why do some christians and other monotheists frequently imply that atheists are immoral worthless subhumans?

Question

i understand that they (the ones in question) are completely ignorant about any other spiritual paths but their own, but why do they not even recognize atheists (those who believe that there is no deity) as human beings? why do they completely ignore the fact that each human could have something of value that others could learn from? not that i want to push something on them, but i'm insulted that they think, because i am an atheist (an eclectic pagan specifically) i believe in NOTHING and have no positive insights or thoughts, and that i'm basically trash.
why do other, REAL christians not stop this kind of behavior? do they not realize it reflects poorly on the religion as a whole, that these people say these things and the rest of their 'group' seems to accept it as okay?

btw, i do not believe in any gods, so i AM an atheist. i am also neo-pagan, as i believe in many of the ideaologies of wicca and other nature based religions, but i beleive that every concept of a 'god' or 'goddess' is merely symbolism for the divine nature of All, which cannot be personified.

i do see atheists doing similar things, but not quite as overt (although, i do not see all the questions & posts). and if i see something particularly crass, i usually say something.
and i do know that there are good christians out there that do not do these things (one of my best friends is christian! and surprisingly enough, she is the only one i talk spirituality with)

as to my definition of a 'real' christian, i would say it is one who actually follows jesus christ's teachings, since that IS what christianity is, right?!
a 'fake' christian is one who just says they are (for example, Hitler.) but doesn't follow the teachings of christ

Monica L. "NO, THE ATHEISTS ARE ALL PSYCHO KILLER FIENDS. WATCH YOUR KIDDIES! HERE THEY COME! "
"TALKING TO AN ATHEIST IS LIKE TALKING TO A BRICK WALL, THEY'RE THICK! ONLY THE BRICK WALL IS SMARTER THAN THEY ARE, OF COURSE. " and she goes on and on, never doing anything but insult others.

Mahal: "You're a good example of why I constantly refer to Atheists as "sub-human", a-moral, and uneducated. It's really easy for Christians to get the best of you in any debate. It really must be embarrassing for you. "

s l "Are atheists just stupid or are they demons or working for Satan?
dont bother with your stupid atheist answers . i do know enough to know not to listen to someone that is surronded by miricles and is told repeatedly the right answer yet makes the choice to go to hell . cant waste my time reading your stupid remarks "
"After a certain point should christains help athesits by burning them say burning there hands off so they feel
a tiny bit of the pain they will feel in hell. i really want to help them but they fail time and again to listen . would it not be more loving to just burn off one or there hands or even just a finger so they know the fear they should have."
" if i were in charge now i would have cast all the athethists into hell already"

GENTLEWOMAN OF GOD
"if I don't believe in anyone, I will be like God." is nothing like how i think. i do have beliefs, i do not seek power, i seek truth. i do not anything is seperate from the divinity of All (referring to the operation of transcendent power in the world). i just do not call it 'god' and do not think it could ever be personified, nor seperate from everything in the world, as it is the sum of all and more.
but thank you for trying to be respectful.

Answer 1

First, I would like to start by apologizing for the behavior of the 'Christians' out there who treated you in such a fashion. This is by no means the way Christians are supposed to treat people.

As far as your insights or thoughts go, I would take take them with a huge grain of salt, simply because the Truth is they're tainted with sin. We are commanded to treat our parents, our spouses and even our own children with so much contempt it seems like hate if they try to come between us and our Lord. While I think it to be a mark of a weak walk, I can see, in my mind, a 'Christian' seeing your point of view as an attack the enemy. That's not a defense. Their actions aren't justified, but you asked for an explanation, and that's what came to mind.

But you aren't any more a piece of trash than I am a piece of trash. The thing of it is, I think I'm a piece of trash compared to God. God felt I had some merit, or He wouldn't have sent His Son to die for my sins.

I was never an atheist, but I was very much a pagan and an idolator, and I can honestly say there wasn't that much difference in the way you are thinking and the way I was thinking. I read tarot cards and study astrology and divined all kinds of horrid things. And I did these things desperately, pursuing power when I should have been seeking truth.

I see how you are similar to the way I was. I believed that age old lie of "if you do this (read tarot cards), you will be like God." What I see in your post is "if I don't believe in anyone, I will be like God." These are echos and variations of that first temptation of Eve. There is nothing divine about the human spirit seperate of the Holy Ghost. I don't say that to be harsh or judgemental. I say it because to say anything else to you would be to lie to you, something I am commanded not to do.

Answer 2

Christians understand that all people are naturally immoral, including themselves. The only difference between Christians and non-Christians is that Christians have accepted God's salvation from that immorality. Some Christians, usually ones that have come to Christ at a young age, can start to become so accustomed to the new nature they have in Christ, that they forget that the only reason they are any different is because of God, not because of themselves. This is a constant struggle in the Christian church, and not something being taken lightly. However, unlike cults which control people's behavior, Christianity is freedom from control of other people. Some churches do excersize church discipline on their members that blatantly attack others and live in unrepentant sin of their own, but most churches have been plagued by the postmodern thought that attacks our culture at large, and do nothing at all as a body, and merely try to lightly coax them to change their behavior.

Answer 3

I think because they need religion as a moral compass, they assume the lack of religion implies no moral compass. It is a matter of ignorance. They associate witches with black robes, broomsticks and warts on their noses. For the most part, they haven't come across many people who are different. There are many christians who accept the diversity in opinion and religion and embrace that there is much to be learned from people who share different beliefs. The lack of tolerance is an outgrowth of the new conservative movement. Hopefully it will begin to lose some of it's force over the next few years.

Answer 4

I've never been seriously told that I was a lesser person because I am an atheist. I often point out that I do, in fact, have a surplus of many traits our society most commonly uses to judge usefulness or worth, and although that comes across as being entirely arrogant, I really fail to see why my behavior is perceived as such. In any case, no person of any real worth believes that a person can be "judged" on a single aspect.

Answer 5

I am a Christian. I have never said an atheist was an immoral worthless subhuman. I respect people for what they think, and I respect people simply for being human. But just b/c I respect someone, doesn't mean that I agree w/ them on certain things.

I've seen some people, who claim to be Christian, post some things on here that is hateful towards atheists. And my response to them is to calm down, and respect them, even if they're wrong about something.

God bless.

Answer 6

I agree with you, but the same is true of many atheists, they rant at theists and mock them.

I personally feel I can take the moral high road as an atheist because I've never judged a theist simply for being religious. It's just a shame that many christians don't practice the 'forgiveness and understanding' that they preach.

Answer 7

I am a Christian and I do not think that you or any other atheist is less than human. Some of my good friends are atheists.

Oh, and if you are pagan, then you aren't an atheist. An atheist is someone who believes in no god or gods; not even the pagan gods.

Answer 8

I have to agree with you. it is wrong. God doesn't say that we as Christians should act like this, but sadly, some of us do. There are hypocrites in every religion, you just happened to find a lot that claim to be Christians. I am a Christian myself, and some of my best friends are Atheists. I have no problem with any atheists becuase that's not how my mama raised me, but sadly a lot of these people didnt have somebody teach them to treat others as they would like to be treated.
I was taught that God said "Love thy neighbor" and what some Christians have said about atheists is not love.
I completely understand what you're saying.

Answer 9

There's no real logic behind it.

On the bright side, if it turns out that theists are right and there is a God, I promise many Athiests will be smiling down from Heaven at those ignorant bigots God sent to hell. Irony is a b****.

Answer 10

they are afraid to think any other way. You go against their way of life and nothing bad happens so they assume you will have some type of after life so you can be punished for not believing what they were told over and over as a child.

You just have to remember they are not all like that. Take Love Shepherd up there, she is a bit of alright.