I'm extremely curious about this and have been for quite some time as I just don't "get" it. How can the lack of belief in a "supreme being" of any sort make one a follower of "the devil", who, I might point out, is another "supreme being" that the so-called "follower" does NOT believe in. Most atheists, agnostics, or acedics are giving, selfless, caring, grade-A people, yet are looked down upon and even pitied by those with "faith" just because they don't believe in a "higher power" above either their own or that of "mother nature" (don't bother trying to argue with me on this one - anyone whose been through a hurricane, tornado, tsunami, severe thunder storm, blizzard, whatever will tell you that "mother nature"s power is beyond compare). We're happy, balanced, helpful, caring, giving, loving people who just don't believe in the same things you do. So why pity, look down upon, or even brand us as "evil"? I just don't get it.
2006-12-20 03:51:03 · 9 answers · asked by Deus Maxwell 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Theists cannot seem to grasp the fact that atheists, etc. have taken the same path as them in their quest to rationalize their existence. They read the same bible and other religious literature but simply came to a different conclusion The concept of life after death is equally appealing to theists and atheists alike. The simple fact is god did not show up when the atheists were looking for him. If I were a theist and "saw' something that people much smarter and more educated then me couldn't see, I would have to assume that god has the "ungodlike" quality of discrimination (in this case against smart people) or, heaven forbid, consider the possibility that, with their superior education and intellect, they might actually know something I don't! (A wise person need not be smart, he need only to follow the lead of those who are, if he can stop his ego from getting in the way)
2006-12-20 04:26:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem with many peoples of faith is they believe it is their duty to go and preach their beliefs to the unbelievers.
I say, live and let live. No one knows any true answers. It is all speculation and faith. We will hopefully find the truth when we die and all of lifes answers will be revealed.
Personally I have reservations with human suffering and the justification for this grand experiment. But thats just me.
I have read many versions of the good books and still come away with a feeling that they are good works of history.
I just believe if you do unto others... is the best way to conduct your life. I am not sure how many believers think that non-believers are evil necessarily though. Like I said I just think they feel it is their responsibility to "enlighten" the rest of us to what they think is the truth and the light and the way.
2006-12-20 12:15:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't make you a bad person. A lot of "revealed religionists" just can't comprehend that morality doesn't come from the Bible. Good human beings live by a moral code because it makes all of our lives better, regardless of religion.
There are good Athiests, Agnostics, Deists, Pantheists, Pagans, Wiccans, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jews, etc.
There are also just as many bad ones in every religion.
Ultimately, people that think Atheists, etc. are bad people just think they are better and smarter than you. They are convinced they are going to heaven and you are not.
2006-12-20 12:06:49 · answer #3 · answered by jheitertusa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are taught that anything that is not of god is of the devil. They are also taught that anyone who believes differently than they do is doomed for all eternity. Nice way to go through life, huh?
As for why they believe these things they are taught: I don't really know. I guess a lot of them are just roped in early in life, before they have the critical thinking skills to evaluate what they are being told. For the rest, I guess the threat of hellfire is just too strong to think objectively about.
2006-12-20 11:57:31 · answer #4 · answered by Caleb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If believers didn't think that nonbelievers are evil, unhappy, doomed, etc. it would remove one major motivation to hold a religious belief. Religions need this kind of thing in order to retain adherents and to attract new ones - it's how they survive.
This aspect of religion really isn't any different from Brittany Spears showing her navel.
2006-12-20 12:05:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
all of my family believe in god and in the devil. you cant believe in one and not the other. i agree with you 100%. why should we get branded for what we choose to believe or not to. i don't think that being an atheist makes you a bad or an evil person because i have allot of atheist friends and they aren't bad or evil.
2006-12-20 12:07:46 · answer #6 · answered by K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we dont think you are evil just your beliefs are. and youre stereotyping by saying most atheists and jusnk are selfless because ive met quite a few and they arent what i would say selfless and we as christians do believe in the devil. we have to because hes the one which caused eve to sin which is why jesus died on the cross so even the devil is one of the main figures in our beliefs. we still consider him evil and worthy of hell but still a main figure.
2006-12-20 11:58:05 · answer #7 · answered by turtle 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being agnostic is not automatically a negative thing.
However, sometime along the road of life, some conclusions should be drawn.
2006-12-20 11:53:32 · answer #8 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
...this post would have been way more funnier if after you typed every quoted word, you did the finger quotes in the air.
I agree with you completely.
2006-12-20 11:54:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋