Why do many atheists seem to consider a “belief” in Hell to be a personal “threat” against them?

Question

When Christians simply make a blanket statement about what they think that Jesus taught (which is their duty, according to the Bible – to spread the teachings of Jesus), why do many atheists think of it as some type of a personal “threat” if you honestly don’t share the same belief? What makes you even think that a Christian must be talking to you personally, if all that he was doing is standing on the corner speaking to the crowd, or handing out pamphlets about salvation at random to everyone he sees (Or posting a general response to a general question on Y!A? Nobody knows who you are.)?

If you think that I am making this up, here is an example similar to what I see here in R&S every few days or so: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070627075215AAEXkEo&r=w#QMN4Xzu6UjSTqE6FnLRC7yUFgOkAAkgQKLpakUQ3hiInNilYpo1q


Just curious. Human nature is so funny sometimes.

On a related note, many atheists seem to take it as a personal insult if someone of ANY religion simply says, “I’ll pray for you”. Assuming that there was no sarcasm involved, why do you get offended at the mere thought that someone might mention your name in passing while in quite meditation in their bedroom before falling asleep? If you really don’t believe in God, why would you care one way or another?

Answer 1

There is no hell. I douibt you'll find any atheists who believes there is. What I object to is people who seem to think I have earned a place in eternal torture by not accepting their goat herder myth.

Answer 2

They don't see the belief in Hell as a personal threat. They find it offensive when Christians try to force their beliefs on everyone else (and unfortunately many Christians do this). So yeah, I imagine they do feel threatened when their rights to not believe are threatened. Just like you'd feel threatened if you thought your right to believe was under attack. Why should it be any different on the other side of the fence?

Oh and the whole "I'll pray for you" thing. Oftentimes Christians will do this for people who are non-believers in their religion because they automatically assume there is something wrong with us. Just because we don't believe or believe differently doesn't make us mentally damaged or in need of your prayers. That's terribly presumptuous. So maybe if Christians were a bit more polite and non-invasive in everyone else's business - maybe then the "other side" wouldn't be so aggressive toward you all.

Answer 3

1.In a blanket statement: you have insulted their intelligence.
2. They consider faith a part of their lives - not a deity.

Atheists are believers of something,anything and so many things. They are just waiting for science or an "out of this world" sign to be absolutley postitive about any choices they undertake.
There are also athiests that have told me that
how can man have this life and not be allowed
to live it according to his own desires(here they
can not equate being given something to have but with rules) and there are people out there who feel
God can not possibly allow such pain and suffering(they do not understand free will on earth with consequences on earth and after earth).
An example of the latter sentence is this -
you steal - you go to jail.
Since they do not consider what they do against
God as sins because they do not believe in God -
then like wise they have little understanding about
consequences other than stealing and getting caught.

It is taught by family and society as a whole.
If you never really understood or were convicted
by God then you would find it most difficult to
understand any religeous persons views.

Yes I am a Christian and a proud one at that.

Answer 4

Hell is one of those subjects that makes people uncomfortable. We hear stories of hell being a place of fire, demons, and endless torment. Throughout history many authors have written about it, Dante's Inferno for example. Western culture is very familiar with the concept. Even Hollywood has made it the subject of many movies. Whatever the context, whatever the belief, hell is definitely taught in the Bible. But even the doctrine of hell is not without its controversy. Some say it is only the grave with no consciousness. Others say it is a place of correction and punishment that is not eternal. Others say it is an endless agonizing punishment in fire. Whichever it is, hell is the total absence of the favor of God.

Answer 5

Maybe you misread the question.....All he is saying is that when you say what you say to an atheist in hopes that he will become christian (which is your intent...to spread the word and help non believers). SUch as you will go to hell, etc... that it DOES NOT impact them because they don't believe. So in my opinion they don't take it personally, but find it rather funny that there are so many people living for the "afterlife" and not for today.

Answer 6

'I believe in hell' isn't a personal threat to me, 'convert to our belief system or forever be in hell' is said with the intent to threaten (albeit, it doesn't because I disbelieve in hell).

With regards to point number two, I'd always found that *more* offensive that telling me my beliefs are wrong. Saying I'm wrong shows that give my beliefs equal, if opposite, weight.

Saying a prayer for me ignores my wishes to not have religion play a part on my life - that shows that you think my thoughts are insignificant and not worthy of your attention.

Answer 7

This is a strange question, in a way, because you may (or may not) agree with anything that is offensive that someone says to you, but that doesn't mean you don't find it offensive.
Let's say that every time you signed on to this forum, I found you and told you that I believed there was a man in a green vest who was going to hurt you and/or your family?
You'd probably report me, right? And you should.
It's creepy and irritating.
Now, and in a little condescension (I'm right and you're wrong) and you start to get the idea.

Answer 8

Because your superstition is teaching you to hate others. When someone tells me that I'm going to hell, they basically are expressing a hatred and usually a satisfaction in the idea that I'll burn in some hell forever. That's just scary. In any other form, we would consider that person psychotic. I don't think religious psychosis should be an excuse for being an asshole.

Answer 9

How can something be a personal threat when you don't believe for a second that it exists? That is quite an assumption or your part. As for the prayers and printed propaganda, I personally would prefer you keep it to yourself. I won't ever try to covert you or yours to Atheism and your efforts to convert me only exemplifies your ignorance.

Answer 10

A schizophrenic kills people because the voices tell him to. Does that it make ok? Why? It's his duty isn't it?
Why do you think people aren't smart enough to take care of themselves? What makes you think that you KNOW what's in the heart and soul or why they are the way they are? What amazes me is that you see no arrogance in this what so ever. Don't hide behind "The bible tells me to do it". It's no more valid then the afore mentioned schizophrenic.