Why do some atheists fight so hard?

Question

This is a serious innocent question. I am not trying to make anyone mad; I really am curious though. If atheists don't believe in a Creator or any higher power, why do some, emphasis some, spend so much time and energy fighting against those who do believe in a higher power? If these atheists knew without a doubt that there was no Creator, why bother fighting about it? What do they gain?

Thanks for your answers so far. I am not doing this to prove any point! I honestly want to hear from those who believe differently than I do as a Christian or from those who don't believe at all. I can't live in a Christian bubble and getting your feedback helps me understand more.

Answer 1

Even as a religious person, I absolutely understand why atheists fight hard. Our country is slowly becoming more radicalized in its religious views, and atheists (as well as liberal religious folk), rightly see this as a threat to their personall freedoms, the education of their children, and the state of the nation as a whole.

You have to see the story from their point of view as well. If you believe that the single most important factor governing most people's lives and philosophies in this society is an outright and harmful delusion, then of course you're going to fight hard! Every time an atheist sees people killing and dying in the name of 'god,' blowing up abortion clinics, or committing any other act of religious terrorism, it stregnthens their resolve to replace religion with naturalistic humanism.

Every time I see this things, I understand why some people are atheists, and I afford them respect so far as they are willing to admit that not all religious folk are idiotic or bloodthirsty.

Answer 2

This is a serious misconception on your part.

1. We are not fighting against anyone, we just want people to accept our philosophical position and not expect us to live by their rules. In order for that to happen, people need to be a bit more open minded and engage us in spiritual discussion.
Somenon-believers are trolls, but many are just trying to prove a point.

2. Most of us would never presume to know for 100% certain that god(s) do not exist. This isn't nessecarily about the christian god. We reject the supernatural in all forms.

3. All we want is for people to consider the rational side of the argument for a minute.

Answer 3

it's kinda one of those things where a person has an idea. someone else has one too but they are constantly either telling you how you need to come to their side, your not worth anything because you don't believe the way they do, and i know in my case i can't get away from it.

at work they wanna prey before meetings, make christmas parties mandatory, i don't get a day just because i want to but i get forced to take off on a christian holiday, etc.

people get tired of being verbally abused. eventually they are going to say something so we said something and now christian's think we're mean.

If you haven't noticed we don't mess with anyone as much as christian's. everyone else leaves us alone and lets us be us without shoving their idea's down our throats. i have friends of every denomination, religion, and color. because we may not get all the answers to what we asked but we respect each other and we ask questions. we don't preach.

maybe if you let people approach you with their questions instead of trying to market your religion you would have less resistance. people might still not agree with you but they will have more respect for you.

Answer 4

There are two main reasons. Allowing purposeful ignorance to be spread as fact and allowing the promotion of irrational fear (spiritual terrorism) without challenge is hardly better than engaging in those acts directly.

For example, the "creation" issue. Universities are now rejecting candidates from schools that emphasize the creation myth. This is not because of their religious philosophy. Rather it is because the applicants are incapable of operating in a scientific environment based on 21 century realities rather than the musings of a bored goatherd sitting on a pile of rocks thousands of years ago. The potential real damage to the future of the students affected, our standing in the scientific community and society as a whole are real and tangible. To sit silently as this damage is inflicted is inexcusable.

The second and greatest reason is that theists insist on inflicting their agenda on others through social intimidation, manipulation of the political and judicial processes and the expenditure of public funds which puts a burden on all taxpayers regardless of their beliefs or religious affiliations, as does their tax exempt status.

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Answer 5

It is physically exhausting to endure an eight hour paintball war.

In the end, no one dies (at least, not if everyone played with proper gear and was in modestly good health). No land is really gained or lost, no spoils are had.

In short, neither side walks away with anything extra which is important.

But there may have been friendships formed, learning experiences in it, opportunities to understand other people better. And in the end, there may be some worthwhile tales to take home and dazzle the family with.


Welcome to the Y!A Religion, Spirituality, and Paintball War forum.

Lock and load.

Answer 6

Because there are quite a few influential people who believe in a higher power who make descisions that affect us or our children...like trying to teach mythology as scientific fact, for example.

Because in seven states one cannot be an atheist or agnostic and be allowed to run for public office.

Because quite a few folks who believe in a higher power...often a very militant version of one...won't stop trying to get their pet religious beliefs passed as law.

Because quite a few folks who believe in a higher power are so devoted to said higher power that they will fight to the death to deny anything that they imagine defies their pet higher power (ie: science).

Because quite a few folks who believe in a higher power want to limit or outright stop research that might provide cures for humanity's worst afflictions...on a purely religious basis.

Because quite a few of the folks who believe in a higher power regard those of us who do not as "untrustworthy and immoral".

Because quite a few folks who believe in a higher power pass judgements on other groups that they don't like and assume that their judgement is in accordance with that of their pet higher power.

Because some folks who believe in a higher power assume that their opinion or will is supported or even equal to that of their higher power.

Someone has to stand up to spiritual bullies and literalists. We've already seen what happens when they get their hands on real power (The Dark Ages, Inquisition, Jesus Camp, Darfur, Bosnia, Iran, etc...)

Answer 7

Those you speak of are fighting for one of three reasons: frustration with the attempt by religion (mostly Christianity) to force itself into the government, the desire for a good argument and an easy target to garauntee a debate, or a modicum of malice and enjoyment of annoying the Christian folks (mostly but some others join in too). I would wager that it is a combination of the three most of the time.

Answer 8

It is not so much the notion of a deity that I fight against; rather, it is religion. Look at history, and current events. Religion has always posed a serious threat to humanity through wars, discrimination, hatred, intolerance, fanaticism.. only now the fanatics have bombs and ballistic missiles.

Answer 9

I gain much pleasure from proving a point. And, to point out the obvious, theism is destructive, and I would like nothing better to quash that destruction and render our society for the better.

If you knew human sacrifice was useless, and someone was trying to sacrifice your sister, wouldn't you try to persuade the ignorant human-sacrificer as to the reality of the practice?

Answer 10

I don't consider myself one of those individuals.

However you do admit that religion affects our lives, even though we don't believe right?

You can't just ignore laws because you don't agree with them. As long as religions attempt to legislate dogma there will be non-theists to resits.

But as it goes here, it is just the fun of argument. Don't think there is some hidden "we really want to believe" scenario going on, because there isn't.


Btw I don't know for certain that god doesn't exist. I simply don't believe that any gods do exist.