Do theists understand why atheists are skeptical and use words like brainwashed?

Question

Just as an example, the heaven's gate group, a group of religious people, used drugs and committed a mass suicide. There is also the jim jones example.
There were people who believed David Koresh was a God and some at the Branch Davidian camp willingly died for their belief.

I understand many of you believe in the Bible. This is a book that yes I am reading, but some of it appears to be allegory and parable. There are even disagreements about what is real and what is parable/allegory within Christianity.

Do theists understand why an atheist would be skeptical? This is not to excuse mischievous behavior or rude behavior, but many of us have genuine interest but are skeptical. Does not our skepticism make sense?

Many of us do not want to pick the wrong God, or use the wrong chemical, or read the wrong book. Many who are religious belief they have the right God, chemical (eucharist), and right book. But do you understand our skepticism?

Answer 1

Actually I can totally understand how these people and many others can mislead people or make others believe we are all that way. There are so many foolish people in the world and there are so many others who would take advantage of those who are desperate. That is why I so wish we Christians would pay more attention to our actions than relying only on our words and Bible. God gave us an intellect. I don't think He meant for us to waste it. So many people have lost faith based on these Televangelists and false prophets it's not funny. If we lived as we profess then there would be no problem knowing who we are and who we represent.
Peace Be With You,
Debra

Answer 2

Most Christians I know were born to christian families raised christian and never had a doubt about their faith. This has made them defensive and refuse to believe that there could be any skepticism over their belief. I think most religious people are this way. I have been skeptical myself so I do understand other peoples skepticism. One thing that tends to put religious believers off is when they are stereotyped. It is always best to be skeptical but that doesn't mean that when you go to someone with questions you should stereotype them before getting an answer. A good example would be some one who didn't believe in gravity going to some one who did and saying "isn't it possible that you were brainwashed into believing that gravity exists? Isn't it more likely that every thing is more like a puppet being held with invisible thread?" The believers first reaction is to become defensive and verbally attack the questioner because of a perceived attack coming from the questioner. My point is that there are an unknown amount of theists who would understand skepticism and the use of terms like brainwashed but the majority would only take offense and not take the time to explain their views. Approaching any one about a potentially sensitive subject is like approaching a strange dog. You have to be cautious and pick your words as carefully in potentially sensitive subjects as you would movements around the dog.

Answer 3

The main issues to me seems to be interpretation of the bible. If people take it as 100% word of god, God in infallible, thus every story is 100% true then too many conflicts come up and people of faith generally get defensive.

If it is taken as allegory, prose, apocalyptic, poetry and some history then it is much more easily digestable and fits better with a modern view of society. No one believes that in the Book of Psalms everything is 100% accurate, as it is a book of prayer, if you look at the Penateuch(first 5 books of the bible) there are many styles and it can be said genesis is actually poetry.

Skepticism is not a bad thing, questioning and curiosity are a core function of human nature, and if you believe that man was made in god's image something so prominant in us would most likely be a facet of god's own personage.

Answer 4

Although I'm not an atheist, I understand your skepticism and I will not force my beliefs down your throat or anyone else's.

I choose to believe what I believe the same way the next person also has the right to believe what they choose. But if I'm backed into a corner I will most certainly defend my beliefs - make no mistake about that! Then again, why should it ever reach the point where one should be forced to be defensive?

Because of my beliefs, I do not feel the need to insult others. I always try to be respectful of the feelings and beliefs of others and even if I were an atheist, I would still be polite and courteous because we all have to share the same planet...

The Bible says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Even if one doesn't trust the Bible to be the word of God, doesn't that statement even seem to be generic common sense?

Zealots (regardless of their brand of faith) and radical non-believers give their individual "religions" or lack thereof, a bad name and make themselves look ridiculous and rabid. Trying to get other people to "see the light" by using methods via mockery, name calling, insults and intimidation only serves to alienate.

Seriously, how can one explain something when they are on the offensive yet still expect another to listen to them? The moment the other person is put on the defensive, they are no longer interested in what is being said. The "cause" being championed is now lost and anything said after that is just a waste of time.

If you were NOT an atheist, would you abandon your faith and become one because you were called stupid or brainwashed for believing what is written in the Bible?

Would you reject atheism and become a Christian if you were told you were an agent of the Antichrist and were going to burn in hell because you were an ignorant a$$ who refused to believe in God?

Would you become an Islamic terrorist because you were told you were nothing but a piece of camel dung because you didn't believe that Muhammad (sp?) was a true prophet?

I, myself was skeptical about God for more years than I care to admit. When I turned back to God, truly believed in Jesus and became saved, too many good things happened in my life which proved to ME, that MY skepticism was wrong. Once again, that's my choice. It's not up to you or any one else to decide for me.

Although I honestly wish atheists, et al, would see what the Trinity could do in their life, it's not up to me to force anyone into my way of thinking. Atheists and everyone else are free to decide what is best for themselves and if they choose to not believe, well then, OK. I will not degrade them for their decision, but then again, on the other hand, I deserve and expect the same in return.

Answer 5

Those examples of Jim Jones, David Koresh and the Heaven's Gate bunch are a great inspiration to the likes of Pat Robertson and others that are behind the Dominionist, Reconstructionalist and Theonomist movements. Those events clearly demonstrated tha ordinary christians could be induced to do totally insane things under cover of religious persuation. Just convince them that god wants it, and they'll do it. As a result of those 'lessons learned', right-wing christian fundamentalists are RIGHT NOW in the provess of taking over republican party organizations at the local level, under the seemingly benign cover of 'family values', and such. Unless christians wake up now, and realize that they are being duped into becoming willing, enthusiastic pawns of subversive elements, the USA could very well become a theocracy within the next 20 years.

Answer 6

I can totally understand, j_d. My boyfriend is atheist, I'm Wiccan and we have many interesting discussions. I would even go as far as to say that sometimes I think he may be the one who has it right, and I'm the one who's wrong. So why do I keep believing? I figure if there really is nothing after death, then what does it matter? I'm going to keep living my life to the fullest, trying to be a good and decent human being as much as any theist or atheist would. If I'm wrong in what I believe, oh well, if I'm right, than how awesome is that! I think the problem is when people use religion as a crutch to not face things in life, not take responsibility, or not live to the fullest and become all that they could be.

Answer 7

Yes I can understand and you would be skeptical. Many people twist media and/or politics to there own end just as the bible is twisted and distorted to fit cultural beliefs. There are similar dispute over what is REAL or TRUE in the fields of science. The bible warns about false Prophets and apostasy and the heavens gate cult is an example of that. Ask one of Jehovah witnesses for scientific and scriptural reasons to believe in the bible. And decide for yourself.

Answer 8

Atheist is my opinion mock God because they do not want rules set for their life. They feel they can be excluded from these rules if they do not believe. It’s a way to pass guilt. That is why they are so offensive when someone reminds them that God is real and the sins they are guilty of. Believe it or not, for one day all will believe. Statistics say that half of the US believes in Jesus and the prophecy of Revelations. Those that do not believe have not researched with an open mind. I myself struggle with man made religions, but I truly believe in the Bible and it’s teachings. I hope that those that do not believe are not depriving themselves from researching the truth and make that decision an educated one. Research will show that predictions made thousands of years ago are happening today. These are specific prophecies that just a few decades ago were thought to never be possible. Nothing is impossiable in the eyes of God.

Answer 9

I think that intellectually honest theists - such as myself - understand well the skepticism of atheists. While I believe in God (the monotheistic God of the Jews, Christians and Muslims) I am constantly challenging my faith by exposing myself to differing faiths, religions and opinions. Those of us who follow this path DO understand how an atheist can hold his or her views.

However, problems arise when atheists challenge our FAITH with the claims of LACK OF PROOF. Many atheists see fact and faith are mutually exclusive, while I do not.

I look at our world, see the fact of the big bang, the logical process of evolution, and many of the other marvels of our world and universe (all proven by science) and see NO conflict with my faith. Many atheists find this impossible to understand. I on the other hand, have absolutely no problem reconciling these facts with my faith that there is a God that started it all.

Answer 10

I understand your skepticism completely. It takes that first leap of faith to accept Jesus and begin your walk with God, and there are a lot of people out there on both sides of the debate that are very rude, hypocritical, etc. I appreciate your question because you are very respectable and courteous with your language, and I thank you for that! I have no problem with anyone who doesn't share my beliefs, but when people are rude about it like some I've seen here, then that sort of moves them into hypocritical territory. So yes, I understand, and I thank you again for your nicely worded question :)