Why are atheists so easily offended?

Question

I just asked a question where I was looking for interesting answers from both sides of the fence and instead all I got was a bunch of atheists basically telling me what a dumb blond I am and how I should be shunned because I am a newbie to Yahoo Answers. Geez.... thankfully you're not all like that...

I am pretty shocked by how rude you guys are. I am just a regular person, same as you.. I don't know everything nor do I claim to, isn't that the whole point of Yahoo Answers, to LEARN??

Answer 1

Sorry about that linz

Don't take it too personally, unfortunately you posed Pascals Wager in your question, and we get it 40-60 times a day. Sometimes it is hard answering the same question over and over again, and people tend to get touchy.

Welcome aboard, if your experience is anything like mine, you will learn alot, be challenged to think and find some really cool people.

You will also get a tough skin and learn that the world is filled with jerks, but that is a good thing to understand and will help in life.

Have fun and ignore the Haters.

Answer 2

I don't care that you're new here. Everyone was a newbie at one point. However, to answer your question. Everyone on yahoo answers is easily offended. Mainly in the religious and political sections. Answering questions like yours and others lights a spark in bored people. Ignore it. Give thumbs down to the answers you don't like and a thumbs up for the ones you do. But also expect some ridicule for your questions about religion. There will always be someone who does not agree with you.
Have a great day.
From a non believer

Answer 3

Linz, I am agnostic, not a Christian or an atheist, and I want to tell you that you are absolutely, postively right on the mark. I am sorry you have been offended and possibly hurt by the comments you have received. If you want to read and write on Yahoo Answers, you will have to develop a thick skin. There are many on here who really want to ask sincere questions, and many who want to help others by providing educated and intelligent answers.

Unfortunately, there is not a separate forum for those of us who fit that category. So you will find many, many people who ask and answer these questions have a very adolescent mentality and don't try to contribute anything other than what they think are "clever" and "funny" answers, or comments, trying to impress others with their comedic skills or with what they think is their advanced knowledge of whatever subject is at hand. And indeed they are funny to others at their own level of maturity, and appear smart to some of those at their own level of education. They cannot understand that to more mature and/or educated people, they are usually not funny or knowledgeable.

They are just being kids, and that's okay! It is just too bad that they don't have a forum of their own in which to show off their adolescent wit and wisdom.

Welcome to Y!A, Newbie! Good luck sorting the wheat from the chaff. With patience it can be done. There are people on here will help you, and I am one of them. Please email me (click my picture, then click "email user") if you'd like whenever you need some help or a sincere answer.

Answer 4

Aloha Linz,

I apologize. You unintentionally asked a question that has a long history around here. Trust me when I say nobody was making fun of you because of your hair color.

Without knowing it you inadvertently stumbled across something called Pascal's Wager. You can learn more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_wager

What you thought was atheists being easily offended or thin-skinned, was really just a long running joke that has deep roots on R&S. We literally get asked your question about 2-10 times per day, so you can imagine after a few months people get a little punchy. Please don't take it personally.

Nobody meant to shun you. We want you here. Please stay and play with us. It wouldn't be nearly as fun with just us silly atheists.

Answer 5

Basically what happened was you walked into no-man's land and got your head blown off in the crossfire.

That being said, your question was slanted and you basically got what you asked for, although most of the answers were not nearly as venomous as a lot of other stuff I've seen here.

FYI Pascal's Wager is the logic of Belief vs non-belief and existence of God vs non-existence. Essentially, it states that it's better to believe in God just in case God exists, since being wrong if he does is really really bad. Pascal's Wager doesn't take into account any religion other than Christianity and automatically assumes they're all wrong (basically it creates a false dilemma, a choice between christianity and atheism)

Answer 6

Simply b/c they can't take their own medicine. They are the perfect example of modern-day Pharisees. It's the same spirit.

They think of themselves as judges, jury and executioners, particularly of Christians. They are joyless (notice that doesn't mean they are not happy) and must express their lack of joy with the world.

Really though, it's a heart cry and they don't know how else to cry out to God (since to them, He doesn't exist).

It's also a perfect example that "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

They can analyze and dissect you. But, according to them, you can't do the same in return.

One word: HYPOCRISY.

Having said all of that, I've asked some questions directly to atheists and I have to admit that there are quite a few who are surprisingly honest. Also, the answers to some of my questions have been quite insightful and have given me lots to think about. Not about denying my faith, mind you, but about how to best answer their objections.

Welcome to the R&S section!

Answer 7

No, we're not all like that, but before you ask a question, you may want to check and see if a similar one has been asked before. Just a friendly suggestion.

Additionally, the 'what if atheists are wrong and Christians are right' is only logical if Christianity is the only religion. What if it turns out that the Jewish faith is the right one? Or the Muslims?

Answer 8

Well if you are new to R&S, Welcome!
This isn't your typical question and answer forum. Be prepared for the worst. Most of the regulars here are in the arguing mindset, and will read a question with that intention in mind. Most will become defensive, and some are just plain trolling. Don't take it to seriously =o)

Answer 9

before you ask a question, look at the many that have come before... people on both sides of this 24-7 debate forum (lets not kid ourselves... its not so much q&a) have read and responded too just about every question you can think of, especially those that concern "proving" or "disproving" the existence of God, evolution v. creation, and the divine inspiration/historical accuracy of the bible.

oh and look up pascal's wager... also research the arguments against it... some of these folks' livers need a rest.

Answer 10

I've been here for over a year. Usually on the Religious section. And sadly it's full of atheists and many are rude. If they had faith, then maybe their rudeness would cease. We can only pray for that. But I do agree with you, in that I started coming here to get answers to my questions about religions. about the Bible, about the Qur'an, about the Torah or about Buddhists, etc. I don't personally care why atheists don't believe and I don't want to hear their words of Christ bashing and such. It's getting old. Believers are here to learn from other believers.

I'm Catholic. Reborn. Returned to the Church 4 yrs ago. I study the Bible and belong to 2 study groups. I have friends that are Jews and Muslims that I have many interesting talks with. I love to learn! If you can't get answers without rudeness here, please feel free to email me. I do have many resources that I use as well. Sorry your first times here have been negative. Yesterday someone told me to never let an unbeliever to upset me. To say a quick pray to them and move on. So I'm giving that suggestion to you as well.

Peace!