Why is it that when Christians...?

Question

deny the possibility that there may not be a God, they're narrow-minded, but when an atheist denies the possibility that there MAY BE a God, they're enlightened?
What's the difference? Aren't they both narrow-minded?
And why is it that when a Christian condemns a behavior or a religion, they're being judgemental, but when an atheist condemns religion, it shows their "intellect"?

How is that a generalization? It's just something I've observed.

I suppose I should have put "narrow-minded" and "enlightened" into quotes. I did so now. This isn't according to everyone, of course, but seems to be the rule rather than the exception.

I'm not saying that I feel Christians OR atheists are narrow-minded, nor am I saying that either one is "enlightened". I'm a Christian myself, and I don't feel it's right to pass judgement on either group. I guess the real question is, why do so many people feel it's necessary to attack Christianity, even if other religions do the same thing?
I just used Christianity and atheism as an example. But the same can be said for ANY religion (or lack thereof)...but mainly Christianity and atheism. I'd say that those two are the most well-known "religions" (in quotes because atheism isn't a religion, it's a lack of).

I was told that this question shows hypocrisy. How is that?

Answer 1

because people are close minded and in denial !
like why do punk rockers preach individuality and non conformity but they think youre a fascist if you dont dress like them or listen to the same bands as they do?

Answer 2

To answer your first question: First, not only do most Christians deny the possibility that there may not be a god, but they often believe that the only possible god is their God. That is narrow minded. I don't think that most atheists deny that their MAY BE a god or some other consciousness that guides the universe, but they are uncertain as no "proof" of such a force exists. It is not that they are not open to the concept, they just refuse to accept it on "faith". I would not say that they are "enlightened" because that would suggest that they have some knowledge that others do not possess. In fact, they are exactly the opposite in that they admit that they do not have such knowledge.

For your second question: When a Christian (or a person of any religion for that matter) condemns a behavior or another religion it is often because the behavior or religion does not conform to their narrow views or beliefs. An atheist, on the other hand, condemns religion because he simply sees it as a waste of time and he sees how others needlessly argue points about religion that can never be "proven". An atheist sees how religion can drive people apart who have different beliefs and how it can even be the cause of wars. An atheist chooses to live his life based upon his own observations and thoughts and not according to some prescribed set of beliefs taken on a leap of faith. So, in that regard, he is choosing to use his own mind or "intellect".

Answer 3

Good point but what difference does it make what a Christian thinks or an Atheist thinks anyway. They both simply agree to disagree about religion. There is no way for anyone to prove one way or the other who is correct until we are dead.
I don't think you can group all atheists into a group and call them narrow minded. That is like saying because some women are prostitutes all women are whores.
Same with Christians. Because you either chose to believe in a religion or god does not make you narrow minded either.
If your theory were true then only people that are undecided about religion are broad minded and we all know that's a crock of bull.
You want to stereo type people by belief and that is sadly wrong.

Answer 4

I'm an atheist, and people also think I'm narrow minded sometimes. Your the first person whom I have ever heard call an atheist enlightened. I think that whatever your opinion is you will be considered narrow-minded by somebody else because they have a different opinion as you, which in a way makes everyone narrow-minded. In my opinion everybody is enlightened on some level, an atheist may be intellectual about scientific research and a religious person may have deep understanding of religious history; it depends on your perspective whether somebody is narrow-minded or not.

Answer 5

It's a matter of perspective. To an Atheist god does not exist because there is no scientific evidence for her existence. From a logic standpoint this is the only way to go since if we accepted non-scientific evidence (religious text, the devoutness of her followers) we would have to conclude that all of the gods that are currently worshiped exist - this was actually possible in the time of Moses when Henotheism (all gods exist and rule over their respective peoples) ruled the day. However, since the notion of the 'one god' it would be a contradiction for all of them to exist.

On the other hand, for a religious person to criticize another religion it is simply another manner of saying that that person's faith is less valid.

In my opinion it is always in poor taste to attack someones faith, unless you do it jokingly (because I believe comedy should never have boundaries placed on it). The problem between Atheists and the Religious is that the former argues from logic whilst the latter argues from faith. To question ones logic is not only acceptable it is necessary. To question ones faith is the most personal of insults.

Answer 6

hmm...hold on

people who deny the posibility (a possibility is a fancy nam for a "might be") theyre narrow minded i agree. theyre not admitting to anythign at all except the posibility that there MIGHT be a god.

i disagree with your statement about (us) atheists. many atheists (including myself) would never deny the possibility of a god. although the possibility of the CHRISTIAN god existing is less of a chance. so yes i think both are narrow minded i suppose.

well for the codemning of behavior is hard to do when youre smack dab in the middle of the religion. us atheists are outside the box, looking in at you religious people inside the box. we atheists have a better view and can see all of the pieces of the puzzle. you christiansusually cannot. so when we say "bad religion!" its because we see everything, when you christians do it youre just doing it because it makes you look bad.

i dont know, its a bit mroe complicated than that....so.....

Answer 7

Who says atheists are enlightened or intellectual? It just seems like that is the majority opinion because that is the opinion of the media and Hollywood and people who make a lot of noise. But it's utter nonsense. There is nothing narrow-minded about believing in God.

Answer 8

I do not deny I am narrow minded about the existence of God, just like I am narrow minded about the existence of cars.
Anyone denying that is considered foolish or crazy, but with God, it depends on the audience.
Enlightment is simply the realization of which of the 2 possilbilities is true. Regardless of ones opinion, all of us will eventually find out the truth and some will be happy and some...well.. not so happy.

Answer 9

I wonder how many people I'm going to tick off with this......
It isn't narrow minded to state your belief and say you simply can't accept any other possibility. You are only capable of believing what you're capable of believing on either side--athiest or christian. It only becomes a problem when either side tries to force or badger the other to believe what they say. I think the "differences" that you speak of arise from the same issues as those concerning race. Whites enslaved and mistreated blacks and are the majority. Because whites and blacks are sensitive to the whites' past misdeeds whites tend to tread lightly in regards to african americans. Blacks however have a clean conscience. Think about it--how many black comedians make jokes about white people, how about the nickname "cracker"? How many white comedians do you hear making jokes about blacks? It's kinda the same thing. Christians were certainly persecuted but never by athiests as athiests have always been the minority. Christians persecuted pagans and athiests so they don't have a clean past and they, along with everyone else, are aware of that. They tread lightly, along with everyone else, because of it.

Answer 10

It's a double standard rooted in extreme pride of one's self. As a Christian I can recognize the possibility of no God since it is a choice that I make to believe that there is. However the extreme pride of an atheist prevents them from recognizing that there may be a God, despite the fact that it is their choice not to. In fact there is a school of thought that some atheists subscribe to that states we have no choices, that we are pre-programmed by evolution to do everything we do when we do it.

Answer 11

It sure sounds like a double standard, doesn't it? I'm narrow minded to a point I suppose, in that I cannot consider the possibility that there is no God; my own personal experience in life will not permit that.

It's fine to be open minded, but not so open minded that your brain falls out.