What I believe really only matters to me. If I'm not forcing it on you and only want an intelligent exchange of ideas and not to be insulted and attacked. I respect your chose of belief or non-belief.
although, no offenence I "believe" it to a little closed minded and foolish.
2006-07-19 05:46:58 · 29 answers · asked by Red Yeti 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Perhaps an attempt to better understand a fellow human. It might not change one's opinion of you, but it does give someone an idea of how you think and respond to certain things. I'm not a christian, but one of my fellow coworkers and I have had many discussion on the topic to learn more about each other. We tended to be each other's "devil's advocate" and caused each other to think long and hard about what we do believe in and why we did so.
2006-07-19 05:55:44 · answer #1 · answered by Mikey S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not exactly an atheist - I haven't really decided what I believe, and it seems unlikely I ever will. However, I do understand that religion is an extremely powerful force on this planet, and many things are done in the name of "god" that should not be.
People have used god as a way of getting what they want from the dawn of man, and that is not going to stop. My objection is not to people who believe in god, it's to those who use god for their own purposes, or who feel I need to be "saved," or that they have some right to enact legislation based on their religious beliefs so that we are all forced to conform to them. It does have a very deep impact on my life every day when laws exist that were put in place based on religious ideals.
It would be nice to think that our individual beliefs didn't affect each other, but they do. And forcing someone to accept another person's religious ideology is quite simply contrary to everything my country (America) stands for - and yet it continues to happen. In a perfect world, you're right, it wouldn't matter - but ask yourself this: if it truly doesn't matter, why did you even ask the question in the first place? It obviously had an affect on you that someone was atheist.
If you truly believe that every person should be free to believe what they wish - I applaud you. Unfortunately, the majority of religiouns do not share your views and try very hard to push their agenda onto others. It is this attitude that I take issue with and fight back against.
Hope this answers your question.
2006-07-19 06:08:45 · answer #2 · answered by kendallsan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At one level, I don't really care what other people believe. They are certainly free to make up their own minds. However, what they believe does affect me because of the way people vote and the effects their beliefs have on the political environment I live in. For example, because of religious extremists, stem cell research is being hampered in the US; people are justifying predjudice against gays; and the Middle East is in continual conflict. The latter affects what I pay for gasoline every day. Also, the extremists in the US are trying to eliminate real science from classrooms because it disagrees with their beliefs. This again affects me directly through the people I have to teach later (I am a university professor).
So, yes, people have the absolute right to their own judgements and beliefs. However, those judgements and beliefs are not irrelevant to me. If I have a chance to change their minds so that the society in general is closer to the way I would like it, I will try to do so.
2006-07-19 06:00:31 · answer #3 · answered by mathematician 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am athiest and I don't really care what others' views on religion are. People should be free to believe in or not believe in anything they want. The problem arises when religion mixes with public laws and guidelines. For instance, stem cell research will one day prove to be a valuable thing in our fight against disease and illness but because the administration doesn't believe in it based on their own religious values, they ban it for everyone else including those that may not agree with them, or even worse, those that may benefit from the research. Same thing with abortion. It's all a matter of separation between church and state. If there is that separation, then I doubt anyone would mind what anyone else's religion was.
2006-07-19 06:23:16 · answer #4 · answered by Majickegotrip 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should give Seraph the 10 points, he expressed what I think (and I'm atheist).
The "beliefs" have a direct impact in society. In some societies, people are executed just because they start believing in something else, there the "intelligent exchange of ideas" in nonexistent. I wouldn't want that in my country.
I my country, religion is promoting "no to condoms" and "no to birth controls" and we already have an overpopulation problem. Why is this happening? Because their beliefs and religion.
So, as far as beliefs and religions systems have an impact in society, I'll care. I don't care for very personal belifs that have no impact on others.
2006-07-19 06:02:15 · answer #5 · answered by Oedipus Schmoedipus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no longer all atheists are boastful and self-chuffed. possibly they imagine believing in God is an similar as believing in Santa Claus? That that is appropriate only till a particular, enlightened age? i changed into an atheist (now i'm no longer certain what i'm) and that i cared because i necessary to understand why people ought to believe so strongly when I had so little faith in God. and that i have continuously made it a level to understand some different person's non secular perspectives, regardless of what they were. even although i does no longer bypass to church with my mom even as i turned right into a young person, I under no circumstances laughed at her for going. Or laughed at all of us else. i'm sorry you've met some rude those who make you experience this kind. Your faith makes you more suitable then without and also you may want to believe on your beliefs, and believe that God despatched those people your way for a purpose (no longer to rework, yet to coach you the way superb existence in His mild may be?) GL!
2016-10-14 23:14:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has no true effect, but as you say we hope for an intelligent exchange of ideas, from both parties I hope. And of course to learn about other people, their opinions and beliefs. But, no, you are right it has very little effect, especially here! Moreover, no one likes to be attack or insulted, but then what those people say have less effect than others...
2006-07-19 05:57:01 · answer #7 · answered by psicatt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No offense - but I kinda of find anyone who can swallow that lie to be close-minded and foolish. See - its a two way street...
Allow me to ask you this - if youre a Christian, why would you care if others didnt beleive in your God? After all, youre being saved...so who cares about the rest?? Just like your religion tells you that you should spread the truth and help save people, our MINDS tell us that we should attempt to spread knowledge and intelligence and the ability to think for ourselves....
I know, I know....you already have these abilities.... but do you REALLY?? I think not. The very tenant of FAITH requires a blind allegiance to unproven dogmatic ideologies.
2006-07-19 05:52:57 · answer #8 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
clsoe minded and foolish is exactly what can be used to describe your beliefs and ideas. you wonder WHY you're attacked and insulted is bcuz of assumptions like that. you believe your ideas and beliefs are right, whereas "others" are tolerated but not really the right choice. get your mindset out of YOUR way of thinking and be open minded yourself for a change
2006-07-19 05:50:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one is trying to force you to not believe. Atheists would rather point out that what you believe in is part of an elaborate scam. If you want to believe in the boogie man go right ahead, just be aware that the institutions that perpetrate this fraud are evil and need to be exposed.
And what Seraph said.
2006-07-19 05:51:05 · answer #10 · answered by Biggest Douche in the Universe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋