I have noticed something interesting, and I'd just like to point it out. This will ruffle some feathers, as usual, but oh well.
The atheists here have a very firm grasp on the beliefs of Christians and other religions. Even the believers don't refute what the atheists say about them. They just say they feel sorry for us because we don't believe the way they do.
On the other hand, when these believers attempt to attack or criticize the atheists, they make it abundantly clear that they don't have a clue what atheists truly "believe". They tend to create strawmen and/or criticize things that have nothing to do with atheism. (IE: Atheists hate god, or atheists reject god so they can be immoral, or atheists have been "hurt" by god so now they lash out, etc)
I find it interesting that there's such a difference between the two groups. Agreed?
2006-07-12 06:55:48 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Definitely I agree. I'm not atheist, but I am agnostic. It seems like atheists/agnostics are the way they are BECAUSE they know and understand the many different religions. On the other hand, people are religious, not because they understand all aspects of their religion and others, but BECAUSE they don't understand. If they took the time to stand back and LEARN, they'd do one of two things:
1) Understand their religion and why it is different from others and continue to practice their religion BECAUSE of the understanding they have acquired.
2) Reject their religion and any others after their research, realizing then what we atheists/agnostics have been trying to get them to see.
Very observant. Nicely stated. I applaud you.
2006-07-12 07:01:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 4⤋
A good number of atheists have really looked into all religions. Out of curiosity or searching, I'm not sure. And have reached a conclusion. The believer relies on things told to him by a preacher who says see in Lev. or Cor. of Mark or Luke it says this. This means x or y are wrong and the only answer is z.Since one side approaches from an intellectual side they can argue or refute things . Since the other side comes from only emotion they cannot do the same. Sheep don't think they follow!
2006-07-12 14:13:21 · answer #2 · answered by olderandwiser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the reason behind this is because most atheists have deconverted, and the only reason they are atheist is because they have studied their former religion and found it lacking. After that, many research other religions and find them also lacking sense and rationality. A christian doesn't need to know much about their faith, because the priests and such will tell them the cherry-picked parts of the bible they need to know and whatever the current apologetic's side of things is.
I didn't become an atheist until I read the bible. :)
2006-07-12 14:09:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its clear one a few of your points that yes this is true,
but on others, i think stupid knows not just the theist but the atheist as well with regards to their knowledge of the theism
ultimately everyone believes something "different"
but the point that christians put out there nonstop that oh atheists just hate god or are trying to get back at their parents, its just part of their psychosis that there is a god so it must be real to everyone else, so the atheist must know a god
someone answered one of my questions with is this a joke you must know no one believes that
i emailed her and said no no i really believe the universe started by accident, and yes people are taking me serious there are 60 plus members of the yahoo group i started on may 18 who do want to read what it is i say about these issues
she replied that she believed in god, that i must be up at night wondering if im wrong, and that she didnt want anyone to go to hell
i havent responded and am willing to let it die cause honestly, what point would i have in responding to that
2006-07-12 14:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is clear that the atheists Are much more familiar with the dogma of several religions compared to christians who seem to know little about other beliefs.
More often than not christians utilize fallacious reasoning, cliche moral and personal judgement of the questioner, and/or no reasoning at all. Usually some silly quote from their silly books.
2006-07-12 14:10:42 · answer #5 · answered by theagitator@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey- What are Agnostics and Pagans, invisible? I think that anyone who has questioned the continuous assault on our lives by religious zealots has to learn something about that religion in order to (a) fight back and (b) stay sane.
It's self-defense. I started reading about fundementalists and evangelicals when I left home and started having run-ins with them every time I turned around. I learned all sorts of stuff about them, the bible, Christian and church history, theology and all those unpronounceable- ologies, and suddenly had the upper hand. I've held my own with and have been complimented by people with degrees in theology. That is the ultimate compliment and accomplishment.
Knowledge is power, and knowledge destroys fear.
2006-07-12 14:55:17 · answer #6 · answered by sunfell2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I find it interesting that self-proclaimed "enlightened" ones would choose to engage in condescending banter so as to reveal how very stereotypical and generalized their thinking really is (the very thing you are accusing your adversaries of). Second, whatever my personal beliefs, I would never presume to know what any one person believes until I discovered it through dialogue and inquiry. Thirdly, do you really think you are persuasive or "enlightening" to those who do not share your beliefs when you engage them in such a derogatory and antagonistic tone? Of course, it is entirely possible that you could care less, and if so, I suppose you are perfectly entitled to do so and bask in the glory of your "enlightenment" . . . BTW, Neptune's statement is exactly what I am talking about . . .
2006-07-12 14:15:39 · answer #7 · answered by Lee C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aethists deny a fundamental truth that they are born with. If a child is raised without a faith, he still knows in his soul that there is a God because it is only common sense. Aethists share the sin of the devil in denying God His authority. This sin is the deadly sin of Pride. You are demonstrating a perfect example of this through such an ignorant statement.
2006-07-12 14:01:24 · answer #8 · answered by oremus_fratres 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I concur.
Even the sceptical mind must be prepared to accept the unacceptable when there is
no alternative. If it looks
like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the
possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family Anatidae on our hands.
-- Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
(book one of the Dirk Gently series), p. 216
2006-07-12 14:02:31 · answer #9 · answered by meta-morph-in-oz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the difference is that they don't need the Bible, they are forgiven all thier sins so why bother reading the manual?And it makes it easier to say thier catch phrases like; You are unAmerican or You are going to Hell or Because God said without looking for some vapid excuse to back it up.
2006-07-12 14:21:30 · answer #10 · answered by go_to_girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I agree. It also seems that the atheists at Y!A are more familiar with the Bible than the Christians here.
Faith hinges on ignorance and wishful thinking, it would seem.
2006-07-12 14:00:42 · answer #11 · answered by lenny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋