To the atheists!?

Question

Many atheists seem to get that vibe that theists(particularly Christians) are mean and disrespectful towads thier thoughts and ideas.So,as theists-What can we do to help the theists and atheists cope with each other?
All suggestions are well appreciated!Thank you!

And for the Theists-what can atheists do to also help calm the war between the atheists and theists?

Thanks for the great answers guys!
Respect seems to be the main word being used here.

Answer 1

You can explain why you think why you do, without saying that I am going to hell, or that I am a tool of satan or that you'll laugh at me from heaven while I'll roast in the eternal flames for all eternity

Answer 2

I think both sides need to respect and tolerate one another more. We can agree to disagree, so to say.

I think we could go a long way by not preaching our beliefs as facts and the truth. None of us can KNOW whether there is a god or not, we can only BELIEVE that there is or isn't one. Also, as much as we believe something, we should bear in mind that the other side believes just as strongly in the opposite.

Another step would be to stop calling each other stupid, lost etc. Theists should stop telling atheists they will burn in hell for eternity if they continue to "deny" god. Atheists should stop telling theists they are deluded. Both sides can think what they want, but there's no need to go about putting other people's beliefs down.

Answer 3

I think it is because the most visible and vocal theists are also the ones that seem to be one of two things: 1) people who want to impose their beliefs on others and 2) people who claim to be Christians to gain power and/or influence and do the most horrible unChristian, unethical things.

I am just speaking from the perspective of a non-believer.

I personally know that most religious people are good, ethical and caring. Maybe it would be good if there was a way that everybody, both believers and non-believers, be more vocal about the fact that they are independent thinkers because people tend to lump everybody together.

It is not very productive. There are some very basic values that everybody believes but people seem to want to focus on what we don't have in common rather than what we do.

Answer 4

I think a lot of it has to do with the common attitude from theists that atheists are "lost" or "confused" when in fact most atheists are neither.

Just a feud that is old as both sides have been pissed off at each and haave started going to extremes (atheists get anything with a religious bent thrown out of public and theists try to make their religion a law).

I think people need to go back to live and let live even if you think they are wrong. If you are secure in your belief then you don't need to preach it to anyone even if you think you are helping.

Answer 5

dukalink is right- I question the heart and motives of a Christian who would say I'll be laughing from heaven- yeah- THAT'S the attitude God wants us to have- please - we should be weeping over that and we are to have more compassion for people than that- there will be no laughing or rejoicing over ANY that suffer outside of the presence of God.

As for what the atheists can do? None here have a clue about my education or life experience, none have a clue as to why I believe what I believe and what research I have done. Atheists need to stop saying we accept everyone's belief, we are open minded, we are respectful to everyone while at the same time saying Christians are stupid, can't read , weak minded, ignorant, whatever- just stop being so insulting and demeaning -I understand you don't ACCEPT my beliefs, I don't accept yours, but I will not insult or be disrespectful- all I ask is the same of you!

Answer 6

I, too, have met many rational theists. The ones who are offensive are the ones who insist that they have to preach, to convert others (I understand their mission, to spread the gospel), but they can be so insistent that their way is the ONLY way. It is particularly frustrating when one hears it from people from different backgrounds (Pentecostal, Baptist, etc.), and they often do not agree with each other's views -- again each insisting that they are right and that a person must see things their way.

I think that "live and let live" is the best policy. Nobody is going to agree with everybody about everything else, so why not just agree to disagree on some things (politely) and then get on with life?

Good question!

Answer 7

The problem is not and never has been theists in general but only those theists who seem to be missing a conscience or completely lack empathy.

I believe that a tiny percentage of theists feel an emptiness that draws them to God which it turns out is the lack of a conscience. In their case, their religion substitutes as their conscience. We should count ourselves lucky they've found a substitute. To those of the vast majority of theists - you can help by better defining your religious requirements, rules, and tenets in your own communities to flesh out these substitute "consciences" in those people. By helping those of your religion without empathy better understand your rules you may not change their lack of conscience but you can help them to get along as peaceful members of society as your religion intends. The mixed messages in the Bible are probably very confusing to people lacking empathy. I think this is due to the Old Testament/New Testament dichotomy.

I take this as the reason my Christian assailants never showed remorse for assaulting me other than a certain annoyance at being caught. Parts of the Bible supported their assault, even called for my destruction, but other parts that are meant to overwrite the Old Testament call to arms were apparently not emphasized to them.

Perhaps the fault lies in teaching the Bible from the beginning, rather than starting with the New Testament?

Answer 8

Besides the insults and the insistence that their-way-is-the-only-way, the real biggie would be to stop trying to shoe-horn the rest of us into your structures.

Atheism isn't a denomination or anything like that. Some of us call ourselves that only because other people insist on labels and it's the most honest one. And there are many many different reasons, philosophies, life experiences and viewpoints behind that label.

"Evolutionist" is a silly word that "Creationists" made up in order to categorize (and put down) some of us. And to anyone who's going to criticize evolutionary theory, try to get an accurate understanding of it first.

"Faith" and "belief" are your ways of seeing the world, not ours. Try speaking our language every now and then.

Absolute bottom line -- if you're going to get off on praying for us, at least don't brag about it here. You're doing it for yourselves, not us.

Answer 9

Putting a "label" on Christians is not respectful. I think Respect would be a great place to start for all towards christians and all faiths and all people no matter what the beliefs.

War? Well, respect seems to come in there again for any wars ones do have.

God Bless-

Answer 10

I've actually met many rational theists. I've found that most people, from the most fundy zealot to the most ardent atheist, have more in common than different. So, dialog is possible.

Theists just have to learn to use reason and discuss their points without just defaulting to "God said so". Instead of just claiming that such and such is wrong, try explaining why you think it is wrong without using "God said so" to just end the discussion.

Of course, religion tends to frame things in absolute terms when the world is rarely absolute anything. You have to learn compromise to gain any ground. You also have to learn to respect the ideas of others, no matter who gives those ideas. That doesn't mean you have to accept those ideas, but don't just brush them off based on who stated them.

And watch out for biases. Don't judge a person's morality based on what religion they profess. Christians aren't always good. Muslims aren't always bent on terrorism. Atheists are not generally evil. Such biases get in the way of any real dialog.

Answer 11

Well, I think it goes both ways. Some atheists and some christians just want to argue. I don't paint you with the same brush any more than you paint me with that brush.

For starters though - recognize our right to have a discussion with you. The contant "you don't belong on a christian board" thing is tiresome, but not YOUR fault, I understand.

I think primarily we can all "NOT" feed the trolls. The people who make inflamatory statements and try to get a fight going - should be ignored in favor of people who honestly want a discussion.