I don't understand why "Athiests" are using the religion section of answer's when they don't believe in religion. Atheist's talk and talk about not having christian beliefs shoved down their throats yet they post questions and answers and bad mouth and slam religion. If they what christians to leave them alone with their beliefs then why can't they do the same? Practice what you preach (or what you say...for the Atheists that will give thier opinion)
2006-07-07 00:45:18 · 28 answers · asked by smoothsophie 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't want it to sound like I don't think they should be here. I just wanted to know if they are trying to pick a fight. Everyone has the right to say what they want, just don't know why people have to be mean thats all.
2006-07-07 00:56:20 · update #1
1. This question is posted many times every day.
2. I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to a previous version of this question:
I believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.
Granted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)
As for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.
In my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are.
I see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.
We are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.
Our current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.
I know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history.
I see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."
That said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.
I hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.
I feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent.
If you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.
That's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.
2006-07-09 08:00:23 · answer #1 · answered by wrathpuppet 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In the first place, you will never EVER see an atheist go into a non-religion discussion group and start banging on about how there are no gods. Christians and Muslims do that sort of thing all the time - preaching in inappropriate circumstances where such ideas are not asked for and not wanted.
In the second place, discussing and criticising ideas and beliefs is not just acceptable, it's *essential*, otherwise how will we ever produce educated, enlightened people? It just needs to be done in an appropriate place, and what more appropriate place to discuss religion than a religious discussion forum?
2006-07-07 07:55:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not an atheist. I am an agnostic. But I hope that you will listen to what I say anyway.
This is not a forum for people who believe in god. This is a forum where anyone can come to discuss Religion and Spirituality. Atheists and Agnostics have a right to discuss these things.
No one is shoving any opinions down your throat. You have a choice to come here or to not come. If you are offended by free thought, then you have a choice to go to a discussion group where everyone agrees with you.
My biggest complaint about SOME Christians (Christian Extremists) is that they want me to conform to their rules. That is exactly what you are doing with this question. I find it insulting. I think that you owe us an apology.
2006-07-07 08:00:29 · answer #3 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yawn.
I am practising what I preach. I believe that the truth can only be found through searching and considering alternate viewpoints. If you take a question about your religion as a 'slam', I would advise you to consider the depth of your belief in it.
Peace
2006-07-07 07:54:10 · answer #4 · answered by XYZ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are view points of knowledge acquired. This is Q and A. Ppl come here to answer or post questions. Tomorrow u'd say on auto suggestion why are atheists on this earth since god created the earth and if they don't believe in him they should find their own planet.
You make no sense as is expected from a stupid christian!
2006-07-07 08:01:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they have faith in themselves and they are their own religion. Hence why they're in Religion and Spirituality.
It would be nice if they'd start asking questions where they genuinely want to know information about different religions instead of slamming them. Not all of them slam Christianity and other religions, though. Most of them are actually pretty nice people. I know a few of them. They don't harass me for being a Christian. They might think I'm a little strange, but they don't harass me for it.
2006-07-07 07:51:58 · answer #6 · answered by bachlava_9 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All an Atheist is, is someone who has not yet found his or her truth. You need to be loving and accepting of this search for their truth. Not judgmental and defensive.
The question you should ask yourself is why does this bother you?
If your own faith in what you believe in were strong these things would be irrelevant to you. There is something about your belief system that you are uncertain about or the questions these atheists pose would not be troubling to you.
Think about this. It is the real key to finding the peace you seek on this issue. The insecurities we have do not originate external to the mind that believes in them. Remember this and it will help you. Love and blessings to you.
2006-07-07 08:06:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everybody talks about religion, why should atheists be any different?
Edsawyer makes a good point: If you think we're wrong, then fight back. Be a better debater, make better arguments. Don't bother with threats or "why are you here" whines, that may get you a few points but it won't make you look any smarter.
2006-07-07 07:58:20 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly alright to post in the religion section about not believing in religions. The topic is still religion. Kind of like posting in the government section whether you are for or against it.
2006-07-07 08:12:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. Why are athesists going into the religon section when atheism isn't a religon. It's a group of people who don't have a religon. Athesist do practice religon so they have no religon. But to make things worse, they mock the christians only. Not the buddhists, not the hindus, but the christians
2006-07-07 07:52:37 · answer #10 · answered by northfielder24 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋