Atheists, Whats your problem??

Question

This is not argumentitive. Is your problem with believers the individual believers, or the religion?

For example, I consider myself to be an educated, and kind person, and I believe that Christ taught us kindness. I am not opposed to homosexuals being given equal rights, I never vote my faith, I vote the politics. I am a Christian, but do not associate with any particular religious movement, such as Cathiloc, Baptist, whatever, I just follow Christ.

But RELIGION, and its movements in the past, with men who kill in the name of God, who force conversions, who continue to speak out loudly about many unpopulare and discrimanitory laws and practices, is that the problem?

I am not talking about your personal belief, Im just wondering if your problems with Believers, stem from not liking a group without knowing the idividuals (blanket statement ALL Christians hate gays), or if it the religious movements themselves that are what bothers you more?

I am not trying to get anyone to change their minds, I dont want to try to convert, I am merely curious to what the anger, or irritation is based on, individuals, or religion as a whole?

Answer 1

But RELIGION, and its movements in the past, with men who kill in the name of God, who force conversions, who continue to speak out loudly about many unpopulare and discrimanitory laws and practices, is that the problem?

yes, that is my problem

almost all my friends are christians so i think its safe to say that i dont dislike christians by default

Answer 2

>> This is not argumentitive.

Pity. I was looking forward to an argumentative post so I could respond with references to back up my claims. Oh well.

>> Is your problem with believers the individual believers, or the religion?

Well, I think I'll have to split my opinion. Some believers, are genuinely harmful to others. I'm thinking of the Kent Hovinds and the Haggard's in this group. I have problems with those people.

General moderates of religion though, no, I don't have a problem with them. I believe they are normal, well-meaning individuals that are just subject to the extreme psychological effects of religion. And for that, I squarely blame religion and religious ideals/dogma. As an anti-theist, I firmly believe that if we were to eliminate religion and religious ideals, the moderates would help us take down the Benny Hinns, the Kent Hovinds, the Michael Behes, the Jerry Falwells of the world. And the world would be a better place, no doubt.

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>> I am not opposed to homosexuals being given equal rights, I never vote my faith, I vote the politics.

This is what I was referring to when I said 'moderates'. I don't believe that people should vote on 'family values' (which for clairty, we shall re-label as 'Christian values'), ignoring all other world issues of the day (economics, environment, foreign policy), and elect a president that starts a war. That's being socially irresponsible. Nobody took a look at Bush's credentials and ideas as a politician - they simply voted (and exit polls confirmed this) on his right-wing religious affiliations.

>> is that the problem?

That's precisely the problem. Hypocrisy, and lack of meaningful thought about issues of the current day, is my biggest problems with religious adherents.

>> Im just wondering if your problems with Believers, stem from not liking a group without knowing the idividuals (blanket statement ALL Christians hate gays), or if it the religious movements themselves that are what bothers you more?

I know Christians that are for same-sex marriages. Heck, I even know Christians who ARE gay themselves. That still does not reduce the problem that I'd estimate a *majority* of Christians do not advocate for equal rights - even though that's what their religion seemingly tells them to uphold above all else.

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I guess that's the problem with believing in the infallibleness of a fallible book written by men, isn't it?

Answer 3

My irritation falls into two categories.

1- Religion is often the cause for wars. It is a really stupid thing to fight over. The Muslims are the main culprits now. Thankfully Christians seem to have reformed and gotten over it for the most part.

2- Many religious people do not allow themselves to be educated. I can't even say how often I have to tell people that we didn't evolve from monkeys. And these are the idiots acting like they understand evolution and have scientific arguments against it. Then they want to spread their ignorance into the schools so we can produce ignorant children. I could site other examples and some of the best are from side conversations by email. It usually ends up with "well, I don't know anything about your telescopes and stuff" or something similar. (Yes that is a direct quote) But they still say that they should have the right to invade my kids science class.

Answer 4

My problem, as you stated in your second point (well written question by the way) is with organized Religion itself. I have no problem with someone believing in a God or Gods if it makes them a better person or gives them peace and solace in their life. But what I do have a problem with is the people who feel the need to spread their religion with the arrogance that is required to believe that their faith is the "one true faith." If you believe in God, that's fantastic, I'm happy that you're happy, but I don't need to hear about it. Spirituality can be a big help t some people, but religion helps no one. More people have been killed in the name of "God" than for any other reason, and that quite frankly saddens me. Think of all the progress that could be made in our lives if people would keep their religious beliefs to themselves, keep it out of government, and concentrate on more pressing matters.

Answer 5

Clint Eastwood once said that opinions are like as*es, everyone has one and no one wants anyone else messing with his.

Yet, Dilbert also said "Since when is ignorance an opinion".

My point is, that if religion is false and leading people into submission and into a general decay in their lives, and of the society as a whole in favor of an institution called church, it is just necessary to actively fight against it as you wold fight against child porn.

The remaining questions would be:
1- ¿Is church a positive social influence or a unethical corporation based on propaganda and deceit?
2- ¿Are religion accurate as a way to understand the world?
3- ¿Are atheists leading better lives? (Happier, Quiet, Healthy, Free, Tolerant, etc.)

Of course, when answering these questions you must avoid lying to yourself, trying to justify a decision taken before hand, just what faith would tell you to do. That's why religious people often deny the atheists arguments and atheists dismiss "faith" as a proof.

Answer 6

You never vote your faith? Bullshit- if you are Christian- you vote your faith; in fact every decision you make is faith-based, how can you claim that? The problem most people have is with that hypocrite standing up there preaching intolerance- and he himself being a closet homo. How many have been exposed in the past couple of months? Also, most "Christians" were raised that way- they have been told since day one that God (their God) exists, and that He is the only true God. How many faiths believe this? Which one is correct? Or, you are "born again" because of some negative action you may have committed in the past- and now you are "saved". If you are truly Christian- then take your place among your Christians counterparts as a woman- and get to the back of the buss.

Answer 7

Religion in general is discriminatory so many atheists generalize as well. It's a way of relaying the message, in no uncertain terms, that religion is not all that it's made out to be. There are at least an equal number of religious people that use the same tactics.

Answer 8

The only thing I have a problem with, really, truly, once you get down to it, is laws for an entire nation of diverse beliefs being made on the basis of someone else's religion. I watched the stem cell issue last summer with great interest and hope--along with the man I love, who had just been diagnosed with lupus, which had previously been shown to actually be curable with stem cells (it's a chronic condition, and difficult to treat in men). And...score one for religion, score zero for people suffering.

That's about it. I don't have a problem with Christians generally, and I don't have a problem with anyone believing whatever they want, until their beliefs start restricting my life.

Answer 9

I have no problem with most believers, I was a christian for a long time ,but after looking at all the past and present religions and all of the psat "gods" , I just don't believe that any of the gods described in the past or present exist or existed.

Answer 10

My problem is USUALLY just the idea of organized religion.
Other times it can be an individual believer, you actually seem like a believer I would be willing to talk to because you're not over-the-top christian or catholic or whatever.
I would go on for hours about why I don't believe in god or organized religion but one, thats not really what your question is and two, I dont have the time.