Why are you so judgemental? (Mostly for Atheists)?

Question

I know a lot of atheists who are understanding towards Christians. That's great! But most atheists that I have met insult and look down on Christians. Why can't you just accept our beliefs? Especially if you want us to accept your lack of them??

Answer 1

Atheists (especially newly deverted ones) do tend to be arrogant and condescending.

It's unfortunate but somewhat understandable.

Most often they were brought up in a religious manner and through education they developed critical thinking skills which they used on their own belief systems. They discovered their parents, priests, and teachers (three of the most trusted groups in anyone's life) had all lied to them.

It's not easy becoming an atheist. A theist world view is so all encompassing that realizing there is no God can leave quite a few holes. They have to come to grips with things like the world was not made for them, there is no afterlife, there is no little man in the sky looking out for them, etc. It shouldn't be too hard to assume that for some people it may take some time to really come to grips with what it means to be atheist.

Consider the arrogance and condescending nature to be a phase all atheists go through.

Another factor is the treatment of theists towards atheists. Not only can they be insulting, judgemental and mean, but often the theist really doesn't know what they're talking about. Either they have absolutely no understanding of what evolution is or how it works, or they have no understanding of how to build a logical arguement (ie, prove to me god doesn't exist, yet it is logically impossible to prove that anything doesn't exist).... I'm sure you can forgive an atheist if he thinks he's smarter because of his greater knowledge. Oh, I also love people quoting the bible to prove to me that god exists. What's written in the bible is only proof that someone wrote something in the bible!

Even a seemingly reasonable theist can be insulting and condescending without being aware of what they're doing. If I get another person telling me they're going to pray for me I'm going to be sick...

Usually, as an atheist grows older and wiser and more comfortable with atheism, the bad attitude goes away.

Another problem to consider is that this is a theist dominated world. Take a look at American politics. "Faith based initiatives?" Umm, no thanks. All these politicians trying to ban same-sex marriages? Umm? Why, because it's a sin?!?! No thanks. There was an American Senator who said he didn't care about the environment because good Christians will be raptured before it ever becomes a problem. Umm, this guy is spending our tax dollars?

Atheists like Richard Dawkins (as much as I disliked the God Delusion) and many others are starting to realize it is important for us to be advocates of atheism. We're seeing the growing problems of a religiously motivated world and we're starting to speak out.

Forgive us as we have not been "ministering" as long as Christians have so some of us (Dawkins) don't know the best way to do it. We're learning though.

Answer 2

Atheists, Agnostics, or any person with an ideology that is contrary to Christianity is going to be skeptical of Christians. The main reason for this is that most Christians believe that it is their way or the highway and that there are not any others answers of merit.

As a matter of fact Christians are quite possibly the most judgmental group of people on the face of the Earth. Before asking questions of why do others judge, you should look to yourself and the group you represent.

Answer 3

Did you even read your post? You are writing a judgemental post that asks why someone else is judging you. Very logical, that.

In addition. Atheists/agnostics get very tired of being preached at, lied to, and being told they're going straight to hell. Some do become a bit cynical, but it's not really all that surprising given the "loving" Christians they encounter over the years.

Answer 4

That is not an accurate description of what occurs on YA or elsewhere. No educated and intelligent person, Atheist, Christian, or whoever really cares to involve themselves in the personal beliefs of others.

Atheists, by definition, prefer to avoid the entire issue. Why waste time arguing about something that you already have decided is a waste of time to deal with?

The involvement in debate and discussion is a necessary response to the efforts by many in the Christian community to seize control of the US government, expel science from our classrooms and laboratories and replace it ancient religious beliefs, and to define American society in strict, brutally judgmental, Old Testament terms.

The democratic republic established by US Constitution crafted by America’s Founding Fathers represented the first 100% secular government in all of human history. There is not a single reference to Christianity, God, Jesus, or anything religious in the Constitution.

To stand idly by as religious zealots try to redefine the Constitution and hijack our nation would be not only irresponsible, but unpatriotic. If conservative Christians would quit trying to destroy the nation and control everyone’s lives, no one would care what they think or believe.

Answer 5

You have the absolute, inalienable right to believe whatever you want, and I truly, with all my heart, believe that you *should* believe what makes sense to you, be it science, faith, or simple human morality. Having said that, I also find a great deal of your beliefs simply funny. I'm not saying that you're wrong, simply that you are amusing to me. But I'm a bit of a jerk. I don't *try* to offend every religious person I come across, but the one's who seem to be asking to be mocked, or who insult me first, I derive a great deal of amusement in messing with. Does someone saying something particularly stupid, by my standards, justify my mocking them? Probably not, but I can take it when/if they choose to retaliate, and many times I am insulted first, so I honestly don't really care to respect your beliefs. I simply respect your right to choose them, and to take the consequences in doing so. I hope this is a satisfactory answer to your question. And for whatever it is worth to you, personally, I generally defend the religious arguments on Yahoo when some butthole asks about invisible sky beings. It's one thing to argue intelligently, and be mocking while you do it. It's another to flat out insult someone without provocation.

Answer 6

let's not fight and sit back to understand each other.

atheists believe christians have a limited view and do not grasp the true feeling of God (or lifeforce, or Higher Power, etc., in the way that they believe it/him/her as).

christians believe that atheists are not educating themselves on the Word of God, and that they are sinning by not worshiping or believing in God correctly (how they believe is correct).

honestly, humans will continue to judge and persecute until they stop to understand each other with open minds and open hearts.

the last question you ask implies that you are judging atheists, as well. isn't judging something that only God can do (and not supposed to be for humans)? did not Jesus teach understanding and humility?

i believe that God would not want us judging each other, but instead, to listen and get along with each other. that would definitely make him happy, even if you were not a christian.

Answer 7

i do not believe atheists any more judgmental than some Christians and that the question can go both ways..why can't Christians accept an atheist right not to believe without judging them to be fundamentally bad people

Answer 8

Why are christians so judgmental? Why are they always telling me I'm evil and going to hell? It hurts my feelings. Wah.
Personally, I don't care much for christians because they are constantly trying to force their beliefs on others, particularly by pushing for changes in the law that will affect everyone, christian or not. I will respect christianity when it earns that respect--by offering solid, empirical evidence that it is the absolute truth. Until then, I have no reason to do so.

Answer 9

You'd be surprised to find that the majority of atheists are quite accepting and open-minded toward believers. It's when we're pushed, cursed at, damned, and all that other stuff that we pull out the stops as well.

I accept your beliefs. Believe as you wish and I'll not believe as I wish. Just don't use your religious doctrine to make man's laws and we'll be fine.

Answer 10

I was entirely happy to let Christians have their beliefs without interfering in any way until they decided that the U.S. needed to be a Christian theocracy and that they had to discredit evolution.

I do know Christians who support the 1st amendment separation of church & state and the teaching of evolution in science classes in public schools. I get along with those Christians just fine.

When moderate Christians start speaking out against the excesses of conservative Christians, I'll be happy to step out of this debate.