Non-believers - When do you feel that a believer is responding to you with "hate"?

Question

By that I mean, do you feel some responses are "hateful"? What kind of behavior would be hateful and what kinds of statements would you consider hateful?

Thanks!

Related to this question http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Apa5uAOPd1nezlZU4fcISKrsy6IX?qid=20070520194154AAPEylj&show=7#profile-info-6064bd72a9d33a8f2e618cc79b0f9629aa

Answer 1

Implying that I'm less of an American, less patriotic, less moral, or even less human than others because of my lack of religious beliefs. Calling atheists "anti-Christians" is presumptuous and false. Being told that Humanists "worship man" or worship ourselves is irritating. And insisting that we're out to "destroy religion" is very insulting, as I'm ardently supportive of religious freedom--both for nontheists and my neighbors of faith.

That's all I can think of at the moment. I really don't feel I have much to complain about. I don't get my feelings hurt very easily, as I rarely take negative answers to heart. Besides, I've been on the Internet long enough to remember to wear my armor.

Here's an example of a hateful answer, not to an atheist but to a question about pagans. (See the answer posted by "truth" in the following.) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhvLvGz4mYvaD7EUgE8J4g7d7BR.?qid=20070520210851AAQNaRg

Answer 2

Hateful? Well, first, I think I'd define what I meant by hateful. I don't mean full of hate, the same way that Fred Phelps is full of hate toward homosexuals and pretty much everyone else. I mean hateful in that it causes malicious hurt, intentioned or not.

Hellfire and brimstone proselytzing is hateful. Someone who posts "questions" condemning anyone who doesn't agree with them to hell if they don't repent right now. It's malicious and hurtful. It not only hurts the non-believers who it was designed to convert, it hurts the believers who know better. That doesn't even get into the doctrine of hell, where all non-believers are destined for, good or bad.

Assuring non-believers that they don't know the "truth" (that truth would be Christianity) only because they refuse to acknowledge their own sinfulness is hateful. On the surface, it doesn't seem that way, particularly to Christians who've been fed this line by pastors and evangelists. Underneath is the unutterably insulting "truth" that non-believers are incapable of using their intellect to examine a religious doctrine and reject it for rational reasons. The only acceptable reason to reject the Christian doctrine, according to this line, is intentional ignorance. This is simply not true.

One of the most hateful things believers do is "answer" questions about other religions by claiming that other religion to be false, the path to hell, and then to "answer" that question by proselytzing. I don't think I've ever responded to a question regarding my religion (Buddhism) where some believer (Christian and Muslim) has not attempted to convert the asker to their religion. I find that an incredibly hateful thing to do.

Of course, the simple fact remains that when it comes to "god," disagreeing with people who believe differently is a hateful act. I say there is no god, Christians find this hateful. Christians say Jesus is god, I find this hateful. This, to borrow from Marx, primary contradiction exists and will exist so long as religious doctrine permits only monopoly. It causes conflict, always will cause conflict, that is emotionally fueled and alienating. Because this social interaction exists, so will the hatefulness.

Though I would prefer to do so, I cannot claim to be "un-hateful," either.

Answer 3

Their are non-believers that respond to other non-believers with hate.Man responds to man with hate daily. In behavior,in statements,motives,criminal what ever! There are non-believers that respond to believers with hate it is a cycle no man can tame! How do you know a person actually is a believer, would a person that does not believe know? A Feeling is just, that A feeeeeeeling! Some people mean will and have good intentions, and often are misunderstood. How does one respond,it depends on your level of knowledge,words do hurt and so is life painful at times. But when you percieve that a person has no knowledge,you just walk away.........

Answer 4

I don't think too many believers respond with hate. There may be some general dislike, but most believers just give as good they get.

I must say that I do not condemn theists they way they do me though. The amount of times I get told that I am going to hell to be tortured for all eternity, just because I don't believe. But I don't see that as hateful. Just one person expressing their opinion. Isn't that what this site is about - especially this section. No one is right beyond all doubt, and no one is wrong beyond all doubt. We just keep trying to put our point across.

Perhaps those who can't handle their faith (or lack of) being questioned, maybe they should not go to places where there are questions of faith (and the lack of).

Answer 5

I guess I just don't get bothered by people's responses as much as other people do. Nothing really comes across as hateful. Every now and then those comments like "you're an idiot," make me wonder. But, I always figure it could be just a teen or somebody wasting time.

There are questions I find hateful. If they promote racism, discrimination against gender or sexual orientation, have any sort of terrorist type attitude to it, or poke fun at our military, I find those highly offensive.

Answer 6

I really don't appreciate being told I'm going to hell or that I'm a sinner after spending half of my life trying to find the right perspective for me. It is such a flippant reduction of my hard work and education.

I find atheists, Christians, or anyone who refers to the Bible or any belief as "stupid" or "myths" to be hateful trolls.

I guess I consider hate an extreme, and by referring to people's perspectives as ignorant, that is an extreme accusation or label. As soon as someone name calls or reduces the other person by belittling their views, it becomes something comparable to hate.

I'm guilty of it, too.

Great questions, you two (laptop and zero).

Answer 7

Yes. You may feel some "vibes" coming from the statement. Example:"who do you think you are? A saint?"
Behavior, you meet in the church some nice people who turn to be not nice and almost scream "you will burn in hell" when you disagree with some fundamental aspects of the religion.
It is hateful. BTW even Jesus could not tell who is to go to hell or to heaven. "It's up to God" but some people still claim they know well who is going to hell and who is to meet paradise

Answer 8

It sounds rather bigitory to claim that someone be going to hell for practicing another religion. Those are kind of hateful. How would you feel if a Jewish person came up to you and said that "Jesus is a blasphemist mortal that impersinates the messiah, all of you Christians would be punished for following a false god" Would't that offend you? We feel the same way when were told our religion is false and that we are bound for hell for not following Christ. Other then that I am perfectly fine with people sharing their religious beleifs. If you really want to convert us to Christian you can persuade us without biggotism and threats, instead you can pursuade us by saying we would be blessed or saved or whatever benefits being a christian would lead us. If the person is not interested then move on and try someone else instead.

Also a true atheist is indifferent about other peoples religious beleifs. The ones that rant against religion are just predjudicial against all forms of diversity. However sometimes religion can be quite concerning to athiests when it is used in judging matters that can be volitile or involve life or death situations such as stem cell research.

Answer 9

I really don't find much on here that's hateful.... very, very honest and blunt, OK, but not hateful.

I hope I come off the same way. I know I'm good at saying things like "that's really stupid of you" or "you must be sick in the head" but , believe me, there's no true hate involved in saying such things. In fact, my only hope is to open a few eyes to how silly their beliefs truly are... and let's face it, there are plenty of wackos around here who couldn't think their way out of a paper bag - not even with the help of a few good hints.

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Answer 10

I feel that a response is "hateful" when you're belittled for disagreeing with the person's religion. This goes for the atheists as well as the religious; a little respect goes a long way in both directions. Or at least it should.