Why do Christians always accuse Atheists of conceit?

Question

After all, we aren't the ones who think so highly of ourselves that we find it our right to judge others for all eternity. To me, the fact that Christians think they have this prerogative is the height of conceit.

This brilliant question has been brought to you with exquisite charm courtesy of modest Jack ;)

Answer 1

Gee, I dunno, perhaps it's answers like this one, Jack?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqBjtPLV5ioiNWkxkLk_YgDty6IX?qid=20070627164751AAVJA1d

Second one down.

Answer 2

My dear handsome Jack

Let's clear up a coupla things shall we?
I have never anywhere at any time labelled an atheist as conceited.
I will never ever at any time do so....

There are times when an individual - no matter the belief, faith or non faith, may, by necessity have to be brought down a notch or two for spewing that which is unloving, unfaithful, unobservant, uncouth or the like.... but those are few and far between and I usually ignore them or try to gently guide them to better themselves for their own sake so to speak....

As for judgment. No true Christian who understands scripture and has a relationship with the Lord would find it their right to judge you or anyone else. Judgment belongs to Jesus alone. I will be judged as everyone else will... therefore it is neither my right or in my best interest to judge.

In my experience, often times it's the interpretation of the words that gets people into trouble... for example: I can tell my son, "I know that you lied about coming home before kerfew. I am not happy that you chose to lie to me" and he will hear "mom is calling me a liar".
It's hard for him to get it that I didn't call him a liar, therefore he assumes that I am judging him. He knows in his heart that it's the offense that is being addressed. Small example, but I hope it's relevant.

Thank you for being you Jack.... you are humorous, sweet, refreshing and courteous. You are one in a million! and that's the truth! :P

blessings and ((((hugs))))) :)

Answer 3

I find this question a very good question. I'm going to speak from a Christian's standpoint, because I am one. I am assuming you are not, so please don't take this as I'm shoving it in your face.

As a Christian, the Bible teaches us to hold others accountable for their actions that are against the Bible, not judge. For example, going to someone and asking them if you can help them through a situation that you feel they are handling in a Godly manner.

We're not conceited, just concerned about the well being of others as we were instructed to do by Jesus.

As for the question in bold, I don't accuse atheists of conceit. Some people have their mind made up about religion and don't even have an open mind. Personally, I wish non-Christians would have an open enough mind for a seed to be planted - just like athiests want us to have an open mind that there is no scientific proof that God exists.

The difference in atheists and Christians is merely faith.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Not ALL Christians ALWAYS accuse ALL atheists of being conceited. However, there are SOME atheists who really ARE conceited; they think they're so much smarter than ALL religious people.

But, and this is a big BUT, there are people in EVERY religion (and lack of) that are conceited.

And for the record, I don't think I have the right to judge anyone to eternity. And most Christians are like me.

Answer 5

I don't ever condemn anyone to Hell or anything, but expressing your opinion isn't really a big judgment call or anything. Its not like we have any power over you.
If you ever see anyone walking down the street and have a thought about anything concerning them and what they're doing, that's a judgment. To be judgmental is second nature. We all have values and beliefs and hold people up to those as we meet and converse with them. If every now and then we choose to speak up about what we're thinking its only because we felt like expressing an opinion.
If you talk to someone and want lies or flattery then you'll never get anywhere with them and who they really are.
I want the truth and I want it more and more all the time.
I hate it when people aren't honest with me about the way they feel or think. This breeds ignorance, naivety, illusions of grandeur, misunderstanding, miscommunication and a whole list of other dangerous social flaws.
If a Christian says something you don't like tell him to shut up, or be more polite about it and ask him/her why they would say something so screwed up as that and get into some worthless argument with them, or nice conversation with them.
Christianity isn't, or I should say it shouldn't, just be some advantage we Christians pull out every now and then to use as a weapon or a way to defend ourselves.
It is, and should be a new way of looking that is permanent and ever changing us to be better than we were.
These people were probably just Christians in an early stage of development, or ones that had a really bad day. Every one has a bad day.
I'd suggest you ignore them, or ask them what's up with their abrasiveness.

Answer 6

Not all Christians may accuse atheists of conceit but I notice that there are a few unnecessarily, unhealthy aggressive answers to this question ... so live and let be. Why the aggression ? Why can't some of you discuss religion without getting so heated up..??? That's what wars are made of. Haven't we learnt that yet ??? Stay together people ! ;)

Answer 7

Well, a lot of times it is true. There are no shortage of atheists who will not hesitate to say that all Christians are stupid for their beliefs, and to make all sorts of other insinuations about their intelligence, decency and so on. They often tend to think that they are superior because they believe they have it all figured out and they tend to regard religious people as wallowing in delusion and wishful thinking. Not all do it but may do. Of course, a lot of Christians do the same thing.

Answer 8

I neither am Christian or Muslim nor a Buddhist...however I do believe in a higher power...I think we are all created equally and I truly do believe in spirits...

I meet people from all walks of life and from all back grounds and most all seem to think their religion is the only way, but they will respect another mans wish to worship the way they feel. I feel if there was only one way to worship we would not be where we are today...it is diversity that has kept us and I love all the different people and all the different concepts people use to worship...we should learn to accept...

One problem I have with Christians...they do not accept others as they are...they will call everyone wrong if they don't believe what they say...they will condemn killing and justify it when it comes to this dirty war...we are pro abortion and condemn killing…I will be glad when the whole freaking world realizes killing is killing and murder is murder…

And you my dear have the freedom to believe whatever you feel…take care and my Peace and Blessings I give to you…

Answer 9

I'm going to try to answer this with out being in anyway derogatory.

1.) It's a simple fact that we believe that all who don't believe will perish. We don't want that for you. We think you guys are pretty smart cookies and we'd love to have you on the team. :)
2.) We actually are not conceited. We put all of our trust in God. We realized a long time ago that fleshly logic fails. Science revamps it's ideas every decade or so, where as the word of God has perservered.
Atheists rely on their own reason, we rely on an ageless almighty God.
This isn't to say that we aren't capable of coherent thought and reason, but it does take a back seat to the Will of God.

I'm not trying to make any veiled attacks here, and if anything came off that way I'm sorry. I hope you have a great day!

-B

Answer 10

Careful Jack, your question is primarily about fundamentalist Christians. Since they believe in taking things literally, of course they're going to ignore the figure of speech and jump right on your 'always'.

Which means they can conveniently ignore the very valid point you're making.

Answer 11

Not ALL Christians do that. I have seen several atheists here who judge ALL Christians based on how SOME of them have acted. I've also seen some atheists attack Christians for their beliefs.
Some atheists seem to think pretty highly of themselves. They think they are the most intellectual, brilliant people on the planet and that anyone who believes in a god is dumb, etc.

There are both Christians, atheists, Jews, etc. who are really great and who believe, as I do, that everyone has a right to their opinions without getting bashed for it.