Why is it that some people who profess no belief cannot just live and let live?

Question

Why do they feel the need to insult and belittle those of us who have faith? It is not like our faith has any bearing on them now is it?
They claim Theists are intolerant but they are just as guilty of this fault. Isn't this the pot calling the kettle black? Do we not have as much right to believe as they do to not believe?

Answer 1

for the same reason that some people that believe cannot help but through it into the faces of those that do not believe. everyone has a right to their own thoughts and beliefs, but intolerance exists in all places, not just in those that "don't believe."

Answer 2

I think it's for two main reasons. First, it's part of some people's human nature. They feel the need to convince others of what they themselves believe. You see this regarding all sorts of issues, not just religion - capital punishment, abortion, immigration, gun restriction, etc. Some people were just born to argue, and some even take it personally when others disagree. Unfortunately, this can at times lead to emotional name-calling instead of logical debate. Second, I think it's a big case of tit-for-tat. And as any political scientist can tell you, this is bad. One side inadvertantly offends the other, and then you're taking turns retaliating forever. The atheists are only harassing the theists because the theists harass the atheists. And the theists are only harassing the atheists because the atheists harass the theists. What we really need here is for someone to turn the other cheek and show some love. If theists everywhere were known for their great love and peaceful ways, I doubt we'd see so much in the way of intolerance and antagonism against us.

Answer 3

Here we go again. Oh why won't the bad people leave us alone, we just want to practice our little faith in peace, why won't the bad people let us do that, we are so weak and enfeebled...

Look, in America the religious people own everything from the President, to every branch of government. God is on the money and in the pledge of allegiance. Let's stop pretending that religion is horribly squashed in this country.

Perhaps the reason that atheists are so irritated and wish to lash out against the religious folk is because we are so sick of the assault on our way of life by the religious. For example Bush using his first Vito to stop science trying to cure serious disease. Or people on Yahoo! Answers answering questions with references to the Bible, or merely spouting some crap they heard in church.

I don't care what people choose to believe, but I think that faith should be personal and private. However, I become very annoyed when I see people telling others to live their lives based on their specific religion, and judging those who do not. And for every atheist extremist you find on Yahoo! Answers there is at least one religious fanatic on here guilty of the same kind of extremism in promoting their specific religious sect.

Answer 4

Looking at the events unfolding around the world, Muslim killing Jew, Jews killing Muslims, Muslims killing Hindu's, Hindu's killing Muslims. Just a few years ago it was Irish Catholics killing Irish Protestants, Protestants killing Catholics. I could go on I believe everyone has the right to believe in what they choose to believe and live there life accordingly but it seems that people of faith hold there views so strongly that they are all to willing to kill me or others if we don't embrace there view point....The intolerance seems to be on the foot of the faithful from where I'm sitting...

Answer 5

Because most Christians feel the need to "save"/convert everyone around them, neglecting the fact that most Atheists were Christians or one of the other "Big 3" before realizing it was garbage.

My life has been much, much more enjoyable since I left religion. While the die-hard fundies will always shriek at me, perhaps I can help one or two people see things the way they really are.