Atheists What is your response?

Question

when & if someone tells you You HAVE to believe? I just got an e mail from someone that said if I'm a real Christian, I HAVE to believe in hell. I 'm sorry but I don't, yet I believe in Heaven. My beliefs might not make sense to people, but I don't care. I think people have a hell of a nerve, how do you respond to these idiots?

Graveyard REREAD the question. I am in no way calling atheists idiots

Answer 1

It's sad that folks like that have usurped the name of "Christian." I wish that I could find an alternative term, but I hate to give up the title to a bunch of folks who wouldn't know Christianity if it bit them on the behind.

Hell (as a place of eternal torment), for example, is not a Christian doctrine. It is not taught in Scripture, was rejected by many of the most prominant ancient theologians, and is still rejected by the world's second largest Christian denomination. The hell espoused by Evangelical Christianity was invented in the Middle Ages and popularized by Dante's Inferno. And I have to believe in that in order to be a Christian? I beg to differ.

Answer 2

I'm an atheist, but as long as what you believe doesn't harm me, and you're not trying to have your religious beliefs taught in the public schools, etc., what you believe is your business.

One of the problems I have with some theists is that they don't seem to think for themselves. Maybe this person felt threatened that someone can believe in a god, but not every aspect of a particular religion.

I think it's perfectly alright to disagree with someone, and have a debate, but not to tell someone what they "have" to believe. What arrogance that kind of statement takes.

Hey, it's your life, and your beliefs.

Answer 3

I don't bother to respond for the most part. I'm not going to change what these people think. I have a little giggle and let it go. It happens everywhere, and on alot of different levels. I've heard Missouri Synod Lutherans say "you're not a *real* Lutheran unless you're Missouri Synod".....whatever that means. Or wiccans who say "if you don't follow Gardenarian wicca, then you're not a *real* witch".

Whatever, ya know? You can't force yourself to believe something you don't actually believe. And it's pointless to try, you'd only be lying to yourself.

So...my advice? Laugh and let it go. Or maybe ask them to show you some pictures from their last trip to hell. My idea is, if you can't prove it to me, I don't have to believe it. =)

Answer 4

You can't really give a response thats going to "work" with someone who's that dogmatic. They aren't open to conversation so it's pretty impossible to have them.

I guess I have the best luck when I respond with respect, while pointing out that they aren't being very respectful of me.

Those kind of people are just ignorant and talking out of their own fears. There are tens of millions of people who believe in heaven but no hell. To be honest, the more primitive and uneducated tend to be the hell believers.

Answer 5

You can believe however you wish. But, The Christian Faith teaches of a Heaven and a Hell. Only God knows if you' re a true Christian, but, if you are, then if there is a Heaven, then there also has to be a Hell. This is what the Bible teaches and the Bible is the word of God. Thanks for the question. Have a wonderful day.

Answer 6

If I'm feeling kind, I fall back on "ignorance is bliss, don't destroy my happiness". If they have pushed me to the limit and beyond, I point out for them all the rituals their faith has stolen from other religions over the centuries. If they really, really get under my skin, I point out that Hitler was a God-fearing Christian, and that Christians were also responsible for the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Salem Witch Trials (which, by the way, turned out to be mass hysteria brought on by moldy barley).

Then I go home, light a candle, and thank the goddess that my eyes have been opened.

Answer 7

Dear Liza p,

It is extremely arrogant for others to tell you that you must believe certain things. Perhaps you understand how some atheists feel when certain christians put them in a similar situation. Usually, when people insist that way to me, I tell them:

Forgive me, for I am a rational person, and I must examine the evidence before I believe in something as incredible as you want me to believe. Please help me believe as you want me to believe by providing this evidence. Shall we research it together?

I hope this helps.

Regards,

CC

Answer 8

If it's an interesting point I'll debate, otherwise I ignore it (referring to similar e-mails on other questions). Debate is a lost art and unfortunately you can only really engage in it in *that* forum but only with people who volunteer to debate. Regrettably many fanatics seem to want to carry on pissing contests offline and it's just no better than doing them here.

Answer 9

I just ignore them. Nothing I can say or do will change things, and people who send such mail in the first place are only looking for a response. By ignoring them, I take the wind from their sails and they don't bother me again.

Answer 10

Let the person know that you'll seriously consider their point of view. Listen and aknowledge what they have to say. Let them know that you appreciate their ideas and thank them for sharing. Then believe what you feel is right. Works for just about any situation where someone is fiercely opinionated.