Who would you be afraid of more, a fundy or an atheist?

Question

See, Fundy's tend to brag about their faith and belief in religion and thump the bible, but in reality they're total hypocrites and are often examples of how NOT to behave as a Christian. (Judging people, casting insults, threatening violence etc.)

Atheists however, have no 10 commandments to govern their life. Therefore, theoretically they are free to kill someone without having to worry about spending an eternity in hell.

So, who scares you more?

Kiki-la, I wasn't passing judgment on atheists. I'm using others logical arguments to view each side as they would view the other. For example, they seem to think that atheists are incapable of good since they don't believe in God...

Answer 1

Religion is inherently sinister, even the most apparently benign warm-and-fuzzy English churches. There's something deeply worrying about people who believe, promote and get together to share superstitious nonsense - It's a concept that seems to be the ideal breeding ground for abuse (child-molesting priests), extremism ('god hates fags' etc.), contempt for human life (islamic terrorists) and self-destruction (mass suicides). I'm sure I could think of other things.

No doubt many religious people are wonderful, warm, kind human beings, but religion has an almost unlimited potential to corrupt and deprave - You can see every day in the news that there's absolutely no limit to what a person can end up doing as a result of fervently held religious convictions. I'm reminded of that saying... something along the lines of "good men will do good, and evil men will do evil, but for good men to do evil, that takes religion".

Answer 2

I can't help but feel that the issue is disconnected with reality here.

Using perjoratives like 'fundy' don't advance the atheist or mainline christian cause, but rather promote the same us-against-them attitude that ironically is being rebuked.

On the other hand, it takes a significant misunderstanding of ethics to believe that an atheist or a Christian ought to be kept in line only by the fear of damnation. To paraphrase another: 'If the only thing keeping a person from killing me is fear that someone stronger than them will hurt them, excuse me for not wanting to be around that person.'

Answer 3

It would depend. is the fundamentalist also a Zealot? If so I would be much more afraid of them than any atheist. Why? because a zealot will kill and harm in the name of their God. But an atheist still has a believe system of what they feel is right and wrong. Most agree with the 10 commandments. Don't kill, don't lie, don't steal, etc.

Answer 4

Fundamentalists are more likely to try and make my life difficult through changing the law (or preventing change from happening) and trying to sow divisions in families like mine that contain strong Christians.

Atheists can theoretically do this, but as a group, seldom try it.

I don't actually fear anyone, though, unless they've given me a very good reason to fear them. A gun or knife pointed at me will scare me regardless of whether the hand it's in has leafed through the Humanist Manifesto or the Purpose-Driven Life.

I say this as a bisexual Pagan.

Answer 5

Fundies scare me. Christian 'Dominionists' (Reconstructionalists, Theonomists) have largely usurped the local level political apparatus of the Republican Party, and are engaged in a sub rosa process to politically motivate moderate Christians under the false cover of religious issues such as morality and family values. The goal is nothing less than the takeover of all elective offices in the USA.

Their doctrine comes from the Bible, starting with the term 'dominion' at Genesis 1:28... “And God said unto them, [Adam and Eve] Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have DOMINION… over every living thing.” They interpret DOMINION as: “... a supremacy in determining and directing the actions of others or in governing politically, socially, or personally.”

They want to remake the USA as a theocracy... and they are succeeding.

Its most common form, Dominionism, represents one of the most extreme forms of Fundamentalist Christianity thought. Its followers, called Dominionists, are attempting to convert the laws of United States so that they match those of the Hebrew Scriptures. They intend to achieve this by using the freedom of religion in the US to train a generation of children via home-schooling and in private Christian religious schools. Later, their graduates will be charged with the responsibility of creating a new Bible-based political, religious and social order. One of the first tasks of this order will be to eliminate religious choice and freedom. Their eventual goal is to achieve the "Kingdom of God" in which much of the world is converted to Christianity. They feel that the power of God's word will bring about this conversion. No armed force or insurrection will be needed; in fact, they believe that there will be little opposition to their plan. People will willingly accept it. All that needs to be done is to properly explain it to them.

All religious organizations, congregations etc. other than strictly Fundamentalist Christianity would be suppressed. Nonconforming Evangelical, main line and liberal Christian religious institutions would no longer be allowed to hold services, organize, proselytize, etc. Society would revert to the laws and punishments of the Hebrew Scriptures. Any person who advocated or practiced other religious beliefs outside of their home would be tried for idolatry and executed. Blasphemy, adultery and homosexual behavior would be criminalized; those found guilty would also be executed. There are two conservative Christian pastors in Texas who have advocated the execution of all Wiccans. Ralph Reed, the executive director of the conservative public policy group the Christian Coalition has criticized Reconstructionism as "an authoritarian ideology that threatens the most basic civil liberties of a free and democratic society."

By failing to openly confront this insidious agenda, we have sown the seeds of our own destruction, while these religious wing-nuts are paving the way to Armageddon with gleeful anticipation.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/reconstr.htm
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/HistoryOfReconstructionMovement.html
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/Clarkson_RiseOfDomionism.html

Answer 6

human beings continuously worry what they don't comprehend and hate those who're diverse because of it. i think that there are a sturdy many who're perplexed in themselves agreeing with such issues as say evolution yet their congregation and kinfolk refute it. social exclusion is a effective device, the Church has used it for hundreds of years, ex communication became between the most terrifying potentialities of the medieval gentry in europe. so a lot more desirable likely, if no longer in disbelief of a Deity a minimum of do no longer consider the version preached to them even with the undeniable fact that proceed to persist with it out of a rigidity of habit and because that they earnings from the experience of community that it brings. then as you're saying there are those who consider pascals guess, "there might want to be a god with the point to be on the secure side believe as in case you do not believe you end to exist after lack of life besides."

Answer 7

Fundies because they expect people to believe their far-fetched claims (none of which can be proved), and then expect people to join their church and to $upport it and to join them with their work to convert others.

Your assessment of atheists is totally wrong. We do have morals, and we do follow and respect the laws, and we are good people. Just because we do not believe in fundamental practices does not mean that we are terrible people. Get real. Educate yourself -- you might like learning the truth.

Answer 8

A fundy. I have never heard of an atheist killing people because others aren't atheists, but Christians have been kiling for centuries because of the lack of holiness among people. Ten commandments, yeah right.

Answer 9

Neither scare me, Each person is a law unto themselves. I have met many people from all nations and beliefs, and one thing (IN GENERAL) common to all is an inborn set of morals.
Most humans with or without a belief in a God have an instinctual set of morals, and I am pleased to know many races of HUMANS as friends and companions. And many beliefs to go with those many races!

Answer 10

According to your theory the atheist is up front, you know what to expect, the other guy may stabs you in the back, I prefer to fight an atheist every time.