What is it that drives atheists to try and 'prove' Christians?

Question

(or any belief in a higher power than themselves)
are wrong? Is it a feeling of inferiority--given the fact they believe they are 'decendents' of pond scum, while those who believe know they were created in the image of perfection?

It doesn't bother me that they believe what they choose to. Why are my beliefs so threatening to them?

Don-I don't tell people they're going to hell. That is not my decision to make.

daljak--not calling names, stating fact. evolution in essence teaches we came from pond scum and 'evolved' into humans--I can't fathom it, (just as I know atheists can't fathom Creationism) but you're getting awfully testy when I question why you're so persistent?

naturalcommander--not preaching here. asking a Q as to why atheists get their undies in a bunch (like you did) when I ask a simple Q.

levianti-thank you! an intelligent answer, by a person who is comfortable enough in their beliefs (or non beliefs) to answer without being defensive!

Shawn B -without divine authority, an atheist has no logical basis for his or her morality.........where does yours come from?

redflag--I don't try to push anything down anyone's throat. It doesn't bother me that you (or others) don't believe. You're free to believe whateve it is that you do. There are many religions with different beliefs and very few of the believe in forcing their beliefs on others. My feelings are that a loving God will forgive all who accept Him even after death if they've led a 'good' life. In the same breath--I've had MANY atheists tell me how ignorant I am to believe in 'myths'. Thus MY Q. It does amaze me however, how many of you post to the religion and spirituality boards. Why is that? I think you'd prefer science.

Jim L- trying to change the constitution? How and why? The constitution is based on Judeo-Christian philosophy--such as we are endowed by our Creator.....and change 'science'? No-but I don't think its fair to teach one THEORY as fact when it is just that-THEORY. Shouldn't we also educate on other 'possibilities'? That way students are THINKING instead of being FED information which may or may not be accurate.

Answer 1

because Christians hold on to something they cannot perceive - and that creates a feeling of insecurity. Christians believe in God, live by His teachings to be better human beings - if God isn't there in the end, do we really lose anything? if He's there, we gain everything. For atheists, they believe God does not exist, and live their lives according to what is right and be better human beings, if there's no God in the end, do they lose anything? no. But if God is truly there in the end, then they lose everything.

Answer 2

I do not set out to "PROVE" anything. On the contrary, christians are generally asking how I could live without their god and why do I feel the way I do as well as to show them some examples of why I would make such a choice.
I was raised christian, so maybe I am just asked more questions from christians than others, but this is me.

I would like to stop being preached to in hopes of "returning to the one and true God", but I am not rude and try not to generalize as you are doing in your question.

I know a lot of christians as well as atheists and you may be surprised that they can talk with each other about more than your gods.

Answer 3

Your belief is not threatening to anyone. It just that Christians have a long history of bulling people into accepting their way of life. Case in point Non believer: No, I don't wish to have a pamphlet or go to your church. Believer: I will be holding a seat for you this Sunday or I will pray that you change your mind. May I have a phone number so that I can give it to my minister so that he can perhaps talk to you about this more. Non believer: No, I don't give my phone number out. Believer: That's okay I will return next week with my minister and he can talk to you then. and they actually do it's like they are trained to wear people down and wear at their nerves. Hey back in the day they just simply killed you and went on.

Answer 4

I'm not threatened by your beliefs. I'm discouraged that your beliefs are based on nothing but a book full of so many flaws, incongruities, contradictions, improbabilities and absurdities and yet you can't see anything but perfection in the creator you believe inspired it.

I'd rather be "descended" from the pond scum.

Answer 5

It's not your beliefs that threaten me. It's 'your' attempt to change the U.S. Constitution and the science curriculum in public schools.

I realize that it is quite possible that you personally do not try to do these things, but organized conservative Christianity in the U.S. has been attempting to do these things, and has been far too close to succeeding.

If liberal and moderate Christians would speak out against the excesses of conservative Christians, then I would feel less need to speak out against the logical fallacies that are the foundation of Christianity.

Answer 6

Your beliefs are not threatening to me. I just don't want religion (from any faith) pushed in my face every time I turn around, or to have people taunting others with threats of damnation when intimidation and manipulation don't work.

However, spiritual arrogance is a sore spot with most of us -- people who act like they are holy and better than other people. That sort of thing goes against everything Jesus taught (humility, loving one another, being a good witness, etc.), and we see that attitude all too often from sanctimonious believers who feel they need to jeer at others who don't share their faith.

Answer 7

Atheists are only responding to the attempt by fundamentalist Christians to destroy the US Constitution and remake America’s secular democratic republic as a totalitarian and fascist state based on the doctrine of their brutal, humanity-hating, and sadistic Old testament God – and who want to remove science from our classrooms and replace it with the mythological beliefs of illiterate goat herders who lived thousands of years ago – and who want to dictate and control the thoughts, beliefs, and actions of every American.

It is not Christian beliefs that threaten; it is Christianity’s history of raping, torturing, killing, and hacking-off the body parts of non-believers that scares people. In its entire history, Christianity has never once had political power and not used that power to inflict unimaginable pain and suffering on the human race.

Answer 8

Imagine you are the only one planing to protest against an event, lets say, the new president of your country. You call your friend, and convince her to join you, she's weak enough or maybe she doesn't really have any political beliefs, so she accepts. Then you start calling other friends, and one by one, they believe in what you say, and tell you they are joining you in your act. The more it gets harder to convince another person to join you, the more you try to prove that you're on the right side and doing so will help them feel secured in their country for example. You start digging up clues, and prove it to your stubborn friends to convince them to join you. SIMPLY, because you can't protest alone!
So, not necessarily your idea about the new president is true, but once you believe in something, you just see it as TRUE as the sun! So, you start convincing others!

And, as much as Muslims/Christians/Jews or any others who have different beliefs tend to be Atheists or Agnostic, there a lot more who suddenly are touched by God in any situation and finally believe.
So as long as you believe yourself, don't worry, you won't be affected by other thoughts, just have faith and stick to it.

Actually, I'm a Muslim, and I have a dear friend who's an Atheist, we talked it out a lot, and I saw my other friends talk it out a lot with him, and he still believes in whatever he believes.. It doesn't bother me, but at some point, I just knew I had to give up arguing him about it, because, it's not necessarily I would win the argument, if you know what I mean.

Good luck :-)

Answer 9

The three major monotheistic religions have proven themselves to be harmful and dangerous. With an entrenched sense of morality, every true atheist will do all he can to share with others the evils of these religions.

We do it because we care about the world we live in, and we love the people like yourself, who religion has oppressed.

Answer 10

I'm sure many of them at one point tried to prove other beliefs right before they couldn't and turned to wanting to prove them wrong. Mainly they want to prove them wrong when those who believe in that stuff are up in their faces about how right they are and how nonbelievers are bad people and/or doomed. I'm sure feeling inferior has pretty much nothing to do with it, like in my case. The beliefs are only threatening when their being forced on them. That's the reason why I tend to "fight" back when I get people trying to "save" me.

Answer 11

I don't think you've ever really sat down and had an intelligent conversation with an Atheist.

We don't try to change anyone's belief.....and most of us respect you and whatever you believe.

We just don't believe in God or a Higher Power....but that's a decision we make only for ourselves.

I object to being called names.....how Christian is that.