Alright fellow Theists do your personally go around bothering atheists?

Question

Do you spend your time knocking on atheists doors and arguing with them about their lack of belief or do you just let them believe as they choose? If you share your faith and that person tells you that they are atheists or agnostics do you continue to preach or just leave them alone and leave it to God?

I am asking this because I have seen numerous comments about how we "bother" them about our faith and "badger" them about their lack of faith.

Dear Edsawyer actually I am not being defensive or angry. This question was intended for theists not atheists. I am actually just having fun and learning a few things. You and I mean that in the general sense say we who believe are "Shoving our beliefs down your throat." I am just trying to determine if anyone here is actually trying to do that. I thought we were just having a friendly conversation. Isn't that what everyone else was trying to do by asking and answering questions?

And whom have I offended? I said nothing rude or obscene.

Complaint noted and I agree with most of what you are saying. I as a Catholic can only say what I see from my side of the fence. It is good to get a chance to "see" the other side. A famous poet, Robert Frost, I believe once wrote: "Good fences make good neighbors." I think we should all respect the fence and speak across it from time to time.

Answer 1

As an atheist, I've literally had my door knocked on more times than I care to recall by Christians who can't leave me in peace. If I tell them I'm an atheist they never, ever go away without an unwanted argument, and often a snide remark as well.

No-one I have ever known about has ever had their door knocked on by an atheist. Atheists do not hang around outside churches trying to persuade churchgoers to abandon their beliefs and become atheists. There are no high-income atheist evangelizing TV channels. Atheists do not carry out fundraising campaigns to ensure other atheists get into positions of high political office. Atheists do not assassinate non-atheists or try to blow them up. Atheists do not squabble, or cause wars, over the fine details of atheistic ideology. Atheists do not boycott businesses in order to force them to accept an atheist worldview.

When it comes to living a life of peace, tolerance, acceptance, understanding, humility, love and compassion, it sure looks like theists could learn a lot from atheists.

Answer 2

I don't personally know any atheists in my area, so I would have to say "no". I do know several people that believe differently than I do (I'm Christian), but I don't hound them. The deeper personal questions in life should be handled in a respectful way, through a friendly relationship with each individual. That is the best way to discuss matters of faith and the heart.

Answer 3

i'm more on the atheist side and you know what? there ARE people that bug me about their religions. i heard once that i would rot in hell for not believing in God. guess what i think? "F off... i can't rot if i don't believe there is a hell." but that's what theists are scared of... they're scared that atheists would go out there and commit your so called sins and the world would turn into hell. however... you do acknowledge that the argument of "morally wrong equals prohibited by God" is a wrong statement right? so this means that moral claims have nothing to do with religions/God... therefore atheists could still find their own ways to cope with what you guys call "sins." we wouldn't just go out there and kill just because God isn't in our heart. we don't need God in our heart to NOT kill. this shows more of your character if you're STILL a good person even though you have no one to sort of "report" to. as long as you're a good person with the right moral claims then you can be a good person without believing in God. of course believing in God is everybody's choice... nobody better criticize you for believing in one... but people that believe in one better not say anything to atheists too because it's almost the same concept except that the rules are not God-derived. i believe that atheists can still be good people and NOT go to hell just because they don't believe in God. who knows... they probably have a better place to stay... nobody would know so there's no need to even argue or go there. there are sooo many closed-minded people out there. as long as your religion doesn't crash into other people's freedom then it's cool no matter what you believe. also... i don't like how there are people that claim they follow everything in the Bible and start criticizing other people. if they really follow everything in it then they must've purposely skipped the part where it says "you're not supposed to have sex before you are married." i hate how some people claims that everything in the Bible is real yet they don't follow it and then make up excuses like "i will be forgived." might as well not say having sex without marriage is a sin then. i'm not saying that you're wrong... i just got to speak up for everybody. i would speak up for you theists too if atheists "bother" you about your religion. trust me i would. just that i see more people bug us atheists than the other way around. we all need to respect each other whether God exists OR NOT... it should NOT affect how we deal with each other in society/reality.

Answer 4

You are becoming highly offensive. I really don't know what your problem is. This is becoming an obsession with you.

I had once tried to respectfully take your questions as written in good faith. Now I see what a hate-filled woman you are (as much as you might pretend otherwise). I wish you luck in your life and I hope one day you can empty your heart of the hate that has filled it.

------

Edit: okay, I exaggerated. Debra and I have talked it through, and I might have gotten carried away... It happens sometimes...

Sorry.

Answer 5

I'm a Christian and I get hounded by Mormons & Jehovahs Witnesses. I think atheists get hounded by them, too. I think that they lump these religions into Christianity.
As far as true Christ-followers, I don't think the atheist get bothered by them. I think atheists are bothered in their own mind and soul. I think Jesus is knocking at the door to their soul and asking them to let Him in. Rev 3:20

Answer 6

When someone comes to your door, telling them you are an atheists is the worst thing you can do. They say they must spread the word of god and save your soul. I do not know one case where they left after you tell them you are an atheist.

Answer 7

I'm not an atheist but I let them be for I have to respect them also since many studied and carefully researched the Bible and know more about it than I do and probably more than the Pope himself!

Answer 8

Well, hmm good question, I will try to talk with them about it, to discuss, but if they say to stop I do. To continue at that point would be rude. I will pray for them still, as I can't see how they could be offended by my talking to an (in their opinion) imaginary figure.

Answer 9

I do knock on doors and talk to people. If they say that they are atheists but are willing to talk, I talk to them.

If anybody - atheist, buddhist, muslim or methodist - tells me that they aren't interested in talking, I tell them to have a nice day and leave.

I wish atheists would be so considerate, and would just talk calmly and rationally to people who wanted to listen, and would just walk away from those who don't.

Answer 10

I don't go around getting in peoples faces and I don't like them getting in mine.
If they were to tell me my faith was wrong, then I would tell them why a lack of fatih is wrong. Ohterwise I just pray for them.