To the atheists?

Question

who say they don't believe in the existence of God or Satan, why do you yet have so many questions about it, especially when it deals with Christianity?

Everytime ANYONE sins, it's a sin. There is no "Christian sin" or "Atheist sin". Sin is sin.

Answer 1

I don't believe in god and I have no questions about him or any religion. I figure the folks that ask just want to argue.

Answer 2

In order to put yourself in the shoes of an atheist, you must ask questions. When you start asking yourself questions you become what's called a "human being". (asking questions distinguishes us from the rest of the life on this earth)Once you start asking questions you will inevitably come to one conclusion and its this. You can neither prove nor disprove a god or Satan. Why would I just blindly follow some doctrine or book or Santa clause? I wouldn't. Mostly the reason atheists ask so many questions about your religion is to get you to ask yourself the same question and then be honest with your own answer.

Answer 3

Christianity is the predominant religion in America, and is alluded to throughout our culture and literature (The DaVinci code, for instance). As an agnostic, I ask questions to learn more about the faith my friends have, and to gain a better understanding for some literature that has biblical references, or current events that are somehow involved with Christianity.
It's just a part of learning a little more about the world and the people around us.

Answer 4

Because I want to know that I've picked the right option. We all want to do what we think is the most logically correct thing to do in a particular situation, so by asking questions, I want to find out whether the idea of an all-powerful God is appealing to me. If we ask specially about Christianity, it is because it is one of the religions that stresses most on faith and devotion to an unknown ideal, so we figure that Christianity will know more about this than, say, Buddhism.

Answer 5

...now wait a minute...I wasn't born an Atheist...but I have more questions about Christianity than probably most Atheists.

There's a world of difference between "questions" and "doubt."

The more questions...the better. It's a matter of finding the correct answer to ALL of the correct questions...which, by being human...is a matter of trial and error...and most likely, not possible.

Every time a Christian sins, he's, in effect, being an Atheist.

Answer 6

Some people can go through life happily without asking questions, it's called blind faith.
And there has always been suffering, disasters, war etc.
Just have faith...
Others need to ask questions to learn, discover and understand in an attempt to grow in a better direction.
Learn everything...

Answer 7

Sometimes questions are asked not for the questioner, but for the one who answers. Since many religious types enjoy trying to convert people to their faith, some christians even do this door to door, why is it a problem for those who have a particular faith to answer quenstions?

Answer 8

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.

Answer 9

I am not sure I understand the entire question.

Why have questions? Because it is human nature to have questions.

Why believe without fail?

Having questions is what allows us discovery. If we were to never question anything, we would still be in the cave man days *without* fire.

Answer 10

Some questioners are just trolling, but some may actually and honestly be trying to expand a few minds.