What's so bad about letting people believe?

Question

It seems that a few atheists on here are determined to prove God doesn't exist. Why? Is believing in God hurting anybody? When I was little, I had nobody really...my parents were both alcoholics and drug addicts. Jesus was the only friend I had. It helped me, believing in him. In an odd way, Jesus saved my life...at one point in my life, I was very depressed. Suicidal even. But because I believed in an after life, I never did kill myself...I was afraid of what would happen after. I really think that if I had been an atheist, I wouldn't be here right now.

I know this goes both ways, atheists trying to convince believers and believers trying to convince atheists. But, believers do it because they're scared for you...why do atheists do it?

Answer 1

"It seems that a few atheists on here are determined to prove God doesn't exist. Why?"

Well some theist, specifically fundies(regardless of religion) are more determined to prove that God exist.

"Why? Is believing in God hurting anybody?"

Some beliefs/religion are willing to take your freedom away, these religions doesn't deserve any respect, luckily for us there are just the minority, see Westboro Church.

"But, believers do it because they're scared for you...why do atheists do it?"

I believe atheist are less likely to commit suicide because they know that this is the only life they are going to get(there's no second chance anymore)....suicide bombers happened to be theist and have the strongest faith in afterlife..ever heard of the belief of the 72 virgins in heaven ??

Answer 2

As an atheist I can actually answer this question.



Atheists try to convince people that god does not exist because there is so much factual evidence against it. People who believe so wholeheartedly that something is true, tend to gray out the areas that don't exactly fit with their story. We as atheists aren't trying to convince you to NOT believe, we're trying to show you that some of the facts don't fit. We're trying to open your eyes to the world around you, not just your fantasy world where there is always a god to fall back upon. I know that sounds a little harsh, and I think that it's great that you didn't kill yourself, but I think that's a terrible way to try to convince someone that Jesus was anything more than a very very nice man.



one last thing: who says atheists don't believe in an afterlife? I think that you need to be more well informed about other religions before coming to a desision on what you should try to convince people to believe.

Answer 3

I am not a Atheist and I am not a follower of the god of Abraham (Christian, Catholic, Islam, Jew, and all the many other denominations).

I am very excited for you that you have found a religion that makes you happy.

There are a number of hurtful selfish people who post mean things on Y!A. I just ignore them; they are inevitable on a public board.

I do often side with Atheists on political issues, though (and many Christians do as well) which is part of why so many Atheists express their views on here.
Some Christians want to litigate their beliefs. Not only is that frightening to the many non-Christians in this country, but most Christians do not want to be told by the government/law HOW to be a Christian and what Christian things they can or cannot do.
Unfortunately many Christians are also very ignorant of their own faith. Being Christian does NOT automatically make you an expert on faith. Knowledge is not the enemy of Christianity; it does, however, require you to recognize the dark history that comes along with the loving teachings of your faith. Many people (including Christians) are frightened of how religion (not just Christianity) has been used as an excuse for horrible acts of violence, and, even worse, is continuing to be used that way.

Love your god. Follow your religion. Help keep ALL religions out of the government. Most importantly, help keep power out of the hands of those who would use their religion for violence.

Answer 4

You did not kill yourself because you were afraid for you. I am an atheist but I can honesty tell you that, in a way, I envy you. It must give one great peace of mind to truly believe, it is a sad fact that most world religions do not really teach the faith in a truthful way. How can one take the example of a priest swinging a smoking lamp and chanting in a dead language, seriously? I had to attend church and Sunday School when I was younger but as I became more educated I used my own mind to make decisions and the Book of Genesis was too ridiculous to swallow. Jesus said, " I am in no need of priests any who claim to represent me, where so ever two or more gather in my name, that place is my Church."

Answer 5

It is ironic that atheism is, itself, a faith. Just as there is no physical proof that God exists, there is no physical proof that God does NOT exist -- an atheist has to take the LACK of God on faith. If one is going to figure out the universe by reason and logic alone, one will end up an agnostic.

There are a group of atheists who insist that faith is bad, because it causes those who have it to try to convert everyone else to their religion. While they are complaining, they are trying to convert everyone else to THEIR religion, atheism.

I believe that atheists try to convert others to their religion for the same reason that many, but not all, religionists do the same: because they are uncertain of their position, and having others believe with them makes them feel more secure.

A person's beliefs are between them and God, and should be left that way. Oh, sure, answer questions, and tell people that you have faith -- or no faith. But, it's wrong to try to pound your beliefs, whatever they are, into anyone else. Many Christians have confused "witnessing" with "proselytizing."

The best way to spread your faith is to live your life by the teachings of your faith. If you do this, you will be SHOWING the right way, rather than preaching it, and people will naturally ask you about how you got that cool. Honest. Of course, the HARD part is actually living by the tenets of your faith.

Answer 6

I find this question very interesting because I asked a similar question. Mine was, "Why are Christians threatened by Wiccans, Pagans, etc...". I hope you find what you seek. If I may suggest, from my gathered information, you cannot change others, but can adjust your responses. Yes, there is much negativity from every different group toward others; yet, what I learned is by using these words in your questions, are we not perpetuating this anger, fueling the fire-so to speak? I am much more mindful of my word choices now because I do not want to offend anyone...just hope to open a few minds, and share my thoughts, learn something of myself and others to become a better person. I might have worded your question as, "Can you accept me for believing something different? " I also, mean you no disrespect...just sharing my lessons learned.

Answer 7

There is no Harm in It, I get very upset when hear Atheists telling people not to believe, because you do not really know that persons state of mind, and them believing at the moment there is nothing to life, then tell them their is nothing to death, well, to a depressed person that just may be the thing they need to hear to pull the trigger. I wish people would stop and think before saying anything.

Answer 8

If the religious people keep their own religion to their church, I don't have any axe to grind. The conservatives always try to impose their belief and morality on other people by influencing the political process. When they try to impose the teaching of creationism in high school as science, we scientists can no longer maintain our silence. We have to speak out.

Since they try to break apart evolution, I want to break apart their religion. I will show what their religion really is. I am telling people that the Christian god demanded his own son as a human sacrifice to atone the sin of humans, rather than forgiving Adam and Eve.

Answer 9

Well since they dont have God, their facts are the only thing they do have. So they make sure the word get s out or all the reaserach and 'hard work' will be a waste. I think it is just sad that people would put so much time into 'not' believing in God

Answer 10

Well, I'm not atheist, but have labelled 'nonbeliever'. I had a simliar situation to you, but with different circumstances.

I can't speak for everyone, but I know I get angry when people tell me I'm a demon-worshipper and say they'll pray for me. Especially after what happened to me in the past 6 years.