Question to the atheist?

Question

Why attack a faith you simply dont understand?

Answer 1

Which faith would that be?

I don't think that very many of us "attack" anything at all, but if you're referring to Christianity, you need to look closer: we understand Christianity better than almost any of the Christians do.

While there is some immature "attacking" here from both sides, if the atheists were to stop entirely, you'd never notice the difference, while if the Christian attacks on others were to stop, this would be a dramatically different place. Depending on the day, somewhere between 75% and well over 95% of Christian comments here are either childish, ignorant attacks on others or dishonest Christian whining about being "attacked" for no reason.

Answer 2

First, it I really haven't seen many atheists attack Christianity. I was not only a Christian, but I have extensive knowledge of both the scriptures and the theologies of the various churches. But an atheist is not someone who chooses not to believe, they realize that the whole framework is false. It is an observation, not a decision. Most atheists on here, at least, seem to have a very good understanding of Christianity and many were Christian.

Atheists, who were not raised atheist, tend to have a very very good understanding of their original religion. It is usually the very act of exploring the religion that causes them to realize it is a holdover from tribal times. At some point, briefly, they step outside of the belief system and can see it as an outsider. When you can see it as an outsider, you realize what is really going on.

Let me give you a simple example, lets pretend you have no faith and heard the following story.

A man, who many claim to the man to overturn the US domination of the world through the power of God, has lead his followers to an American stronghold in Badhdad. Many suspect this group of being cult followers and a danger to children and the weak minded, like a David Koresh or a Jim Jones. One of his leading followers is concerned about the poor, when someone gives him a gift and thinks it should be given for the cause and not the leader. He is rebuked and so he starts thinking about stuff. The leader has a triumphal entry into Baghdad with all the poor people surrounding him. The doubter realizes they have no army to take out the Americans, but the poor people are oblivious to this. The leader has supper and declares himself the bread of life, whoever eats this bread eats him and he is life itself. The leader has proclaimed himself God. This is deeply disturbing and causes a rift in the group. Some leave. The doubter realizes that if he doesn't bring this to an end people are going to get killed. The fanatical following of this leader, who is his friend, is going dangerous places. He goes to the Iraqi government and tells them how to get this guy off the streets. They give him a little money to show their gratitude and so he can start life over again.

In custody the leader is abused and ultimately killed. The doubter either commits suicide or maybe a few members of the group take him out for killing the beloved leader and blame it on suicide so as to protect themselves from blame.

His body is stored by the state in a temporary tomb. According to the leader's prophecy he will rise from the dead. Some teens being cruel steal the body so the family will suffer more. The family arrives after the customary waiting period and a teen dressed in white says the body is gone. Tell the followers he has gone ahead of them to Tikrit and he has risen. The women are furious but the teen says it is true.

The group has been turning inward psychologically, is suffering tremendous grief and is filled with magical thinkers and so the movement begins.

Atheists simply look at what the simplest explanation would be for things faith says to ignore.

Answer 3

First of all, I don't attack any faith. I do point out discrimination, ignorance and hatred, but I do not attack the individual and I do not attack any religion.

Second, I am very educated about Christianity, having been one most of my life and majoring in theology, somewhat educated about Islam, I practice Buddhism, albeit very weakly, so I think I have a fair understanding of religion. I won't list my credentials further, but they are decent.

Third, I think many religious people see just the existence of atheists as an attack. We are threatening to their faith, not because it is strong, but because they are afraid if they question it will all fall apart, like a house of cards. Fundamentalism is about erecting a wall to protect something that is weak.

Answer 4

I don't know if you're addressing a specific atheist or not, but this is not a chat room so I'll respond too.
I try not to attack a faith, because it's just that, faith. For some reason you believe in something that has no proof, and I just don't get that. But I know everyone has their reasons, and hey, most religions instill good qualities on society. But I HATE being preached at, especially on Yahoo Answers...

Answer 5

This is a very arrogant statement. I was born and raised Southern Baptist. I also have a sister, uncle, and nephew that are ministers. We have talked about religion all my life.

So what makes you think because I am an Atheist I don't understand faith? I find must of the people I talk with don't understand what is behind their own religious faith. Most people follow the religion they are indoctrinated so I would venture to say it is the followers from birth that don't understand the difference in faith and childhood brainwashing.

Answer 6

I posed a question on "Answers" the other day.

"In one word tell me what has caused the majority of wars?".

The dominant answer was "religion".

It seems that each religion is "the only religion" to those who follow it.

Even within the Christian religion the Protestants and
Catholics who believe in Jesus Christ, fight each other in the UK and kill woman and children.

Just look at Iraq, 2 factions of the same religion but under different prophets also bomb their civilians.

Historically, religions were instruments of harsh and inhuman
treatment, people put in dungeons and some beheaded.

Answer 7

I want to try a different angle,Do you think YOU understand the faith?If YOU understand it,maybe your question is too specific. Could you not also include the 99.9% of other theists who profess the same faith as you,yet will inevitably interpret something differently than yourself?Think about it,seriously. If you do indeed,understand.It goes to reason ANY verse another interprets differently,they would be wrong,correct?

Answer 8

I don't attack it, I simply provide facts that counter the claims of the Bible. The unfortunate side effect of doing so is perceived by the faithful as attacks.

Answer 9

Because other faiths attack and judge us first. If you respect our beliefs, we'll respect yours in return. Its a two way street. Why do you think I became an atheist? Because religion has been used as a justification for discrimination and murder throughout history. And it still goes on today.

Answer 10

I dont attack anything. People can believe whatever gets them through the day. It makes me mad when a believer wants me to understand them but they wont try understand my position.

Just because someone isn't religeous, doesn't make them evil or wrong. they just see things from another perspective. Why does someone need to be right?

Answer 11

There, now don't you feel stupid after this question. What makes you think that atheists don't understand religions. They are petty and simple, and quite easy to understand. After decades of exposure to them, they are quite trivial. Otherwise seemingly normal people abandon all reason and let others tell them how they MUST live their lives to avoid eternal hell, the favorite form of punishment for a "loving" god. What's not to understand?