Why are some atheists so prejudice?

Question

Firstly I would like to say i'm not the sort who goes to church every sunday or anything like that. But I don't see the harm in people beliving in anything they want, I mean there not hurting anyone, so why all the negitive, (and like I said) prejudice comments?

I admit that it is annoying when you get people hammering on you door, trying to push there beleifs on you, but thats what there doing on here, (but with much worse language)

I see so many questions on here saying how stupid or whatever, but I say live and let live.
If thats what people want to do with there life, then let them, if there wrong then how does that affect anyone elce?

I would be interested in opinions from all sides, not just a one sided argument.

(any racist / derogatory remarks will be removed)

WOW! So many answers!

Thanks to everybody who took the time to answer I mean that.

But I will say a few points, which stayed on my mind as I read through the answers.

Please don't pick at my spelling / grammar, my point is what’s important not how I spell it.

How can I be prejudice if all I’m doing is asking why SOME people have a problem? I’m not saying that there isn’t a viable reason in fact I’m asking if there is one! Please get your facts right, before a personal attack.

A lot of people (both sides) are defending how they treat others (poorly) by 'he did it first' mentality, I don’t really see this as a way to resolve anything more just a childish excuse.

BTW.
Atheists are not the enemies of God, nor have I personally ever seen any sort of similar prejudice against anyone who didn’t believe, I mean I see blatantly hurtful remarks, piss taking and remarks that seem to try to incite hatred.

Not being particularly religious myself I have been into a religious school, been to churches to support family / friends, invited into homes and organisations without being judged or treated in any different way. Only treated with help and respect for my decision (although they might not of always understood why).

I happen to be good friends with a Pakistani Muslim and we discuss faiths all day (pros and cons) and neither of us has been 'converted' or ‘brainwashed’.

I do happen to know a very prejudice atheist and I find his opinions disgusting and although he is entitled to them, I don't have to like them.
I also know many non-prejudice people, both religious and atheists.

So reading these comments I can only surmise that those who

Answer 1

I'm actually of a very similar mindset to you. As far as I'm concerned, so long as you're not ramming your beliefs down anyone's throat who may not want it or trying to assert your "beliefs to be superior to everyone else's" then I have no problems with it at all.

Its' exactly the same each way though depending on how you look at it. To an Atheist, Religion can be a bit of a joke and "immoral" and religious people are "foolish who need to see the light". To a believer, those athiests are "single minded, unenlightened, foolish and need redemption". Ultimately there's not real difference between the two viewpoints, just where you stand with it all.

I think some people forget it is all about belief and faith, and just because one person believes doesn't mean others have to.

But I also think a lot of athiests have issues with religion "because a lot of it doesn't make sense logically or scientifically" to them. But they do forget it is just faith, belief, opinion, and every other term under the sun.

Just my views.

Toodles

Answer 2

I don't think there is anything beneficial either way. Prejudice is all bad. Churches have persecuted atheists in the past -- they don't now but would some of them if they thought they could get away with it? I don't know. I like to think we are too far beyond that today. On the other hand, I personally (and I would imagine this applies to many theists as well) feel quite threatened by some of the most hostile and aggressive elements of fanatically antitheist atheism. I imagine in an atheist conducted inquisition, I would have decent odds at acquitting myself by virtue of fundamentally rational scientific disposition so it is not so much that I fear persecution on religious grounds but more of just a general fear of an attitude that if properly organized, I suspect could morph into an extremely toxic, oppressive and dangerous movement. I guess I am saying, at least for right now, athiest hostility toward theism scares me the most out of all the prejudices I observe.

Answer 3

I suspect that the prejudice is born out of the fact that Atheists are treated terribly by people of various religious beliefs.I also think that because religion isn't just something that people practice in their own lives and churches but rather use religion to influence politics and society is another reason that Atheists have become prejudicial.

Answer 4

maybe for some of them it's quite scary-we have morals hammered into us in the form of religion from quite an early age. so it can be a normal reaction on the part of some, maybe to go against religion instead of looking at it with an open mind and accepting that for an awful lot of people, religion in some form or another provides great spiritual joy and a sense of fulfilment. bit like being homophobic-do they think it's contagious?

Answer 5

You don't have to be on here long to see that there are more atheist than anything else. They don't allow you to talk about what you want...if you're not an atheist then they will work hard to get you to leave the site...you have to either bite back at them or you might miss the chance to answer just one question from an innocent kid who is looking for an answer, you try to lead them away from the attacking atheist, even though it would be easier to leave the site and stay away from their remarks. Take breaks from the site often too.

Answer 6

I'm glad that you are interested in hearing from all sides because as a Christan, I have to say that your question reflects ignorance as well as intolerance. "live and let live.
If that's what people want to do with there life, then let them, if there wrong then how does that affect anyone Else?"... Why does this not apply to the Atheists as well? I am very personally with many Atheists, and know none of them to be prejudice. I am more offended, as a Christian, by your question than most of the Atheist's.

Answer 7

Unfortuntely, religion is more than some people quietly believing in what they want.

The church's stance on contraception cuases thousnads of deaths in the thirdworld from AIDS and overpopulation where they are very poewrful.

Also, you don't have to read many papers to see the effect of religion (not just Christianity) on wars and fanatics.

It also wasn't so long ago when the persecution of non-believers was the norm with the Inquisitions, Witch Hunts.

Answer 8

Because they are closed minded and dont want to consider that there is or could be a God that they are accountable to.

BTW, I just went to the Creation Museum, itbe greater Cincinnati area. WOW, I was impressed. The one things that stood out to me was that impressed me was that fact they did not censor out evolutionary interpretations. They posted both ideas or origins side-by-side. They were fair and balanced as they presented the data. The conclusions were up to the visitors to make. Not up to the curator's to impose on the guests of the museum. I have been to many museums as a science teacher and I have never seen such open and honest comparisons of ideas before. The Creation Museum is a great place to understand Creation and Evolution as two opposed world-views of our origins. I would invite people to visit with an open mind and make up their own minds. Which reminds me of a great quote, "A mind is like a parachute: it works better when it's open!"

Answer 9

some people are just plain prejudiced, whether it's based on religion or race or sex or whatever.

sadly, not everyone thinks the way you do. unfortunately, you don't act on what you say. you demonstrated your own prejudice by targeting athesists only while ignoring the fact that a LOT of people on here act like this, religious folk included.

Answer 10

Just remember, religion with all its inherent prejudices has been the number one reason for wars in human history--i.e. one group saying their religion is better than another group's that they're prejudiced against. Religion teaches prejudice and bias. It's all "love your fellow man", well, unless the other man believes in some other [and if it's other it's therefore wrong, of course] religion, then you should go convert them. If they can't be converted [read brainwashed] then just kill them.
And, for all you "history buffs", please please please tell me of any society in history that has achieved true Communism, or the communal society? None has done so yet. A few have achieved Socialism, but Communism is still as elusive as nuclear fusion power plants. If Communism, in its true form, were to happen, everyone would be happy.