Why are Atheists looked at so poorly by theists?

Question

I am an Atheist, I am repeatedly shocked by some of the comments made about us Atheists. This idea that we don't care about other people, or that we are evil people who spread lies, or that we are somehow in denial, or that we hate theists, and many many others. I would like to try to address these.

We Atheists believe in freedom, above all. That all people have a right to their own opinions and that they will not be punished for them, such as with eternal damnation and the like. That people can all live together regardless of sexual orientation, personal interests, etc...

Very few of us Atheists genuinely dislike Religions as a whole. Just Fundamentalists who attempt to stamp on others beliefs and seem to despise all who disagree with them. I in fact have several very close friends who are Christians, we get along fine, they don't try to convert me, I don't try to convert them.

Please everyone say your reasons for disliking or distrusting Atheists and I will try to respond to them

I would also like to add one quote that I believe sums up a lot of Atheism and its misconceptions.

"I have something to say to the religionists who feels atheists never say anything positive:

You are an intelligent human being. Your life is valuable for its own sake. You are not second-class in the universe, deriving meaning and purpose from some other mind. You are not inherently evil—you are inherently human, possessing the positive rational potential to help make this a world of morality, peace and joy. Trust yourself."

–Dan Barker

My first response to someone. It was said that Atheists are not spiritual. I myself am a very spiritual person. I just think about spiritualism very differently from most Christians so it may be difficult for one to understand.

Ok a few more responses to people. Matt A I hope you are joking but I suppose in a way I can see your point from your perspective by trying to put myself in your shoes. I would just like to let it known that I am not deliberatly serving Satan and more to the point, I am not here to try to convert people. I am here to try to have an honest debate that everyone can walk away from happy and with some more appreciation of others points of view.

On that note, a message to everyone here, I know we all have strong opinions but here is not the place to post them. If we want to share information we must try not to post anything that would offend another group in the discussion.

I fell there is one more small point left to throw out there (there could be more in the future though) as there seems to be some confusion over it by a small number of people out there.

We Atheists do NOT set up our moral systems based on reward and punishment. We have just as complex a morality system and code of ethics as that of religious people. The difference is that it comes from the community and from within, rather than from a deity.

Answer 1

It's like they've made up a story about what they think we're like.

Then most of them refuse to believe us when we tell them that they're wrong. It is our minds and lives we're talking about.

And they just don't understand why that behaviour is rude, arrogant and conceited.

Answer 2

I also dislike those who stamp on other's beliefs. I am a Christian and attend an evangelical church. I don't really understand the fundamentalist connotations or word really, so I don't really understand what you mean by fundamentalist. Let me share my personal experiences before coming to God. I was miserable, I didn't drink or do drugs or anything because I knew that if I did, there was always a price to pay for the brief and fleeting pleasant sensation it would scientifically bring, until it brought no more and all that was left was the price to continually pay. I didn't do that stuff, but I was still miserable. I was searching. Searching for what, I didn't know, possibly hope, that there was something good in this world. I was a different type of Christian, but in the church I was attending, it just felt dead and I attended out of obligation. But I craved happiness, love and joy. I found all that and more when I came to the church I now attend. I found Him. Meeting God directly, nothing can compare and it is impossible to describe. The closest description I can give is that it felt like I was finally home after a lifetime of wandering, welcomed with open arms.

I do not hate or dislike athiests. I just want them to experience the same thing or have a better one. To me, it has nothing to do with religion and ritualist attendance anymore, but everything to do with relationship with the Creator, who loves all His creations more than we could ever imagine. That's just my personal feelings on the matter.

Answer 3

Well, I suppose that anything I could say would be mutual between me, a Chrisitan, and the Atheists. So let me begin to spread the ironic statements.

I think that they are sad. They think that they have it right, even though the think that something is true-- even with no proof. So they part the from "Scientific Method" on this issue.

If they have no interest in God, according to the Bible, then God has not chosen them; being that the desire comes from Him. So I feel pity for them because they are going to not be in a very good place at all when the end comes. And they also miss the things that God has prepared for those who are chosen by Him.

So I wouldn't try to convert anyone like that. I might answer their questions, but half the time that I do it's for the benefit of someone else, not myself and not for that person who is asking. Maybe even more than half the time.

So any reason I would have to base 'distrusting Ateists' is because God gave me proof because He wanted me to have it of the truth. Since Ateists are so 'religious' about attempting to get others to think their way, I have no choice but to dislike that, they are clearly wrong about what they say, and what they think. But they do not typically stop there. They attempt to spraed their way of thinking as if other had to believe what they believe; which is a religious act. So add to all this denial of being 'religious'. At least I can admit to being religious about things, but they are afraid or in denial about being religious; another unscientific and illogical belief that they attempt to spread.

All Atheists aren't that way, but about ( I would say) 99% of those who come here aren't very scientific people in the first place, and also they are not very logical either. I mean,why waste your time on people who are apparently " too stupid to think for themselves?" Hmmm?

Answer 4

There is no religious freedom for non-believers. Atheists never fly airplanes into buildings but theists do. Over 100 million people have been killed in the name of God by theists and atheists are considered to be bad people. The religions, governments and the media want people to believe that there is a man living in a cloud because it is an instrument used in controlling the masses.

Answer 5

Dear kerrigan778,

i am quite sorry to that some of the responses you've read hear on yahoo answers has lead you to have such a negative impression of those who call themselves Christians.

In terms of what atheists and Christians believe- obviously a very big gap. Religion is always a "touchy" subject because it's an important subject. That being said for those who claim the name of Christ- they are to act Christ-like and share Christ's teachings with love. i can't change what Jesus taught and as a believer- i wholeheartedly follow and believe what Jesus taught and share God's heart with others. But i truly believe that God respects people's freedom and people have the freedom to make their own conclusions on God (or whether he exists or not).

i can say that many claiming to be Chrisitans on yahoo answers don't always answer in a way that is Christ-like and i've seen many answers from those claiming to be Christians which are radically different from what the Bible teaches.

i think we can't make such broad judgments about people. For example Hitler was an atrocious human being- but we can't say all Germans are like this because of Hitler, just like it's not fair to call Atheists terrible, evil, etc.

i mean i think Atheists and Christians when engaging in a conversation about religion will expect to have opposition (i mean isn't that the point of having a discussion to consider the other person's points).

i'm thankful that you have close Christian friends, as i am thankful that i have close atheist friends. And as you've noted differences among Chrisitians you know, there are differences among non-Christians that i know. Ultimately we need to treat people as individuals and love them with whatever differences you may have. As a Christian my job is to love God and love people...

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 6

Religion is at its core a limited way of thinking. Instead of exploring the options of the universe religion ties a person into a set of rules obsessed more about moral codes and hierarchy than true development of a spirit or consciousness if such an entity exists. This goes for most religions. Granted, they have served a role in their ability to bring safety and comfort to people. Instant answers to a confusing and harsh world. However, instead of ignoring the nature of reality facing it head on and exploring meaning in life through science, through discussion, through genuine love would solve more problems and put us on a path to greater meaning and discovery, not just a simplified and shaky illusion always challenged by logic. Just notice how stressed out Christians are for instance, always having to fight logical things like evolution, fossils, gravity, acceptance of other humans,etc. Not only are they fighting logic from the outside but churches and religions have even more heated and vicious battles from within, as individuals with differing views constantly threaten the structure of the entire faith. A moderate Christian that believes in evolution and gay rights, in many ways is far scarier to a hardcore evangelist than a pure atheist, as the moderate has the ability to genuinely make changes from within.

Answer 7

I am pretty plain in my general atheism, but I've never had any rude responses in real life. Certainly if we looked at the historical behavior of most religions, they would have to defend their actions as regards common humanity. I think, on the internet, people tend to be less considerate,as they won't have to face you later, and also, you never know the age, sanity or sobriety of anyone you talk to on the internet, so don't feel bad if someone is rude. Go read some Voltaire and smile. ;)

P.S. On the bright side, even if we are wrong, think of all the WONDERFUL people we won't have to spend eternity with...

Answer 8

Theists are crappy honestly.

Religious wackos, especially in USA brag all about freedom and democracy and yet they submit themselves to absolute monarch, i.e. god.

They absolutely got no knowledge of basic facts and mechanism of Universe and yet they brag about knowing ultimate truths.

Further, they claim to possess all the best morals through their religious books, and at the same time, they go to wars, mass murder people of other religions and utterly destroy the weak nations.

They brag about being saved and being loved by their invisible daddy and yet they're too insecured to keep it to themselves rather than shout on loud speakers in mosques.

They believe in greatest absurdities and commit genocides till this day and yet they claim to be peaceful creatures of guided by loving god.

Answer 9

Theists cannot debate with atheists using logic and reason and being thus frustrated they turn to personal insults out of sheer desperation. The more rattled they get the stupider they make themselves look, it's great.

Answer 10

mayne they believe this: http://www.truechristian.com/kidzatheists.html

really though, they're not all like that. but some are and it's because they simply either a) can't understand how anyone can believe something different from them or b) honestly believe that without god, you have no moral guide.