atheists please answer?

Question

someone in another question just said that atheists are trying to spur critical thought by bashing peoples faiths. What good can come of belittling people's customs? What are you making me think about when you tell me the Virgin Mary is a whore or that Yaweh is a bad role model? Why invoke feelings of dissention in cultures. Would you attack the Chinese or Russians this way? Serious question.

Answer 1

Yahoo Answers is a forum for questions and answers, and if someone has an idea for an answer that is offensive to you, it can be reported. But if it doesn't fit the categories for reporting, then it is probably just a view that differs from yours. You would grow intellectually if you gave serious consideration to the ideas and thoughts of others, and question your own. The result might be different from what you think or fear right now. Perhaps you will grow in faith. Who knows?

Answer 2

Calling the virgin Mary that is not really nice, it's a nasty statement intended only tot harass people. But the idea the Yaweh/Jesus/Muhammed or whatever prophet is not a good role model doesn't seem an insult to me. It is more like an opinion. That is the problem with many believers: they are insulted by atheists like me who deny the existence of a supreme being. It's not an insult, it's way of viewing things. I'm not insulted by Christians who claim that I'm a sinner. They have freedom of speech and I have the same rights.

Answer 3

First, understand "all atheists aren't the same."

Because ONE atheist said the virgin mary is a whore doesn't mean ALLLLL atheists would say that. I know that you know this, but...it bears repeating.

Secondly, what do you think is a "bash"? I'm serious. Ok, If i were to point out a being that commanded genocide dozens of times or commanded parents to kill their children - would it be fair? If these were written down, these instances of genocide and child murder? Then how is it "bashing" if I point out that Yahweh was the one doing it?

If your god is really god, can't he stand up to a little serious thought? Or we should shut up and follow blindly and not mention a horrible immoral act.

Chinese and Russian? What does ethnicity have to do with anything? yes, when the chinese and russians try to justify mass murder, I'll whine to them as well. Bring em on

Answer 4

Don't judge us all because one or two people harbor ill will towards Christianity.

Not all atheists BASH people's faiths. The idea is that we don't care what you believe or don't believe. You can be a Christian, Muslim, Catholic, Hindu, whatever. We don't have a problem with anyone of any religion or culture. That's a bunch of garbage.

We just resent the fact that some people try to push their faith on us. I for one, like to answer questions like this on the R&S boards to clarify my position and answer any questions one may have on why I don't believe. It's not that we are trying to bash you, we are just disagreeing. Now, if someone does make a rude comment or deragatory statement, I do apologize on behalf of Atheists! We aren't hateful people, we just don't believe in the same things you do, and we would like to be respected and understood. I don't call you ignorant because you believe, so don't call me ignorant because I don't.

Answer 5

I've never called Mary a whore. I have said that Abraham was a scumbag though, read about him, it's pretty obvious. As far as Yaweh being a bad role model... I don't think I've ever seen that one. Would I be equally critical of Chinese religio-philosophy? Yes. For the most part, as I understand it, Russia is a Christian/Muslim based nation.

Answer 6

I dont so it by belittleing your faith. I can simply tell you that virgin birth is a physical impossibility, and I can use science to show you that. I can also tell you that the story of the cvirgin borth did not come around until well after his death. Why? Well, the writers of the NT had to be certain that Jesus was named Messiah and that he met every single criteria for it outlined in the OT - so they invented the virgin birth at a later date. Dont beleive me?? then ask yourself why the authors of the four Gospels cant even agree where Jesus was born...if they havent a clue where he was born, how can they be certain of a virgin birth??

Answer 7

I think you're missing the point. Those questions you chose to use to illustrate your point are not thought provoking... if that is all you see coming from atheists here you either haven't been looking around much or you are only noticing questions that offend you at their face. Regardless you are drawing false connections in your question.

There are several questions out there that call attention to dodgy apologetics or contradictions in the bible... even contradictions between the honorable parts of religion and how people actually practice these religions. Take a look around, open your mind a bit more and you will understand.

Answer 8

I do not know about giving bad names to Virgin Mary or other religious characters, but I do know that it is harder for me to be an atheist among christians that it is for christians to live around me. Religious stories and characters should be seen (and so I do) in the context of their faith. That is why it is pointless to judge them from any other point of view. They just don't belong there. Any other approach means only the need to validate one's own fears and insecurity. While I always treat anyone's faith with respect, most religious persons I came in contact with could not accept with ease my lack of faith - they saw it as an attack to their own beliefs. Atheists cannot trust religion, believers cannot trust atheism. Why not just live calmly on the same cranked Earth, as I think religion teaches?

Answer 9

They might be attacking, but I personally am trying to get people to question what they're told and to think for themselves. If you accept all the regurgitated "stuff" can you really accept it as the truth? I don't just argue with Christians, I argue with any zealot I find, taking on the opposite stance in hopes of getting them to stop and look at the other side in a less egotistical manner.

Answer 10

Bashing does not spur critical thought, but I think the debate is getting out of hand on both sides.