Why do atheists constantly bait Christians...?

Question

Why do atheists constantly bait Christians on the Religion & Spirituality site when they are neither religious nor spiritual?

I copied this Christian's question directly out of a responding answer to another question.

It's a fair inquiry, I'd say, and it deservs a fair response.

So my fellow atheists, how do we respond? What are some of our reasons for questioning the validity of god and what complaints do we attach to the practices of christianity and the other god-based religions.
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Answer 1

Randy,

Whew! For a second there I'd thought you'd gone to the dark side on me.

As to why I might bait or engage the opposition in games of intellectual curiosity - in a nut shell - to get them to think for themselves.

"Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thoughts on the unthinking."
— John Maynard Keynes

"Christians! shake off the supineness which your priests have created in you; dare to think for yourselves, nor suppose your God can be pleased with the sacrifice of your reason. The bended knee is not the attitude for study. Read the Bible with the eye of criticism nor of faith. Suspend your devotions, and reflect on the reception of your past petitions. Ask no more till they are granted."
— Emma Martin, (1812-1851)

Answer 2

Because people think too much of themselves. So many people who came before us have wrestled and killed over these same ideas, and for whatever reason joe the athiest, or mary the christian girl wakes up one morning think they have the answer to life. Don't get it confused, I am a Christian, but I don't think I have all of the answers, I believe in something bigger than myself, that's why I don't act like I have all the answers, I have faith... and i'm smart enough to realize I don't know everything in the world, and denying the existence of God is foolish to me, because only a fool knows, a wise man considers. By the way, you baited Christians, you're obviously an athiest.

Answer 3

Hey it`s fun for a lot of people.What do you expect from a site like this?If i ask a question and get 20 answers i know that I`m gonna get 5 from trolls,5 people sayin what"or i dunno,5 that go off on a tangent and 5 that i can use to base an overstandin on.It aint just on this particular category but contentious issues tend to attract people for various reasons.At the end of the day my faith and beleifs are strong enough to take the abuse thrown at them......i dont know about other peoples though

Answer 4

Why do we question God? Personally, I want to be able to know how things work- to gain understanding. Religion is one of those things, and I dislike the fact that people act as if this is an unquestionable "truth"

The reason for my being here is to discuss religion and spirituality. Just like how people who don't play in professional sports can still discuss them, and how people who don't do drugs can discuss people who do.

Mostly, though, this section has made me wish that people would care more about the truth than their own beliefs and would be more open...

Oh, and even if a bible is the "word of god", its effects are on the lives of humans. Think about religious zealots and don't tell me that I shouldn't be able to question and discuss religious beliefs.

Answer 5

If it were just questioning the validity of God and complaints about the practices of Christianity (when they're actually Christian practices and not something someone does that says they are Christian) there wouldn't be a problem. That's rarely what we see around here though. I have no problem in addressing valid questions, but they're few and far between.

Answer 6

Atheism is a religious belief, the only difference between us and Christians is that we believe that there is nothing out there to believe in. Just because it's different doesn't mean we don't belong in R&S.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, but they have done more than their fair share of baiting too, so folks living in glass houses shouldn't be chucking rocks.

Answer 7

The same reason why Christians are constantly infringing in on the lives of Atheists. Whats the ratio of Christians that Bible-thump conversion on unbelievers to Christians that live a Christ-like life and Inspire non-believers to embrace their faith by their free-will. The former is the best known type of Christians. The former also seems to be the way of St. Paul who's never physically lived with Jesus but spoke to his "Ressurected body".... isn't communicating with spirits and zombies punishable by stoning? ( How do we know that Spirit wasnt a disguised demon or satan?), the latter was the way Jesus preached and lived his life.... How many of Paul's disciples do we remember? And how many of Jesus' disciples do we remember? Why follow Paul more than Jesus?

Those inspired into a faith are usually sturdy, strong and sincere. Those that are badgered and pressured in.... one little hitch and they will backslide faster than an avalanche

Answer 8

There is no proof at all of a god. The stories of the old testament don't make much sense. I mean:
a big arc, all of those animals wouldn't be able to live.
parting a river, thats not possible
Adam and Eve, evolution
and many more
We have proof against them but they have no proof for their ideas. They also say it's their faith, which is fake too.
Here's a fun question to ask: Can god make a rock heavier than he can lift?

Answer 9

I am not atheist nor am I a christian...I am a deist. With that being said, I believe we should always question Christians and each other. Whatever the religion, there is a "bible" to follow and bibles vary with the different religions. Bibles are the word of man, not the word of God. Christians should welcome any and all questioning of their faith, it should help them understand why they believe the way they do.

Answer 10

Well, I'm just an observer, but I would say that fishermen throw out their bait because they hare hoping for a bite. I think people who throw out "bait" do so because they have been successful in getting "bites" in the past.