Why do Christians worry about me?

Question

I am an Atheist. I do not believe in god. I see so many christians who say they prey for me, they don't want to see me go to hell, they want to save me, etc. This is silly to me (for some reason they can not grasp the fact that I don't believe in god, heaven, hell, prayer, etc.) but I appreciate that they care, I guess. But my question is, shouldn't they be praying for and trying to save there own first. There are christians who judge, belittle, call names and otherwise act very un-christian like. Maybe christians should work on saving themselves before they work on saving me.


And I know there are some Atheist who are mean and rude to others, I am not one of them. Everyone should be able to believe in what they want, without being told they are wrong, bad people or going to hell.

Freddie...

I believe in myself, no that doesn't mean I can't be an Atheist.

Swimmer...

I have read the bible and been to chruch.

Answer 1

I sure wish I could answer this question. I am a Christian, but I hate how some Christians are so judgmental and how some are always trying to convert everyone. I don't know why people just can't learn to live their own lives and let everyone else alone. Coexistance is what Christian churches ought to be teaching!

Answer 2

Hi. There would seem to be two basic reasons, depending on the authenticity of their Christianity. Now a true Christian, by which I mean someone who follows the actual teachings of Christ, would care that someone else is suffering and do the best they can to alleviate that suffering. This Christian would be generous and would be doing it because they genuinely cared about you. This sort of Christian seems a bit rare these days.

The other sort of Christian does it because they think it will gain them access to the kingdom of heaven, which, when you think about it, is actually a selfish motive.

In both cases the real question is: what exactly about your condition bothers them. Is it just that you do not agree with their religion? For those of us that have another faith, or practice some form of Agnosticism, this is an annoyance. We have come by our beliefs in our own ways, and one would hope they would respect this. Alas, it is rarely like this. Evangelicals by definition believe you are in the wrong if you do not profess as they do.

If however they see you have a problem: whether unhappiness, or a physical affliction, or some mental disturbance such as addiction --they may be just doing the purely human thing that rises above any religion, and may want to help you.

All of this said, I try to respect others' in their beliefs, and unless asked by them, will not try to get them to think as I do. Whether there is a god or not, life is a journey we must all undertake on our own. It is not our place to force our beliefs on others as far as I can see.

Answer 3

They fear what they do not understand. I too am an Atheist, and I have many people tell me they would pray for me. I was raised in a religious household and held a greater faith in science.

Many misconceptions come about when people find that you are an Atheist. They think you worship the "devil" or have no morals. Now I for one find it hard to worship that which we as Atheist do not believe. I know for a fact I have more morals than many, many religious people I know, whether they be Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, etc. It's not religion or beliefs that determine morals. It's us, we are what needs to decipher what is "good" and what is "bad". People make mistakes, people make decisions that negatively affect themselves and the people around them. No matter what religion or beliefs they may have.

I agree people should believe whatever they want. However they should have enough respect for fellow human beings not to pressure anyone to change their beliefs. You know most people consider Atheism a form of terrorism? They consider us terrorist because most people are very uneducated as to what an Atheist actually stands for. Fear not though, for by their own religious law by judging us they are reserving themselves a nice warm afterlife. However I guess they don't see it like that.

Hang in there, Atheist are growing in numbers as science progresses.

Answer 4

You have a very good point. It's amazing to me how many so-called Christians are out there who do everything you say -- judge, belittle, call names, and so on. It's not a large percentage of them, I don't think, but they are out there. In fact, many times the people who are rudest are those who call themselves Christian. I have yet to figure that one out.

It is true that some atheist and agnostic people have the same holier-than-thou attitude, but you're right -- they're probably not the ones Christians should be focusing on.

I agree with you completely -- people should believe what they want, whatever makes them feel true to themselves. For some that includes a religious figure, and for others it doesn't. Why can't people understand that?

Answer 5

You say everyone should believe in what thay want to? So what do you believe in then? And doesn't that disqualify you from being an atheist?

Please don't criticize Christians on the mistakes of "their own". Being a Christian doesn't mean I won't make a mistake ever again.

Were you hurt by a Christian, now you're an Atheist?
In that case, I'm really sorry on behalf of that person.

And I will be praying for you. Hope you don't mind that.

[e-mail]

Answer 6

im a christian, and i sort of agree with you, but i also have something to answer that witth. you may not believe in god, you may not believe in prayer, and you may not believe in heaven and hell, but the fact is (i believe and i think is absolutly true) your have to go some place when you are dead, and those 2 places would be heaven and hell just as there is good and bad. so unfortunently, hell is bad, and you will suffer for the rest of your life there wishing you had believed and gone to heaven. you should read the bible or join a church. you don't have to change your mind about believing there isn't a god, but it would open your mind to a new thing........

god bless!!


:-)

e-mail me if you want to know more or have anymore questions

Answer 7

You answered your own question by making a typo. You said "I see so many christians who say they prey for me..." You meant "pray," but they also "prey" on you instead of leaving you alone.

I see nothing wrong with an honest exchange of religious philisophies and ideas. But once you tell someone you aren't interested and they won't leave you alone, they are then a religious zealot and need to back the **** off. We were given the ability to think rationally here, and that is the best gift of all. Don't try to take that away (thereby denying it was a gift from whatever powers that be) and saying there is only ONE correct way to be.

The Golden Rule ain't golden for nothin!

Answer 8

I agree with you. I guess it's hard for some people to accept and respect others' beliefs. But I also understand that it's in the religion's nature to 'save' people from their 'sins'. I've seen so many 'christians' go to church, act perfect and 'christ-like' and then go home and judge people, make racial comments, cheat on their spouses, act like they're superior, etc. But because they go to church, pay homage to their God once or twice a week, it's okay, all is forgiven. Don't get me wrong, I know there are true christians...my mom being one of them...that practices what they preach...but then there's my aunt who I just previously described.

Answer 9

all of us worry lack of life...even the finest of Christians. it really is leaving our loved ones that bothers us the most. keep in options, that previously the rapture you may want to die, so do not problem about the rapture. do not problem about day after today or this afternoon. God in straightforward words promises you the prompt. savor this second. snigger and praise God that he's your Savior. bypass with friends, make a telephone call. take a seat right here on the computer and luxuriate in conversing to us. there is going to come back an afternoon to die...yet this second isn't it. have exciting. it really is a few Bible verses for you. God Bless and keep You Jesus suggested to her, "i'm the resurrection and the existence. He who believes in me will stay, even although he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will under no circumstances die. Do you've faith this?" (John 11:25-26). No eye has considered, no ear has heard, no options has conceived what God has prepared should you love him"—yet God has revealed it to us through his Spirit (a million Corinthians 2:9-10). Pray and ask God to reliieve you of your fears and seem at lack of life via his eyes *G*

Answer 10

There is a word that religious people cringe at called RESPECT. Would be nice to be respectful and not try to enforce one's beliefs onto others...It'd also be nice to respect differing opinions on the existance or lack there of God. Unfortunately, the labeling and disagreements are the number one historical reason for wars to be fought. It'd be really nice if we could all agree to disagree, put the differences aside and just get along wouldn't it? Unfortunately, humanity can't rise above petty bickering and get there. Maybe someday.