Why is there such a big divide between religious people and atheists?

Question

They always seem to get into such heated arguments, even on here, with some people quoting passages from the Bible and saying God is great, whilst others say the Bible is nonsense, God doesn't exist etc. - how did people get so far apart? Anyone in between?

Answer 1

They never stop arguing, they both think they are oh so right and the arguments never end in result in absolutely no change

Answer 2

During 1800s, Anthropologists had a problem as to how
to classify human beings. One researcher proposed the
expression "intelligent animal". After advanced studies
on monkeys, it was dropped. Another researcher proposed
"tool using animal". After observing some animals
making wooden tools and sharpening them with knife like
stones, it was dropped. Another researcher proposed
"weapon using animal". A decade ago, a rare film was
shot in African forests. One short monkey was hit very
badly by a big monkey. The short monkey prepared a
wooden knife using stones and hid it on the top of a
tree. After some days, when the big monkey came to
attack the short monkey, it ran up to the tree for the
weapon it has hid and killed the big monkey. The one
thing that the anthropologists found with any group of
human beings, even if they did not have contacts with
the out side world for thousands of years, is
spirituality with some form of religion. So, man is a
"spiritual animal" if you want to call him that way.

The Upanishads say that "Manush" (human) was so named
because he has "Manas" a mind higher than that of the
animals which realises the divinity in creation. It was
present since the creation of human beings. Religion is
the characteristic feature of most of the human beings.
It is as eternal and and as unchanging as the Almighty.
Disbelief by a few will not affect it.

Spirituality and religion: Although a majority of
humans profess some variety of spiritual or religious
belief, some are irreligious, lacking or rejecting
belief in the supernatural or spiritual. Although most
religions and spiritual beliefs are clearly distinct
from science on both a philosophical and methodological
level, the two are not generally considered to be
mutually exclusive; a majority of humans hold a mix of
both scientific and religious views. The distinction
between philosophy and religion, on the other hand, is
at times less clear.

Motivation and emotion: Motivation is the driving force
of desire behind all deliberate actions of humans
Motivation is based on emotion specifically, on the
search for satisfaction (positive emotional
experiences), and the avoidance of conflict.
http://www.answers.com/topic/human

Humanism is a broad category of ethical philosophies
that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based
on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal
to universal human qualities particularly 'rationalism'.
Humanism is a component of a variety of more specific
philosophical systems, and is incorporated into several
religious schools of thought. Humanism entails a
commitment to the search for truth and morality through
human means in support of human interests. In focusing
on the capacity for self-determination, humanism
'rejects' the validity of transcendental justifications,
such as a dependence on faith, the supernatural, or
divinely revealed texts. Humanists endorse universal
morality based on the commonality of human nature,
suggesting that solutions to human social and cultural
problems cannot be parochial.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism

"Our two minds .... One is an act of the emotional
mind, the other of the rational mind. In a very real
sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that
feels" (Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence,
Bloomsbury Publishing, London, 1996, page 8). This
rational mind is also called the faculty of logic and
reason. The emotional mind is connected with religion.
The rational mind is connected with athesism and the
new subject of 'humanism'.

The Upanishads say that these two minds are 'opposite' in
nature. Modern psychologist also have observed it, but
they are not very sure about it:

"At the same time, reason sometimes clearly seems to
come into conflict with some desires (even while not
being in conflict with others) giving us the impression
that reason is separate from emotion".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reason

The big divide between religious people and atheists is a
must becayse logic is the dominant mental tool of atheists.
However, logic has its limitatations:

In the 1930s, Austrian mathematician Godel proved a
theorem which became the "Godel theorem" in cognition
theory. It states that any formalized 'logical' system
in principle cannot be complete in itself. It means
that a statement can always be found that can be
neither disproved nor proved using the means of that
particular system. To discuss about such a statement,
one must go beyond that very logic system; otherwise
nothing but a vicious circle will result. Psychologist
say that any experience is contingent - it's opposite
is logically possible and hence should not be treated
as contradictory.

Answer 3

We are not always so far apart. At least, some of us aren't. I am happily married to a Christian, and will even quote the Bible in terms of love. Like Gandhi once said, I don't have much of a problem with Christianity. I have a problem with most Christians.

Answer 4

how we got so far apart is easy. Everyone can think for themselves. So as some one sad their is a God or gods or whatever someone will say no there isn't one or there is a different one(s)

as for people in between sure there are. we have many people who aren't sure if there is a god or not for example.

Answer 5

Since bible thumpers have their heads so far up their butts they cant hear anything other than their own beliefs, plus their parishoners have them so scared of going to hell they'll believe just about anything. How do you think Bush got elected? Twice?

Answer 6

Agnostics are those in between. The debates are fun for both sides. If you can't defend yourself, then you must have flaws in your arguement. It's a way for both sides to reaffirm their belief or start questioning their belief.

Answer 7

Because the 'religious people are constantly pointing a finger and saying what we SHOULD be doing and how we'll go to hell (like there is one) It's not going to affect them if we don't go to church, so LAY OFF or I'll send ya to hell right now!

Answer 8

From experience religious people usually believe their way is the only right way.

Answer 9

i dont know.. i think its sad.. we are all people... all have different ideas... i dont care what you believe as long as you are respectful.....

i think it happens because.... as people we have this craving to be right and correct... and if anyone else believes in anything other than what you do... that MIGHT make you incorrect.. and it challenges you and your ideas, so some feel the need to defend them... sometimes violently....
i suppose some just have a fear of being wrong..

Answer 10

The answer is simple. They have different beliefs,and they try to enforce their beliefs on others who don't agree with them.