I understand why atheists?

Question

often feel animosity towards Christian Fundies, their judgmental remarks and telling people they will go to hell etc, combined with a feeling of frustration that not one satisfactory answer has been given as to why you choose to believe the whole Christianity thing.

What is the basis of the animosity Fundemental christians often feel towards atheists?
This question is not really for the people who don't feel this animosity, I'm not trying to bait anyone, I'm just curious, for those who do post nasty remarks towards atheists, what is it about us atheists that make you dislike us so much.?

I feel that by telling people they are sinners or will go to hell you must make some people very sad. I also believe it stands in the way of a more peaceful existence for all

Jon B, you are wrong in assuming that I used the phrase fundamental to imply that christians are closed minded. I used the word Fundamental to differentiate between two very different types of Christian, one type I understand the motivation of, i.e. a desire/need for a kindly and benevolent figure head to guide them. The other, i.e. Fundemental a brain washed, intollerant hate filled person.

Answer 1

Atheist/agnostic lifestyle acknowledges that capable human beings are ultimately responsible for their own actions and this simply does not compute for fundamentalists of any religion. The ingenuity, logic and wisdom of atheists was developed over eons and refutes any need to bow to the overreaching and nonsensical rationale of doctrine. It should be one’s own decision to be a good person and not a decision formed due to the promise of fanciful reward or the threat of eternal damnation. Atheism threatens the lifestyle of religious persons, their smug prejudices, and their potential to shape society in the name of their god as they see fit.

Answer 2

Most of these people are not really Christians at all. They have passed from practising the Christian religion into being fundamentalists and there is a huge difference.

Apart from preaching Hell and damnation you will notice their holier than thou, only I can be right attitude. It is quite common for these zealots to say the Pope or other senior religious figures are wrong! They hate atheists but do not even criticise other religions that do not believe as they do! And of course the hatred, and extremism is nothing whatsoever to do with Christian principals or Gods word - that comes from misguided humans!!!

No child will learn from parents or teachers who constantly criticise them and most will rebel against it. This sadly is probably why the churches are emptying so fast at the present time.

But there are an awful lot of good Christians out there that believe in the loving, inclusive and forgiving God. They talk quietly about gods love and can discuss all points of religion sensibly with no egotism. Whats more they accept and get on with atheists and other religions.

Answer 3

I totally understand what your saying. If a hindu came in my face and said if i don't praise there Gods i'd come back to life as a dung beetle I would get really annoyed. People who say things like that misrepresent what christianity is about.

I personally don't feel animosoty towards athiests (as that would mean i'd hate almost everyone I know)
But if you look on yahoo answers and see the constant stream of abuse athiests send christians way, you might seem to understand.
I know not all athiests do it but in the same way not all christians come in peoples faces and preach.

As for nasty remarks about athiests that's more than likely down too frustration or just simply them not being real christians.
In some ways both sides are as bad as each other, as there are good and bad athiests and good and bad christians. But its like the childish game of "he started it, no she started it".

Hope i've helped you understand it a lil' better

Answer 4

I am an aethiest _ I truley dispise irrational argument and 'belief' systems. Including all forms of magic and myth - (love the games and movies)

I do not feel animosity toward believers any more than I do toward any other group of fanatics- Bird watchers, surfers, football fans, golf fanatics, fashion addicts, gym heads...

Live and let live - my way is right for me - your way isn't - plainly there is not a God nor Fairies nor Angels nor Harry Potter nor Nazgul nor are their many gods - fact is people right about them and fictionalise real events into Myth. I know that Troy existed and I know that there was a war betwixt the Greek states for control of it - I also know that certain events were given added flourish with the interventions of Apollo, Athena, Hera, Artimese etc - are these myths any truer than yours or JK Rowlins. Not in my world - but hey you are welcome to hold your own - Just don't impose it on me and mine. I have no idea if the path you have chosen is right for you but that's your lookout - not mine.

I have chosen a path of rationality tinged with a goodly dollop of ethics and social morality.

You keep praying - I'll pass the ammunition.

Answer 5

I am sure if we were in an actual room, we would probably all get a long much better. It's easy to hide behind our computers.
I see some very nasty comments flying from all sides in this place (not just from the Christians to the atheists or whom ever). I don't quite understand how some can be so rude and disrespectful.
Their whole purpose of asking questions is to make people angry--not to think.

Answer 6

I do not feel 'dislike' for atheist. As amatter of fact, I am somewhat irratated with many 'Christians' as 'tests' have been put in 'Christianity' and that have not been identified by other 'Christians' and thrown out; result a very divided 'Christianity' worldwide at present to God's disgust. Another result; atheists are being attacked by many others with a wrongly divided word of God.

Answer 7

This is a 2 sided coin.

SIDE 1
The Christian believes the only path to Heaven is through belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior. I need a Savior because I understand I am sinful being that cannot win God's graces without Jesus Christ. I agree there are better methods in extending my christian believes then to point a finger and condemning atheists to Hell. However, my beliefs says that you are.

SIDE 2
I feel your objection is phrased to imply that Christians are close minded (hence the term fundamentalists). I disagree totally. We have strong conviction that we base our life on. Convictions that cannot drift, or else, we compromise our connection with God. An open minded person cannot have convictions, as they must accept everyone and everything. If you do admit to convictions, then you must be close minded about something. An atheist then is close minded on religion, because you are not open minded about a God that you need to get to heaven. (Essentially you cannot call me close minded because I believe, yet you are not close minded because you do not believe. Not logical.)

Therefore, if an atheist fundamentalist wishes to feel bad about a statement a christian posts saying they are a sinner and going to hell; then I would suggest that atheist fundy consider his posting regarding the non-existence of my God.

Answer 8

Most christians are most unchristian like when it comes to us athiests - I fully support your questioning of those principles that they purport, which are not universal but arbitrary. Those of faith are misled, there is no god. As individuals we don't need religion to make us good people. Being godless does not necessarily lead to being evil or a sinner - I know loads of athiests who are perfectly decent human beings, and have also met christians who are not.

Answer 9

Delusions of persecution, it's a common occurance among Christian populations. Some people feel threatened by those who don't believe. I truly believe that Christianity can be a form of paranoid schizophrenia.

Answer 10

I'm not an Atheist, and I am not a Christian in the traditional sense.

Your question is good.

I hope to see some thoughtful, enlightening answers.