When someone asks a question about Wicca...?

Question

Why do some (a very few of you, but I can't help but notice it) of you atheists jump in and say it's all bunk?

We have a hard enough time with the Christians telling us that we're going to hell all the time without getting grief and spam from you, too. I love atheists and I love most of the ones on this site, but can you please be respectful? We don't try to convert you or tell you that you're wrong, so if someone asks for a Wiccan / Pagan answer to a Tarot question or something similar, can't you just be respectful and not answer?

When I see a question asking for an atheist persepctive, I try to give an atheist answer, and if I can't do that, I don't answer because I don't want to run someone down if they want to be an atheist.

Can we please get along, since we already have the "Christian Converters" gunning for both our groups? Since we don't ry to convert you or tell you we think you're wrong, can you extend the same favor, please?

If not, please say why. :(

If you're interested in Wicca, check my profile to get my email address or the address of my favorite Wiccan website. I'll answer any questions you have, but here probably isn't the place. :)

Leviathan, I didn't want to name names, but you're actually the reason I was motivated to ask this question. You were very rude in the Tarot thread. I wish you would be nicer. Please?

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to denigrate all Christians. It's just that the rude ones seem so numerous sometimes that its easy to lump you all together. I apologize.

Answer 1

I can't speak for the people you are addressing, as I am not one of them, but I can sympathise and offer a plausible answer.

A belief is firm. A belief that there is no god is just as strong as a belief that there is one, or some. I am disappointed to hear that Athiests are often just as closed-minded as fundamentalists Christians.

I am not a religious person, although I do have certain beliefs that are not a part of any organized religion. The thing about my beliefs is that they are based in logic, reason, and personal experience. I am always open to hear other ideas - if I don't agree with them, I'll often say why, but I don't see anything constructive coming from simply pointing at someone and saying "you're wrong."

Religion in general, including certain types of Athiesm, is rooted not in logic and reason, but in stubborn faith. You cannot argue against faith with logic or reason. This always ends in people with differing or conflicting beliefs yelling "No, I'M right! YOU'RE wrong!" at each other endlessly with nothing productive coming of it. So when someone who believes something different than you sees a reference to your beliefs, often their instinctive reaction is to yell "No, I'M right! YOU'RE wrong!" along with an occaissional "What are you, STUPID??"

Personally, I just avoid answering questions where I strongly disagree with the premise of the question. I wish I could stop people from being jerks and pushing their beliefs on others, but I can't - so my only suggestion to you would be to not post philosophical questions on here if you don't want to get those sorts of responses, because you always will. I know I gave up on it long ago. :)

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I have the feeling that most people in this section of Y!A spend more time defending their own 'group', than defending/explaining their own beliefs.

I don't believe in a God. That makes me an atheist. I know that there might be the possibility that I'm wrong in my beliefs. That makes me an agnostic. I do believe there is something more in this universe, something we all can't put our finger on...some sort of constant energy of Love, I call it Good. That makes me..ehh..what?

I've decided to call myself a Somethingist. So far I'm the only member of my group...A Somethingist doesn't believe in a god, but we, as a group, know there is something more.

We, Somethingists, believe in an absolute freedom of religion, and an absolute separation of Chuch and State. We worship Montesquieu for having written one of the most important document in the history of politics, the Trias Politica.

That is why we, Somethingists, have a huge problem with a part of the atheists on this website. They have no right to attack religions who follow Montesquieu. I have never seen a Wiccan wanting any Wiccan influence in political isssues. No Wiccan wants Gaia on their money, or Hecate in te Pledge of Alliance.

Together with Wiccans, we, the Somethingists as a group, have the biggest problems with Christians, simply because our society is like a bucket drenched with God.The Abramic God is all over our politics.

To fully answer your question: yes, a part of the atheists are downright obnoxious when it comes to respecting other people's beliefs. I almost feel ashamed that I first had to step out of the atheist-group to see that.

Answer 3

The only ppl I have EVER told were going to hell were the mockers on this site. I don't appreciate the name calling or foolishness either. I originally thought this site was for adult discussions on the merits, similarities, and differences between various belief systems. Unfortunately, there are too many here, of ALL faiths (and lack thereof) who would rather waste everyone's time than stop and have a respectful discussion. Worse, that attitude spreads with use. Perhaps we should make a point of explaining this to every fool who asks baiting questions here. Maybe if they get enough similar replies, they will get tired of it and move on to other sites.

Worth a try?

Answer 4

They do it for a lot of reasons. To hear themselves talk (or I should say, read themselves write) for one thing. Because they think hurling themselves at the issue with no subtlety will actually change people's minds. A few of them think *anyone* with spirtual beliefs is wrong--atheists aren't only anti-Christian, after all. To get the two points.

FWIW, I've noticed that tagging a question with "Believers only, please" or "Please, no 'it doesn't exist!' answers" does cut down on the obnoxious replies, and I really appreciate that. It's a shame we have to take the time to qualify our questions that way, but it's something.

Answer 5

Aeryn, think of it this way, okay? The "Christians" that tell you all that you're "going to hell" etc. are the few who are not respectful.
Like you, there are scads of us who do not answer if we can't do it with the right perspective, and if we *do* answer something, we do it without being "Christian Converters" who are "gunning" for you--so you really wouldn't think they were Christians, would you, unless they were saying you all were "going to hell."

Do you see how you are thinking?

Please give those of us who are respectful a chance.

Answer 6

I don't know the specific questions you are referring to, but if it's a question regarding a belief in a deity, any deity, then atheists could properly respond by acknowledging the lack of any deity.
However, when people use words like "bunk", "trash", etc...it probably gets offensive.
There are better ways of putting things.
You are correct about one thing: I've never had a pagan of any ilk try to convert me. Thank you for that.

Answer 7

I'm an atheist, but I love wicca. I've studied the spirituality and the paranormal for some time.

I'm more so an anti-monotheist than anything else, that's really all I do.

I've studied and practiced wicca, but I wouldn't say that I'm one myself. I have two wiccan friends that know a lot.

I love wicca!

Answer 8

Same reason the Christians jump in and say that you're going to hell and to find god. Because they think they're right. Though the Atheists aren't as rude as the Christians in their answers.

Answer 9

I am sorry that you are experiencing such negative response to something that is important to you, particularly from Christians.

As a student of human nature, I realize people belittle others out of ignorance .. fear ... prejudice. Basically, it comes about as a result of people thinking with their emotions. That is not what emotions are for!

Those professing to be Christian should be able to rise above these baser instincts, present our case thoughtfully and clearly and without attack. To do anything less is against the teachings and example of Jesus.

We are instructed to testify, yes. We are not instructed to harass, berate, belittle, badger and generally annoy others. If people do not agree with us, we are free to turn away. We are taught to consider it as a seed planted, but one that others may nurture and see to fruition.

This includes Christians fighting among themselves! Methodists against Mormons, Episcopalians against Catholics ... come on! Jesus specifically chastised His apostles for harassing another group of people teaching about Jesus, because they thought they had a corner on that particular market, being His disciples 'n all.

If those professing to be Christians continue to harass you, point this out to them. Copy and paste it. Feel free to use my reference and my name.

Peace to you.

Answer 10

I think people do that out of fear and ignorance. I think people are just afraid of what they don't know. And of course people have their preconceptions of Wiccans and that leads to a lot of prejudice. It is up to you to try to educate -- not convert -- which I'm sure you are trying to do. All you can do is your best and if people slam you or disrespect you, realize that is their shortcoming and not yours! Stick to your beliefs. Good luck!