Why are atheists bothered by the beliefs of theists?

Question

I mean, if they *know* that there is no God, then why are they so vocal about it? Why are they angered by those who practice religion? I would think that to an atheist, it won't make a difference in the end (i.e. at death) whether somebody practices religion or not... inevitably, they both end up six feet under.

Answer 1

Why am I bothered by faith??

Uh... because it effects my life, and this is the only one I get.

Answer 2

Practicing religion for personal growth and development is one thing. However, many people practice their faiths in a way that impose on others, sometimes to the extent of murder.

Consider this: Christians believe that homosexuality is wrong, therefore most would probably support legislation making homosexuality illegal.

It is not only about what happens upon death. What concerns atheists more is what happens here on earth before death. We'd rather avoid all the unnecessary wars and persecution of innocents.

Answer 3

You can believe whatever you want. However, if it in anyway affects my life, then I'm going to speak out about it. If you want your religion immune from attack, don't base law on it, don't bring it into the schools, the public square or make religious associations trying to advance an agenda. Stop all religious motivated hate, wars, bigotry, and judgementalism. Stop all these things within your own religion, and all atheists everywhere will leave you alone, because that's all they ask from you.

Answer 4

Atheists do not care what theists believe. They only care about what theists do to make life more difficult for everyone else. Things like enriching the rich while impoverishing the poor because it is "God's will". Things like gutting environmental regulations and ignoring climate change because "Jesus is coming back" anyway. Things like engaging in wars against "infidels" or to fulfill "prophecies", or banning books that "God" doesn't like, or suppressing scientific inquiry that might undermine belief in God. They don't like the idea of banning people because they have the "wrong" beliefs, interests or lifestyles.

These are the things about theists that atheists care about. Agreed, we all end up dead, so what happens in THIS life matters to them.

Answer 5

I am not bothered by anyone of any religions individual practice of their beliefs but when one takes a govt position and uses that position to try to force those beliefs on those who do not want it then I have a problem with it.

Answer 6

It only bothers me when people with "faith" in invisible men try to put those beliefs on others. When they call their country a "christian nation" while there are hundreds of thousands of people living in this nation who do not follow the christian cult.

Personally, i really don't care much about what a person believes...... so long as they are respectful of my beliefs. If you're going to disrespect me and fall back on the typical "you're going to hell because you don't believe what i believe" bull, then you're going to get disrespected back and that's when i'll tell you what i think of your religion. Otherwise I could care less what tooth fairy, santa claus, or trix rabbit god you believe in.

Answer 7

I do not *know* there is no god. I do not believe there is a god.

I couldn't give a damn what YOU believed. What does matter is the fact that RELIGION is affecting the laws of my nation and invading my way of life.

If you wan't to believe in an invisible magical father figure go ahead! But don't you dare decide that your ridiculous belief gives you atuhority to change my way of life through legislation and intimidation.

Answer 8

Atheists value life. Many theists screw things up for all of us. I give you creationism, the anti-abortion movement, and the anti-gay movement as examples. Theists also bear quite a bit of the blame for making Bush President of the U.S., and for getting the U.S. into the war in Iraq. They were almost entirely to blame for the government's attack on Michael Schaivo, an incident that Americans found absolutely chilling. How long before the rest of us run afoul of the Christian and wind up attacked _by our own government_ for it?

When theists learn to leave the rest of us alone, I'm sure we'd be happy to leave them alone as well.

The tone and content of your question are simply dishonest. You certainly know full well that what we object to is the Christians' bad behavior, and pretending not to know that reflects poorly on your honesty.

Answer 9

The more you argue about a subject, the more you are able to understand another's point of view. I think some atheist are baffled by how someone can believe the way they do and argue to understand where the person is comming from better.

Answer 10

Because theism leads theists to invent and act on insane hypotheses which adversely affect our daily lives.

If they could stay the hell out of public school science class, e.g., that would be a nice start. Americans are far enough behind the rest of the civilized world on education without having the school system hobbled by zealots.

Answer 11

We are bothered by the beliefs of theists when the theists try to shove their beliefs down our throats with putting "in god we trust' on money that originally didn't have that saying on it, inserting 'under god' into the pledge of allegiance in the 1950's, writing laws preventing 'atheists' from holding public office, trying to insert religious teachings into science classes, and on and on and on...........

I really don't give a big bloated pile of B.S. what you want to believe as long as you keep it to yourself.