Christians, would you get angry if people said to you that your God doesn't exist?

Question

I know Atheists (occassionally) do that, but, I'm just asking because you're all monotheists, and Pagans are polytheists. Get to the basics, both groups believes something's out there.

So why are you (not all Christians are like this, though quite a few are) allowed to tell us (Pagans) we worship Satan or our Gods don't exist, but if we (or anyone) says it to you, you get up and arms and start yelling?

It's not like Pagans try to convert you guys.

I mean... think of how that would work. Really, now...:

*DING DONG* Hello? Hi there! I'm with the Congregation of United Pagans, and we believe you do not have enough of Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Apollo, Hades, Ares, Dionysus, Mithras, Odin, Frigg, Freya, Thor, Freyr, Tyr, Baldr, Loki, Anubis, Set, Ra, Hathor, Osiris, Isis, Oshun, Yemaya, Eshu, Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc, Chantico, Amaterasu, Inori, Benten, Danu, Cernunnos, Pan, Morrigan, Rhiannon, Kwatee, Sedna, Wendego, Ao-Chin, Guan-Yu, Feng-Du... (three weeks later) ... in your life. ---

Answer 1

Your last paragraph was a laugh & a half! Seriously, though, the answers certainly were a profile on the diversity of thinking here. Going through them is like pulling weeds from your garden. The answer from EfromzMis confirms that people certainly do get angry; rudymora responded just as I would have to that answer. As to your question, conversely, I never get angry when Christians feel the need to tell me how sinfull I am. I'd prefer a little respect, but it really doesn't matter what they think. Everyone SHOULD have the right to believe or not believe, without getting bashed. & then there was the same old, we're going to "burn in hell." There were very thoughtful answers from Christians. I appreciate that. Not all are so easily offended, (just as I, an Atheist, am not). Except for a few nasty answers from Atheists, we basically feel no need to have anyone join the club. It's a personal CHOICE.

Answer 2

No; I don't try to actively undermine the religion of another, so I would expect another person to extend the same courtesy to me. Whether or not I believe that their god(s) exist(s) is not a factor when I am in a conversation with anyone.

Perhaps I am just far more tolerant than other people, but I find other religions fascinating. My parents (who are Christians) actually got mad at me because my brother and I were doing some research on Islam and knew something more than they did. I find it necessary to know about other religions because it is easier to understand someone if you have a basic understanding of their religion/culture.

Just my $.02.

Answer 3

It happens on here all the time, and it honestly doesn't bother me at all. I know without a doubt that He exists, and that He is who He says He is. I know him. It would be like someone telling me my husband doesn't exist. Of course he does, I know him and have a relationship with him. Truth is truth, no matter how many people say it's a lie.
You are free to disbelieve in God, and are free to believe in whatever gods you choose. I cannot convert you. I won't compromise my beliefs though by telling you or anyone else something that I know goes against the Word of God. I am taught to share the truth of God's word with a loving attitude, not a condemning one. But no matter how loving I try to present His word, some people will be offended.

Answer 4

many christians forget the solid foundation of their religion which is basically do not change someone who is not like you show them your blessings and let them learn from you
you don't feed a man who can and has fed himself you feed a hungry one if they are hungry for what you want let them eat with you and teach them how to feed themselves with what you have the more you force someone to eat the more they will become poisoned from your meal.
many christians beleive they have to show their pride and christianity with force I hear many times how a person does Gods will by killing an abortion doctor or someone who doesn't beleive as they do this makes them no different than the suicide bombers in iraq, iran or many other middle eastern country that feels that way except the iraqi, iranian or otherwise is willing and wanting to die for his beleifs many christians these days wont say that and mean it. look at the irish the protestants killing the catholics and vise versa there really is no difference between them other than a few idealogical issues they beleive in the same god the same way mostly and practice the same way mostly I am not positive on the exact differeces which may be many but Jesus came to preach peace not killing those who don't beleive what you do.

Answer 5

Those Gods that you listed are all mythological characters that the Romans and Greeks came up with. The only time I care about Zeus, Ares, or Hermes is when I'm playing God of War. I wouldn't really get angry if someone said that God doesn't exist, I would just sort of feel sorry for them because they are going to be burning in hell.

Answer 6

As long as you make it clear that you're talking about your beliefs - not saying it in a tone that's disrespectful to theirs - also who said that anyone is allowed to tell you that you worship Satan or that your Gods don't exist! They are however allowed to say that they "believe" all those things - there's a difference between stating your opinion (however inaccurate) whilst respecting other peoples' and outright attacking someone.

As for some people not being interested in listening to your opinions that's a different story - you can't force them to empathize with you even if you do with them.. Let's pray for a more critically-thoughtful society..

Answer 7

I agree with the basic gist of this. (You left out Bast, by the way. ;))
It's a double-standard mechanism that has been in place for... hrm, since the beginning of the religion. It is how the religion is protected, and the users kept under firm control. By passing off any other religion that would threaten them with logic or a more comfortable lifestyle, they instill a fear into their believers that will keep them 'believing' and loyal to the Church.
This is, however, often habit-forming in certain believers, and they develop the mechanism themselves, to try and pass on the "message", whether they break pieces of their doctrine to do so or not.

Answer 8

I would not get angry because it's pointless.
The thing that atheists cannot answer to my satisfaction is what is it to them what Christians and indeed any religious person believes or does not believe.
It seems no amount of insults by either side will sway anyone so why do it?

Answer 9

I don't think anyone should tell anyone what they need in their life, though Christians are GOOD at doing that, aren't they? Well, not all of us, but a good amount. Christians profess to believe that God made us with free will, and that only HE can judge, but then they contradict both those beliefs when they try to impose their will on others.

Answer 10

No, because at one time I used to say the same things that they are espousing, and twice as hard as they are explicative it. I have been there I know the whole gambit of their reasoning - as now it didn't hold water then and for them it doesn't hold water either. It is nothing to them. However one day it will be and there cup will upturned and empty and in that day, which will be too late, they will wish it was upturned and full.