Why do they care so much about the christian faith. I'm sure not ALL do it so this is directed towards the ones that DO. Seems as though many atheists spout things from the Bible so they can argue christians. Well, why do they even care so much? Is it because they know deep down inside they want to be christian? Like, I would never read anything on the "church" of satan. I once saw the site out of curiosity and I felt sickened and it bothered me so much that I would never look again. If the atheists who read the Bible think it's so wrong, why do they continue to do so? I'm just asking here. Don't go all postal on me or anything.
2006-10-04 07:47:04 · 40 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I see some of you say "know your enemy" I'm sorry you feel that way. I have no desire to learn of wiccan or anything. Quite odd.
2006-10-04 08:59:11 · update #1
barter256 I never said athiests make me look stupid. I think you're making yourself look kind of silly though. : )
2006-10-04 09:03:44 · update #2
aentaelor apparantly you missed my point. My point WAS atheists read the Bible which goes against THEIR beliefs but I don't study up on SATANISM or WICCAN or ANY OTHER pagan religion because it goes against MY beliefs. Hopefully you get it now.
2006-10-04 09:08:19 · update #3
Notice how many atheists say it's because they feel a need to FIGHT with christians. ALSO notice how many atheists call christians DUMB. Funny, huh? Hope the hateful ones who answered my question find happiness and can rebuke some of the hate from your heart. Good luck.
2006-10-04 09:09:53 · update #4
atheists are rotten to the core. they read the bible because i feel that they know deep down that there's elements of truth and power within it. after all Satan was the bright and morning star. gods favorite angel. so if they worship him then they must know that god created him.
2006-10-04 07:52:10 · answer #1 · answered by lregan7 2 · 3⤊ 13⤋
Education and ammunition – the second is particularly true for a lot of people because a lot of people do face prejudice from some Christians or just simply feel the need to wind them up about their own religion, a great number of Christians don't bother to read or learn about the bible so I will admit myself it is satisfying to correct the ignorant and prejudice Christians with my own knowledge of the Bible.
Education is my own reason, I have always had an interest in religion, I've worked for a few religious organisations and in college I gained qualifications in both Religious Studies and Philosophy, as well as being very good within the religious parts of the syllabus for sociology. Then I am not strictly Atheist, I am Pagan-atheist so does not count exactly, I think there are a lot of Atheists who simply read the Bible for educations sake, lets face it some people are interested in religion.
When Christianity is the main religion within society it pays to know a little about it, it is similar to studying other cultures or history to get a better understanding of what and who you are. It's also no good saying that you don't believe in religion when you don't know about the religions you don't follow or why you don't follow them.
Not all Atheists think the Bible is wrong, I think it is safe to say that a lot of Atheists respect that it is not litteral truth as some Christians take it to be, for a lot of Atheists it is simply a case of disliking many of the followers of Christianity – it's fighting them on their own ground, sure fighting fire with fire will never work particularly when it is a matter of faith but it is the only thing some Christians understand, if a person who happens to be Christian is using the Bible to back up their own prejudice then Atheists or other people from other religious paths will use the Bible to show the prejudice Christian in question that they are incorrect.
2006-10-04 09:09:55 · answer #2 · answered by Kasha 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, I just don't think it would be fair to think that anything has no merit at all without actually having a look. But come on, you paint a picture of us poor atheists growing up not being under any pressure to conform to your religion when what is reasonable for some of us atheists is in direct conflict with what some of you Christians rail against. Abortion rights and Gay marriage and Evolution, for example. I'm sure that not all atheists are constrained to believe the merits of any one or all of those examples by the way.
Some Christians, who knock on our doors, try to use the Bible as proof of God's existence, or 'existance' as some people like to type. One of the first questions out of their mouths is, "Have you read the Bible?"
You seem to be saying that if the answer is yes, but I don't believe it, we should not be reading it anymore....we've somehow forfeited the right to even read the book. I think that you are wrong.
Finally, what on Earth has the 'church of satan' got to do with atheism? You seem to be trying to equate the two in a round about way. Why don't you look up some atheist sites...I guarantee that you won't be sickened or bothered (that much). Think of us as an interesting sub-group of people who have the quaint idea that there is only the apparent reality that we see, and have the weird notion that human beings are (as far as we can tell) the only judges of good and evil that exist...inside time and space...the only place to be.
2006-10-04 08:16:09 · answer #3 · answered by eantaelor 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you would compare somebody like me to a more average atheist, you probably would find many differences. I read the Bible so much because I am not only atheist, but am also opposed to organized religion. It has been nothing but a crutch since it's creation, and not only slows down the world as a whole, but also directly affects how people treat me and the laws that I am required to live by. With more and more people realizing that the beleifs are fake, all it takes is a little truth and debate to speed up the process. And if the Bible will be the Christian's source, then you can bet your life that I'll point out the flaws in that source.
The truth will set you free, and the first step in spreading truth is to clear up the misconceptions. I am not bothered by reading fictional texts, whether other people actually believe in that text or not.
2006-10-04 07:55:17 · answer #4 · answered by Another Nickname 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I, as an atheist, read the Bible to educate myself on the beliefs of others. I've looked through other religious texts for the same reasons but I've spent the most time on the Bible because the culture in which i live is a Christian majority. I believe that is why most atheists take the time to read such books.
There's nothing wrong with studying the Bible, however there is something wrong with the way Christians study the Bible.
2006-10-04 07:57:07 · answer #5 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Ive learn the bible repeatedly, from begin to conclude. I have to say despite the fact that it does not make me think a reference to God/Jesus/Jehovah so I wager I learn it with out perception in it, despite the fact that first of all as I was once christened a RC it was once a valuable "software" to again up RE classes. Now I am older and wiser I can see that extracts that have been used have been taken out of context, however I nonetheless do not realise how any individual would worship a person that was once aspect of a global in which infants have been killed and different matters equivalent to genocide , treachery, and so on.... Why compliment a individual like that? We do not compliment the Al Queida will we?
2016-08-29 07:59:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an atheist and I was encouraged to read the bible by many christians who thought I would be 'saved' if I could just read the words of god. Turns out it just solidified my beliefs. I now look at the bible as a great work of fiction, so I personally understand why non-christians read it, for it is very interesting fiction.
I personally argue with all religious people whenever I get the chance because religion is thrown in my face throughout the day, every day. Starting of course with my money, to the fact that my son has to pledge allegiance to this great country of America by also recognizing god. The latter fact alone drives my disgust for all religious people everywhere.
Stop pushing god on the world, and atheists will stop making you look stupid.
2006-10-04 07:52:59 · answer #7 · answered by barter256 4 · 7⤊ 2⤋
I'm not an Atheist, but I'm not a Christian either and I've read the Bible.
I'm sure for some, as it was for me, it is because I was raised Christian. Also, I like to have discussions about sprituality and religion with my friends - some who are Christian - and I don't want to be ignorant about their beliefs.
I know that isn't why "all" non-Christians read the Bible, but that's just to give you one perspective. Best wishes.
2006-10-04 07:48:54 · answer #8 · answered by skatoolaki 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Simple really. Some atheists (myself among them) view the USA in an ideological war between Fundamental Christianity and Secular Humanism. In any war, there are two rules -- Nosce Tipsum, Inimice Tipsum (Know the Self, Know the Enemy).
As an atheist, I'm looking for the truth. Since the Bible is claimed to be truth, of course, I read it (many MANY times, including college level courses). To reject something out of hand is not sincere seeking of the truth.
So there you have it -- while I respect you and love you as a fellow human, your beliefs and mine are enemies. I'm in no less a war to stop your beliefs from affecting me as you are, intentionally or not, in a war to stop my beliefs from affecting you.
2006-10-04 07:54:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Actually I was a christian till I read the bible, I'm sure there are many people here with similar stories.
Oh and on the church of satan, they're basically just materialists, its nothing to do with satan really, no sacrificing babies etc like the media like to hype up (the irony is some of there principles are better than some of the ones found in the bible in my opinion).
2006-10-04 07:51:12 · answer #10 · answered by Om 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
I read it (and anything, really) because it might have some truth in it. If I went in assuming that something was untrue, then I wouldn't be a very good rational thinker. I read lots of things that I will probably disagree with because that's the only way to truly learn. Anyone who limits what they will read, believe, or experience is limiting what they can learn.
2006-10-04 07:51:12 · answer #11 · answered by le_fou_mauvais 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋