OK, to hell with neutrality.... anyone else observe this? What gives?

Question

I have gone WAY out of my way this morning in my questions to ask BOTH theists and atheists to tell us the basis for their beliefs.

Oh, I have an opinion, but I have attempted to formulate neutral questions. And I think I achieved that.


Now that I've been flamed by people for doing nothing more than asking unbiased questions, I'm about done with neutrality.



Has anyone else noticed that when I asked questions that concerned people explaining the basis for their beliefs, that only christians* ended up getting very hostile?

No atheist attacked me for asking them why they don't believe in god.
But the christians attacked me for asking them why they do.


If you truly have faith and confidence in your own position, why would you get hostile with someone when all they are doing is asking you to tell them about the basis of your position?????



*disclaimer: not ALL christians did this. Some seemed happy to discuss their faith.

jmmevolve,
very true. good point.

big_dog,
I am delighted when I see christians like yourself who are willing to have an open and honest discussion with us non-believers.

Answer 1

We as Christians are supposed to respect all other beliefs. I'm sorry that some ignorant idiots gave you such a hard time.

Answer 2

In Vermont it is illegal to deny the existence of God. So this answer is not intended for reception in Vermont.

People can and do get angry when they cannot explain themselves by rational means and they are talking from an insecure position. When you argument cannot succeed diversionary tactics are a widely used but seldom effective policy. Christians get angry because they feel insecure -that's one thing religion supplies, a feeling of security in a cruel Universe. Aggression is also the last refuge of the frustrated and intellectually challenged.

Patience is a virtue and taking the time to explain a complex issue require patience. If you cannot afford the effort it would be better to pass over and on to a question you were better adapted to deal with. The more abusive 'Christians' are the more sympathy they loose for their position and the more the phrase, ' The first and last Christian died on the cross' seems apposite.

My comments cannot and do not apply to all Christians. I know that many Christians are very devout and kind people and that although dealing with a sensitive subject they do try to be helpful and do not resort to name calling and vulgar abuse.

Answer 3

I have noticed quite hostile answers from both sides of the argument when the question is biased or attacking. However, when the question is neutral, I have generally seen only Christians get hostile. Like you said, it is a subgroup of Christians. Why so much anger over others not following your beliefs? I can see anger over people asking rude and pointed questions, but the neutral ones still draw the ire.

Weird.

Answer 4

I appreciate the disclaimer, and you're right, I noticed I was a lot more defensive when I first started coming to Yahoo Answers, but as time passes, I'm developing a bit of a thicker skin, and I've learned not to worry so much about what others say.

It's not that I ever doubted my faith, it's that I really felt hurt by what people had said, and gave my imperfect human, knee-jerk reactions (I can't even say that I never do that now). I expect we all do things like that when we feel genuinely hurt, I guess, it's just a question that hits these Christians a little closer to their heart.

Just have a little patience, and try to understand where they're coming from, I'm sure as time passes, you'll see a lot of them developing thicker skins like me.

best wishes.

Answer 5

I feel that they are not necessarily angry, but they are desperate to help people. Many religious people (not only Christians, but other religions as well) cannot understand why others do not believe in God. For these religious people God is what drives them and gives purpose to their lives. People who do not believe have totally opposite views. Look at the two points:
1. There is a God and by doing good and following the word you will be admitted into Heaven to be with Him.
2. There is no such god and it doesn't matter what you do in this life because at the end you are just dust, so why worry about finding the right path, when all paths lead to the same place...no where.
These are totally opposite views and lead people to butt heads. Atheists do not see the point of trying to convince other people not to believe in God because there is no reward or punishment for them if the do. While people that believe in God feel that there is a reward for convincing someone else to believe in God, so the vehemently push their point.
This is why I feel they are pushier and more argumentative.

For the record I do believe in God and feel that everyone has to find their own path to Him by learning about religions and beliefs and finding one that suits them and can lead them to live a meaningful life. I also believe that people that say they are athiests do have some belief in God, just not in the typical sense and do ask for help from a higher power from time to time even though they would never admit it. You don't have to say you believe to actually believe. Let people be, most are good at heart and won't hurt you no matter what your differences are.

Answer 6

It's been my experience both here and in the "real" world that a few christians lack either the strong belief system or the intelligence to engage in a debate. Unfortunately sometimes it seems like most of those people have a computer and a Yahoo account.

That also doesn't count the trolls and posers who post purely for shock value.

So far since joining Y!A, I've received about 10 emails through the system, 1 asked for additional information about my views. The other 9 came from christians (or people posing as christians) saying either I was a fool (quoting some bible verse), I was a child, or I was going to he double hockey sticks.

As you've said, it's not all christians. I've had some great interaction with some of them (Debra comes to mind) but these bad apples either need to grow up or do some research.

Answer 7

They feel threatened...that's why any animal attacks (oh, yeah and when they're hungry, but I think you're safe there). You've asked them to question what they blindly believe and they have been taught that that is Satan undermining them.

The following poem sums up how I live my life and yet there are people who say because I am not a "believer", I will end up in hell (at least I'll be in good company!)

I Shall Not Pass This Way Again

Through this toilsome world alas!
Once and only once I pass;
If a kindness I may show,
If a good deed I may do
For a suffering fellow man,
Let me do it while I can.
No delay, for it is plain
I shall not pass this way again!

Answer 8

You're not seriously suggesting that the atheists here on Answers are without hostility, are you?

Do you read? I do. When you say "only christians ended up getting hostile", you have a very very small experience of the universe. But best of luck with that.

Are you an atheist or an agnostic? Are you searching, or trying to engage an fight?

If the former, best of luck in your search.

.

Answer 9

I agree that for generality of christians, "hostility" is their only defense! What else can anyone holding a ridiculous position do? In any case neither Theists nor Atheists can really substantiate their claims. For me, I have enough courage and candour to say "I know not".

Answer 10

QUESTION: How do you know those who were hostile in fact were Christians and not the typical troll - or even worse - WannaBe Christians who do not follow the Bible nor read it?

It seems to me that you are making presumptions a matter of consumption without so much as accurate assessments - just - bold assumptions.

As Fred Sanford would say - "That makes you a big dummy.., dummy." :-)

Answer 11

Siigh. We as Christians should not get hostile if we are well-founded and strongly based in our faith. I apologize for any damage this morning's activities may have done to your view of Christians. I wasn't here this morning or anything, but I can imagine what you went through. The Great Commandment to us from Jesus was to go forth and spread the Gospel, making disciples of all nations. Disciples are not made by force. Disciples follow someone who they feel like they want to become. We should work on becoming better examples for Christ's message and be more willing to toss our own tempers and head opinions away, and put Christ's words into our mouths. God bless you.