Why do atheists care?

Question

If someone is an atheist they should, i would think, not care what others think about religion. Instead we see many atheists arguing with religious people. Is this because they are insecure in their belief, or lack of? And how can they say that Christians are not sincere when they have not experienced what Christians have, the transforming power of Christ. If you ask any true believer they have no doubt.

Answer 1

I'll tell you the reason i care. I don't care what religion everyone else is. I do care when people push their religion on you or tell you that you need to try harder to find or believe in him. I had person ask me once if i believed in god and when i said no he "Yes, you do". That's why i care. i don't foist my belief on you, so stop trying to foist yours on me.

Answer 2

"If you ask any true believer they have no doubt"

Hmm, yes, I didn't when I was Christian.
But now I'm an atheist.
You will find most atheists care little what people believe, as long as it does not affect others. This however on the personal and social level often does not apply to Christianity and Christians.

And how is sincerity any grounds for assurance, when there are sincere people around the planet believing utterly different things?

Answer 3

I can't bring myself to believe in anything that claims to be "all-mighty" that is not physically there or ever going to show itself.

I've had my share of going to Christian Church when I was younger and Lutheran Church. Lutheran Church I was basically sent to, as I was merely a child. Christian Church I decided to attend with a friend, and yes I went more than once.

The only thing that bothers me other than the aforementioned, is how can you believe in something a person (be it man or woman) wrote when there are claims of a powerful god and such? A person wrote it, he or she could have been delirious or mentally ill for all we know.

I'm sticking to Darwinism and the Big Bang Theory and both of those are questionable. Then again, isn't EVERYTHING?

I'm not shooting down anyone's right to believe in whatever they want, so understand this is my opinion. Believe whatever it is you were brought up to think. I only ask that if you have kids, you give them the choice to believe whatever it is they want to. Forced religion is wrong on so many levels.

By the way, you can't make, force or reach out to someone who doesn't believe in your god. We believe there is none or there is no way to actually prove it. I answered this question because religion as a whole irks me and I can't fathom the people who force their beliefs onto others... that's why I care.

Answer 4

There a plenty of reasons why atheists care. Insecurity, as you suggest, though, is not one of them. They care because they are hated by people who do not know them but who see them as immoral. They care because Fundamentalist Christians espouse Creationism and Intelligent Design as being legitimate science and want to teach it in our public schools. They care because wars are fought in the name of religions, each side thinking that God is there to lead them to victory over an enemy no more evil than themselves. Too bad for the innocent victims along the way as long as God is praised, though, huh? Religion is the cause of racism, bigotry, murder. Religion gobbles billions of dollars that could be put to better use than spreading guilt and fear and false hopes among poor and gullible people. Religion oppresses people's personal feedoms with it's versions of morality. Christianity teaches that good deeds are worthless and all one has to do to enter heaven is say "I'm sorry, Pop", although actual good deeds don't count for ****, while condemning even the noblest of nonbelievers to hell - a morally reprehensible attitude for many. The list is nearly endless. You've heard the complaints before and they are the reasons that atheists care about.

Answer 5

I don't much care what others think about religion. It concerns me that religionists poison the minds and neglect the bodies of innocent children, but it's their own genetic future they're damaging. I care very much how they apply their vicious doctrines to me through their program to subvert control of democratic government, along with every other aspect of society.

I have no doubt that some Christians are sincere. They've just become so by choosing to abandon reason.

Answer 6

I feel that I have experienced what Christians have, since I used to be one. I also have valid opinions on the subject. If we, as atheists, do not speak out, then we would have to let all Christians force their ideals on everyone, whether we are Christian or not. And as I have said many times, this is NOT the Christian category. We have as much right to be here as you do. This category is Religion and Spirituality, and we have morals, ideals and philosophies, therefore we do count. Why can't you Christians accept our answers, like we do yours?

Answer 7

And what makes you think that Atheists were never once Christians? In fact, most were.

For the most part, I don't care what you believe.

But I also am frightened, when you start implying that your belief is more important than mine, and insist that prayers be said in school, keep the word "god" in everything possible related to America. When news anchors (supposedly intelligent men and women), bash atheists, and presume they are wrong. End their "interviews", which are more like inquisitions with things like "god bless"...

When these things start happening, it infringes on my rights, and the rights of others that are not Christian.

Then, and only then, do I care.

I go here, to learn more skills, in debating...

Answer 8

Why do believers care?If believers are so content with their belief why do they need others to share in that belief even when they don't want to?Why do believers need to use their beliefs to attack others?Why do they need to insult the beliefs of opposing religions?Why do they need to legislate according to their beliefs?Why do believers need to poke into the personal lives of homosexuals simply because they believe that they have a right to under their beliefs?Why do believers feel a need to try to force their own unsubstantiated views about the origins of life into society, schools, and discussions?

I suspect that you might now understand why some of us atheists are here.We are here to counter believers for some or all of these mentioned reasons.

Answer 9

I care about the topic, I respect any person with any other religious belief system as long as they aren't hurting anybody, and I am only annoyed (and go on the attack) when I hear other people telling me that I am going to hell and that i have no morals or ethics or reason to live.

Other than that - I am just hear for some lively discussion.

Cheers

Answer 10

You people squeezed your particular god in our laws. Laws that affect my daily life.

Trust me, I care. A lot. Not about your god, but about a better planet for my future children. A planet with true freedom of religion. Christianity turned freedom of religion into a hoax.