Attacks on the religious/non-religious people? Read on...?

Question

I have known quite a few religious people and athiest people and for the most part both sides of the coin co-exist quite happily.

The athiest don't wish to 'hear' about god and the religious people respect that and don't talk about god around them. In return the atheists do not attempt to 'turn' the religious away from god. And all are happy, this system works well.

However there are others, these ones who I am referring to attack those who are different from them with words and sometimes violence while viewing their 'evil acts' as doing good.

For example I answered a question a while ago and the response received from the asker was that all who believe in god(s) are brainwashed mindless idiots (that is the clean version.

While on the flip side there are those on the side of religion who attack those of different religions and non-believers by saying that they are arrogant and defying of god and that they will be punished by hell fire. This has even lead to violence, the religious racism of the US and other places is a good example.

My question is,
For the Atheists:
Do those who do not believe in god and attack others for their beliefs, are they so unsure of themselves and their position that they feel they must attack verbally and physically others? Or do they feel so threatened by others expressing their faith that they cannot control themselves?

For the Religious:
And those that do believe in god that attack others positions verbally and physically. Do they honestly believe that they are doing god’s work, is it not said that you MUST love thy neighbour? How is attacking others and telling them that they will burn in hell fire for all eternity going to help them to see the light? And are you saying that you are equal to god in his ability to judge others, isn’t that blasphemy?

Serious answers only please.

Thanks.

P.S.

I am asking because I am getting really PO'ed with it!!

Answer 1

thankyou for your wonderful common sense!!!

we definitely need more intelligent people like you on YA

i am also sick and tired of the 'atheist-christian debate'
attacking each other doesnt do any good

it upsets me when people insult each other over conflicting beliefs. a true christian will not insult an atheist!
we should not judge others, thats God's job, not ours

please consider these statements people
(im not generalising here, just making statements to think about. there are plenty of good christians and equally good atheists on this site. if you already act sensible and NICELY, you dont need to worry!)

christains: is it really worth arguing with all these ignorant people who insult your religion? is it christain to tell others that they will 'burn in hell' and insult them??

atheists: do you think that its nice to insult others about their beliefs? whats it to you if people believe in God and you dont? is it really your problem?

i have seen rude christians, rude atheists and rude people of other religions on this site. please stop with the nonsense and respect others!!

to all who do the right thing. thankyou!!

peace and blessings!
:-)

Answer 2

I think it is easy to throw out attacks from the safety of the internet as we do not have to face the consequences of our actions. In fact I've caught myself getting caught up in it - making personal attacks on people.

As an atheist, I often feel a bit uncomfortable stating so. After a tragedy, or even at dinner people will say "let us pray". This seems perfectly natural and okay to most. It is considered a bit of a faux pas for me to object. I'm supposed to just "rise out of respect" and keep my mouth shut.

So, it feels good to give alittle back here.

Finally, I think there is a lot of evidence that religion has done more harm than good and a lot of argument could be made that the world would be better off if it went away. So, we atheists are trying to do our part for the betterment of the world.

Answer 3

Your criticisms of both sides are quite valid. As a Christian, I get more upset with people misrepresenting Christianity than I do with atheist attacks. Your first answer is a prime example of, not so much an attack on actual Christianity, but someones perception of what Christians are. These negative perceptions come directly from the types of behaviors you listed as the flaws of the religious people.

Meanwhile, believers pick up a negative perception of atheists based on the type of attacks such as the one that is the first answer here. But I understand that not all atheists share that point of view. Not all of them have such a negative view of people of faith. I will just add that I've seen that same top 10 list here posted by someone else months ago, so it isn't very original.

Answer 4

Since I'm an atheist I will answer the part directed to atheists:

"Do those who do not believe in god and attack others for their beliefs, are they so unsure of themselves and their position that they feel they must attack verbally and physically others?"

The really vitriolic ones I meet are usually ex-christians. They have some beef with christianity (over and beyond the concerns I share re: creationism, discrimination of homosexuals, and meddling with affairs of state). That said, I have never seen them go beyond verbal attacks, where is this physical portion you speak of? Know many atheist suicide bombers?

Answer 5

Don't stay over here till you get too Poed...when you start getting a belly full you might want to change subjects for awhile because it is easy to get quite upset with what goes on over here. Jesus got angry when people would not listen or understand also...so your feelings are fine, just don't let them push you to the point that you wish you had taken a break earlier. Some of these people have no desire to learn about God, in that case if you remember he said just to shake the dust off your feet and move on. When you feel like you've cooled down some then come back and put in your two cents because your two cents do count.. :)

Answer 6

I always wonder (I am a fundamentalist Christian - but not all that that implies.... I am not racial or hateful or radical - not a terrorist.... by fundamentalist I mean I am a follower of Christ and believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God in it's literal interpretation) why it is that of all the awful people in the world, child molesters, murderers, thieves, why is it that Christians are attacked? Aren't there are alot worse people to hate and attack? The majority of us are not hurting anyone - just believing what we believe and trying to spread what has brought us joy and peace with others. Why are the athiests here (in general) so threatened by that, and so hateful to Christians? I very rarely hear a Christian telling others that they are going to burn in hell, as you say above... I see such discrimination against (especially fundamental) Christians here.

Answer 7

Well I agree with you. If you stay here long enough you are going to be PO'ed a lot. I try to tell the born againers not to do that to the Atheist. The biggest problem that I have are with the Muslims. If you try to debate things about their religion your are insulting them. But their responses to you are personally insulting. You should see some of the stuff I get from them, both on and off the list. I am sick of even trying to talk to them. I am no long opened minded when it come to that group. And they only have themselves to blame.

Answer 8

Basically Christians ( I don't know about all religions) are supposed to mainly evangelize with their actions, not their words. Just most get that wrong. I am one of them. When you believe strongly about something or love someone more than anything, you just naturally want to talk about it. When my friends who aren't religious or are of another religion get annoyed, they just mention it, and I shut up. I am all for a lively debate, but I know I sometimes go overboard and I don't mind if people kindly tell me that I am getting a little xtreme.

Answer 9

I am with you, I got angry at some chick that was trying to sell angles and salvation on this site, I said mine was paid for in full by Jesus Christ, Jerk. That was all that was printed, she contacted me about seven or eight times in which she proceeded to call names, say terrible things and the things that flew out of her fingers were things that should never come across the pages of common conversation. I felt as if she was making fun of my Savior, that is why I called her Jerk at the end, and after she sent me seven or eight nasty e-mails after I asked her to not contact me, the brat had the nerve to turn me in for calling her a jerk, I simply responded to the violation with see all of the e-mails that she sent me and let me know who is the one in violation. Some people just can't control their emotions and unfortunately they are out there. IF we have this open site for all of us we have to let them in also. When people attack our Religion, I think that they are attacking the very base of our existence and it is one of the worst attacks one can do. I think that if you can't hold an intelligent conversation then stay off the page. Pick a different subject. Don't pound your ideas down someone Else's throat. Live and let live. If someone asks for your opinion give it, if not please keep your poison pen to yourself. I have some really nice relationships with unbelivers, because we respect and argue tackfully. No low and nasty remarks, we respect each others ideas and thoughts. I believe truely intelligent people can argue the subject, and still remain friends, it is when you are dealing with bullys and mean spirited people that you run into problems. I am with you.

Answer 10

If you come on R*S, you have to take the good with the bad and don't take anything personally. This is a good place to practice turning the other cheek.