Do Christians resent atheists being in the R&S section?

Question

Do you feel that our viewpoints on religion are invalid and do not have a place in religious discussion?

Latter: Assuming that I believe deep down in God and that my religious preference is by its nature totally false is rude and arrogant in the extreme. And you go a long way to confirming my attitude about relgious people.

Answer 1

No, i like u guys here. It would be completely boring with out u lot! I mean, there is no fun i talkin to ppl about stuff i already know, what questions will i ask if i already know lal the answers ppl will give me? And answering will be even worse!!

I speak to friends and famliy about Christianity all the time, but i hardly ever get to argue my views with athiests. So ye.

Answer 2

Dear skippy,

I can read what you have written but I do not agree with it. I know that there are no real is no real "atheists." Skippy, when you look up on a clear night and see all those stars in the sky, they didn't get there by some accident. When you go to the west coast and see the Pacific Ocean along the California coast, one knows it didn't just happen. When you see the simplest insect or microorganism, one can't duplicate it even with all the high tech equipment we have. Only God could create life. Only God could keep everything together to ensure the stability of creation. The complexity of this Universe points to a Being who is the greatest craftsman of all time-God.

Answer 3

I am sure that this is literally untrue. Figuratively, it may appear this way, especially in this type of unmoderated forum where all sorts of persons are free to hide behind anonymity and act out. The question could be reversed to include the opposite side of the issue just as easily.

I welcome **reasoned and cogent** responses from all walks of life.

I have taken a position that if a question is explicitly targeting "atheists", "non-believers" or something similar, that I will not answer (but may read for my own edification) the question since I obviously do not fit these labels.

Likewise, if a question is labeled "believers", "theists", “Moslems”, “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, etc., it would be polite if those not fitting the label would not respond unless the question specifically fits. I also ignore questions that obviously violate the new community guidelines posted at http://answers.yahoo.com/info/community_guidelines.php, and especially those that are flippant, hate-mongering, vapid preaching, or are just chatty.

It seems to me that only if a question is non-specific should responses be expected from any and all persons.

We all learned this behavior in kindergarten but seem to have forgotten how to play nice with one another. We were taught to not speak unless spoken to, answer the question asked, and be polite. We also have learned, as George Elliot noted, "Blessed is the person who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us worthy evidence of the fact."

Why is it that when some are older they feel they can reject all semblances of politeness with shallow and strained arguments for free speech, just having fun, etc? In truth, these are not the salient issues, but only excuses for bad behavior.

The real issue is what enables these forums? The answer should be clear--it is the questioner. The questioner is the driving force in these forums and should be able to designate a specific population for the responses they are seeking. For if there are no questions, there is no reason for a Q&A type of forum. Thus, my focus on my response is what the asker thinks of my question, not any other answerers who may also respond. If the asker doesn’t like my answer I usually hear about it and learn from them. That said, I write cogent responses that I hope are useful to others who may take the time to read them.

I create my answers from an academic theologian’s perspective, as this is my “day job”. Yes, my answers are often wordy, but I honor the questioner with enough details to help them learn more. I believe that what a person sets into writing is a greater act of consciousness than what a person speaks from their mouths. So, when a person writes some of the vitriol that we see in this Forum, especially from self-professed believers, this person is giving deeper evidence of the state of their faith to others. In short, some may know the Word of the Lord, but they demonstrate by their actions that they do not know the Lord of the Word.

If we respect the questioner’s desires for specificity, this forum will be something worth spending our precious time in.

Answer 4

I don't mind them being here at all, I think it makes for interesting debate. What I mind is the ones who don't adequately research their facts before opening their mouth, and I really don't care for the ones who whine about Christianity. If an atheist has chosen Christianity, then don't whine because others choose to believe. Quite honestly, I love good clean debate. What bothers me is the sarcastic questions and answers clearly meant to get a rise out of Christians. I mean really, for those atheists (and I know not all of them are like that), don't they have anything better to do with their time???

Answer 5

The only time I resent atheist being here is when they are rude and nasty, and some of them are. Even then, it is wrong on me to resent them...
as someone else said, it shows that God is alive and at work in them.
If they were really atheists, they wouldh't worry themselves about God...heck I don't believe in vampires, but you don't find me haunting vampire sites (pun intended) Why would I? It would be a major waste of time......

Answer 6

No, not at all. As Christians, we are supposed to embrace and love people of all religions. Atheism is technically a religion. The only thing that bothers me (I can't speak for all Christians, although I'm sure most of them feel this way, too) is when atheists just attack Christianity, or any religion, and dismiss it as "stupid," "pointless," "retarded," "moronic," etc., and just downright personally attack people. But they do have the right to be here, as do people from any religion. What I said about atheists dismissing Christianity, though, happens with people of any religion, even, unfortunately, Christians. I just wish people would respect the differences and have respectful questions and answers rather than attacks.

Answer 7

not at all. I believe alot of people are searching for the truth, and no one is exempt from any dialogue. Christians, if they do, can go to specifically designed 'rooms' off christian web sites that contain almost exclusivley christians. So, if they're here trying to express their thoughts, unless this is their first time, shouldn't be surprised, mad, or otherwise.

Answer 8

No, id actually rather all religions discuss in the religion section, its a R&S, not C&S.
I just don't like all the people who bash other's religions in this section.
Okay you dont agree, doesnt mean you have to be a jerk.

Answer 9

Sometimes I wonder why athiest reply in the Christian R&S when it is a particular question for Christians...
I do not resent anyone, I pray for all people....
Its your choice to participate in a 'discussion'.
I guess as a Christian I would say I do not go to mythology and answer a question of, for example, "Do you believe in fairies?" and the go off on a Christian sermon....

Answer 10

No, I believe everyone has the right to express their beliefs. Athiests may not believe in God, but that fact alone qualifies their place in R&S. It's still to do with God.