Atheists. You all seem to think that Christianity is a religion that is forced on it's adherents...?

Question

I constantly hear words like 'EVIL', 'brainwashed', 'sheep', etc.
I have also heard its illogical, and a 'fairy tale'.
Since you have resisted it, please enlighten us of how you escaped this diabolically evil conspiracy?

Thank You in advance for your help

Answer 1

Good one...
I like to think it is because fools are ignorant of their own deception.....

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, EVEN TO THE WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, ....he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions ans strife of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth....." (I Tim. 6:3)

Answer 2

I was an agnostic from childhood until I was about 15, and an atheist after that. Neither of my parents ever mentioned religion or anything spiritual to me my entire life, even though my mother is spiritual herself (she is Japanese and a Buddhist). My father was raised Protestant and doesn't practice anymore - I think he is probably an atheist. Neither of them ever mentioned what they thought of religion or of Christians, but I formed my opinion on it throughout school. I noticed that I was often judged by Christians for not having a religion, and that they treated me like I was ignorant and in need of being "saved." I never experienced that kind of treatment from my Jewish friends, Muslim friends, or atheist friends (I grew up in the D.C. area, which is really religiously diverse). I am an atheist because I see no reason why do believe there is a god; I have never witnessed any miracles or anything that science could not explain. If I were given a reason to change my mind, I would, but I just don't have any evidence of there being a god.

I think people say Christianity is evil because of the way many Christians are so judgmental, like I mentioned. I also am relatively anti-Christian because of the recent rise of the Christian right that is trying to turn the U.S. into a Christian nation, despite the fact that our country was begun with the thought that religion and government should be separate.

Answer 3

I was raised Catholic (Christianity is not a single religion, you know). I was baptised into the religion within a few weeks of birth, received First Communion when I was 7 years old, and Confirmed into the religion at the tender age of 14. Look! all those decisions were made for me or by me when I was far too young to understand what it was all about.

I think most religions follow pretty much the same pattern; get 'em young, insist that this is the one true faith, and punish them by shunning or badmouthing if they don't follow along.

The more I learned about religion, the less I liked it. In many cases, missionaries punished and even killed the "pagans" who refused to embrace the new faith. The Inquisition tortured and killed people who didn't agree absolute with everything the church said.

My favorite is why Catholic priests can't marry. They originally could and did, but in the Middle Ages, the church noticed that priests who married left their money to their wife and children, while unmarried priests usually left it to the church. Suddenly a new rule was made.

Answer 4

Just an FYI, Atheists are not the only ones who think Christianity is forced on everyone...

As a non Christian I would have trouble accepting ANY religion that discouraged people from thinking for themselves and telling them how they MUST believe and behave. "It says so in the book" seems to be the only answer Christians have for anything. That strikes me as pretty much a herd of sheep. No thought, just do what the book says.

One escapes by actually thinking about things.

Answer 5

I don't talk like that personally.

I do think, though, that SOME Christians want to force Christianity of everyone in this society (how can you force something onto it's adherents???). They act like it's their "God-given right" to do it, too.

I suspect most everyone else (including the majority of Christians) don't like their religion being used as political slogans.

How have I resisted it? I don't remember believing. It's that simple for me. I've been a Skeptic since I was in diapers.

Answer 6

I was raised as an atheist. My mom is the one who escaped but I probably would have seen the evil in religion anyway. People are too two faced.

Answer 7

Must be my naturally rebellious nature.

I wouldn't go so far as to call it evil. Brainwashing works when the people doing it believe themselves -- my parents were not too hot on that and my Christian upbringing was lackluster, as I have said. I was encouraged by both parents to seek out answers for myself and not just accept things people told me.

.

Answer 8

troll,

I do not think all Atheists disrespect Christianity or Christians, just as not all Christians disrespect Atheists. I think the problem has to do with the very small percentage of so-called Christians who openly go about forcing Christian dogma upon the masses...

example:

knock knock...

man answers door- "yeah, help ya?"

two young men in white shirts, black slacks and ties-
"Hi, I'm Steve and he's Mike...we represent the Church of (fill in the blank)...we're just introducing ourselves and spreading the word of the gospel...do you attend church?"

man - "Not your business, young man...but to answer you, no...I'm (fill in the blank w/anything other than "Christian')"

young man - "Wow...you know according to our lord and father, as written in the Holy Bible, you're going to pay for eternity in damnation...straight to hell. Aren't you afraid of what will happen to you after you die?"

man - "Look, that's my business. I did not ask you to knock on my door, nor did I need any kid half my age telling me my fate. You need to leave..."

Happens every day of the week. Most folks don't need this.

You believe what you believe, and if that works for you, great! I think it's those very few I mentioned that feels that they need to blackmail others who do not believe EXACTLY as they do with Christian dogma, that leaves a bad taste in EVERYONE'S mouths.

Answer 9

Christianity isn't evil, but a lot of Christians sure act like they are.

BTW I'm not an atheist, but Christians seem to lump everyone who isn't Christian into that category, as if those were the only two choices.

Answer 10

I don't understand your question if it is agains christians or atheists but the only thing i can say is that Christianity is not a religion but a relation with Christ, it is the only One who can fill that void others search in drugs, new age etc.

Answer 11

No, I don't think that about Christianity and I don't use such words. I didn't have to "escape", although I was baptized as a baby and went to a church a few times in my life, but Christianity was never pushed on me and I never believed in it.