Why are Christians and Atheists so rude to each other?

Question

Why cant we exchange ideas in a mature and knowledgable fashion? I mean not calling the opposing ideas stupid or unreal. Christians have their faith, and they are to be kind and loving even toward the "enemy". Unfortunitally many are not. I think they need to think about how they are acting and say to themselves "what would Jesus do"? You would get many more people to believe you faith if you were kind and knowledgable about it. Atheists, wouldn't it be better if you showed some class, not putting down Christians. You are only being immature when your only answer to many Queations is "Because God doesn't exist" or "Stupid Christians need to realize..." Just like the Christians, you are not going to get people to become Atheist like that.

Please start being kind and not a smart a**, and debate in a mature fashion.

I am not saying that everyone who answers questions are like this, just a select few.

Please stop commenting if you are going to be rude. You are just proving my question further. Don't take this as an insult, but react like an adult. thank you.

Answer 1

There will always be jerks on both sides. Just try to pay attention to the respectful ones on both sides, add them to your friends list. Pay attention to those questions and ignore the jerks!

Answer 2

I have found, unfortunately, that no matter how I may state my side of things, eventually, the religious person is going to get angry.

The anger typically rears its head when they realize my argument disproves their god. At that point, no matter how polite they may have been before, the anger spews out, and they will begin to assault my character, or try to divert the discussion away from the thing that just beat them, and will try to get me to respond in anger as well, so it will turn into a pissing match rather than a debate.

And if I ever do respond in anger, they will throw up their hands and say "Okay, this atheist is being a jerk. I'm not gonna talk to him anymore!" And then they run for their lives, secretly relieved to have found an "out" rather than letting their faith be destroyed.

I see it every day in my email box. Every day, some other Christian emails me wanting a "debate". And within a few emails, they are frothing at the mouth, and saying they'll never speak to me again, etc...

(And you don't have to believe this, but I am almost always nauseatingly polite with these people. But when they start getting nasty with me, which they always will... I have my limits, just like anyone else does)

Answer 3

Because most don't give the light of day to opposites.

It is not just here, but anywhere where 2 people oppose each other.

I am a teacher. EVERY day, I have students who honestly think that I am personally attacking them for a wrong action, and hurther feel as if I will end up grading their work downward. They don't realize what I am saying is regarding their action, not their person.

If each other would give the other the respect to state their point, and not conclude that the peron is less than they are, then your concern would be addressed in a manner that would cause healthier discussions and debates.

Answer 4

I don't think I ever have been... You can check my old answers if you're really that interested.

Yes, I prefer civilized debate, but I see that this is not a universal point of view.

It's going to be interesting to see if I can make R&S at least look more tidy with the new troll-blocking feature.

Hmm... I haven't checked whether trolls will know whether they're blocked. I quite like the idea of them (of whatever inclination) ranting into the vacuum.

On the other hand if they know forty people have blocked them, might it just be a wake-up call? Or is that being TOO optimistic?

Answer 5

Hi Mrs.Bear, Good Morning dear Sister, :)
I don't know if you're really wanting an answer or to make a point, dear love. But for encouragements sake in this, a lot of the Brethren have trouble dealing with unbelievers(that's right heathen-I'm testing the spirits :) not only due to the lack of the growth of the Fruit of the Spirit in certain areas(mainly self control, peace, gentleness, and kindness, Gal.5:22-24) but also, on the unbelievers part, we're dealing with carnal minds.They cannot understand the things of the Spirit nor are subject to Obey the Commandments of God, because they're led by the flesh and ofcourse submitted to the devil's ploys as puppets(sad but true).Rom. 8(all), 1Cor.1-2. When we live the example of Christ' love, then they will know that we Love one another and love them, and they will be open moreso to investigate for their own life's sake.God help us love them and bear fruit.Amen.His Grace be with you Sister, Your servant, Pastor B

Answer 6

I wish I could answer this one. Each side has a belief or faith whether in God or the lack of God it is still a belief or faith. You can't disprove a belief. You can present evidence it is wrong but never disprove it. Both sides take the debating cue of politics and make the other as an extreme and dumb misinformed person. I think that is horrible on both sides

Answer 7

Most get on fine, the problem is mostly between fundamentalist Christians and some very arrogant Atheists, they are both equally dismissive of eachothers point of view.

Christian: you don't believe in God, your going to hell.

Atheist: God doesnt exist, anyone who believes he does is an idiot.

People around here can't discuss their beliefs without feeling the need to insult one another.

Answer 8

A lot of Christians and Atheists get along fine (especially in Britain i wouldn't know about America).

It is the Die-hard Christians that hate Atheists and the Immature Atheists that hate Christians.

Answer 9

Religion is based on fear. To survive, as religions in general have no evidence of their claims, they must create an atmosphere where any non-believer is seen as an enemy, and the most feared of these are those who do not believe in gods at all (believers in other gods are more easily converted).
Atheists frankly get tired of both the persecution by believers (and Christianity is historically the worst in this, though Islam is trying to catch up) and the "holier than thou" attitude that is common in believers - because their fear won't allow them to admit their belief could be wrong.
Most atheists try to ignore believers, but that whole "evangelize" thing makes it difficult. Many of us try to engage them in rational conversation, but as their whole system of thought is based on faith in concepts we consider absurd, it is rather difficult - how hards would it be for you to take someone seriously if they insisted the moon was made of green cheese, and tried to get you to believe it too?

Answer 10

As one who gets quite a few emails from atheists, I can tell you that most are very kind and straight forward. The shrill I just do not answer and neither should you. There are immature folk on both sides of the isle. Just ignore those that are base and be respectful to those who are asking a legitimate question.

Answer 11

It goes both ways and you are going to hear "They started it" come out of both parties. I admit I do it too to Christians. I try not to, but its usually out of frustration
I agree on the try not to say all Christians are stupid thing. But that mean Christians have to stop saying "Because the bible says so". That's not much of a debate either.