What have you learned from interacting with Atheists in the R&S section?

Question

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What have you learned about:

Atheists?
Atheism?
Your own faith?
Other matters?

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Answer 1

I've learned that there are all different flavors of atheist just like there are all different flavors of all people. For example, "The Black Atheist" or whatever his name is really rubs me the wrong way. J.P., on the other hand, almost makes me stand up and cheer sometimes.

As for atheism, I've learned that a LOT of people harbor deep-seated misconceptions and prejudices towards atheism and atheists. I've learned that it indicates to people a LOT of things that it doesn't actually mean.

Participating here, similar to participation in previous discussion and debate at other forums, has helped me deepen my understanding of many issues and form whole new opinions on issues I would otherwise never have considered.

Answer 2

I've learned that most of them are extremely patient people. How many times a day do they have to answer the same ridiculous questions? (How could you possibly have morals? What made you decide to choose Atheism as your religion? Why do you hate God? etc., ad infinatum) Yet most do so without contempt.

I've also learned that they are far more misunderstood than I thought. I have seen so many people say that Atheists come to R&S because they are secretly 'searching' for God.

The 'Atheism religion' questions make me crazy and I'm not even an Atheist.

Their lack of beleif in God has not changed my own faith (Unitarian) With a few (albeit major) exceptions, we are a lot alike.

Answer 3

I have learned that most atheists on yahoo are ignorant and make assumptions without taking the time to learn the facts and aren't very open minded. For instance, a lot of them think that Christians believe that God is an old white man who lives in the sky. That's ridiculous! I don't believe that and I don't know a single Christian who does.

Not all atheists think this way and there are some exceptions.

Answer 4

I've learned that Atheists can be mean and spiteful just like anyone (but I knew that already) but that a lot of them seem to preach love and tolerance more than even the religious people!
A lot of atheists seem to be grounded and knowledgeable with a lot of useful insights into human nature, that I think strong believers find it difficult to acquire, as they view human nature through God-tinted spectacles.
I haven't changed my own beliefs because of interacting with atheists, but I have thought about them a lot more deeply. I am a person of science so I am agnostic and will stay that way forever I suppose unless something drastic happens to prove things either way. (Although I know for a fact that God, if existing, will not be the God of organised religion).
I think that Atheists are extremely valuable in this day and age, as long as they remain humble and tolerant- keep asking, keep challenging, keep thinking for yourself!

Answer 5

I learned from many of the Atheist here that is is possible to live without a heart. The Bible said you non-believers would hate us but I had no idea how deep that hate could go till I read about people here who wanted to feed Christians cyanide, imprison us, and lock us up in mental institutions. Your attitude has convinced me that, even if I am wrong about being a Christian, I would not want to be part of such a hard headed hate filled group. If you guys want to convert us into the world of atheism you have to work on your attitude because you attitude has caused this Christian to have more faith than she had before.

BTW my husband is an atheist and I am glad I met him before I started coming here.

Answer 6

I have learned that no matter how many times they answer a question, they'll never get the respect they deserve for choosing their own path.
I have learned that many have decided to mock others because they're tired of CONSTANTLY trying to correct the false stereotypes about them.
I have learned that many of them are SERIOUSLY trying to find answers (REAL answers) to questions about other religions (most often Christianity) because they just like to learn more about the world, and because they like to know what they're being accused of not believing.
None of that changes how I view my own "faith" (I consider myself more Spiritual, but I don't have a specific name or "brand" of religion), as I respect the fact that most are trying to be respectful while answering questions and are not getting respectful questions asked in return. (Or respectful answers for that matter!)

Answer 7

Since coming here, I've lost some of the respect I had for atheists. Despite claims to the contrary, many do not "know the bible better than Christians", and many are all too ready to believe Protestant claims about the Catholic Church, instead of objectively looking at history and Church documents.

Answer 8

I have learned that as a group we are intellectually superior to believers in God. We continually do the
very things they Christians do. We engage in demagoguery, use ad hominem arguments and other forms of personal attack, and practice "selective perception," in only seeing those aspects of theology and religious history we feel are useful in discrediting people of faith.

There is one characteristic that seems almost universal among us, though. Almost to a person we are smugly contemptual [sic] of people who salute the flag and allow their sons and daughters be used as cannon fodder in Iraq. Mocking these good people, we call them everything from hicks and rednecks to "retro Americans" and fascists.

Answer 9

That many are full of themselves, as in self centered.
That many are as just as religious about their "(non)beliefs".
That many feel they are superior in intelligence.
That many act like this is a social "bashing" club.
That many delight and enjoy their foolish and wicked ways.
That many are unaware of the evil intent of their heart, which is to keep people away from God or religion that may need Him.
That many who are, justify their blasphemies as "helping to protect others" from the evils of religion and the belief in God.
That many do not understand that Christians are warning them, not out of judgment or hatred, but from a loving and caring position, not wanting them to perish or hurt others.
That many who preach about the intolerance and judgment of believers are just that way themselves.

Answer 10

Nothing.. I'm a Christian with an Atheist boyfriend, need I say more?