Have you ever noticed how atheists congregate in spiritual forums? Especially ones where christians hang out? Maybe I'm biased because I am a christian. I'm not sure but I suppose I have never really spent a great deal of time in forums of other faiths before. But I do find it interesting and it makes me wonder why they are here. I was thinking of some possible reasons...
1. They wish to understand.
2. They wish to enlighten.
3. They wish to collect information for a paper?
who knows. All 3 of these are negated when they mock and ridicule someone for having a belief they adhere to that differs from there own.
possible 4th...
They have egos hungry for validation that can only be filled by continually surrounding themselves by those they perseive as inferior. If they really wanted enlightenment, they'd go to a room of superiors and glean knowledge from those they perceive as superior in intellect. Just a thought. Any other possibilities?
*ducks and covers*
2006-12-04 05:48:37 · 17 answers · asked by sheepinarowboat 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm a Humanist, and I think you have a valid point. It's not a pleasant thing to concede, but there is a definite element of ego-massaging and gloating to what happens here. You can see it in Christians who proudly and smugly declare that they're the only ones who will be saved from Hell, in Muslims who proudly declare their scripture to be perfect and everyone else's corrupted or false, and in atheists who proudly declare that religious people are self-deluded and delight in pointing out the superiority of reason over blind faith.
2006-12-04 05:52:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 5⤋
For me it is mostly number one, and a little bit of number two. In no way is it number three for me. Yahoo is good place to figure out what the average person believes but if I was writing a paper no one would accept sources from a question and answer forum.
I personally enjoy entering into debates and will be very passionate in the debate but I learn a great deal from someone who can defend his or her position well.
There might be some truth to the egos that need validation. I think you summarized that point well so no need to say more.
I would like to add a couple more. Politics is one. It seems that the world is becoming more reactionary. The republican administration in the states over the past few years has promoted religion and invoked the name of god with such zeal; it is hard to think of a party in American history who has been so exclusive. The separation of church and state is important to many people (religious and non-religious alike) but the atheists feel they have to protect this by knocking down the fundamentalist down a peg or two. The unfortunate thing is that they end up hurting moderate Christians that value many of the same things.
Another possibility is personal bad experiences. They might be young and have spent most of their lives being told how they are going to hell if they do not stop asking questions. It is pretty hard growing up with valid questions that are dismissed, by "Don't you want to go to heaven?", or "Hell is a terrible place, you don't want to go to hell", to even, "If you don't stop god will damn you". Those types of experiences leave a bad taste in many mouths.
Yours is a valid comment, and I hope that could add to the possible reasons.
Peace
2006-12-04 06:13:24 · answer #2 · answered by Just Wondering 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could say the same things about anyone here.
I come here to answer questions. I rarely ask my own. I had a real tough time when I figured out that I was an atheist until I found others that were and you run across them all the time here. You also run across a lot of people searching You also occasionally find something that makes you think and examine some aspect of your beliefs.
I do not come to understand yours. They are pretty simple to understand, although I really don't see how you could buy it.
I do mock people's beliefs sometimes, but only when they really say something stupid or they attempt to mock us. And I only do it to make a real point. Mocking is easer than arguing when they sound irrational. If they are just a total idiot I don't bother.
2006-12-04 06:02:38 · answer #3 · answered by Alex 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it is often similar to the christian mentality that says "I have this information and it has helped me so much - learn more about christ" only to them it is more "I had been tricked once too - we've all been lied to, and it is too important not to tell people." I don't think that is how all members of either group behave - but I think often the most vocal in the group seem to want to shout their messages. I, personally, think that the further you get down the path, the more you realize that you will not be judged for what another does and others are likely just as secure in their beliefs as I am in mine - so I do not try to sway people to my beliefs (but it is always a thrill to find someone who believes as I do or to give a positive perspective to a person who asks a question, right?)
Peace!
2006-12-04 05:58:21 · answer #4 · answered by carole 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well... I'd like to aswer your question. I first came to this forum out of curiosity. When I first came to this site, I considered myself agnostic (meaning I really didn't know if there is or is not a god). I still don't *know* if there is a god, but I can tell you that reading the statements of other atheists was very confirming for me and what I was thinking. It gave me knowledge, support, and sometimes the words I could not find for myself to express what I already believe in my heart.
I'm pretty sure that's why the christians and other faiths come here, too. It's to read other perspectives, educate oneself, and still feel free to make your own decisions and draw your own conclusions. Here, you'll read many diverse opinions and philosophies/theologies without having to subject yourself to the sway tactics of any one faith.
I enjoy this forum... arguments, insights, trolls (well.. some of the trolls) and all.
2006-12-04 06:02:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
An atheist can be interested in religion as a concept and in its historical setting. I am an atheist . I don't dislike christians. I used to be one. Any ridicule I give is mainly in jest unless the christian I am responding to is a fire-breathing, bible-thumping fundy who rants and raves on here. Also this is not the only forum I frequent.
2006-12-04 06:03:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You just stated your opinion in the fourth option, didn't you?
I'm an agnostic, but I'll let you lump me in with all the other non-believers under the "atheist" label. I don't know what other people are doing here, but for me, I come here to share information and refine my own ideas. Occasionally, I'm challenged to take the thoughts in my head and turn them into words. That's fun for me.
As for surrounding myself with people I "perseive" as inferior to me...well, I don't know anything about that.
2006-12-04 06:02:34 · answer #7 · answered by RabidBunyip 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Number 2...
Some others may not feel that way. I can't speak for them.
But yes, some of us are extremely concerned about what religion is doing in the world today, and we are doing our best to educate people about it, and hopefully, save some lives.
Whether you view this as valid or not, I do. And to be honest, I don't really care who it offends, as long as it wakes someone up.
2006-12-04 06:07:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
have you not noticed that a large portion of the questions are asked to us (atheists) directly?
and as to mocking...well I've seen that from BOTH atheists and theists. would you have us NOT respond to questions directed to us? your question is an example of that (indirectly mind you).
your 4th possibility is quite...imaginative, but i guess you could say, with that reasoning in mind, that theists hang out in a room filled with other theists to make their own importance seem more grand. that they are so far above reproach that they must call out the "evil" that they view in others based on their own stereotypical ideal of what it is to be atheist.
now...i KNOW that not all theists are like that. my best friend is a theist and she respects me, and i her. we discuss religious topics, and she questions my beliefs and i hers...and she doesn't see me as an arrogant big-head that is trying to upset her faith, anymore than i see her as a bible thumper hell bent on saving my immortal soul.
perhaps if you'd ask this question more to the atheists that are IN this category instead of seeking your OWN validation from your fellows, (that apparently have no better judgment of what we [atheists] are.) you might find out why we are here.
i think it safe to say, (humbly on behalf of my fellow atheists) that the reason we are here hon, is because of questions like yours.
*respectfully*
Dragon Heart
ps. not all atheists agree with everything that Moiraes Fate asked thesits to "shup up" about.
i happen to be a Pro-Life atheist. i value life. after all this is the ONLY one i will have. *wink*
2006-12-04 06:12:41 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as Christianity, as well as several of the other "ultimate truths", have as their end and gleefully sought after goal, the END OF THE WORLD, and as long as they believe that their rights are being violated if they are denied the opportunity to use the coercive power of the state to shove their god down every ones throat, you will have to put up with us being in your face. Why should we abandon a forum where we can let you know that you will not be allowed to carry out the silly "End Times" rubbish that you seem to forget would include the rest of us.
2006-12-04 06:01:29 · answer #10 · answered by iknowtruthismine 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋