Why are atheists so vehemently opposed to theists? And vice versa?

Question

Why not advocate some kind of rational irenic between the two schools? Is the argument over naturalistic methods in science and ethics?

Higher rational beings need not the tools for warfare.

Answer 1

Oh I'm not against them personally. They have a faith based agenda on how to run my country and make me act as they think I should. I won't have that. I could live and let live if they could.

Answer 2

I don't believe Atheists have opposition toward "theists" except when they believe the theists are trying to shove their beliefs down the atheist's throats.

Atheists are always being told they are "going to burn in hell", "will be punished by god", etc because of their position on the subject of a deity. Sodomy laws, Anti-gay sentiment, stem cell research, right to choose, all of these issues are present because the theists think they know what's best for everybody...

Answer 3

not every atheist is opposed to theists and vice versa
some of them enjoy a good discussion with each other
and thats how it should be

some people though arent comfortable or strong enough in their beliefs to have an opposing debate without it getting heated

Answer 4

Sadly, most theists do not represent a grace us merciful God who is the God of all comfort (no discomfort at all), but rather an awful lawful God who is very little comfort at all, annoying as hell.

I understand why athiests do not like ppl who law impute sin and death to them for the hell of it. I don't like it either, and join with athiests in withstanding such legalists and fanatics to the face.

Christ-ians should not be at war with any brethren, not if Christ is our "peace" who hath abolished the law(enmity): Ephesians 2. And Christians should not be involved in awful lawful alienation, but rather in grace us reconciliation: 2Corinthians 5:19.
http://www.godshew.org/Reconciliation.htm

Nevertheless "false Christs shall arise" obviously makes false Christians. Many so-called Christians are not Christ like, but proselytes of hypocrites, fools, vipers, and blind guides mentioned in Matthew 23; thereby more antichrist than Christian.
http://www.godshew.org/Allegory3.htm

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 5

I am not opposed to anyone having their own opinion about religion or following any religion they wish. I only wish everyone could agree to disagree on it and move on to basing a like or dislike of the person on something really important like character.

Answer 6

I don't know why SOME theists are vehemently opposed to athiests.

But, as a thiest (Roman Catholic), some of my best friends are athiests.

Answer 7

I, as an atheist, think that society based on superstition is artificially divisive and dangerous. The theocracies around the world should give plenty of evidence for that.

Answer 8

I think a lot of it is political right now.

In my country (USA) a radical branch of christianity is controlling what happens in my country. Stem cell research, birth control, the war in Iraq even - are used as playing chips. So...in a way, people see this as important because it is important to the heart and "soul" of the country they live in.

It's like the bloodiest wars are civil wars. And this is a civil war of ideas.

Answer 9

Like it says in the bible, "You can only serve one Master." Regardless of how much people who don't believe in God like to say how open minded they are, their attitude only allows for an open mindedness to their own beliefs. Their unbelieving spirit has a natural rebellion to the possibility of a God. When people hear about God, they have a natural desire to believe, because at our core we know God created us for himself. So the atheists gets angry when they feel that tug on their heart.

Answer 10

I am not opposed to theists, I am opposed to religion.