Many atheists complain that Christians "push" their beliefs on people. An Evangilist is an eunthuastic advocate. Christians are just sharing the Word and Hope of God.
Would atheists be happy if this were not allowed?
2006-12-03 02:55:23 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Atheists would be happy if religion went away altogether. I for one would see that as a perfect utopia.
2006-12-03 03:02:13 · answer #1 · answered by yoyoyaboms 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I want freedom of (and from) religion for everyone. The only condition that I put is that they don't harm others or infringe on other people's freedom of/from religion.
People who are searching for something or are open to consider other beliefs are quite capable of seeking knowledge by themselves. Anyone willing to learn about Christianity could go to church or contact some Christian organization. I don't have a problem with public preaching (where participants can choose whether to stop by and listen or not). But Christians going on "convert or go to hell" missions, knocking on people's doors or stalking them in public, are in my opinion infringing on other people's freedom. That is nothing but harassment, even if they mean well, and I think such harassment should not be allowed.
2006-12-04 05:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by undir 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I would not be happy if Christians or any other group were forced to hide their beliefs. Variety of opinion and even dissent are important aspects of a healthy society. Without these traits, ideas stagnate, and the society becomes complacent. People have the right to believe what they want to believe in the way that they want to believe it. They have the right to tell me I am a fool for what I believe, and vice versa. This is the way it should be.
This line of tolerance ends when believers or nonbelievers attempt to physically or legally impose their beliefs or practices on others.
2006-12-03 11:16:09 · answer #3 · answered by marbledog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't feel they should ban evangelism outright, but I think it should regulated.
Some rules I would propose:
1) They should prohibit door-to-door solicitation before a certain hour in the morning, and after a certain hour at night.
2) The evangelist should be required to call off the witnessing attempt if the target requests it. This especially should apply for door-to-door solicitation. (I've heard of cases where they've attacked like rabid dogs, and wouldn't stop even after the person told them they weren't interested.)
3) In the case of the pamphlets that are left everywhere, the littering shouldn't be 'too' excessive. (I usually don't find evangelists are that bad in this regard.)
2006-12-03 11:18:40 · answer #4 · answered by Lunarsight 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an agnostic, I feel I can empathies with the evangelic point of view. I mean, they really believe all the crap that they are saying and I think, they really believe that by converting me to Christianity they are saving my sole. On some level I respect that more than the Christian who is fine with my not believing in his god and knowing I’ll burn in hell.
In this country, it is our right to push our beliefs on others and it is my right to tell you that you’re an ignorant, uneducated baboon and then go into strict detail as to why.
So I guess the answer is no.
I mean if there are any atheists in here who are that averse to being preached to, then they shouldn’t be in this forum. lol
2006-12-03 11:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think atheists shouldn't care what Christians think. And I don't think Christians should try and push anything on anyone. Let those who want to believe, believe, and those who don't to alone. I think if a person is atheist they shouldn't go around telling people there's no God, because for some that's all they have. I believe in Gob, not because some evangelist told me too, I believe in him because I know he's out there!
2006-12-03 10:59:12 · answer #6 · answered by Yeah. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people in any religion feel that others push their beliefs on them. Evangelistic Christians, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses are among the groups that publicly preach their message. If we were to stop that, we would be interfering with the rights of free speech and religious freedom as well. As much as we dislike it, or others speak out against it, its part of our accepting (lol) society.
2006-12-03 11:00:04 · answer #7 · answered by brmwk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not just atheists that complain. And, yes, most non-evangelists would be happy if they'd put a cork in the proselytizing. Making it illegal would be a bit over the top but that IS the muslim approach to it and I can't blame them.
2006-12-03 11:27:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I would be happy if religion just went away entirely like all the other mythologies that came before the current ones cropped up. People need to take responsibility for their actions and not pawn it off on the shoulders of some fictitious entity.
2006-12-03 11:14:49 · answer #9 · answered by thanatos_azrael 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Though its not enough. They would still push their beliefs upon children at school as in the form of Creationism. If they stopped that too, I think lots of Atheists would be happy.
2006-12-03 11:08:26 · answer #10 · answered by Max D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not being an atheist, I don't know if they would be happy. I'm just not sure how God and Jesus feel about being represented by someone with a really bad toupee, who pockets much of the money that subsidizes their luxurious lifestyles.
2006-12-03 10:58:47 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋