... than you do? If you don't believe me, sample Y! Christians tend to be extremely ignorant of other faiths, while atheists in general seem to have a firm grasp on the tenets of other religions.
2006-12-18 15:28:43 · 38 answers · asked by Brendan G 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Two words. Critical thinking.
It engenders critical examination of whatever system you are questioning, along with tangential systems that may provide useful data or insights.
The other argument is it's always wise to know as much as possible about ones enemy. Delusional beliefs are the enemy of the critical thinker. Personally, I try and debunk all supernatural beliefs, not just theism.
2006-12-18 15:34:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No insult meant to other religions....but you could very well be correct. My humble opinion is that atheists have *studied* the possibilities of truth in religions thoroughly before making an seemingly *educated* guess that God does not exist.
This educated guess can arise from confusion, so many diverse beliefs, so much confusion, it some how seems safe to not belief at all.
But why not put religion aside for a moment and focus on the grandeur of Life itself? The truth about God will become apparent instantaneously!
2006-12-18 15:54:27 · answer #2 · answered by Fried Plantain 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to burst your bubble.... Yahoo Answers is not a cross section of the population. So you can't really use the answers you get here as indicative of how Christianity views other religions. Like wise I would refute your claim that atheist know in general more about religion. Most atheists that I have answered or received answers from in Yahoo Answers have never read the Bible. The only take bits and pieces and try to prove a point by linking their limited knowledge of the subject.
Your statement itself is not inherently accurate. If and atheist had a firm grasp on any tenet of any religion then he/she would more likely begin to follow that religion. Hence the term... firm grasp.
2006-12-18 15:34:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
It's impossible to lump people together like that. I know Christians who are very knowledgeable about other faiths, just as I'm sure there are some atheists who don't truly understand religions. I find that people on this site who claim to know a lot about my church often have profound misunderstandings, for example.
2006-12-18 15:41:04 · answer #4 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If only aheists realized how ignorant they sound! You have no idea what you are talking about with any religions. It's really kind of embarassing. To people in the religions you claim to have a "firm grasp" on you sound like a mule. You take bits and pieces and twist it around and then act like you're superior b/c you think you know something. And, Christians don't care about other religions b/c unlike athiests, we don't waste our time on stuff we don't believe in.
2006-12-18 15:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by BrutalBaby 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You're kidding right? Most Atheists seem to be under the impression that Christianity is the only religion in the entire world, it's the only one the constantly criticize, reject, insult, and so on.
The reason they know so much about it is because most were Christians themselves at one point and chose Atheism as a form of rebelling against what they were brought up with.
2006-12-18 15:34:09 · answer #6 · answered by James P 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I find that atheists have studied more world religions and only after that study have they decided not to believe in God.
It's sad that many Christians are uneducated about other faiths, but it's possibly because they're content with their faith and don't feel the need to examine others. True, some remain ignorant out of arrogance, but some may choose not to study other faiths becuase they're happy with Jesus.
I'm happy with Christ, I just find other beliefs fascinating. It's amazing how many different ways there are to find God, Allah, Buddah, Ra, whatever your name for the higher power may be :)
God Bless.
2006-12-18 15:33:26 · answer #7 · answered by cellar_door 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Depends on who you are talking to, some do study other faiths in depth. But - sincere Christians study their own faith and learn God's word so they can spot a false religion or detect deception.
It's like the guys at the FBI who study real money in order to be able to detect counterfeit money. They don't study counter fits, they study the real thing and know it so well that when a fake comes along, they know it instantly.
2006-12-18 15:34:15 · answer #8 · answered by Punky 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hahaha! some of the answers on here only prove your question's point!
anyway, i would say it's because most atheists were not born atheists, they started out as christians, jews, whatever. so then they began to question their birth religion and began to explore other religions, which is a long process. after exhausting at least the major religions and probably some obscure ancient ones as well, they, for whatever reason, (saw similiarities in religions, weren't satisfied by any, liked buddhism or other non-god religion, etc) decided to be atheist. it can be a very educational process.
i'm not speaking for all atheists here, just to cover my rump!
2006-12-18 15:36:07 · answer #9 · answered by michelle 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well I don`t know if that is completely true about all Christians. I believe the reason most don`t really know all about other religions or faiths, is because their contented with their own and don`t have to search for what they already have.
2006-12-18 15:33:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋