Why are there atheists asking/answering questions in the "Religion & Spirituality" category?

Question

Are they just looking for confrontation? I guess it makes sense if they have a real question, but it seems to be an outlet for hostility, or a soap box for trying to convince Christians that they're wrong or stupid, or a forum to call them names or make fun of them. Yes, I know some Christians are always trying to convert people, but if you don't like it, and you're not religious, why wouldn't you just stay the hell out of the religion category??? You don't go to church, do you? Why would you want to come here? It seems kind of hypocritcal to me. Sharing opinions is educational and healthy, but nobody wants someone else's beliefs shoved down their throat. Just wondering what the motivation is, if it's something other than animosity???

I am not about segregation, I just don't understand the hostility.

I feel no threat whatsover from atheists--I just don't understand the hostility....

Thank you to those of you who answered my question in a calm, friendly manner. And I apologize for asking a question that has already been addressed...my bad.

Answer 1

good question, girl. we could try and think well of them in that they are trying to balance the answers so that we can come to a better conclusion.

I too dont like the insults, i think its totally unnecessary, same goes for the theists who are too judgemental as well.

Answer 2

How many times must this question be answered?

This forum is for religious discussion, it doesn't state it is only for people who have a religion. There are people here who are just as interested in what Atheists believe as what other beliefs are. I have had many send me messages thanking me for what I wrote.

Also, you don't have to have a religion to be spiritual, I consider myself a spiritual person and an Atheist.

There may be some here who are just here to rile things up, but I see a bunch of religious folk here for the same reason.

Answer 3

Why does this question get asked every hour? I'll give the same answer I've given on numerous other occasions. Yes, this is the Religion and Spirituality section. Note that it is, in fact, NOT the Religious and Spiritual section.

Answer 4

It's called trying to be enlightened. I'm atheist, but I go to Synagogue with my girlfriend and sometimes I'll go to church with my parents. I like to be informed about people's religious beliefs so that I'm not ignorant to their beliefs. Religion is a major part of culture and society and there's no avoiding it. If it's something I have to live with, I want to understand what they believe in. Also, most people like to make ignorant claims about atheism so I like to clear the misconceptions.

Answer 5

No the atheists are not looking for confrontation in the forum for ''Religion & Spirituality''. It is their innate quest that urges them to find out about their creator with sceptisism & ridicule. The unanswered question which haunts them & all men "who are we?. Where have we come from & from here where do we go? ect" drives them to this forum as they are unable to find answers else where. They are not bold enough to raise the question face to face openely, so they mix ridicule in their questions in order to find out what they want without being honest & straight forward.

Answer 6

Maybe its because atheists are curious or want to test the reactions of religious people to see if they will go psycho or be open monded. Pesonally I like seeing what atheists say about religious things because they bring in a side most religious people are afraid to think of because its against their docrtine. Personally I think its a welcomed thing and am glad to see them active here.

Answer 7

ahhhh i can see by ur segregation of believer and non believer (ie not being alowed in the same forum) why religion starts war! people are asking questions to see different points of view, the fact that u take this as offensive proves you dont have the time for fellow humans of different beliefs to co-exist

Answer 8

Well anywhere you go you will have people that have different beliefs its up to you whether you accept that they are here or fight against it and disturb the peace. We coexist in the world surely we can be on a forum discussing in an adult, civil manner.

Answer 9

Dear Tiger Lilly:

Your Father created you to be a part of Him. As spirit in His likeness, you are, in your Spirit-Mind a replica of Him. You think His thoughts, feel His love, His peace, his Joy together with Him - in your eternal Reality - as His Child. I speak of your Real Self.

In the human journey you no longer know Him. The veil is hanging over your relationship with Him. He is bereft when His Children seemingly no longer know Him. You were meant to be His Completion. He knows the depths of you - for He knows what He created.

Atheists feel a discomfort within their souls. How can you deny your Father and be comfortable? This discomfort may be conscious and therefore aggressive and defensive. Or, it may be an underlying, unconscious feelling - that still remains "in the driver's seat!"

The memory of your Father and your eternal being-ness with Him is contained within your Spirit. That memory can be brought forth and stand before you - with some Guidance from His appointed Teacher, Jesus of Nazareth and His appointed Guide and Comforter, the Holy Spirit. I say to you, seek relationship with Jesus - He has to be invited in, or He will not enter your life. He will tell you of His Father and cause you to remember.

In Spirituality, we understand Jesus as saying, "I am like the Father, but I am not God. I and you are of Him." Jesus also said, "I came for your remembrance of the Father - whose attributes I embody. If you hunger for me you are truly Hungry for Him. Let me feed you. . ."

There is no need for the Atheists to be aggressive with anyone. There is no need for anyone to feel "put upon" by Atheists. There is an appointed time for each of us to begin the Journey. None of us will disappoint. . .at the appointed time every soul will keep it's promise to the Holy Spirit to begin it's Return. The Father trusts us. He knows what He created. And, we are faithful to each other - beyond all appearances.

Answer 10

Again?

1. This question is posted many times every day.

2. I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to a previous version of this question:

I believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.

Granted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)

As for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.

In my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are.

I see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.

We are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.

Our current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.

I know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history.

I see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."

That said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.

I hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.

I feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent.

If you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.

That's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.

Answer 11

Why are there so many Christians that think they own the exclusive rights to "Religion & Spirituality" that keep asking why there are so many atheists here?

Last I heard, this was the place to come with q&a about religion, not the place to come to preach one single religion.