I have found some of the comments from non-believers towards believers to be very hurtful. I find that sad, and it isn't the way people should treat each other. It's about mutual respect.
2007-03-29 11:39:01 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't see anyone condemning YOU to Hell, dear.
2007-03-29 11:45:24 · answer #1 · answered by VLR 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry there are people that have over-generalized their retaliation.
Non-believers are prejudiced against in a myriad of ways. Gays are not allowed to marry in most states, primarily due to opposition of Christians. In sevens states, non-believers are not allowed to hold or run for state office. In South Carolina, even though you hold no belief in a Deity and attend no religion, you are forced to get married with a ordained preacher or priest, assuming you wish to get married. All marriages which were performed by Justices of the Piece have been invalidated. This was done by religious people. You can't buy alcoholic beverages in my state on Sunday - again, a religiously inspired law.
This doesn't even count the religious people that insult and attack non-believers. How many times a day is there some question in R&S talking about how atheists are immoral, sinful, evil, and are just being this way so they can sin?
Few things are more obnoxious than being told you are going to spend eternity burning in hell and that the person is telling you this because they love you!
This has an effect. Though I try to restrict my retaliation only to those who attack me, not everyone is that careful.
2007-03-29 11:44:46 · answer #2 · answered by Radagast97 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a nonbeliever and many times believers show signs of disgust when faced with a nonbeliever. The shout things like I'm going to Hell or that I'm morally bankrupt unless I believe. I'm not morally bankrupt at all.
I'm sure that there are many believers that are perfectly accepting and respectful of nonbelievers. Just as there are many nonbelievers that are perfectly accepting and respectful of believers. I completely agree with you in the fact that people should just treat each other with respect. That's what this country is all about. The right to do, say, or believe whatever you want without being hassled about it.
2007-03-29 11:46:37 · answer #3 · answered by norm2120 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not about mutual respect.
It's about being angry that religious people want to force non-religious people to live like religious people whether they like it or not through legislation, and by marginalizing non-religious people, especially atheists, by discriminating against them in the work place, by refusing to rent to an atheist, even by having the audacity to proclaim that atheists are not even Americans as the Bush family have done twice!
For making the erroneous claim that atheists are automatically immoral.
For marginalizing science to the point that it must be extra careful not to offend the religious or lose funding which puts America in a precarious position since the rest of the world is passing us by in scientific matters.
For being so stupid for not calling a major FOUL when Bush claims that god told him to invade Iraq!
The list goes on and on and on....
2007-03-29 11:57:51 · answer #4 · answered by Atheistic 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interestingly I recently asked a similar question in the other direction. It turns out that on this website (and indeed too much in general) there is a lot of hate coming from both sides. Know that not all of us are a part of that though. I am about as Atheist as one man can be and yet I don't generally feel the need to 'get nasty' with anyone.
2007-03-29 11:43:28 · answer #5 · answered by The Lobe 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I was watching this show that had Christians in it, and one atheist living together. They got on the subject of money and how it says, "In God we trust". The Atheist suggested removing, and provided an example of how it's offensive to him. He suggested what if it said, "In Allah we trust", how would you feel about that? The Christians reply was "You can get out of the country if you don't like it."
That is what it is like to be a non-christian in this country, and surrounded by some of the most moronic and intolerant people to ever draw breath.
2007-03-29 11:51:32 · answer #6 · answered by x2000 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's because they feel "so superior" with their so called enlightening knowledge that it angers them when the rest of us can't accept their way of thinking. The same goes to hard core believers of a specific religion trying to convince everyone else.
When the unbeliever of their way of thinking does'nt give in, then the preacher (believer or not) gets angry and becomes irrational with stupid and hurtful comments....like this is really going to convince someone to go there way.
2007-03-29 11:44:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's Fear. Most anger stems from fear, and their nastiness is a defensive measure, because they are afraid that you are right. It's easier to ridicule you than to face up to the possibility that they have something missing in their lives. To take up a Faith, any faith is to accept responsibility for their sins, and the prospect of having to change their lives to a new set of moral standards. They don't understand that to follow in the faith sets you free, really free. They think they are happy living sinful lives and don't want to change. Many of the problems people face are things they brought upon themselves by not obeying God, and they don't like anyone reminding them of this fact.
2007-03-29 12:09:09 · answer #8 · answered by Heralda 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, it's the other way around. I may get nasty because you religious nuts are always trying to force tour way of thinking on everybody else. Your self-righteous hypocritical blather, while it may be just fine for non-independent thinkers, is repulsive to those of us who refuse to be led around life by the nose. But here you are, starting wars, maintaining war-like states, bilking old people out of money for your crystal cathedrals to god, and here you are, once again, thumping on my front porch..You fundis run around trying to infect everyone else...why don't you just leave your religious thought where they're supposed to be- private thoughts....
2007-03-29 11:50:08 · answer #9 · answered by conx-the-dots 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, its not about mutual respect.
One of the largest problems in society today is that religious moderates like you foster a mentality that prevents us from criticizing religious extremists.
And religious extremists have turned this world into a battleground.
2007-03-29 11:42:00 · answer #10 · answered by Michael 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well, at least people don't think of you as a terrorist.
Anyways, I highly recommend that you look at this and then you can see how everybody feels after they have talked to Christians.
http://www.edkrebs.com/herb/saysitall.jpg
I get told by Christians that my beliefs are wrong and I'm going to hell.
2007-03-29 11:57:52 · answer #11 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋