappointed.

Answer 6

Most atheists that I know are very logical and rational. So when a Christian tells them something that is clearly absurd, unprovable, or unknowable and the Christian puts it forward as fact, the athiest will tend to call the Christian on it. But for the Christian, faith is everything and the Bible tells them to beware of those who question. So naturually, the Christian is holding onto that as their proof and will argue with the athiest.

You should consider too, that some atheists and theists enjoy the debate!

Answer 7

I hate to break it to you, But the hostility spurns from Christians often trying to force feed their beliefs to those who don't share in them. If Christians would mind their own damned business and stop trying to convert everyone, and quit asking people if they have excepted Jesus, then I think the Atheists wouldn't be kicking their butts all the time.

I am a Christian, but I have my own set of beliefs. I consider them to be private and do not discuss them with others. I wouldn't dream of telling someone else they are wrong in believing different. That is an elitist behavior and rude as hell.

Answer 8

I'd say fine and try to live that way. But Christians feel it is their duty to preach and to convert people to their beliefs. If you don't try to convert me I won't argue with you. Ambrose Bierce said it best I think "Christian (n) One who believes the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin." I think that is why Christians and Atheists don't just tolerate each other. Also why do you capitalize Christians and not Atheists? Just asking .

Answer 9

I think people should be more tolerable. I wouldn't consider avoiding talking about religion because for Christians it is their way of life, missionary or not, wanting to convert people into their religion. It is true that even though I believe that my Christian way of life is right it is not right to be violent and harrasing people.
Remember long ago when Protestants and Catholics fought and killed each other even by throwing them off of buildings. Well, we shouldnt be like this becasue it is not such of a Christian lifestyle.

Answer 10

I can much better tolerate (speaking from a U.S. viewpoint here) Christians when they stop trying to install Christian-oriented government in this country.

Seperation of church and state is an excellent idea, no matter which belief system you choose to abide by.

Don't use force to push me around, and I won't use force to push you around.

The god of the Declaration of Independence is not the Christian one (note the terminology 'the god of nature': a deist concept). This country was not founding on the Christian ideals.


Let's keep your god out of our government, and nobody gets hurt.

Thank you

:-)