Why do some religious people think atheists and agnostics will eventually "come around"?

Question

Serious answers, please. And no quoting the Bible! Circular logic does not work with me.

My response to the one who took offense to the phrase "religious people": The definition of religious is: "Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity." It's not an insult, and I wasn't limiting it to Christians. I specified no Bible quoting because I see that a lot here.

Here is what the answers boil down to:
1. They don't want atheists and agnostics to burn in hell. (Trying to save us.)
2. Atheists and agnostics will change their minds at the last minute anyway./It's for their own good. (Belittling the validity of the viewpoint.)
3. Both sides: We're right; they're wrong. (Stupidity.)
4. The religious are lemmings. (What's popular and easy?)
5. The religious legitimately want to share the joy. (yay!)

I believe it happens for all of these reasons, but the only respectful answer is #5. As an agnostic, I wish more religious people would take that approach.

This "you'll change your mind at the last minute" attitude is absolutely flawed. It's smug and arrogant.

Answer 1

Good question. Many of them have told me I'll be 'called' someday, or that I'll realize there's a god when I'm about to die. Really, I find it insulting. My convictions are my own.

Edit: Yeah, Earl. Really insulting. It shows you don't really think that I don't believe in god - that I'm lying about it for some reason. When YOUR plane is about to crash, will you be calling to Allah or Zeus for help? No? Find that a little insulting, do you?

Answer 2

Bleh, circular logic (from whatever side) is no good.

Anyhow, I know some people are extreme and assume that everyone will "come around." But I think there are people who would prefer that people "come around" or can recognize that some people's belief systems will change. Just like a Christian can become an agnostic or athiest, an athiest or agnostic could become a Christian (I know people in both situations).

So, while I can't quite explain the logic of people who think everyone will see things your way, I can understand while some people believe changes can (and do) occur.

Answer 3

Some religious people, used to be atheists and agnostics. I know of at least a handful. That could be one reason, but I know that goes both ways. For me, I think it makes much more logical sense, to not be an atheist, or agnostic, than it does to be one. I guess, it seems maybe that they too, one day will come to see what seems so obvious to others, etc. Just my two cents.

Answer 4

I'm catholic, and my brother doesn't have a religion....my brother has a lot of piercings, a mow hawk, and loves heavy metal....one day we were in wal mart and these "holy rollers" came up to him and told him he was a devil worshiper and an atheist, and started preaching to him in the middle of wal mart...they wanted to "save" him in the middle of friggin wal mart...I told this story before I answered your question because I wanted people to see how judgmental out society is today. Holy Roller types are always going to try and push there religion onto someone they feel is a direct "threat" to them, Like take for instance my brother, that wasn't the first time that had happened, it happens all the time, just because he looks different, people automatically assume he is a devil worshipper and it really ticks me off. Its just like gay people, or abortion....religion is something that will never stop being a "hot topic" because people always need something to make themselves feel good. I hope this sorta answered your question, and if it didn't, at least i got to speak my word on it.

Answer 5

Theory 1: It's a sincere hope, rather than a firm belief.
Theory 2: They're harboring a tiny seed of doubt, and would feel validated by others adopting their religious viewpoint.
Theory 3: They're reciting what they have been told ad nauseam, and have not seriously pondered the issue.

Answer 6

It is actually a very simple thing, and unfortunately "Human Psyche" is the answer.

Everyone has a 'belief' (e.g. "The Flying Spaghetti Monster).
Everyone needs that feedback so that they feel that they have not wasted their time and efforts in vain. Just look at how much time is typically spent by any ardent believer.

It is what I call the "Lemming Complex"; they feel that they need to be one of many Lemmings. This is in order to justify the amount of time, money, and other such 'devotions' are something with merit.

The human psyche is a fragile thing requiring a lot of attention.

Nobody wants to be that last Lemming on the Cliff staring down into the Abyss.....

Except me of course..... I have front row seats reserved and I think my order of corn dogs and a beer is just arriving.....

Catch you later..!!!
Time to watch the Lemmings.....

Answer 7

For the same reason that Jesus thought preaching God's new system to the established Jews would result in some of them realizing how much better it was and would change their mindset.
The Jews of Jesus' day had 600 laws to comply with. No one could comply with all, as some were manmade laws, like the washing of the hands up to the elbows/
Jesus replaced all with just two. Love god and Love your neighbour.
Prior to this, Jews would have nothing to do with Samaritans.
Then Jesus related the story of the Good Samaritan.

Answer 8

I don't consider myself "religious", but I firmly believe in God and that all souls will eventually return to Heaven, from whence they came. For that reason I believe that all atheists and agnostics will *definitely* ... eventually ... "come around", even if not in this lifetime. I also believe it is not my function to try to change their "course of events" in this lifetime. I respect all belief systems and ones right to choose their place in time.

Answer 9

Because believers believe. They believe in many things that have no proof or even cause. They believe in things that have way beyond a reasonable doubt. They believe. Simple.

(and because they want the atheists and agnostics to come around....it will make them feel better about their choice)

Answer 10

I don't "think" that. I just hope that. For their own good. Perhaps one day they will remember there are some fools in the world who believe in God, and will try to imitate them. The first step is the most difficult.

And I am very much aware of the fact that many of these people won't "come around". Some people in my family died atheists.