Are Atheists long on arguement and short on compassion?

Question

I know there are some hateful Christians out there, who go around telling people they are going to hell.

But I have noticed that several times when someone who is hurting is asking for prayer, that there have been numerous atheists that have to enter their hateful comments, laced with profanity. WHEN PEOPLE ARE HURTING, THEY NEED HELP, NOT INSULTS OR SOMEONE TRYING TO DESTROY THEIR FAITH AS WELL. SOME PEOPLE--FAITH IS ALL THEY HAVE.
AGREE?
NOT DIRECTED AT ALL ATHEISTS, AND I'M SURE SOME CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE PUT IN THEIR PLACE AS WELL.

Answer 1

I don't think we should generalize like that but honestly, I do see what you mean. I've addressed that same issue with them and just get nasty insulting comments back. Even if I am nice it seems once they know you are religious, they immediately think you are stupid and not worth being respected. I hate to generalize, too, but I have noticed that alot on this site.

Answer 2

There are few studies on religious demographics, however I've heard that atheists, as a whole are more generous than the population as a whole.

As far as compassionate answers to questions, I try to provide a balance. While I'm compassionate about the problems people are facing in life, I'd rather just give good advice on how to go about fixing their problem instead of just agreeing to just pray fo them. Praying is worse than useless. It accomplishes nothing and takes up time that could be spend actually doing something about the problem. You may consider it non-compassionate to say I won't pray for you, but I consider it very compassionate.

Answer 3

Hey, bud,

I believe in being honest.

Yes, some atheists mindlessly respond to prayer requests with attempts to belittle the believer. Yes, that's totally unnecessary.
Faith is all some people have, and while we should encourage people to find higher sources of strength within them, it doesn't help to kick a person while they are down.

Yes, some religious people (not just Christians and not close to all religious people) do butt in to answer questions that don't concern them with a rant on how people should convert to .

And I know that you inserted a disclaimer in your details, but the way your question is phrased reads as if you're going at all atheists or as if you're characterizing atheism as inherently argumentative and unmerciful. Either you believe that this behavior is typical of atheists and your disclaimer is meaningless, or you are referencing the actions of athiests who are atypical (mostly disaffected jerks looking to irritate people anonymously online) and using them to hold many atheists feet to the fire.

And yes, atheists do that to religious people, too, but that doesn't make it okay when you do it. It just makes you complicit in stereotyping.

That covers it as well as I can see.

All the best,

Laz

*a big thumbs up from Beelzebub*

Answer 4

Faith is not all it seems, but reason is.
Reason is all that atheists cling to, while Christians have God. I agree that some Christians tend to act stupid at times, but to judge a religion by the behavior of its followers alone is utterly foolish. People are human, and Christian or not, humans SIN. The true nature of God is something that we simple humans are not meant to understand, and is something that reason cannot explain. Explaining God is like explaining snow to an Amazon tribe.

Answer 5

As expected, you make sweeping, unsupported accusations about a group of people.

Stop your whining. This is an open forum. If you don't like the answers that people provide because you don't agree with them or find them offensive, IGNORE THEM.

And no answers are "laced with profanity"... Yahoo has a language filter on this thing.

Answer 6

Well, my atheist butt is on here double-checking directions for the charity where I'm about to go drop off a vanload of toys and clothes for needy kids that I've spent the last three weeks collecting, buying, knitting, and petitioning businesses for.

Compassion, high on my list? Nahh.

Answer 7

Let me see.. I spent my day volunteering my time with disabled kids, yet on the way there and on the way back I listened to the audiobook "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.

WHAT A CONUNDRUM

Also people posting and asking for prayers, like their god needs to prioritise divine intervention based on how many people want it, isn't actually a 'question', it's a 'request'.

Answer 8

I've never done that when someone was asking for a prayer. However, if someone is severely depressed or having problems and they're wondering when god will come down and save them, I tell them that they may want to get real help. To me, that's more compassionate than people who pray to their sky fairy for miracles.

Answer 9

Prayer does not help. Instead of having a conversation with an imaginary friend or friends, one should attempt to help in a real way. Perhaps it is information about the treatment of a disease or psychiatric help. Maybe it is intervening in someones life, etc..
I think saying "you are in our prayers" is just another way of saying. "Good Luck with all of that"

Answer 10

Atheists look for reason, not magic.

If someone is severely clinically depressed, they should probably visit a doctor or mental health professional rather than a preacher. "PRAY!" ain't much help. As christians themselves must admit, sometimes he answers, sometimes he doesn't. I don't see that as particularly comforting.

If faith is ALL you have, you're headed for more disappointment.