Question for Athiests who feel like believers are trying to convert you: Why do you challenge them?

Question

How do you benefit?

I'm not an athiest or a christian, but people often try to share their beliefs with me. I just say "No thank you", if I'm not interested.
Sometimes, I let them tell me what's on their mind. I listen and offer supportive feedback.

What would happen if you didn't need to correct them?
Would you disappear if you didn't jump up in disgust and protest?
Would part of you die?

Don't answer the question if it doesn't apply to you (i.e you don't get back in their face and try to make them look stupid). Have a nice day.

Answer 1

I have literally had people come to my door to preach. Haven't we all, huh?

Most of them offer me a little pamplet and head off on their way. I take their little piece of paper graciously, bid them a warm farewell, they leave, I close the door, throw out the paper, and go on their way.

It makes me very happy when this is the case. These people are mildly annoying, but cool in my book.

On the flip side, I've had people try to offer me a Bible. It costs them much more to give me a Bible (I'm talking -- nice Bibles, not the cheap onion paper NT's that are a dime a dozen). I would feel wrong about throwing out something that cost them money, that someone else might appreciate. When I refuse, they ask me why. Being a believer in truth, I tell them simply that I'm an atheist. Then all heck breaks loose (I thought all heaven should break loose from Christians... but let me tell you... it's hate pouring from their mouths, not love). I've had these fanatics stand on my front lawn screaming obscenities (in front of their CHILDREN) and threatening my life (also in front of their CHILDREN) until I had the cops come by to arrest them (in front of their children... ugh...). They're evil, what can I say?

I've also had some come for genuine discussion. We share ideas. These are the coolest of them all in my book.

Answer 2

Assuming that you're a woman as your avatar implies (and not some teenager playing around), let me put it in terms you'll understand. Instead of christians vs. non-christians, think of it as men vs. women.

You're walking down the street and once in a while some man says to you, "Let's go back to my place and have some fun." The first few times, you might be polite.

Would you be polite if it happened every single day? Several times per day?

Would you be polite if men started grabbing your rear when they asked?

Would you not be offended if male lawmakers required that all women "give it up" whenever a man asks? How about if they legalized rape?

Men asking you for sex is like street proselytizers.

Men who grab your behind are like people who want prayer in schools and government.

Men who want women to be obligated to have sex are christians who want laws based on religion.

Men who want legalized rape are christians - or any theists - who want to make non-members into criminals.

Would you enjoy living in the male-dominant society that I hypothesized? Somehow, I doubt it. You want a society where women can walk down the street without being sexually harassed; such "men" would still be able to buy Playboy or find women willing to "put out" on a moment's notice without bothering you.

In the same way, atheists (and most christians too) want to live in a society where they're not constantly harassed by others trying to spread religion. Having a secular society does not prevent the religious from believing or going to church at a moment's notice without bothering you.

If you think I shouldn't be bothered by George Bush or Osama bin Laden (or any godbot in any country) trying to impose religious laws, then you shouldn't be bothered if some men wanted to legalize rape.

Nobody wants to be a victim of an oppressive or violent majority.


.

Answer 3

The same reason they challenge others with different beliefs than they have. They are just as rude and obnoxious to us as you seem to believe we are to them.

Nothing would "happen" if we didn't "correct" them, but you know as well as I that a debate would spark.

Of course we wouldn't disappear and no part of us would die.

We live in America. Because of this wonderful country we are each allowed our beliefs. If it differs from others, I don't see a problem with it until someone tries to shove their beliefs down my throat. Then I feel it is only fair that I am able to offer my opinion as well.

Answer 4

The majority of atheists aren't interested in discussing religion. The people you see here are from the few who are.

Answer 5

I'm not an atheist or a Christian, either, but I think of "Horton Hears a Who" in this case. Yes, the Dr. Seuss book.

Horton is an elephant. He learns that a speck of dust that he couldn't see, but could hear, contains tiny creatures called Whos. The Whos go "yop!" very loud to be heard, so they don't get hurt.

I find that some Christians are like Horton--far bigger than non-Christians as a group, and not malicious, but ready to ignore us and our best interests. So we need to emit a loud "yop!" at every opportunity!

Answer 6

I'm not worried about them converting me. I'm worried about them causing wars that might blow me up. I'm worried about them passing laws that might retard our medical research, eliminating the cure for the disease that may ultimately kill my child.

I'm worried about terrorists.

I'm worried about scientific research being held back because it disproves their dogma.

These are very real concerns. And they're very important to me. And I know I don't speak for everyone. But they're important to me. Some people campaign for breast cancer. Some people fight for equal rights. I fight for atheism... for the reasons stated above.

Answer 7

What is more unreasonable; a Christian who believes in a God he cannot see OR an atheist who is always trying to disprove the existance of a God he claims doesn't exist?

ha, Ha,

Answer 8

Quite trying to convert me!
After you are "told" what the truth is suppose to be over and over, eventually one gets annoyed.

Answer 9

Christians are the biggest bigots on this planet

Answer 10

the truth turns me on .