People assume its because I'm racist (though don't know how they work that out!) or that I hate people or some other weird and wonderful excuse!
My dad's cousin even told me its because deep downI know God loves me but I can't bring myself to admit it!?! What?!
I do not beleive in religion full stop, I think its fine for other people if that's what they believe, I don't have a problem with it & don't give them a hard time so why do they give me such a hard time about not wanting to believe.
I believe in education & reasoning & scientific fact, books are my bibles, why is that so hard to accept?!
What do you think?
Do you get the same?
Or do you believe in God/Allah/Whoever & can tell me why you're so insistant that people should believe when they don't want to!?
2006-12-02 10:54:18 · 62 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can't understand why people ever force their opinions on others. It is a silly thing to do. I think people should be given free choice on these things and should not be constantly insulted or harangued for the choice they have made.
I personally believe in God but am not a huge fan of organised religion in general. I have done a lot of research into theology and philosophy. I have read things by Nietzsche, Marx and other famous atheists. My beliefs are founded upon thoughts and ideas rather than what I was told to believe.
A lot of people justify a lot of things in the name of their religion without realising that they are actually acting against the teachings of their faith.
"As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion over-riding morality. Man, for instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side." - Gandhi
So I say everyone can keep their God/Goddess/gods/space monkey king/atheism/nihilism... and I will keep my God and let none of us force our views on each other.
Have a great day.
2006-12-02 11:27:03 · answer #1 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The reason that a lot of fundamentalist Christians have a problem with your being an atheist is that they have been taught that anyone who does not believe in God and/or accept Jesus as their savior will be condemned to everlasting retribution when they die. They also believe that it is their duty to go out into the world and preach the message to as many people as possible in hopes that they can save people from suffering eternal damnation. In fact, a lot of them believe that if they are given the chance to preach the word to someone--in other words, witness to that person--and they don't take it, they will be held accountable on their day of judgment for that person being lost and therefore doomed for all eternity.
It's pretty heavy stuff, I know, but I hope that explains why so many of them have a problem with you.
Now, I can't answer how they come to the conclusion that you're racist. But, I think the reason they jump to the conclusion that you are not a nice person is they believe that all morality comes from God. So therefore, if you don't believe in God, you have no morality, by their reasoning.
2006-12-02 11:12:15 · answer #2 · answered by I'm Still Here 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am also a non-believer and I agree that many people do not understand how I can NOT believe. What mystifies me is how they can?!?!?! I am told it is a matter of faith, period. You either have it or you don't. My life is very rich and I am satisfied with it and myself and honestly do not care whether people are openminded enough to understand my point of view, however, if they are not accepting of the fact that I have different opinions then they are not friends of mine anyway.
Usually, if I get caught up in a conversation where someone keeps asking me how can I not believe, I will tell them that it is not a choice, but something that my reasoning mind will not let me accept something so fanciful merely on faith alone when there is so much scientific fact that proves otherwise.
Another thing.... this is a piece of advice, Don't ever let anyone belittle your beliefs and don't ever belittle theirs. I do not believe in God, but I respect everyone else's right to do so and I hope that it gives them the comfort that they are seeking.
BTW... My children do believe in God even though they know that I don't. I believe it is up to them to make the decision themselves and I will not push mine on them, nor will I allow anyone else to do so to them.
2006-12-02 11:05:40 · answer #3 · answered by raewrn 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think you can believe or not believe whatever you want.
When I am asked a question or in a discussion or on a forum like this however I will express my beliefs. My beliefs state there is a God and so I am not going to tell you you are right when you say there is not one. My beliefs also state that I need to let you know these things as well. It is wrong to bash you over the head with it but it would be wrong and your soul would be on my conscience if I didn't tell you God loves you and if you only believed in him you would have everlasting life.
I understand what you are saying though because atheists are so insistent to tell me my God doesn't exist.
2006-12-02 11:12:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Anna,
I don't have a problem with you being an athiest at all. I am a Catholic and I think there are two sides here. Why do athiests come to the r/s site? I also believe God wants to unite and Satan wants to divide. I have done a lot of research to show harmony between science and religion. I think there is plenty of evidence but, you and others are entitled to your opinion. I just ask for intellectual honesty. Peace to you and everyone.
2006-12-02 11:10:11 · answer #5 · answered by Search4truth 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An atheist is someone who adamantly declares there is no God, not someone who doesn't believe in religion. Anyone who claims to be an atheist because of a lack of evidence is an agnostic, not an atheist, and has not done any research. I also don't believe in religion because it is man made and thus fallible. Christianity isn't a religion because it is God made, it's a relationship with Jesus Christ. For anyone to adamantly declare there is no God that person would have to be omniscient, and none of us are. That is something on which we all can agree. If you truly want scientific facts and are willing and prepared to look at those facts I will provide resources full of facts below. But if you are not prepared to even look at those facts then your choice is not based on reason, it's based on bias and pride. You have stated a great truth. No one will believe in something in which they do not wish to believe. This, then, is clearly a matter of choice; but it's not a choice based on evidence, facts and reason.
PS. I do not have a problem with what others believe. I do rise to the challenge should anyone question my beliefs or mock them as unintelligent and not based on evidence. I have studied both sides of this issue and the evidence for both, I was left feeling compelled to believe as I do based on the available evidence. But just as you don't want religion or Christianity "shoved down your throat", neither do I want someone elses religion or lack of belief shoved down mine.
2006-12-02 11:15:18 · answer #6 · answered by utuseclocal483 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i think people give you a hard time for an almost simple reason.
From a believer there is an outlook of life in heaven after you die. they pressure you because they want you to enjoy that heaven they see.
As an atheist you don't believe in any supreme power of God so there must be nothing after you die. once you die you are just dead. you go in the ground and that's it.
the dilemma here is one has the exciting outcome and the other sounds boring. excited people want to talk others into being excited.
my question is since atheism seems to be a popular choice, why aren't atheist trying to convert Christians to join them?
2006-12-02 11:11:04 · answer #7 · answered by army_redneck_daddy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm glad you said that books are your bibles, since science is as much a religion as anything else. Anyone who claims otherwise doesn't know what they are talking about. Every scientific theory has as its beginning at least one hypothetical, one basic that is assumed to be true. Everything else springs up around that. So science relies on belief in it as much as any religion relies on belief in them. And everything that has been "proved" to be true is only considered to be true until shown otherwise, which happens quite often. The simple fact is that nothing in science can actually be proved as an absolute, not even your own existence.
2006-12-02 11:34:10 · answer #8 · answered by marklemoore 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't have a problem with you being an atheist and I appreciate that you don't have a problem with me being a Christian.
My great commission is to witness and share the Salvation Story with as many people as I can. My job is to sow the seed and the Holy Spirit will reap it.
God does not wish that any should perish. He wants you to have the opportunity to change your mind.
2006-12-02 11:26:43 · answer #9 · answered by D.A. S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being an atheist is threatening to people. Religion is the way society has come to deal with big picture questions. I explain to my children that religion is a way to answer: how did it all begin, what do we do with our life, how to live and treat other people, and what happens when we die. Religion takes away the anxiety about how to answer these questions. If you don't believe in a religion then others don't know how to deal with that world view.
2006-12-02 11:04:11 · answer #10 · answered by sbdutcher 1 · 6⤊ 0⤋