How come even mentioning God gets people attacked?

Question

It's sad to me that while looking through people's questions and every time they mention God they are attacked because of their religious views. At the same time when someone makes an atheist comment they are immediately attacked by "Christians" who tell them they are going to hell.
I find it sad that I can't voice my religious views without being verbally abused. I have even been told to "go choke on a Bible" because I asked a question of evangelism. I was in tears because I felt like a bad person for being who I am.
Also I'm embarrassed to see the hateful word's tossed around by people who claim to be Christ followers. I believe that my religion is built on love. I believe that God exists and only he can judge people.
So why is it so hard to respect people who believe things you don't or don't believe things you do?

I put the word Christian in quotations because I question whether those arrogant people really know what it means to be one.

My religion is the most most important thing in my life. To some that may sound stupid but that's just how I am. But there is no way I will put down another religious group because it is disgusting to see someone mistreat ANYONE OF ANY RELIGION so poorly. People deserve to be treated with respect.
Also I'm sorry to those of you who think of me as a believer in fantasies. You can't prove to me there is no God anymore than I can convince you there is so I apologize for being offensive in any way but I do not apologize for what I believe.

Answer 1

That's why I dislike even using the word God because in our culture their is so much negative energy attached to the Word "God" that people don't even pause a minute to contemplate what God really is they simple jump on the band wagon of the standard negative Atheist or limited Christian perspective and fly from there. There is no other possibilities in their minds and it is a done deal.

Em you are courageous and show integrity in your words. You stand in your own truth without feeling the need to denigrate others beliefs. Blessings be upon you!

I do dislike to generalize but I have seen an overall trend in both groups on this site. I know it is not true of all souls in either group. If only all could move to a position of respect and integrity as you have we would have all come a very long way.

Answer 2

Maybe they're threatened by you because you seem honest and kind and loving - qualities of the ideal Christian.
People don't seem to like me to much either - I'm not Christian though. (I'm not saying I have the right to be dishonest and rude though - thats what it sounded like when I read my answer over)
I got embarassed today for a similar reason. I belong to a Pro-life organisation and a woman from our group was telling the Clinic 'death-scorts' that they were filthy Pagans. I said 'I'm a Pagan and I'm protesting right beside you!" to the woman. So I am being smeared with an innacurate name of killing and hatred.
The point is you know who YOU are, not who other people are smearing the name with.
A situation involving being very upset about people here: A man on Answers had represented his and my ancestor's culture in a very offensive and stereotypical way. I yelled at him and got tons of hate mail. Drove me down for a month!
Don't let it do the same to you! If you beleive in Christ, then beleive with all your heart. People who say these things aren't being respectful. You're very right.
I think you have your head in the right place. I only have trouble respecting people when they tell me I'll burn for all eternity, or I need major medication.

Blessings,
~Raven

Answer 3

I really try to answer serious questions seriously and questions purely meant to bait accordingly.

I am an atheist and a druid. I read the bible along with many other religious and spiritual texts. I have many questions to ask about these texts but I don't because I know I will have to wade through too many stupid, insulting answers.

When I started here several days ago I thought I could get some real insight but I've learned that it just won't happen here.

Answer 4

Listen, that kind of thing has been around for ages. While true, God is love, what would you do if your enemy attacked your son or daughter? The world will, I repeat WILL hate you for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. Futhermore, telling somebody that the wages of sin is death (separation from G-d), is not judgment. If you were murdering people for money and I told you that because the Bible says "thou shall not murder" that if you don't repent of it that you are going to a place of utter torment, I am not judging you, I'm warning you of the consequences of your actions.

As far as the verbal abuse, it's better that what they get across seas. In some places, it's illegal to be a Christian and punishable by death. Look at Steven in the book of Acts. He was stoned for his stand for Christ. Not to mention all the others in the Bible who were tortured. John the Revelator was boiled and oil until the ones who done it couldn't bear it anymore and exiled him to the Isle of Patmose where he wrote Revelations. Would you be able to stand for Christ and the Gospel under those conditions???

Answer 5

Part of the problem is the forum in which the discussion is happening. Yahoo Answers is probably not the most appropriate place to have serious religious and philosophical discussions.

Many people are here just waiting to start an argument. If you want a serious, respectful conversation, a yahoo group that is moderated might be more appropriate.

Answer 6

We as atheists should not have to respect irrational belief. I would not expect you to respect my belief if I told you that I believe in unicorns or the boogeyman. There is no more reason to believe in God than there is to believe in unicorns or the boogeyman. It should not be taboo to criticize religion any more than it should be taboo to criticize any belief that does not have solid reasons.

But why be so harsh you may ask? Because religion is completely divisive and has caused so many problems. Look at Israel and Palestine. They are killing each other because of differences in religious beliefs. They hold them so true to their hearts without any real evidence to believe what they do.

"But I'm not like them, I don't kill anybody". Perhaps not. But when we conclude that we must be politically correct and respect everybody's beliefs, we cannot have any open discourse to criticize religious belief. We don't intend to offend but we get frustrated when people won't listen to reason. How frustrated would you get if you could not convince me that 2 + 2 equals 4. That is how I often feel when trying to argue my points about religion.

Answer 7

The thing to do is to pray for those that don't believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the name of Jesus Christ. Some believe and some don't. There are different types of faith but there is one true God. Most people defends what they believe in. But the true word don't come back void and can defend itself! As servents of God we are to read to show ourselves approval, rightly dividing his word or else we error. By taking on the holy spirit we are equipped to answer and correct error through Gods word as he speak through us giving us what to say at that appointed time. We offend people when we bring on words with strife and harshness. As Paul said, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. And How can two walk together unless they agree? The enemy may live in one person and the holy spirit may live in another. So there is a war going on between good and evil.

Answer 8

God Bless you Em...

I agree, there are those who cannot disagree without dropping the f-bomb or other derisive words. And they are on all sides of the equation.

I don't mind being called to task on things, if the person asking is sincere and respectful. I will not back down on my faith, and I don't really expect others to truly change their minds because of what I say. I only hope that the Holy Spirit can use my words to plant seeds in people's heart. I try to be respectfull of other's opinions, but when it comes to salvation, I think the stakes are too high to be silent.

I say what I say to people out of honest love for them...I don't want to see people burn in hell because I held my tongue or because I said the wrong thing.

If that is wrong, then I apologize in advance.

Answer 9

How come even saying one doesn't believe god exists gets people attacked? So why is it so hard to respect people who believe things you don't or don't believe things you do?

Puts a whole new spin on your question, doesn't it. You answer that and I'll answer yours.

Answer 10

Good question. I think people can be ignorant, meaning they just don't know enough about one thing or another, so they hate it. Please don't ever be sad about what people say on here. I feel that as a Chrstian, we should accept everyone as equal. So I wont judge anyone because that is GODs job, and if you don't agree with me than that's fine, it doesn't make you better or worse.