Do religious people believe they have more right to be here than atheists?

Question

And by 'here' I mean the Religion and spirituality section of Y!A.

Personally I don't think they do. This section exists to answer all questions about religion or spirituality and to do so it needs a broad spectrum of people to provide a range of answers which the questioner can then select their favoured answer or answers from. Naturally these answers will be provided by people of many different faiths and of no faith at all.

I think this is a good thing. Imagine how sterile this place would be if we all agreed on the same things? We could just pin up a FAQ and move on. It's the people who keep this site going and the arguments and challenges they generate.

Apart from the trolls - well the unfunny trolls anyway - who can just go and die in a corner of terminal constipation.

What say you?

For those who think they do (or don't) I was kind of hoping for a 'why'. No, really. I was.

Answer 1

People of all religions or no religion all have a right to be here. As long as the community guidelines are respected, all should be welcomed.

Answer 2

It's not that we religious people think you don't have a right to be here... it's just sort of annoyance at how rude some of the athiests get around here. I mean.. we know you don't believe in God, but is there really a huge need to belittle the beliefs of others? Certainly, serious questions about the existence of God are good for religious and non-religious people alike to consider, but all the questions just asked to put religion down are in the same pile with those from gay-bashers and racists. People should all lighten up and show a little love and respect for others.

Answer 3

Just remember, atheism is a religion too. If you don't believe me, look up the definition for religion, and you will see that any system of beliefs, including the belief that there is no god, can be called a religion. So my religion is atheism. So really the only people without religion are the agnostics. As for your question, I agree with you, mostly. I'm sure there are people here that are convinced that they are right and that everyone who believes differently has no right to question them. But for the most part, I find many different points of view here and mostly people who are at least willing to listen to other points of view. Except for the trolls. But I don't wish them to die; I just wish they would constantly stub their toes on random objects.

Answer 4

Of course I don't believe that. Atheists have just as much a right to be here as the religious do. The only thing is, I believe that ALL people who come here should at least try to be a bit more respectful.
I know that some of those who call themselves Christians in here don't behave as Christians should, but there are many hateful atheists as well.
I like the open-minded atheists, who are here to challenge my faith, and to learn. I deeply respect them.

Answer 5

Many atheist believe that begin an atheist isn't a religion so why be on the religion section? Besides that everyone has equal rights to this section it doesn't matter what your faith or lack of is. Shouldn't this be about learning and teaching other people?

Answer 6

It is not a case of having the right to be here. It is a case of logic. If this is the Religion and spirituality section of Y!A, and you don't believe in Religion or sprituality, is it logical to be answering questions????

Most people are here to get answers to their questions, not to be told "there is no God". I wish I had a quarter for everytime that is typed in this area.

That is kind of like answering questions in the Computer area and never having touched a keyboard. I could just reply..
"Be kind to the mouse, let him go."

Answer 7

I surely don't think anyone has more right on here then anyone else. Still, it is funny that so many non-believers ask inflammatory questions or point blank, in your face questions, and then try to turn that around as to being religious peoples fault. Not unlike reality though. But the funniest thing is that many non-believers call us stupid and ignorant and most of them don't know the difference between those two words or their meanings. Quite funny, really.

Answer 8

I don't think I have any more of a right to be here than you. I actually enjoy a good debate. . .all of us can learn from a good educated debate. And, none of us should stop growing or learning new things in our spiritual lives. I believe life is a continual learning process that we will never have all the answers to.

I guess what bothered me is people more or less telling ones who did not agree to shut up. . . if we are all going to be here and discuss things we should be able to do just that discuss. . .I have more of a problem w/ immaturity/generalization than a good open discussion.

Answer 9

No I do not feel that way. It is an open forum, that is what makes it interesting. Plus some of the questions are pretty challenging.

I don't personally like the vulgar people (are these the trolls?) who answer questions but this is a reflection of those that we have to live with in the world.

Answer 10

Since I am Christian you may not want my opinion, but here goes. Of course, no one has any more right than others to be here. The only "complaint" I have (and I have not complained TO anyone) is that when a Christian asks what something means in the bible; someone will answer: "there is no god. the bible isn't true." They certainly have a right to their opinion, but that is not answering the question at all. If someone asks about body piercings, I don't answer their question by saying that body piercings are stupid. That is not what the asker wants to know.

But, personally, I don't really care if an atheist answers a Christian related question. This is an open forum. Everyone's opinion is welcome.

Answer 11

I think it is fine for all people to be here, including atheists. The only thing I would like is for folks to ask a legitimate question and not some of the insulting questions. I have wondered why some people are here they seem so firm that God doesn't exist and yet here they are.