Why do religious people make atheism sound like the worst thing in the world? I know that theists believe that nonbelievers will go to Hell, but I find it strange that atheists are targeted for conversion...
My train of thought is this: Would God be madder at someone who doesn't believe in Him but also believes in no one else, or at someone who has "abandoned" Him in favour of another deity?
Personally, I'd think he'd be more sympathetic to the atheist. At least the atheist isn't pledging loyalty to another god; he/she just feels that there isn't enough evidence. It seems that choosing to believe in a different God would probably be worse, since it's kind of like saying "you're not good enough" to the "true" God, thus leading to a worse punishment than the atheist.
Note: I am not trying to target Christians in particular; the only reason that I mentioned them particularly is because I have been in contact with them more than members of other monotheistic religion.
2007-03-10 13:54:59 · 20 answers · asked by Nanashi 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Of course, this is just how I see it. Others might not agree that nonbelief would sit better with such a high being when compared to the belief in the WRONG deity.
If God was to have this mindset, shouldn't people of other religions be targeted for conversion instead of atheists?
2007-03-10 13:56:51 · update #1
Please read all of the details before answering; my question headline is a bit misleading in comparison to the question that I pose at the end of the details.
2007-03-10 14:03:26 · update #2
Your point about him being more angry at people who worship "false gods" is interesting, actually.
However, I think this is the reason: A Hindu or even a Pagan has some kind of "faith" and a moderate Christian knows that as long as other people have faith, even if it's in something else, their own faith is defensible.
Whereas someone with absolutely no faith represents a real intellectual threat to their belief system in a way that a believer in another deity does not.
Sound reasonable?
2007-03-10 13:59:04 · answer #1 · answered by WWTSD? 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
why would God be more sympathetic to the atheist? God doesn't say "well, I'll have more sympathy to you". As an atheist, it's not that there's no evidence, it's that you refuse to believe. You don't need evidnence, though lots has been found, to believe that God exists. In God's book, saying "You're non-existant" is just as bad as saying "you're a liar", which atheists and other non-believers both tend to do.
and do I look down upon them? I try not to. if I look down on them, it's because I was walking and they happened to be lying on the sidewalk...
2007-03-10 14:05:34 · answer #2 · answered by Hey, Ray 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Interesting question, but I think I disagree. I have seen some vicious attacks by Christians on Muslims. They seem to be relentlesss and violent in their insistence that Muslims worship a "false" god, and roundly sentence them all to hell. Even though Muslims admit only one God, and claim that it is the same God as Christians worship, this is rejected outright by Christians. Even the scripture is similar. In my opinion, the reason for this is that Christians take issue with killing in the name of God, which they claim the Muslims do falsely. Apparently forgetful that Christianity came to dominance in Europe by way of conquer, torture, and murder, they nevertheless cannot tolerate anyone else doing it.
Atheists, on the other hand, are merely recipients of the condescending, patronizing attitude that Christians are the sole possessors of, and are guardians of, the Truth. They enjoy pouring their self-righeous judgements and condemnation on the non-belief of atheists. They then claim to feel "sorry" for atheists, and will "pray" for them. The assume a position they were not granted, and they presume authority they were not given, nor have they proven any qualification for either.
Hate, however, is reserved for other believers.
2007-03-10 14:14:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a Christian I don't look down on non believers but I do feel sorry for them. I see them as lost. Also what other non believers are you talking about? I thought non believer = atheist.
Blakenwite: Why would I feel sorry for myself? First off self pity is not a Christian attribute. Secondly, I'm not the one who is lost. I walk with the light of truth to guide my way.
You can choose to take the good word or not, it doesn't matter either way because my salvation is assured.
2007-03-10 14:03:05 · answer #4 · answered by Eye of Innocence 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
"Targeted for conversion."
No one should be a target.
It's not rude for us to be here. Or to show ourselves and voice our thoughts. Especially when so many of the topic lines include the word "atheist" and they scroll on the front page. Who will speak for us if we do not?
That's like saying it's rude for me to sit at my mother's dinner table.
We're here because we're trying to say .. "overall folks, it isn't a good or righteous thing to continually pity us, feel sorry for, or the need to convert us". We aren't ill. We don't "not" believe because we're misguided, it's not that we "refuse" to believe - we just "don't" believe. It isn't as if you can flip a switch and turn it on. You think we're missing out. We don't. No middle ground there.
Because you could be our mothers, our brothers, our sisters, aunts, cousins and grandparents. And you don't listen.
I, for one, try to voice my opinion in an effort to say that it's not okay for a society to assume that we all have to fit one standard, or believe one thing.
We are not the bad guy. We're just different.
Christians in America do not understand what it's like to be in the (non) religious minority.
Atheists do. Simple as that.
We are not targets, objects of scorn or pity, or souls in need of saving. Honest.
2007-03-10 14:40:40 · answer #5 · answered by pepper 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Atheists looks down at Christians too so right now they're both even.
2007-03-11 15:46:56 · answer #6 · answered by Reaper 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do not look down at Atheist at all. I dont look down at anyone.
In this forum the people who call themselves Atheist are not Atheist. Atheist = No GOD. They would be anywhere but in a religion and spirituality forum. They are Anti Christ. Mostly people who are entertaining themselves by being really rude.
2007-03-10 14:02:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Perhaps they are embarrassed and jealous that atheists have figured out how to be good, moral citizens who don't lie, steal, and kill people WITHOUT a killer God or all that other religious mumbo-jumbo.
2007-03-10 13:59:10 · answer #8 · answered by gelfling 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Exactly as the first poster said..... Christians feel sorry for people who don't have God in their life. There is nothing like it!!
2007-03-10 13:59:45 · answer #9 · answered by ~♥Anna♥~ 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think its a riot that Theists feel sorry for atheists for not having something to believe in...I feel sorry for theists for having to have something to believe in and basing all their reasoning on feelings.
I am sorry that theists are so emotional unstable as to have to believe they are being watched all the time. I'm sorry for theists because they live their lives in fear of displeasing a superpower who is totally schizophrentic, shallow and jealous.
I am so sorry for people who have a "GOD" addiction and wish I could do something to help them get over it. Its like trying to tell the jungle people that yawning doesn't spread evil spirits but that drinking polluted water can cause infections. You really wish you could help those poor jungle people bound in superstition but they are so dedicated to their "faith" and continue doing things that cause disease and think that God is punishing them....and yet the Jungle people want to KILL me and feel sorry for me for not drinking their polluted water and spreading disease! KKRRAZY!!!
PLEASE! Religious people of all "faiths"...quit feeling sorry for me and start feeling very, very sorry for yourselves!!!
2007-03-10 14:12:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋