Believers or atheists : Who do you feel has to defend their character the most?

Question

Not specifically on R&S, but anywhere.

Answer 1

Realistically, Christians.

Socially, Atheists.

Answer 2

There are many different types of believers, so this is not a simple question. Also, since people almost always consider their world view to be at least as moral as everyone else's, who has to defend more will depend on the majority world view of the given locale.

For atheists vs. Christians, i'd say atheists have to defend their characters more. Many people think that atheists are automatically immoral simply because they don't believe in a transcendent lawgiver or a posthumous eternal spanking. In the USA (the most Christian of the developed nations), atheists are often not trusted for solely this reason. A few Chistians go even further, insisting that atheists hate God because they want to do evil!--an absurd proposition on its face because atheists, by definition, don't believe that any god exists to hate. Atheists also find themselves having to explain why they aren't latent Stalins or Pol Pots, while Christians give Hitler the slip by pure denial. (Note: I am not comparing Christians to Hitler, so i plead exemption from Godwin's Law.)

OTOH, for a good chunk of the world's population, "Christian" is a synonym for "moral." When you are de facto *defined* as good by your label, you don't need to defend your character unless you actually do something indefensible.

Atheists and Muslims, i'd have to give a tie in the USA, although i'm sure that this isn't the case in the Islamic world!

However, i don't know of any places where believers are pre-judged as less moral than atheists.


I think some of you misread the question. It asks about defending CHARACTER, not beliefs.

Answer 3

Hmmm I never knew believers equaled Christianity for all those who answered that.

And I'd have to say atheists would have to defend their character most because believers don't really have to defend themselves. All they have to do is believe...they have no REASON to defend themselves really. Athiests on the other hand, lack beleif. A lack of something is usually questioned while the presence of something is usually ignored/overlooked.

Answer 4

I don't think having to defend your character has anything to do with being a Christian or an Atheist; I think it has to do with your stupidity and pride level which affects everyone

Answer 5

Well, of course Christians get a "free pass", socially, so they're rarely in a position of having to defend their character.

I think that's a large part of why they are in such a panic here - for many of them, it's the first time anyone has seriously challenged their beliefs and morals. I think it's clear that in many cases, Christians here never thought that their character could be questioned.

Answer 6

I believe that no one should be on the defensive and forced to defend their character. Everyone has the right to their own opinions and just because someone disagrees with you that does not mean that one of you has a flaw in your character.

Answer 7

The standards of behavior among Christians is fairly specific, yet each one BLATANTLY disobey and bring disrepute on the faith. We atheists have an easier time, since we almost uniformly behave in an exemplary fashion, which seems to surprise the Christians to no end.

If people are paying attention, they'll see that Chrisitianity brings about no special moral behavior or improved character. If anything, it fosters self-righteousness.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 8

I am a Christian and I have had to defend my beliefs more times then i can count. But both sides I think have to defend their beliefs equally, because there are people on both sides who attack for no other reason then to get a response.

Answer 9

christians try to force their beliefs on others, so they have more to defend. What do we Atheists ever ask you to do/ believe/ live your life in a certain way? Never. yet there are laws of this nation set around christianity (gay marriage). So as atheists, we just ask that you leave us the hell alone. Christians you are FORCING us to live our lives a certain way. There a big big big difference here.

Answer 10

I think both have to equally defend their character.

As a Christian, we are called hypocrites, holy rollers, holier than thou, and such names as that.

I think athesists have to deal with being called close minded.

It's sad that because of what we believe people automatically assume that it rubs off on our character. I think that how we are raised and how we decide to react to things is what supposedly decides our character. And who's to judge anyone anyway? no one is better than anyone else. we just believe different things.