Respectful question for Christians, why do you think Atheists come on here asking questions?

Question

In discussions with atheists and other non-Christians, the biggest reason that we have shared with one another is the political issues that stem from Christianity and the Christian Bible. Examples of this are Creationism/Intelligent Design in the public schools, gay marriage vs gay marriage ban, etc.

So, just wondering, respectful question, why do you think Atheists and Non-Christians are here asking questions.

Answer 1

I believe most people would like to
1. Air their own opinions
2. Tick someone off
3. Have a somewhat annonymous arguement
4. Carry on an intelligent debate
5. Test some Christian beliefs
6. Test their own beliefs
7. Have some fun
There are so many different reasons one would be here asking questions. As a Christian, I would like to see Christians be more articulate and know how to debate why they believe what they believe. I myself am not too good at it. However, I hope my children will be better at it than me.
Have fun with your question!

Sincerely,

Answer 2

Are you asking why political questions are being posted in the religion & spirituality category? Maybe it's because the people who feel most strongly about these particular issues are those at the extreme ends of the religious spectrum--the deeply religious vs. the atheist.

Or are you asking why the questions are being asked at all? Many of us non-Christians have nothing against Christians themselves, but it's unfortunate when the personal beliefs of some are forced on all of us by our own government. Some posts are attempts to change minds--especially on the issues where science and human rights are involved--and address the roles of church vs. state.

Many of us also realize that it is impossible to form an argument if you don't know what it is you're arguing against. Some posts are for gathering information that can be researched and addressed in later--and hopefully, more productive--debates.

But from what I see on Yahoo! Answers, the majority of questions are just attempts to rile up the opposition, and Christians and atheists are equally guilty of it.

Answer 3

From what you tell me about your discussions with atheists and other non-Christians, I can only conclude that you think they come here to ask questions in the hope that they can either convince Christians to change their political stance on such matters as school curricula and gay marriage, or to give up their faith entirely. I'm sure that is the reason some come here and ask their questions. I doubt they are going to enjoy much success.....
Some come here, I think, to belittle Christians. They ask rude and insulting questions and then get outraged when they get rude and insulting answers. I think that is very sad.
But, you know, I think some come here because, in their own minds, they aren't really sure. Maybe those Christians really do know something they don't. I think there are a few who are attracted by the LIGHT. For those, I have hope.

Answer 4

To justify your presence by saying it is about politics,I.D. or gay marriages is not true. True atheists that I have made discussions with do not make regular visits here because their label has be tarnished by those who perpetrate it. I believe unbelievers on this site are here to bash and Try to destroy religion which means You all don't understand that religion has always been the root of the problem and fighting against religion will only increase it because it's all about a territorial thing. You can't persuade anyone to agree with you especially when believers hearts,mind,soul and spirit is in it. I believe also that so-called atheists discriminate because they always ask Christians or Muslims questions and they mock them or their religion but never ask other religions or cults that agree with Christians and Muslims on some political,gay issues etc... Don't try to convert Christians because we are strong in our beliefs. Don't try to use the bible as a weapon and mock God and those who follow him because it won't work. Unbelievers and anti-Christians motives on this site are not legit nor is sincere. I'm praying for you,James and I hope that one of us is right about what we believe and know is true.

+j+

Answer 5

Christians cannot understand how someone can be an atheist and spirtual. When an atheist asks a spiritual question they get a load of Bible babble as if the Bible contains real answers regarding spirtuality. Most spirituality has a lot of philosophy and logic as a base and the Bible has almost none.

Answer 6

While I don't usually ask questions I think the reason that I'm drawn to some of these subjects is that Christians feel drawn to my subject.

Anytime somebody asks an evolution question in the science section....there are inevitably 20 answers that say evolution is a fraud...blah blah blah. Believe what you want but while there isn't perfect evidence (there never is in science because science is done by humans and no human is perfect) there is good evidence that evolution occurs. And we find it annoying when someone asks a reasonable question and has to sift through unreasonable answers.

People like me...who base their lives on logic and not faith.....are drawn to people who do base their lives on faith because of course we are curious. I like having conversations with intelligent people about what they believe in. I think it's important for people who disagree to try and understand one another.

And yes..sometimes it's fun to make fun of the wacco's.

Not sure if theres an answer in there somewhere but thats my rant.

Answer 7

Fair enough, Jim. There are more reasons for atheists and non-Christians asking questions pertaining to biblical Christianity than there are atheists and non-Christians. I wouldn't judge any one atheist's question based on my opinion of the previous question posted by another atheist, for example. I wouldn't even judge the motivation of one atheist regarding one question in light of the same atheist's previous question because one person's motivation can change from question to question and from minute to minute. If you're asking for some common themes, however, please allow me to hazard a guess.

There seem to be many hate-filled atheists who engage in prejudiced name-calling. They're not asking questions for the purpose of learning (as seems to be your motivation for this question), but they're asking to hurt others. Then one must ask the more foundational question, "Why would anyone want to hurt anyone else?" The reasons are too numerous to list here, but I'm sure you could list several right off the top of your head.

Some have found what they believe to be inconsistencies between one biblical passage and another, so they want to know what the Jewish or Christian way of reckoning the two passages is. The reasons for this can range from innocent to hateful. It all depends on the poswer. We have some clue what the underlying motivation is by the tone of the question. If, for example, the question reads, "You stupid, ignorant, idiotic Christians: How the ****'n **** **** can you say God exists when the Bible contradicts itself as follows?" This is not the sign of a polite or curious inquiry but of someone who's angry and is using an academic question as a weapon against a perceived opponent.

The less mature questions posed in this forum tend to come from a sinful heart aided by a sinful society who encourages this kind of prejudice and hate. The more mature questions are more likely to come from a curious mind interested in dialoging with people from diverse perspectives.

Jim, the bottom line is: The reason behind each question posed by an atheist or non-Christian varies from person to person, from moment to moment. Thanks for asking this question though.

Oh, one more parting question: Why do you think, when you ask a respectful question to Christians, so many atheists and non-Christians jump in to answer? When someone specifically asks a question to atheists, I don't jump in and spew my dogma; do I?

Answer 8

I believe most of the atheist and non-Christians come in to make fun of people they believe to be ignorant. Fair enough. I believe that makes them ignorant, but that's not your question. I think they people who are actually thoughtful are coming in to ask questions because they like the discussion. Some are honest and just don't understand or like what Christians believe, so they discuss or argue their points. I don't think they are coming in here to be "saved" or find meaning.

Answer 9

Probably because they view Christians with contempt and want to illustrate their own intellectual superiority by challenging the logical flaw in the Christian's fanatical (and more often than not blind) belief in something for which there is no proof. Especially when these beliefs become hypocritical or detrimental to social evolution (or improvement, if you don't like the word evolution).

Answer 10

Well there are a handful of questions that Athiests are "asking" just to degrade the Christian society. But I could understand the logic behind why Athiest question why they should have to/would want to follow early basic Christian doctrine found in America's society.