Are some christians scared that if they read the material we recommend, that they'll lose their faith?

Question

I got a violation once for recommending someone read Carl Sagan's Cosmos for an explanation of.......the cosmos!

Everyday, christians ask for proof of evolution, get pointed to www.talkorigins.com , but don't check it out.

I actually check out a lot of the sites that christians post links for, and links that atheists post. I've checked alot of the bible references that christians direct me to as well. I'm still an atheist and I'm not scared that material I read will change that. I enjoy gaining knowledge.

When I've asked similar questions, many christians have proudly declared that they have no interest in reading the evidence we put forward.

Are they scared they'll lose their faith?

Sentenil.........I read the Gospels going through catholic school. That's what started me on the road to losing my faith at the age of ten.

Answer 1

Christians are terrified of atheists.

That's why they're so eager to deny our existence, it's why they spend so much effort on lying about us, why they constantly question our right to speak here (and out in public), and it's why they demonize us.

It's pretty obvious why. Christianity is based on children's fairy tales, and it's terribly embarrassing to know that you've based your adult life on Cinderella or Star Wars or Jesus Christ.

Ironically, it leads to an "Emperor's New Clothes" effect, in which the believers all frantically tell each other that they're okay, that they're really not just babbling and repeating childhood fantasies.
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Oh, look - Miki bought us a drink.

And poor little Sentinel thinks that atheists haven't read the Bible. Isn't that cute? They're so naive at that age.

And look at Brian's answer: "Science, to date, has failed to provide one example of one species changing into another species". Yup, tell a little white lie for Christ, as they always say.

Answer 2

I see the answer to your question contained in what you've written. When you ask "is that just the opinion of this particular guy" and when you also say "NOTE: no generalizations,i know many VERY eduated ones" Yes people are different and what you read is the opinion of one person. Although there may be others who share his opinion there are many that don't. Generalizations are always wrong in the greater sense because groups are comprised of individuals - especially a group like "christians" - there are over 9000 different Christian denominations throughtout the world. Whether someone is atheist, or whether someone is a Baptist, Muslim, Catholic or whatever, some people like to be challenged and others don't. Many people believe what they believe because it's easy, they've been told to believe something and so in blind alegiance to their family and culture they believe it without questioning. Other people question everything. Not everyone who questions arrives at the same conclusion. For some it's the series of questions and searching that led them to their faith, for others the same process led them to reject faith, they have instead come to believe that the idea of some kind of higher power is somehow primitive and unscientific. There are priests and preachers that have become atheist, and there are scientists who have become true believers of any given faith. Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of a position. People who enjoy the challenge and enjoy the debate often become apologists for the position they take, whether that position be for atheism or for their faith. Although many see atheism as the abscence of a faith, in many ways atheism can in itself be a sort of faith. People are just as zealous and just as evangelical about atheism as many are about their brand of christianity. I think that any intelligent person would enjoy the challenge of a debate on any subject, and there should be no fear in reading an opposing position. I personally was agnostic and then atheist for a good part of my life as a teen and young adult, but later developed a very deep faith. Most of the books I read are books written by authors who share my perspective, many from the early period of ancient Christianity, however I have read many books including the book mentioned "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. I have also read "The Selfish Gene" and "The Blind Watchmaker" by him as well. I found his books interesting, but not without flaws and some weak arguments, none the less it was interesting. If your faith is that "fragile" as you say that you are afraid to read opposing views then you simply don't know enough about your faith.

Answer 3

I am an avid science fan when it comes to the cosmos, the stars , black holes, I read as many SF novels as I get my hands on.
Unfortunately, some of my stuff is getting old and some of it has disappeared into a 'black hole' that seems to exist in my house.

I have "A Brief History Of Time" by Hawking
Black Holes by Sullivan and have read numerous others.

However, some evolutionary material is simply for the brain-dead, and turns me offfffffffffff.

I have read some of Carl's stuff -- unfortunately, so long ago that only a vague memory remains. I do believe he is heavily into some imbecilic conclusions when it comes to God. But some of his insights about the cosmos are worth while. Didn't he have some TV programs?

Feel free to refresh my memory. If there is some on-line material that can be downloaded, that would be fine.

Answer 4

I read a book called "The Book The Church Doesn't Want You To Read". It explains how religion is derived from the original free thinking man, when we evolved from just using our instincts to having thoughts. The truth is the "prince of darkness" is not satin or the devil, it is how people explained things happening that where unknown, like when a man when out into the night and never returned, it's crazy how advanced a world we live in but the society's manage to be entrapped by books that do answer any real questions and in reality they don't even answer there own. Faith is believing in the unknown. That's why these books leave holes, if you are "righteous" you will have faith and believe. I am a realist and my truth is real to me. Don't be taught what to think.

Answer 5

Ok, I'm glad you read our links. I was going to ask you that, but you said you do. I read your links sometimes, but nothing like the sites "fuk_your_religion" puts out about Christians being dumb. I'm not afraid to because usually it just gives me more faith. As for the evolution part, I think evolution may be real, I just really don't know, but it has nothing to do with God, so God and evolution can both exist. I just don't know if it's real, b/c I haven't researched the topic enough.

I used to have a bad opinion in mind of u, but even if you do generalize a bit too much, I'm glad you showed me we both have a little more in common than I thought. God Bless.

Answer 6

They're probably just afraid that they'll read something that totally makes sense, lose faith in their god & have nothing to live for.

Most christians i've talked to have said that without god they are nothing..... so, they'd probably lose all motivation for life when they found out their god is a lie developed to manipulate the masses.

Sentinel: I've read the "gospel" and i've been to church every sunday for most of my adolescent life. None of it made sense to me so your question is irrelevant to me.

Answer 7

I have always enjoyed looking at my own Christian convicitions from every possible angle, to the point of being an atheist for two whole days! Nope, I'm not scared of the truth... Are you?

Answer 8

Great answer, Danielle! I can say that they are definitely too scared to question their faith for fears that they may lose it...I should know, I was once christian and never ever dreamt of doing such a thing! Let me tell you what...it didn't hurt, it was all well worth the questioning. Yeah, it only creates narrow-minded nimrods..(not questioning something's validity!)

Answer 9

Actually, it seems atheists are terrified of Christians. I don't understand the outright hostility directed at anyone who believes in anything. There is still much scientific debate over how the universe was formed. The Big Bang is the most likely scenario but how did it happen? Why? We got a whole universe from nothing for no reason, by no design? Seems unlikely.

As far as evolution goes there is no question that species better adapted to their environment succeed better at passing on their genes so certain atributes are kept while others are not. Science, to date, has failed to provide one example of one species changing into another species. I don't see how that can ever be shown except over a very long period of time. So, it seems that those who don't believe in any type of creation put their faith in, as yet, unproven theory.

Answer 10

I thought it would be a good idea for a Christian to answer this question as I reviewed the other answers I noticed something not tremendously surprising. Mostly non-Christians have answered. I am presuming that they know me well enough to be able to state what it is I think and feel on all sorts of matters.

In answer to your question.
No, I am not afraid I will lose my faith.
That cannot happen.
Still I have a preference of reading material.