Why do some atheists take Christianity so seriously if they say it's a just a fairy tale?

Question

They seem to be so offended by even the most trivial of things that are only remotely connected with Christianity, that's why they're so obsessed with removing God from the pledge and using Xmas instead of Christmas. If Christianity is just another fairy tale to you then why should you equate it with actual harm. If someone went around telling you that you should believe in Santa or scientology , you would probably just laugh at them for being crazy. And atheists hardly ever get offended by other religious symbols as long as it's not Christian.

Answer 1

"they're so obsessed with removing God from the pledge and using Xmas instead of Christmas. "

Bzzt. Wrong.

First of all, this isn't about being "offended". That whole "offended" line is just nonsense invented by right-wing talkshow morons.

Secondly, it's not atheists who push for "Xmas". It's people of other religions (though of course the whole "War on Christmas" thing is another figment of right-wing media imagination). Go ahead and try - post a question asking atheists how many of them think we should say "Xmas" instead of "Christmas". You might get one or two, but you'll get quite a few more who say that's just silly. That question has been posted before, and those were the results.

"If Christianity is just another fairy tale to you then why should you equate it with actual harm."

Your knowledge of world events is severely lacking. Ever hear of "President Bush"? Or "Answers in Genesis"? Or the anti-abortion movement?
Christianity certainly does cause "actual harm", and pretending that it doesn't simply reveals your lack of honesty.

Answer 2

As an atheist I have no problem with Christmas, or the BC/Ad designations. Just as I have no problems with the days of the week being named after Norse gods (derived from Wodan's Day, Thor's Day, Freya's Day, etc.) or the planets being named after Greek gods. Nor does Easter bother me, though I do find it terribly amusing that christian hijacked the holiday and shoehorned christ into it (Originally it celebrates the fertility goddess "Eastre" -who was associated with rabbits - and they'd leave colored eggs around as tribute to her).

However I do have problems with legislation trying to turn this country into a theocracy contrary to the purpose of the constitution. If the founding fathers (who were deists and openly critical of christianity) could see what we've become they would be rolling in their graves. The "under god" was added to our coins and the pledge in the 50s as a propaganda move against communism.

I still recite the pledge as it was before then: "I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all." It really flows so much better. The "under god" disrupts the entire syntax and rhythm.

Also trying to enforce other christian crap is bad as well, such as having the 10 commandments in the courtroom... the very first commandment is a direct and obvious violation of the first amendment! It belongs nowhere near a court or government building.

Answer 3

God has only been in the Pledge of Allegiance since 1954, and before the fifties our national motto was not 'In God We Trust', it was 'E Pluribus Unum' (out of many, one). As for the use of 'Xmas', are you aware that the Greek letter X is actually a sign for Christ?

I think that Christians are a little too easily offended by things, and this need to have your religious beliefs confirmed and validated by the Government is bizarre-to say the very least.

Answer 4

"God" shouldn't be in the Pledge of Allegiance. That is not an attack on Christianity or any religion, it is a protection of our secular government and of the churches who should not be part of that government.

The "x" in "Xmas" or "Xtian" is not a negative thing. It is taken from the Greek symbol for "chi," which is the first letter in the Greek spelling of "Christ."

I am only offended by religion when it attempts to insert itself into my government and the public school system. I would protest equally if Scientology attempted to teach its creation story in public schools or put their creed in courthouses. However, as Christianity is currently the major religion attempting to do these things, they are the religion who is getting confronted about it.

Answer 5

because deep down, people are really "wondering" if the claims of Christ are really true or not. Like you say if it is all a fairy tale, they would treat it like any other tale, and not debate so much about it. Everyone is born with a void in their heart and life that can only be filled with God. Also Satan is the one that is using those people to try and deny the existence of God. But remember we fight not with the weapons of this world- but with divine powers. God ultimately has the victory! Just pray that others find out that truth before it is too late.

Answer 6

no matter if we assume Peter unquestionably existed and the tale about his martyrdom is authentic, the actuality continues to be that a lot of alternative religions and ideologies have had martyrs. in simple terms check out kamikaze pilots, the Davidians at Waco, Jim Jones, Heaven's gate, 9/11, conflict protesters who've lit themselves on fireplace...the list is going on. in case you imagine that martyrdom unquestionably supplies an ideology credibility, then both you've self assurance all ideologies both (which isn't conceivable), or you're fairly numb contained in the top.

Answer 7

Technically Islam is just as big a threat as christianity is to a non-religious person's way of life and sanity. Only because so very very many people follow those fairytales like it's fact instead of fiction. And the teachings in those "holy books" encourage violence against those who don't belong to the believer club, and a ton of biggotted and out-dated laws are based on the crap found in those pages as well. Basically, it pisses us off because it's being forced on everyone in the form of our government.

Answer 8

We don't have much of a chance to get offended by other religious symbols, as Christian ones are the only ones that permeate public life and are constantly shoved down our throats.

When you take OUR tax money to fund religious organizations and prevent us from doing things simply because YOUR religion says we shouldn't, that is actual harm.

Answer 9

In reference to the Xmas and removing God part, your god isn't everybody else's god. What is meant by God in both circumstances is the Judeo-Christian god.

BTW I couldn't care less about God on money or Christmas being called Christmas.

Answer 10

Because most of us are Atheists who are surrounded by Christians. If it were muslims, provided we had the right to disagree with them, Islam would be what we were talking about.

Most of us see the religious movement to become involved in politics as a threat. That needs to be taken very seriously.