Some atheists think every religion and person try to force them into believing in God. Sure, some people do that, but aren't you contradicting yourself by trying to tell religious people that they shouldn't believe?
2007-07-08 16:37:58 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don’t care what others believe in! I'm just worried about myself and that’s it. Like i dont care what you believe in.
2007-07-08 16:43:00 · answer #1 · answered by .:Miss. Dawkins:. 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it's the official creed of Atheists to believe that everyone's forcing their opinions on everyone else. Technically, Atheists just have one belief - there is no God.
What is happening, unfortunately, is that Atheists are riding the Science Wave. Most people in this world believe science is truth. It's very hard, therefore, for Atheists to contain their disbelief when a religious person tries to believe something solely on faith. Atheists believe that a person who trusts only faith is cutting themselves off from exploring other explanations. Atheists tend to have an innate curiosity for how things work, and get frustrated when religions shut themselves off from science. I don't think they are purposely trying to "convert" people, however.
So... long story short - my answer would be "no."
2007-07-08 16:47:50 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's very rare that atheists believe all religion is a dangerous thing. The more common belief is simply that they don't care what people believe as long as it is not pushed onto others.
So no, it's not really a contradiction.
2007-07-08 16:44:01 · answer #3 · answered by Kharm 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I haven't met an Atheist before that is actively seeking converts. Some of the friends that I have made that are Atheists are respectful of the beliefs of others. They usually aren't mad at all religions for trying to convert them either since many religions don't actively seek converts like some types of Christianity.
2007-07-08 16:44:16 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, I haven't heard one Wiccan trying to force their views on me--and I'm married to one. In actuality, it's only the Christians who just can't seem to control themselves. "In God we trust." "One nation under God." Raising your right hand and taking an oath on the Bible in a courtroom (which, thanks largely to Atheist effort, isn't as commonplace these days). Not being able to join the Boy Scouts if you're Atheist.
And in history! Some of the bloodiest wars! The Thirty Years' War. The Holocaust. The Inquisition. The Crusades. Atheists have yet to wage one single war for the sake of religion. In fact, I haven't heard of any other reason, either. It's that funny "life is all we have there is no afterlife" vibe of ours that keeps us from wanting to kill everyone, I guess.
Has it ever occured to you that we'd prefer a sane world? I mean, come on and compare camps, kiddo! Who do we kill? No one. How do we insert our beliefs into laws and schools? We don't. (Removing Christianity is not the same as inserting Atheism. It's opening the door to rationality.) How are Atheists doing in holding back stem cell research? Oops! We aren't!
Ever get an Atheist chain mail in your email box? No? Hmm.
How about having to remove Atheist flyers from under your windshield wiper? No again, huh? That's weird.
Get offended because we're burning Bibles? Actually, we aren't. Book burning is Christian territory.
I could go on, but I'm forgetting what your point was. It seems you no longer have one.
2007-07-08 16:57:19 · answer #5 · answered by writersblock73 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Great question - a star for you! Of course, that's just one Christian's point of view. It's not that they think we shouldn't believe that is so frustrating, it's that they think we're less than intelligent - kind of like all the people who were certain that the earth was flat called everyone who ascribed to the spherical theory heretics. Blinders can be worn by anyone - including atheists. Narrowmindedness knows no boundaries.
Peace.
2007-07-08 16:45:42 · answer #6 · answered by Patti R 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There's no contradiction.
If some of the people who believe the earth is flat try to convince others, does that make trying to get people to understand it's not flat a contradiction?
Read Letter to a Christian Nation.
2007-07-08 16:43:20 · answer #7 · answered by Dreamstuff Entity 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
a few people from some religions want everybody else (atheist or not) to convert to what they think is the "right" way, and when they come to me i question their beliefs and state why i don't believe in what they do. everybody's free to rant, but i'm free to reply as i see fit.
are you stating that i should just shut up and wait when someone else goes to explain their benefits of their beliefs and tries to get me to convert just coz they think they're right all the time...
i do not however go about door to door or anything like that telling people to stop believing, and i keep my views on religion and all that to myself unless the conversation, or the question here, turns to them.
i do not however react well to self righteous speeches.
2007-07-08 17:00:44 · answer #8 · answered by implosion13 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What you have described is indeed a contradiction.
And I am guilty of trying to get some believers to think about and challenge their faith.
While I do not appreciate it, I do understand why a religious person would try to convert me. In fact, I often (quietly, to myself) question the faith of any close person who would not try to convert me because if they believe in heaven/hell and the consequences of atheism, why wouldn't they expend great energy in trying to save my soul?
Because they don't want to be a nuisance? Probably, but would it really be a bother if it were to save my eternal soul? I'd thank them in the afterlife.....
2007-07-08 16:51:59 · answer #9 · answered by blooz 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think Atheists should tell religious people not to believe
I don't think Religious people should tell gay and lesbian people not to be the way they are
I don't think Religious people should tell women what they should do with their bodies, or oppress them with barbaric customs
I don't think members of one one religion should call another religion "wrong" or "satanic" or it's members "infidels"
In the world of Religion, contradiction abounds.
That said, I'm one person, it's(still, sort of) a free country and I can't stop anyone from doing anything.
PS..I'm not an atheist
2007-07-08 16:53:40 · answer #10 · answered by Divadarya: trans n' proud 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Most atheists don't tell others what they should believe. Read carefully.
BTW, what would be the contradiction in trying to convert people who were trying to convert you?
2007-07-08 16:48:13 · answer #11 · answered by gelfling 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋