why do atheist only seem to use Christianity when denying religion?

Question

every time I hear or read an atheist explain their belifes( or lack there of) they mostly use Christianity to explain why religion is not true. don't they no there are many other religions?


There are hundred of thousand of religions in the world yet they are never used in the debate of religion.

I would like to have a conversation or see a tv show that isn't the same anti-christianity. how about my religion?

its not the same as christianity by no means. yes there are creation tales like christianity but we know that they are just stories. but we still belive that there was something that created. and in the depths of my body I know there is a soul. and when I ask late in night for protection for myself and my family I know something has changed. and when people die yes there bodies decompose but there soul (energy) did not die but only move on.

maybe religion was made by humans to cope with the world but may be because we belive we created something thats real.

Just thinking here...
but I think its because christianity seem to want every one to follow it.
my people really don't care what others belive.
and atheist are defending themselfs from the religion that makes wants every one to do it there way or the highway.

ok just to put it out there I'm native american and follow the belifes in my tribe. I'm not a big fan of christianity because when they came a lot of us died.

so are atheist( and I know it's just lack of religion so every one is diffrent) like christians in the fact that they want every one there way or the highway?

in america before the outside world came there were many religions living with each other peacefully.

Answer 1

In my opinion you are generalizing atheists, probably from what you see here on Yahoo answers.

I am an engineer and a computer systems professional with many software certifications. As a result of my profession I tend to associate with a number of atheists.

The so called "atheists" here on Yahoo Answers R&S do not behave in any way, shape, or form like the atheists that I associate with as friends or co-workers.

Generally the arguments my associates have against religion in general has to do with empirical evidence. Since my work is all science based we tend to rely quite a bit on mathematic proofs or empirical evidence of conditions and/or results.

Since facts about beings are determined in Courts of Law, usually without empirical evidence, most of the atheists I know are willing to concede that a Court can determine a fact that they do not necessarily accept since they cannot reproduce the results. In other words, they offer a dissenting opinion, which is of course agreeable to me just as if a Court were to rule in opposition to my opinion I would have a dissenting opinion which would be fine with the atheists I know.

The point is, the atheists I know agree to disagree on issues without attempting to force their ideology on other people just as I do not attempt to force my ideology on other people.

The other thing about the atheists I know is that they "feel" discussions about religious ideology to be more of a waste of time than playing the latest computer game and they would never waste any where near as much time in ridiculous discussion on a position that cannot be established with empirical evidence on either side.

The opinions of atheists I know on religion as a whole can generally be stated in one or two lines. "Religion sucks" being the most commonly expressed ideology.

In my opinion anyone thinking, discussing or participating in religious "debate" as much as the "atheists" on YA! R&S are obviously seeking answers to their own questions on religion as opposed to having a firmly developed opinion on the issue.

There is one other thing I notice about the atheists I know personally that leads me to believe my opinion is correct. These atheists tend to believe that atheism is a decision reached by any intelligent person after sufficient review of the data, therefore, there is no need to proselytize for their religious ideology. Essentially the atheists I know believe that smart people will just become atheists and proselytizing will just put morons among their ranks.

This last belief seems entirely absent from the atheists on YA! R&S as well as "popular atheists". It appears that some people are jumping on an atheist band wagon in an attempt to prove their intellectualism. As soon as they open their mouths it become apparent they are not intellectuals, but, it apparently makes them feel like intellectuals while they seek out the religious answers they are looking for.

Answer 2

Aloha Bambi,

You bring up a valid question: "Why do atheist only seem to use Christianity when denying religion?" I can certainly see how it might appear that atheists are unfairly singling out Christianity.

The reason though is simple: Christianity is the #1 religion in the world with 2.1 billion followers (out of a population of 6.6 billion). In the U.S. alone, it represents close to 80%* of the population. For many, Christianity IS the face of religion just by nature of its dominance and size.

Additionally, unlike Judaism, or Islam, Christianity is based on "witnessing" or proselytizing non-Christians. This can turn a lot of people off. Atheists usually don't mind when believers don't bother anyone with their crazy ideas. It's when they start converting, judging and condemning everyone else that might bother atheists.

Lastly, it doesn't help Christianity's image that 4.5 billion of the planet's non-Christians are condemned to an eternity in hell for not accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. You can see why this might not ingratiate themselves with the non-believers. Not to mention the 100 billion or so planet dwellers that have lived and died on this earth to date, many living before JC even was alive, or living in remote parts of the world that have never even heard of him. You can understand why this might seem rather arbitrary and cruel to non-Christians and might antagonize them towards Christianity, right?

Answer 3

Atheism is not common in societies where religion is enforced. Most Christian Countries (outside of Africa) are open and tolerant so Atheists commonly live alongside Christians.

Also, it's rather futile trying to debate atheism with a Muslim or Sikh or Hindu because they seldom make any kind of concession to logic or rationality - unlike Christians.

And Atheism doesn't necessarily mean not believing in an afterlife, it's just a belief that there is no "supreme being" who controls us all.

Answer 4

islam and christianity are the biggest targets for atheists, because they are the only religions that are very clear that everybody has to agree with them in order to live a good life. Any religion that does not have the ambition to make everyone submit to the same god is not as threatening as a religion that is. Why do you think those two are the biggest in the world?

Answer 5

Perhaps because it's the religion many, or even most of the atheists underfoot here know best. For example, I came of age in the company of rabid 'Primitive Baptists.' But, give a look at Christopher Hitchers' 'God is Not Great,' in which that stormy Englishman shares his wrath with Islam.

Answer 6

I see people ask why us pagans and atheists seem to get along . Well atheists question Christianity because it's followers are very aggressive and often times rude and insist on their way or the highway, while other beliefs like Wicca and other pagan religions are tolerant t and do not try to convert and we do not promise hell to those we cannot control.
BB

Answer 7

You are incorrect.

Most atheists tend to spring up from either repulsion to a war between religions, or a fusion of religion and state, like in Europe during the reformation.

All religions produce atheists, notably Jewish Atheist, like Albert Einstien.

And Atheism is not an organized religion. Every atheist is in a different place with their view on the universe.

Answer 8

Atheist always target Christians because they believe in the God they hate which indicates that God exists. How can you hate something that does not exist. And why would you be angry at a group that believe in God if he does not exist? Isn't it a waste of time and energy to join a movement attacking someone that does not exist?

Answer 9

In the country where I live, Christianity is by far the most prevalent. It affects many aspects of my life. If I lived in a country where something else was equally as invasive, I would put more energy into criticizing that.

Answer 10

CZ Christianity is the most illogical religion
and Atheist only focus on logic