Christians: How can we be a little less offensive towards you?

Question

I'm sort of an agnostic atheist (or whatever,i don't truly label myself), i somehow hope there is a form of Higher Power in this universe, that spreads an energy of Love.But I don't really believe in it. I do not believe the biblical God is real.

I see a lot of Christians complaining how they get bashed by atheists. Somehow i understand that. They don't believe in a God, you all do. Almost every question they ask implies a question about the absence of God, because that's their belief. You take offense to those questions because to you God is a real concept.

I can understand that a question about the absence of God hurts you more than it would hurt an atheist to hear about God.

I read the Bible, and i truly have lots of questions about it, because Christianity is still a large influence in politics.Sometimes your Bible makes me angry, sometimes it makes me doubt.

In what format can non-believers ask questions so that you will feel less offended?

Answer 1

I think atheists might be more well-recieved if they stop implying that people who believe in a God, be they Christian or whatever, do not think for themselves or are less intelligent.

Also, I think that purposefully silly questions might bother some Christians (though they usually make me laugh). And I'm talking about questions like "If Jesus comes back today, who will pick him up at the airport?" or "If God created man in His image, does that mean God has a penis?"

I'm sure God has a sense of humor and just laughs at these as I do. But then again, I'm not really a fundamentalist Christian. I'm actually more of a Christian Deist, though I, too, prefer not to label myself.

Answer 2

You can't. Someone will always take offense, and as you can see... with your very respectful post, people are continuing to disrespect you back. Just be rational, understand that their offense comes from a place that you cannot coddle with honest questions. Don't make value statements, ask things in terms of curiosity and wanting explanations... but you're always going to get people are offended by your curiosity. Perhaps because they feel you are not genuine? Don't be afraid to make your beliefs clear, but also be sure that you express how you really do want to learn about their religion and you'd appreciate if they would teach you. Anybody who is offended at that interest is not the sort of person who is going to teach you what you would like to know; nor are they the best representative of their religion, which holds to compassionate and instructional ideals. It is okay to make it clear that it is not a help to you, rather, disrespectful to you that they voice their concern for the salvation of your soul. "Gee, I'm a little concerned for that too, thanks. You don't think I've done some thinking on the matter?" Anyway. Don't let the offense bother you, if you're not trying to be offensive. I usually apologize if I've inadvertantly offended someone! Asking a question about people, practices, and beliefs should not be inherently offensive. I suspect we run up against the saris, samosas and steel drum bands sydrome sometime: they see us as shallowly misinterpreting some superficial aspect of their [religious] culture as being central, and asking a question about it or trying to relate, and they think it's rude that we're ignorant. Which is an oninion which may or may not be true. Good luck! Shuttin' Up, Rob

Answer 3

Great answers.

Though I am not a Christian and also choose not to label myself, I think the majority of Christians are not offended by plain, rational questions and some might even welcome a spirited, civil conversation on the subject.

However, many atheists are seeking a reaction and many christians are seeking to validate their faith by crucifying themselves and characterizing society as being anti-Christian.

Between these two reactionary groups, it is hard to get a normal conversation in edgewise.

To those atheists I have described, I say grow up. I care about your opinion as little as I care about anyone elses. What you're really looking for is other atheists to agree with you, which makes you just as much a follower and you claim Christians are.

To those Christians who characterize society as anti-Christian, I find that laughable in a country that is 80% Christian. There is a difference bewteen non-Christianity and anti-Christianity and most Christians can accept this. If that were not the case, the Christian majority would have absolutly no problem with changing public policy. The problem is your views aren't widely accepted, even within the Christian community.

Answer 4

The only way we (and by we I mean anyone who is not Xian) can make oursleves less offensive to them is to convert to them. Thats what they are after. And why should people hold back bashing them? I once asked a question about where there is a good wicca supply store and I was bashed over and over again, being called sinner, hellspawn, heathen, and everything else under the sun. Now before someone gets offended I do understand that not all Xians act this way, but a lot do. In the words of Richard Dawkins why should we put on the kiddie gloves?

Answer 5

I used to be a Deist, so I understand where people who don't regard the Bible as inspired are coming from, and I make a real effort not to be offended. That being said, certainly one way to be a little less offensive would be to stop assuming you (not you personally) are so terribly clever you have thought of a question that Judaism/Christianity hasn't encountered in 3000 years. Sorry, ain't gonna happen! And if I read one more question about where Cain got his wife, I'm going to scream!

Answer 6

The question about the reality of God is not offencive at all. I don't get offended by any question, just like yourself I get frustrated when I cannot articulate my thinking to a point where the other people listening, or reading understand it. It is hard for two different ways of thinking to get past their terminology and thought patterns. It like someone who believes 2+2 =4 trying to explain a math problem to someone who believes 2+2=5.

Answer 7

Me personally, I believe that whether Christian or non Christian insulting any persons beliefs is foolish.. Both parties seem to take offense when the lack of knowledge pertains. Without studying and knowing as much as they possibly can. Its just hatred toward anyone and their beliefs. God looks at hatred as murder within ones own heart and will be judged on judgement day. And a big problem in todays society.. People want or tend to make up their own God.. A God that says its okay to treat others poorly, to lie, to steal, to murder(hate). That breaks the Second Commandment

Answer 8

In a civil, intelligent format without calling us stupid, Christiantards, ignorant, murderers, liars and speaking down to us. Not all non-believers do but many even though they may not name call, still cloak their questions in a demeaning, sarcastic attitude with the intent not to learn from the question but try and make Christians look foolish. Also when a non-believer asks a Christian one of those questions, other non-believers jump in and give all the idiotic, vicious reasons the Christian believes as they do- most of it a bunch of dung.

Answer 9

i think that the problem is that you can never satisify many christians even with a "walking on eggs shells" approach to questioning religion. THe bible says that not believing is from the devil. If you don't believe in the bible and you are asking skeptical questions on this site, your gonna offend people, no matter how nice you try to be to them.

Answer 10

You have every right to ask questions according to your beliefs,and I won't get offended.What kind of a place would that be,if we all had to watch our mouths for fear of hurting someones beliefs? What I don't like is the labelling,and intentional questions meant to hurt or ridicule.For example,people saying that Christians are anti-science,brainwashed, and irrational,and calling Christians 'fundies' .I just wish that we could all ask questions in a polite manner.That goes for all religions and non-religions on here.