Atheists, will you accept an apology?

Question

from me on behalf of all these people that just won't leave you alone? I would never mock you for not believing, so please don't mock me for believing. But the next Christian that trys to belittle you, why not say you'll pray for them that they'll become an atheist. Do you think that will shut them the f*** up?

Another thought Dear Christians- I've never gotten hate mail from an atheist but I can't say that for the holy rollers

Answer 1

I do not pray for anyone to become atheist. I don't care what they believe.

But thanks for the apology, and I respect your right to believe as you wish.

Answer 2

I use mockery in a humorous way, not in a genuinely derisive one, and I like it that way, but I accept that people of different traditions are going to disagree from time to time. The trick is to disagree without being disagreeable. I find it's easy to do when you look at this forum as an exchange of information rather than a contest. I'll tell you what I think, and you tell me what you think. That works far better than belittling one another. Unfortunately, there are some people who have to make every discussion a contest. Someone has to "prevail," even if it means degrading their "opponents." Sad. Very sad. And more than a bit petty, too.

But back to your suggestion. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to say that I will pray for god-believers to become atheists for two reasons: I do not pray, and I want each person to feel free to follow his own conscience, not mine.

Answer 3

I rarely come into this forum but I feel compelled to say something.

The problem with this medium is that we hear our own voices in our heads as we're either constructing a question or answer. What is sarcasm or humorous banter to us....may be misinterpreted by the reader because they cannot hear the vocal intonation of speech.

Who knows "The Truth?" It won't be until we have died that all things will be known. We will either discover that it's all been one big joke....or we're going to crap our pants because it's very very real. Or it could even be a combination of the two.

Those who believe have their rights. Those who don't believe have their rights. NO ONE has the "right" to stomp on the belief or disbelief of another person. Religion - in whatever form or existence - should be a personal thing. Name calling and attempts to change people's lifelong beliefs are not the way to effect change. One of the greatest "rules" in life is the one that is golden: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember that from kindergarten?

There's a reason they taught it to us. Think about it.

Answer 4

You cannot apologize on their behalf. For one thing, they are unrepentant. Second, you need to apologize for using the pretense of an apology to ask atheists to pray. I have always tried to indicate that my mockery is of individuals, not Christians in general. There are too many who call themselves Christian, but who do not live up to the values that would be implied.

Answer 5

Hey, i never mock christians or muslims for their personal belief. I respect those. I just can't believe that as a group they actually believe in something without any proof. No need to apologize

Answer 6

It is a 2 way street in here so the good Christians in here get their fair share of bashing as well.

Thanks for the apology and I too apologize if my smart *** remarks offend anyone. 90% of what I say is a joke and I do not mean any malice toward anyone or their beliefs.

Answer 7

Wow that kind of a harsh thing to say. I would choose to give advice on ignoring the people who feel the need to convert.

Answer 8

Atheists are grown ups, they know they get what they give. don't take this forum so seriously. I have said before, if we all met in person, we would probably sit down and chat over a beer.

Answer 9

To quote primoa:

"No one will ever close my mouth about Christ.....Is that being rude? I don't think so. And they are the ones that antagonize.....not us. We speak the truth whether anyone wants to hear it or not....."

I honestly can't believe my eyes when I read this guy's responses.

See what it reduces to? "We're right; you're wrong; therefore it's 'antagonism' coming from you, but 'Truth' coming from us."

Not that I expected "Christians" to be democratic about it!

Then there's this gem:

"You are a wuss. Apologizing to the minions of Satan. I hope God punishes you for being kind to those fools. I will never shut my mouth about the love of Christ that I have experienced!"

LOL. I love how he follows the remark "I hope God punishes you" with "I will never shut my mouth about the love of Christ." Classic.

Answer 10

Well thanks for the offer, but you can't apologise for someone else any more than a supposed deity can forgive someone on my behalf.

Primoa1970: Please think about the way you come across to people and understand that if your delivery is seen as rude then your message is lost and all that people will remember is the rudeness.

Answer 11

Most (vast majority) of us aren't making fun of you for believing- if that was the case, you may have wanted to direct your question to AS.SHOLES. It takes an ******** to tell you that you are wrong for believing in whatever you want to. HOWEVER, if the favor is presented to us, we will have no problem returning in kind.

Apology not necessary... most of us judge based on character- not personal beliefs.

And primoa... that constitutes antagonizing.