Why do believers seem to know what atheists are thinking and feeling?

Question

I keep seeing all these questions that are completely offensive towards atheists. I mean questions like, "Why are atheists in this section" and blah blah blah.
I just wanted to set a couple things straight. Many atheists do not believe, NOT JUST because of science, BUT many of them have personal reasons for not believing. And all the believers here seem to overlook that! For instance, I for example, do not believe in the bible because I do not agree with anything in it.....not just the creation and the miraculous stories, but with the rules and commandments set down. I, just morally, do not agree with them.
And, finally, (being a former Christian) I do not believe in God because, not only have I never seen evidence of him existing, BUT I have also never felt his love (like you said I would), and I've never felt him by my side, (like you said I would). When I was a Christian, I had never felt more guilty, more alone, and more depressed. I do not believe because he is not there.

All I'm saying is that we all have our own personal experiences. Some of you may have felt "something" when accepting God.....I felt nothing.

Answer 1

I am not an atheist, but I am an ex-Christian Pagan. Last night, I posted the question, "Ex-Christians, what was your first seed of doubt?" I was asking what the first thing to make them doubt Christianity was. I told my own story of hating the Adam and Eve account, and wanting to see "girls doing cool things," and seeing them in other mythologies.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgCA6umdXmPEKgiOGvfaq1nsy6IX?qid=20070227180019AAuOVzd

One of my hopes was to show Christians how those of us who've left felt. A couple decided to disregard our feelings and what we'd been through entirely, and say we were never Christian.

I really don't understand why Christians, particularly those who have always been Christians, can't just sit back and let us tell our stories. Oh, many do, but a vocal few get all upset whenever anyone offers the smallest whisper of another opinion. And the galling part is, they expect to "reach" and "save" other people. How can they, when they don't know what goes on in our minds and hearts?

It was a Christian minister who told me, as a little girl in Sunday School, that God gave us two ears and one mouth because we need to listen twice as much as we talk. I wish some people here would think the same way. If they respond to what we really think, and not what they think we think, we might all get along a bit better.

Answer 2

I love the ones that assume I'm miserable. Since some of those theists have the happy-happy-joy-joy euphoria of bring religious, they assume that anyone who isn't of their religion must be downtrodden and sad. Perhaps it's a way to ignore the simple fact that people can indeed be happy to the beat of a different drum.

Besides, if someone is miserable following a bunch of rules that don't make sense while pretending to be happy, then he of course will try to accuse non believers of being miserable for not following the rules that don't make sense.

I have a pretty good home, a satisfying job, a great wife, and a nifty car that gets 50 MPG on a bad day. I worked hard on my own to get all of those.

Of course, then the retort is that I'll suffer in Hell for the pleasure I have on Earth. Whatever makes you happy for your lack of direction in this life.

Answer 3

Hello Abby.

I know how you feel. Not because I have felt it, but rather because you have just told me. But anyway, this is what I think, if you care at all.

One day you will feel God. One day, something will happen, and you won't be able to explain it except by accepting God. And this is the best part: It will not be the God that made you feel lonely, sick, guilty, and all of those other miserable feelings. It will be a God that will make you feel safe, secure, and happy. And until that time comes, keep on doing what you are doing. Keep on looking (or not looking), and living life. Its that simple.

Answer 4

Um, i be responsive to lots of believers who do settle for technology and evolution -- they only have self assurance that a god started all of it. it fairly is the 2d section that I even have an issue with, fantastically while people attempt to 'define' the god(s). in any case, a number of my acquaintances (who're Christians) are like this, and that i could say they are exceedingly very reminiscent of me, plus the full thought element. they are fairly clever ;) Oh, and the Roman Catholic Church does settle for evolution. They instruct 'mitigated evolution'...

Answer 5

I used to be one.

Just curious--- when you were a Christian, did you get saved? Did you have a glorious expierience with God? A heart-changing moment in your life that you never forgot? Did God give you the peace that passes all understanding?

It's all about the heart. If you sincerely humble yourself, close your eyes, and talk to God, he will hear you. Stay humble and focus on his will rather than yours, and he will indeed answer.

Answer 6

They like to think they know what an atheist is thinking... because the fabricated thoughts they attribute gives them justification to judge and act in whatever 'righteous' way they feel necessary.

When you view someone as an evil, unethical, goat sacrificing heathen, it's a lot easier to discount their ideas and put your own on a pedestal.

Answer 7

Mind reading is just part of the special powers given to the religious followers. It is right up there with faith healing, lottery number picking and getting potato chip bags open without spilling.

Answer 8

THE GOOD THING ABOUT GOD IS THAT HE GIVES YOU A "FREE WILL." IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE (THE SCRIPTURE LET'S US KNOW THAT SOME WON'T BELIEVE), THEN DON'T. I JUST KNOW THERE ARE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES THAT WILL BE PAID. JESUS IS LOVE AND HE'S THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME! YOU KNOW WHAT'S EVEN BETTER, JESUS STILL LOVES YOU, EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T LOVE HIM. NOW, THAT'S LOVE!