Why are Atheists (and agnostics) , more informed about religion than theists?

Question

JC Follower:In general, when i ask a question atheists and agnostics seem to have a broader understanding of religion than most theists. I cannot say i agree with all of their 'understandings' of the religions, but atleast they seem to look into all that they reject. Alot of theist rejct before they try to understand.

Soon2BMom...: yes but to be fair, if a god which is supposedly 'all-knowing and all-good' wrote the verse, there could be no way to find any bad in it. Most mytholgies have allot of voilent wars and un-just wars in them. Myhtolgy is man's creation.

Answer 1

Oops, I skipped right by the "why" and only answered "are Atheists (and agnostics) , more informed about religion than theists?"

Why? Because atheists actually want to bother to find out what's up with religion and god. Adherents have blind faith (generally).

Answer 2

I don't think this is true, but I will concede some points:

The average atheist tends to know more about Christianity (for example) than the average Christian. I would suggest that this is because for an atheist to reject Christianity they have to have looked at what they came to reject. Whereas a lot of Christians have never read or studied the bible, and just know the most common bits (and often believe there are things in the bible that aren't - such as the *three* wise men).

The more committed theists are different. They can quote scripture from memory and tend to know it better than the atheists. I myself when using the bible in my arguments have to search online. I know what is in it and roughly where, but could not find it without assistance.

In my experience, it's strange that it's mostly the less-knowledgeable theists who like to argue that the bible should be interpreted literally. It's certainly not something the Pope would say.

Answer 3

Many people do not question anything and live their lives blindly. It may be related to their level of intelligence. A close friend pointed out that people of lower intelligence cannot think their way into a depression, but a smarter person can. Lack of education and mental capability tends to create the belief that everything is God's will. There of course are many exceptions. Why argue with someone who cannot understand the concept of atheism?Personally, I never met an uneducated atheist.

Answer 4

Atheists are usually the kind of people who do a lot of research. Most of us were raised theists, and we either turned away from religion based on research of the world around us, or the world "within" us.

I know I didn't just learn about evolution or the big bang in becoming an atheist. I learned about religion too. I read Karen Armstrong's "A History of God". I read about the canonization of the Bible, the sociology of religion, and the various faiths around the world.

I don't discount that there are very knowledgeable theists, but I think the more you research religion OR science OR philosophy, the less you generally believe in religion.

That's my take, anyway.

Answer 5

This is a poor assumption, but I actually understand why you've made it. Most theists tend to quiet down in humility as they gain understanding and wisdom, so the ones you really want to hear from are the ones who aren't saying so much. Atheists start their "search" with the assumption that there is no God bigger than themselves, and that they are automatically right, and then they listen to other atheists supporting their foregone conclusions.

Do no mistake swagger for intelligence or being "well-informed". You'll make as bad of mistakes as they are making.

Answer 6

Simply put: Education.

Most atheist and agnostics are people who do not simply accept pat answers about things. They demand proof, they search for the answer, they read theology and they certainly don't just accept something because "the Bible tells them so". It is not an accident that many fundamentalists tend to be of lower income, education and opportunity. This by no means is a slight against the poor and against those who truly believe what they believe, but also cannot be denied.

BTW, I am a person of faith who left the faith long ago but returned on my own terms and not that of a religion. I respect my atheist friends, not because I believe what they do, I don't, but because they are honest enough to question, to challenge, to rock the boat. Christ himself said, "one who has blind faith, cannot see the world with open eyes."

Answer 7

~~~ Paradox,,,, Thanks for the compliment,,,, but Generally Speaking,,, A Theist usually is bound by their Personal Faith(ie' their religious choice) that theirs is the One and True god, thereby rendering all others as false(gods) and the rest of us as Heretics. So why bother with False Idols when their bias dictates no further investigation or inquiry needed. Consequently they build a Wall of Intolerance around their Ideals thus becoming retarded in Divine Knowledge, or other aspects of such,,,Their "duty" then becomes,,,",,,go forth, multiply and convert Infidels,,,"

Answer 8

I can't speak for everyone, but I try to be very well-informed about religion for several reasons. One is that I studied up while "finding" myself and what I really believe. Another is the fact that religion has such influence over world events; I think that things would be much better if we all understood why people behave and think and believe as they do.

Answer 9

it's because they are content with what they are in and are taught a certain way and only know that one aspect where as atheists and agnostics and whatnot look into different religions such as myself i'm interested in different things i like being open minded to different things although some people might not understand that but that's fine by me

Answer 10

I think it's because so many of them came from religious backgrounds and studied religion extensively trying to find something that matched their belief before they finally realized that their belief was in no gods...
And because there is no one to tell them not to question...

Answer 11

Avocational hazard and defensive posture. We have to protect ourselves from the Xians who come knocking on our doors, telling us we are sinners and going to hell.

And it's not just the atheists and aggies that have to be informed. I haven't met a pagan yet that can't whup the average Xian's butt when it comes to scripture interpretation and Judeo-Xain mythos. We don't really have much choice, really... Here's one of my favourite examples...

http://www.sanfords.net/Pagan_Humor_and_Thoughts/Other_People.html