A question for atheists...?

Question

Why do some of you appear more like anti-Christians than atheists?

To be sure, an atheist is a person who doesnt believe in supreme beings. That means disbelief in the Judeo-Christian God, Allah, etc. (Strangely, no one seems to be critical of Yahweh or Allah...)

But much of the tone in posts of atheists here seems more anti-religious. I.e., not only do I not believe in your God, but let me tell you why you are beneath me because you believe in your God. That's not atheism. That's impiousness.

I'm a Christian and believe to each his own. If you dont want to believe in God, then that is your decision. That makes you an atheist. If you also think less of me because I believe in God then that makes you impious or irreligious.

Atheism is not impiousness. Please remember that when you represent yourself as an atheist.

Well, I've read some responses and I still think the anger is misdirected although I can see some points.

I am a Catholic and believe me, I dont like having ideas and what not force fed down my throat either. A lot of other Chrisitans think my religion is second rate and arent embarassed to say that. Fundamentalists give me the creeps just as much as they do atheists at times.

But if you consider some of the ideals of Catholicism such as the dignity of the human condition, is the religion really as "counter-productive" as some people claim.

As an example, consider the growing problem of autism. Catholic Bishops recently argued that out of respect for the human condition, society has an obligation to help people afflicted with autism. Surely no one would say that is a "bad thing". But that's essentially the same argument the Church uses against stem-cell research. But people howl when they hear that and call the Church behind the times or whatever.

This is very interesting to me. Some people below make reference to religion standing in the way of science. I need to stress something here.

Christian fundamentalists are the ones who it appears most of your anger is directed towards. They are thoe ones who say, for example, God created the Earth and everything in it from, poof, nothing. The Catholic Church, for example, does not outright discredit evolution. On the contrary, before he was elected Pope, then Cardinal Ratzinger who was essentially the lead theologian for the Church wrote that evolution fits within the Christian view of creationism. So before the atheist crowd puts down the entire Christian religion remember that all forms of Christianity are not the same. The same people who founded Notre Dame, Georgetown, Fordham, Boston College, etc., are not teaching their students that the world was created in 7 days and that Eve was formed from Adam's rib! BUT some Christians DO believe that.

Answer 1

I'm not anti-Christian, I honestly don't believe in any kind of deity. But I believe some of the anti-Christianism comes because of the lack of tolerance some Christians have against atheists.

Answer 2

I typically use the Christian god as an example because, Christians are the majority, it's usually Christians are my target audience at Yahoo Answers, and everyone knows about the Christian God. So whats wrong with that? Also, I tend to know more about the flaws in Christianity then in Islam or Judaism. Why you may ask? I've had plenty of arguments with Christians, but barely any with Jews or Muslims. Not that I don't know any it's because they've been tolerant of my views and sees no need to question them, so far only Christians feel like questioning them. As an inquisitive person I've research the Christianity more throughly then the others because of this.

Now to the anti-religious part. Like religions we've think if our beliefs are followed, using logic not dogma, the world willl be a better place. I seen plenty of Christians question Islamic Theocracy and saying how a Christian Theocracy would be better. Why not advocate a secular government?

Now, I don't treat people that believe in a god any differently. I only treat idiots differently. Those who question beliefs thoughts etc without researching it throughly, basically the ignorant.

If I saw more Christians like you posting intelligent answers to questions, it'll be a whole better section.

Answer 3

I think a lot of atheists do confuse being anti-christian with Atheism. In the western countries one is just more exposed to Christianity than any other religion. People ARE critical of Allah or Yahweh, but the people they would be speaking to would represent a minority and aren't that well-represented to begin with. When you compare how many christian TV shows, books, etc. there are in the western world that you see every day with the ones from other religions, you can see that most people just see more of Christianity, and therefore just might be more annoyed by the constant images, verses and statues.
I think that a lot of the people are just against religion, and not necessarily atheists. It just seems easy to assume that they are really atheists when they are actually just criticizing christianity and the things it stands for. Also, on a side note, when you criticize a religion other than christianity, the chances are that many christians will agree with you; and in many countries there are just more christians than people of other religions present.

Answer 4

It's an issue of oppression. Because our society and culture in the United States are dominated by Christian authority. Despite separation of Church and State, we've never had anyone in the White House other than Christians. Of course one could argue that only white men have been president as well, but I don't think too many could argue that women and ethnic minorities would be MUCH more viable candidates than would be an Atheist. Even as a small business owner, I have to keep my Atheism closeted as I would lose business if people found out but you can look through the yellow pages and see dozens of small businesses advertising their Christianity with a small fish icon in their ad.

And it's not just individual oppression but the oppression of science (stem cells, evolution, cloning), oppression of morality (death sentence OK, abortion evil and murderous), etc.

Answer 5

Because some christians behave just as badly toward atheists, saying that atheists are going to hell because they don't believe. Many christians have a self-righteous attitude and it's hard to take someone like that seriously. Most religions are intolerant of not only atheists, but all other religions. To me, that seems to defy everything that a religion is supposed to stand for--peace, love, etc.

I just read your update. One of the problems I have with organized religion is the "pick and choose" method many believers use. You mention "some" of the ideals of catholicism and then zero in on one that you feel no one could call bad--helping people with autism. Ok, what about another catholic ideal--not using birth control, which would include condoms? We have a responsibility to control population in order to preserve our resources and prevent the overburdening of our planet. In addition, if no one used condoms, diseases like AIDS and other STDs would be even more of an epidemic than they already are.

Besides, I don't think you can really call helping people with autism a catholic ideal per se. That mindset is held by many people of all religions, and by many who do not believe in religion as well. It's not a part of the religion's doctrine.

Answer 6

Gimmie a break.........I know you are but what am I ? Did your priest give you these words to study over the holidays ? I don't care if you are purple with no hair and yellow teeth....I love you anyway.

** I too have been reading responces and thank you for not reporting me for my non answer. With that said, I am not an Athiest..I am an Agnostic. I was Baptized and confirmed Catholic, and visited many other Religious facilities and their masses ( teachings ) and gatherings in the last 50 years. I have yet to come across a Religion that promotes "To each his own", it's more like "It's our way or the highway" As an Agnostic I think.. "different stokes" works better for me. I can't see myself going to a gathering and listening to someone interpret ancient philosophy as the truth, then ask me for money to perpetuate their manipulative banter. I surely don't like seeing Religion plastered all over the media and knee deep in politics, ramming their BS down my throat. What happens when God does come down and say's....." What have you done?,You got it all wrong, I gave you free will and intilect, not to Sheep or beasts of burden!!"

God is "Life", and how you live it. That big chunk of grey matter on top of your shoulders is where he lives, use it wisely, keep it open to ALL ideas and if ANYONE tries to block the road THINK around them and seek more information.

Answer 7

Primary reason: I'm in America. In America, it is fundmentalist Christianity that seems set on shoving itself down my throat. It thus makes itself a target.

I have no tolerance at all for Islam either, but I'm not faced with it.


Also, I am not intolerant of any other religion. Only Christianity and Islam contain a compunction and holy command for converting and subduing the entire planet. Literally every other religion on the planet is happy to coexist, at least officially. Certainly, there are rogue elements in these religions (there have recently been some slayings of Christians conducted by Hindus in India's prison system, for example), but the rogue elements can be dismissed. I don't care about what people do with religion in judging a religion, I judge it on its official teachings.

Answer 8

Fellow, i don't know if you are american but what I do know as a former catholic is that non-american catholics tend to be very tolerant of other religions and that's good. The reasons why some atheists may seem so anti-christians is because some of there were former christians (like my self) and have hate towards something that opressed them their whole live. Other reason may be that like in US christians want to pass laws based on their religion and that makes atheists and non christians mad.

Answer 9

Shouldn't you have directed this question at some of us Atheists?

One reason Atheists don't criticize Islam as much is, obviously, political correctness. We don't want to join in with the Fundamentalist Christians chanting "Allah is a moon-God" crowd.

But a larger reason is that Islam doesn't exert much influence in the west. There is no Islamic lobby to speak of, but there's a huge Christian lobby. When Atheists will start to feel that Muslims seriously threaten their liberty, this will change.

As for your plea for greater respect between people, I'm all for it.

Answer 10

Those atheists who are "anti-religion" are that way for a reason; most often, it is because the society they live in constantly attempts to force a particular religion onto them. In the U.S, it is most often Christianity that attempts to change legislation, societal norms, even artistic expression into something morally acceptable to them--regardless of other people's disbelief in their religion. When a person is constantly being attacked, they have no choice but to go on the defensive; thus the reason why many atheists become what you consider "anti-religious."

Just so you know, "impious" is a word that cannot really apply to an atheist. It typically refers to blasphemy or sacrilegious behavious--no religion equals no impiety.