What is the motivation of the atheists on this forum (or other such places) that makes them want to convince others of Nothingness? "I believe in Nothing and I want you to join me!"
What do they have to gain by proselytizing others?
Why are they hostile toward believers?
If believing in God is as silly as believing in Santa Claus, why don't they just chuckle and move on instead of getting all bent out of shape?
2006-11-15 00:18:52 · 21 answers · asked by 5solas 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm a devout Christian, but I can tell you that your question is rhetorical. Atheists don't believe in "nothingness". Sometimes they're unable to provide a rationale for what they do believe, but that's often true of Christians too.
For a Christian to say that God exists because the Bible says so is as empty-headed as it is for an atheist to say, "I don't know why we're here. We just are."
2006-11-15 00:25:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
1. Except for Yahoo's censorship, it's an open forum. You have a right to say and believe what you do, and I have a right to refute it. If you disagree, you're a coward and a hypocrite.
If you don't want to hear things you don't like, you're free to leave just as I'm free to stay. If you want to only hear voices that preach to the queer - oops, choir - you'll find it on sites that censor non-christian views, like beliefnet.
2. Just as only a few christians or those of other religions want to commit genocide on non-members, so it is with atheists. You confuse valid criticism (eg. maintaining a separation of church and state in a democracy) with an attempt to ban religion. Or are you deliberately claiming something false because you _are_ advocating the elimination of those who disagree with you?
Very few atheists want to ban religion. The majority just want you to keep it out of the schools, government and law. Or are you a hypochristian about that, wanting to put religion where it doesn't belong without any resistance? (In case you haven't figured it out by yourself, a secular society is not an atheistic society.)
3. Most comments by atheists are either valid questions or responses to unprovoked attacks. Atheists are no more likely to initiate something than anyone else.
Similar to what I said above, a lot of christians are disingenuous. When an atheist says, "The bible has two different creation stories, one in Genesis and one in Exodus", too many christians get overemotional and pretend that such valid criticism is a call for genocide.
As well, when a christian posts something insulting and atheists respond, are you so naive and peurile that you expect people not to respond? Would you tell catholics to be quiet when a fundamentalist evangelical calls all catholics "satan worshippers"? If not, then why the hypochristian double standard for atheists?
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2006-11-15 00:43:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Has anyone ever been denied a job because they didn't believe in Santa Claus?
Has a person ever been imprisoned, tortured or executed because they don't believe in Sant Claus?
Has the President of the United States ever publicly stated that people who don't believe in Santa Claus should not be considered citizens?
Whether or not believing in God is as silly as believing in Santa Claus (and not all athiests feel that way), the atheists who endeavour to point their point across are not merely "getting bent out of shape".
Whether you believe in God or not is your business--but when governments, schools and employers start making decisions and establishing policies based on their belief in God then that, my friend, should be everyone's business.
2006-11-15 00:44:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm atheist but have no desire to impose my beliefs onto others. My guess is, that, at some point, they were ridiculed for their beliefs by someone who does. My brother and I are both atheists, but our parents were not. They gave us the space to develop our own minds and belief system. However, they questioned their parenting skills, but we lived in a very happy close knit home. The only thing you can do is ignore these idiots, and live your life the way you have chosen. Also, they may act that way in order to hide their ignorance of atheism, so they can feel superior to you. My "motto" has always been "Live and let live". Just keep in mind you are the better person to just walk away and discontinue the conversation.
2006-11-15 00:37:25 · answer #4 · answered by justsurviv'n 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have NEVER told a single person, on this forum nor anywhere else, that they should "join me."
I am well aware that the path I walk does not work for others.
I share my spiritual views with others *only* when asked about them.
I do not try to convert anyone, because I believe attempting to convert others is an act of conceit; assuming that your way is superior to anothers and you must "save" them from their own foolish choices. I respect other people too much to force my beliefs at them.
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2006-11-15 00:32:45 · answer #5 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't consider myself a zealot for atheism, but I do encourage those who are. It's actually similar to the motivation of an "on fire" christian. We feel that we have the right answer, or are at least on the right path to knowledge and understanding, and want others to wake up to reality and stop spreading hate and bigotry in the name of a big imaginary friend, who hasn't been a true friend to anyone. We truly love our fellow man, and get angry over the ignorance and illogical nature of most mainstream religions because they often promt people to do violent acts aggainst those who don't agree with them.
2006-11-15 00:38:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am not an atheist but I do hold the opinion that they are as much entitled to their beliefs as any other religion. I haven't yet heard of any atheist missionaries traveling to remote parts of the world to spread their gospel. I haven't yet been aproached by an atheist inviting me to share in their beliefs and join them in ceremony. I haven't yet watched an evangelical atheist on television pleading for my money. Christianity has not always been the faith of the masses, and just as the world has had to tolerate the voice of christians over the years, it must now tolerate the voice of other faiths.
2006-11-15 00:34:16 · answer #7 · answered by Rob 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Atheists don't believe in "nothing". That's a nihilist.
Why is it that people have this crazy dichotomy in their head of "you either believe in God or you believe in nothing"? Logic doesn't seem to be your strong point.
We aren't proselytizing anyone... we have nothing to prove.
You, the believer, who insists that all atheists should believe as you do and are lost, immoral sinners and devil-worshippers, do.
Perhaps after centuries of persecution, one would think that the heathens would be a little pissed. Especially in America, where Christians are infringing on our civil right to be free from religion.
2006-11-15 00:23:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
1) I'm an atheist, and I'm not spreading anything.
2) I don't have any motivation to convince anyone of my belief. I don't care what you believe. I simply answer questions asked (sometimes out of the other person's ignorance...eh hem...) about Atheism.
3) I don't, so nothing.
4) I'm not hostile towards believers. I'm hostile towards believers who generalize and stereotype (eh hem...again), who are hateful towards me, or who are provoking me.
5) I do...constantly.
P.S....If you can't tell what I'm getting at....I'm trying to say we are not all like that and to stop trying to heep us all into one sweeping generalization!!! I don't generalize you! I know that not all Christians are bible thumping nuts! Just a hand full.
2006-11-15 00:24:38 · answer #9 · answered by Heck if I know! 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Lets see did the atheists come to your house and tell you all about their disbelief? Did the atheists ask you to send money for a disbelief handkercheif? Did the atheists give you a tract with info on how to be an atheist? Did the atheists come to your house and offer to take your children to Atheist Camp this summer? So who is the zealous one here?
2006-11-15 00:24:16 · answer #10 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋