Do atheists or does atheism scare you in any way? A fairly recent study showed that we are the least trusted minority in America. What is it about us that is threatening to you?
2007-05-17 13:31:17 · 25 answers · asked by Kathryn™ 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Link to the study. http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/03/24/67686
2007-05-17 13:36:25 · update #1
Not particularly. Regardless of whether or not you have a religious affiliation, all people basically live by the same set of morals. The only difference between Atheists and people of faith on this point is whether you believe that morals are ingrained through society and a sense of self-preservation or that the desire to do "good" comes from a higher power.
I'm a Christian, but I've learned that wonderful people come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and affiliations. I try to judge everyone individually instead of making generalizations based on a group that they happen to fall into.
2007-05-17 13:41:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I'm not scared or intimidated by atheists or atheism. I feel very secure in Whom I believe.
Perhaps the study reflects the idea that a person governed by their own judgment, instead of divine principles, is more capable of wrongdoing. Not that everyone's not capable; but if you follow the Bible, you have a clear-cut definition of what's right and wrong. If you don't, it's just about what's "right for you." And by that standard, I suppose any level of conduct is possible.
To clarify: I'm not suggesting you're a bad person, or that you are untrustworthy. I'm just saying I don't know anything at all about your principles based on what you believe. So I have no basis upon which to trust you. I hope I'm being clear. I'm not trying to come off as judgmental. As far as I'm concerned, you're a stranger just like any stranger. And even a person who professes Christ doesn't necessarily live like it, unfortunately. So I'd trust you as much in any given situation as anyone else I've never met. I'm just trying to explain the stereotype, I guess. HTH.
2007-05-17 20:39:05 · answer #2 · answered by hoff_mom 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Saying that you are the least trusted does not equate to our being in fear of or threatened by you. Why do you people always assume we fear you? It is absurd.
Trust is earned. How can we trust someone who is diametrically opposed to all that we believe?
btw... I read the link and nowhere does it mention that people were afraid of or threatened by atheists. Most seemed to equate atheists to, for lack of a better term, pond scum.
All of your bravado about how much more knowledgeable you are, how enlightened you are just doesn't seem to hold water with those of us who live in the real world.
2007-05-17 22:37:40 · answer #3 · answered by John 1:1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, atheists in general do not frighten me. I recognize that people are individuals and some professed believer or not, are more trustworthy than others.
I am, however, more suspicious of persons who proclaim their Christianity in business situations as though this in itself is a reason that I should do business with them. I occasionally saw ads for such businesses and paid little little attention to them since I had no need for their services. However, after Katrina, hundreds of contractors flooded the Gulf Coast area. Many of them fly-by-night operators who took peoples money and did not deliver the services. As people became more and more cautious, some would profess Christianity in order to gain the trust of homeowners.
2007-05-17 20:59:06 · answer #4 · answered by babydoll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scare us, no! maybe some can get, well, intimidated by them ,but I am not! I'd have to say the christians that aren't secure in their faith might be worryied or scared, because they may not be able t answer your questions or somthing. As to he point that athiests are least trusuted, I would't know how, unless people don't trust them, because they don't believe in God, who they put a lot of trust in! but that study doesn't seem to make sense!
2007-05-17 20:41:13 · answer #5 · answered by bumble bee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheists don't frighten me or threaten me in any way, although I am sometimes apalled at the amount of anger some of them seem to have against Christians.
But I have to admit, I would not be very inclined to trust someone who admits that they actually believe that there is no God. I know it's old fashioned of me, and many atheists are probably perfectly trustworthy. Still, since you don't believe in god, you have no final authority. If there is no afterlife, this is all you get, so why would you not lie, cheat, steal, or do whatever it takes to have everything you might want in this life.
Let's face it, Hun...people are, really, basically a selfish, greedy lot.
Yes, I know...lots of so-called "Christians" have not shown themselves to be worthy of trust, either. But at least they have a basis for their moralilty. I really doubt if Atheos cares much what you do, and when you die, you're dead, and that's it, or so you believe.
So why should I trust you?
2007-05-17 20:43:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No you don't scare me or threaten me in any way, I think that your study shows just how slanted journalism is getting, not the point, I have God and he's a lot bigger and and more powerful than you and all the athiest's in the world.
and who really cares
and I hope you know those studies are done on what? maybe 100 people, if your lucky
2007-05-17 20:38:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, they aren't trying to conquer the planet, like some philosophies. They are logical. The human spirit either exists or it doesn't. They choose to beleive it doesn't. Believing that only one faith is the Truth and all others are False is so illogical and, frankly, extremist. They are less likely to have a hidden agenda based on an extremist faith that seeks global conquest and that wants to see laws enacted to enforce it's dogmatic views upon others. They are more likely to work well with others instead of denegrating another due to not belonging to the 'right' cult.
2007-05-17 20:48:20 · answer #8 · answered by St. Toad 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scared...threatened? I thought you said the study said you were least trusted? Maybe you just answered your own question w/o knowing it. Maybe it's just that atheists inherently tend to get things wrong. What do atheists use as a moral compass to help keep them from being liars, thieves, murderers...etc.? If you do why?
If I steer clear of a pile of dog sh*t, it isn't because i'm afraid of it, it's because i can't stand the smell.
2007-05-17 20:46:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well personally it doesn't scare me. I am a Christian and we are taught to love our neighbor. That means everyone. We are taught not to judge because God is the true Judge. I think people get threatened when God is involved, but that shouldn't be the case. We should Love no matter what.
God bless.
2007-05-17 20:40:51 · answer #10 · answered by point guard 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋