OKay why is it that non-believers complain that believers are always "preaching" at them and they hate people trying to force their views on them, but they try to convince believers that what they believe is correct. I am trying to get both sides of the story. Have you experianced this? Am I making an incorrect observation? I am truly curious. I mean when it boils down to it does it matter what i right. Somebody has to be wrong. If the believers are right then Heaven for them, if they are wrong then death for them. It makes no sense. I don't see what you have to lose by believeing, but that is just me.
2006-09-18 07:03:39 · 12 answers · asked by brantibrooks1 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
UH YEAH makes a very good point. However there are quite a few religions or philosophies that believe if you are a ood person you will have a good after life. You can believe in god, I think and be a good person. Now this is not true of everyone. There are awful people whi do awful things int he name of GOD, or what they say id God, But there are awful people who do awful things in the name of nobody or no God.
2006-09-18 08:00:09 · update #1
..most christians i know believe because of a personal experience or they feel God has helped them with something.. i don't understand why they are so hated.. well, I know they're like all groups of people.. some are kind and helpful, etc.. some are obnoxious.. but I think they are hated because, paradoxically people have a grudge against God.. because the world is messed up.. but actually atheists and christians do agree on one point - This world is made up of everyone's choices from way back, etc, to today..
2006-09-18 07:17:34 · answer #1 · answered by flowerchilde 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both sides preach to each other. Both sides insult each other. Both sides are rude to each other.
"I don't see what you have to lose by believing" does not instill faith nor does it understand the issue at hand. If someone does not believe in something, they do not believe in something. Period. You cannot create or feign belief. In fact, most "non-believers" see evidence that signals them that the beliefs of others are false. Why would you try to believe something that appears to be false to you? In addition, many would assert that you lose much in the form of an open mind and the desire for discovery by believing in a God figure.
The issue is one that can only be dealt with on an individual level. It is up to the individual to determine their own path and their own beliefs. The answers can only be found within.
2006-09-18 14:16:23 · answer #2 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may not realise it but your religion (the dominant, Christian religion) is affecting everyone in the country (being US). Directly, or indirectly, xianity is creeping its ugly head out to control this country; the poltics, the schools, the beliefs of everyone here. There are neo-fundies in that wish to make this govt a theocracy, banning any belief other than their own. The Pat Robertsons of the US are gaining strength and the "Jesus Camps" are getting fuller and fuller with kids who will eventually go out and wage a xian war against everyone else.
So, with us atheists (or for me anyway), it's important to note (and sometimes mock - but only the stupid) that maybe you need to check into your beliefs, those that represent your beliefs and make an informed decision. I, for one, do not like being told I'm going to hell nor being restricted because I don't believe in god.
As for your Pascal's Wager argument - how do you know you're right? You give a 50/50 chance but, since there are thousands of gods, maybe your god is the wrong choice and maybe, instead of going to heaven, you're going to hell because you didn't make the right god choice. PW is fallable.
Oh, and you'll never see an atheist post here asking if they'd like to dump god to email them. (I've seen someone ask the contrary - wanna find god? email me)
2006-09-18 14:12:15 · answer #3 · answered by umwut? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is only the religions that where born of war that feel the need to tell everyone what to think... opps! i think that includes christianity as well as islam!!!
everyone else seems to be perfectly happy and aren't competing with anyone, only defending themselves when attacked by one of the above.
so back to the question... who's preaching to who? oh... it can only be christians/muslims preaching to christians/muslims who say they don't believe, but their attitude suggests that do because they are trying to convert everyone into being non believers of either or believers of the other.
phew! i hope that makes sense :)
2006-09-18 14:14:56 · answer #4 · answered by sofiarose 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong in believing as long as it doesn't close your mind to growth and development. If on the other hand, you refuse to look at proven fact, then there is a problem here. You become a person whose modus operandi is, "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up."
2006-09-18 14:08:39 · answer #5 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believing what? If you're a Catholic and the Episcopaleans are right, you're screwed. If you're a Fundamentalist and the Catholics are right, you're screwed. If you're Mormon and the Baptists are right, you're screwed. If you're Baptist and the Greek Orthodox Church is right, you're screwed. If you're Protestant and the Muslims are right, you're screwed. Etc...
Pascal's wager just isn't a very good argument for "belief".
2006-09-18 14:06:46 · answer #6 · answered by Blackacre 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
perhaps not everything is black and white like people think it is, Im a Taoist and i believe in grey areas and they argue because they cannot see past black vs white, theres always a case of being partially right but ones Ego cant handle that.
2006-09-18 14:07:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. I have never seen a non believer try to convert a believer.
2006-09-18 14:07:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
God - the marriage of Divine Love and Divine Wisdom
2006-09-18 14:06:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Perhaps each person gets exactly what they expect, and they are each right, but only for themselves..
2006-09-18 14:08:22 · answer #10 · answered by Dianna 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋