How can some atheists be so judgemental about religious people?

Question

Before you get your undies in a bunch, I didn't say all of them. I have friends who are atheists, I have classmates who are atheists, and I've had teachers who are atheists. I love them to bits, and about the overwhelming majority of them respect my christianity. I respect other people's decisions, wheter they decide to be buddist, muslim, jewish, or atheists. But on this website I've run into some very rude judgements about christianity. Most of them are untrue, saying that people beleive in God because they're unwilling to face that there is no fate, or unable to make they're own decisions (even though Christians make decisions every day, just like everyone else) or unwilling to face that they are "alone." My question is how do you know? How do you know whether we are alone, or whether there is fate, or what we were thinking when we decided to be christian?

Answer 1

People tend to generalise a lot on here, hon. Both sides give as good as they get, in my experience. Some people too, aren't happy unless they are unhappy!
Just let it slide off you like water off a ducks back and you'll not notice it so much.

Btw, I'm pagan(non religious, at that). I've been nice. Notice the 'generalisation' above me from a christian? I'm not blaming her, as you say, there are a LOT of nasty people on here of all walks. The poster above me just shows how easy it can be to generalise. We all do it for convienience.

:)

Answer 2

Atheists are not the only nasty and rude people on this site! I have gotten plenty of emails from Christians that were not very Christian like.
I think both sides are just sick and tired of all the judgements and insults being tossed back and forth. No one truly knows wether God exists or not. There is no proof that he does, but there really isn't proof that he doesn't either. It is entirely a personal choice that each individual must make, and then live with. No one, no matter which side your on should judge another person for their faith. It is not for anyone to say what another person should or should not believe. That is why we live in American, land of the free.
I wish both sides would just let each other be. You are not ever going to change someones mind, especially on this site.

Answer 3

Some atheists hate Christians because they have rejected the truth of God and exchanged it for a lie, and being around Christians forces them to confront that truth. Also, those who are steeped in sin hate the truth because it exposes their sin. (Romans 1:16-23, John 3:16-21)

The fact that this world exists is a testament to the fact that God is. Something so complex could not have just happened by chance, as the evolutionists say. If there was an explosion at a metal factory, would you expect a Rolex to come tumbling out of it? No, and neither would a beautifully created fully functional universe happen to come out of a "big bang."

:) great question!

Answer 4

I agree with the poster before me. We just need to get along and respect others. Your question and comments were not offensive yet somehow others see it that way. Go figure? No one knows how any Christian or even an atheist thinks but we should put our heads together and help one another and not try to convert one another. Jesus said " We are the light of the World" Light overcomes darkness. We should tried and test the spirits behind some questions and don't answer those that seem offensive and rude.

Answer 5

There are people from every type of religion that have the "I'm right, you're wrong" mentality. These are the people who don't respect other's beliefs, refuse to even consider another person's point of view, and waste large portions of thier lives trying to convert people. They stop growing intellectually as people because they already think they know it all, when in reality, nobody knows. Some atheists are the same way which is where their unfair criticism comes from. I consider myself to be an atheist, but it sounds to me like you're very smart and have the right idea. Religious beliefs are very personal, and everyone's should be respected.

Answer 6

Atheists who say those things are speaking from much the same position as christians who claim that atheists "believe in nothing" and "have no purpose in their life".

It's basically just a matter of misunderstanding. Such atheists don't understand how some people could believe what they see as absurdities, and so they assume that it's for the emotional benefit.

In their defense, that's actually true in some cases. But not in most.

If you encounter such an atheist, just calmly explain that, regardless of how ridiculous it may seem to them, yes, you actually do believe in...whatever it is you believe in. That it's just that simple, nothing more to it.

As an atheist, it took me a bit of time to realize that that was the case - that religious folks actually, honestly believe everything they claim to believe. That it's not some sort of subconscious lacking on their part.

Answer 7

We just sort of think of you as the village idiot. I wouldn't say we hate you, but your behavior definitely invokes laughs and ridicule. If there was a person in your town or school who decided to start believing in Zeus and talked about Zeus all the time, and tried to get other people to believe in Zeus and pray to Zeus and accept Zeus' love, how would you handle that person? What if that person started warning you that if you didn't heed their words you would be chopped up in an eternal blender? Would you eventually tire of this person and avoid them and ultimately assume that their brain is disfunctional?

By the way, we are all born atheist by default. We don't need to prove that we are alone, you need to prove that we aren't. The onus is on you. If you came to me and said there is a herd of unicorn on the far side of the moon, would I need to respect that? Would I need to even consider it?

Answer 8

I think it is easy to be judgemental towards anyone who comes at someone in the attack or offended mode. People just need to calm down and realize we are all unique and it really doesnt matter how much we argue, fuss and fight ........ in the end. so much time is wasted on things we cant take with us when we die.... energy wasted on judgements that are not ours to make. how can anyone judge anyone else? like they will go to the after earth place and cast their judgement again or they will stand there and say " Ha! I told you so" I would love to see them when the big thundering voice says, "NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
oh well for what its worth, what do judgements really mean here and now pertaining to the after death? NOTHING

Answer 9

Well, before YOU get YOUR panties all in a bunch, I feel a lot of 'athiests' become judgemental of 'religious people' because a lot of christians preach constantly to them and tell them they're wrong and judge them first. I believe that if you're kind and caring to everyone you meet, they'll treat you well, whether or not you're christian. Please don't attack 'athiests' just because you're christian. Read what you wrote in your questions and look at how your words may possibly be incredibly offensive.

Answer 10

I'm an atheist and I'm glad u say not all, although i do admit when i feel offended i do get a little mean, i think it's just human nature, when we feel like something we believe in very strongly is being attacked by ppl we think dont understand our beliefs then we become defensive and it can get pretty nasty. Like i say i am guilty of it too, but i try my best to understand every-ones point of view, unless something is said that really pisses me off then i cant help myself, sorry:-)