Why do Atheists waste their time submitting answers that will be disregarded by Believers?

Question

Severeal Atheists on Yahoo! Answers, I have noticed, spend much of their time answering questions asked by Believers. And what do most of these answers submitted by non-believers consist of? Insulting and/or words attempting to persuade us to stop believing. To me, it's utterly ridiculous that they'd even try such a thing. And the fact that they become so annoyed when people with religion try to force their beliefs on them; then they turn right around and basically do the same exact thing to us! Can we say "hypocrites" much?!

I would never spend an iota of my time approaching an Atheist or a person of a religion different than my own and telling them what they should believe in, so I'd greatly appreciate if people would stop doing that to me.

novangelis, I have had a couple of accounts here before. Besides, even if I hadn't, I can still read other questions and answers submitted by other users (as well as my past two questions).

Perhaps I should add that I am not Christian (for those who keep assuming)??? I am of no actual religion at the moment, for I've yet to revert to the religion of my interest (Islam).

For anyone to try and force their beliefs on a person is annoying and silly. I am aware of the fact that Atheists are not the only people capable of doing this! And I will also add that I, too, find interest in some of the answers provided by Atheists. It's when they submit answers such as, "Stop wasting your time believing in an imaginary thing!" that really gets me.

Answer 1

To start with, I'm an atheist. I don't believe in god, or any holy entity for that matter. I also spend an inordinate amount of time with my friends or teachers discussing religion. Granted, I state my beliefs, and they state theirs. However, I don't consider it an attempt to force anyone's ideas upon anyone. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and disrespecting that basic right is... not good. What I do is merely a discussion.
These arguments you refer to begin when people simply start to get emotional. Intolerance is ubiquitous, and history itself has shown us this. Against the Jews, against "colored" people, against other ethnic races. Its a sad fact of life, but there will always be people like this. Arguing one's religion is not as severe as those, but it certainly is a form of intolerance, which is exacerbated by the fact that the two concepts are mutually exclusive.
I'm sorry if you have become frustrated with this type of argument. All i can recommend is that you simply disregard people who start hurling insults, and try to engage in an "exchange of ideas" when someone wishes to debate the issue.

Answer 2

It's all a matter of ego, both on the part of atheists and Christians who engage in the same behavior from the other direction.
Most atheists would never say the things to Christians in the real world that they say to them in cyberspace, likewise for Christian speaking to atheists.
These people believe they can be completely hurtful, rude and rotten to people because they are in cyberspace and when it comes to this kind of behavior the people who call themselves Christian should really know better. If they are Christian they should know that God is in cyberspace too.
As for answering questions what's wrong with that. I often engage in dialog with atheists. A respectful atheist or Christian can provide a good conversation.
Your question might better have been, "Why do people have to be so nasty." The answer lies in fear and a complete lack of ability to provide any sort of thought-out answer to the question asked.

Answer 3

Why do believers submit questions at all when they already think they know the answer?

This is an open forum. If you don't like the answers you get then don't ask the questions.

Is your faith so fragile that it can't stand up to someone stating a contrary opinion? Do you really need the perpetual feedback of other believers agreeing with your every word to sustain you in your deluded world?

Have you got such a narrow-minded and brainwashed view of the world that you're not even interested in the fact that not everyone shares your laughable concept of the world around you? How can religionists claim to be anything other than the most narrow-minded hypocrites when they refuse even to listen to what others have to say?

Have you never heard of turning the other cheek?

Answer 4

So, it's just atheists now is it? Last I remember, I was told that I'd convert at the last second to Christianity just so I could be happy. I'm happy now, I don't need religion in my life.

I admit, I have seen a couple atheists lose their tempers, but I've seen many believers force religion onto non-believers. Believing that all atheists are like that is wrong. You're just listening to the atheist stereotypes.

Answer 5

You are a rare Christian if you "would never spend an iota of my time approaching and Atheist ... telling them what they should believe." Telling other people what to believe is a sport for most Christians. That is why the try and make laws about gay marriage and abortion, or get their mythology taught in the public schools.

Besides, it is is an open forum, atheist offer the other side of the topic that a believer may not have considered before.

Answer 6

Making laws that force people to abide by Christian doctrine is "forcing beliefs". Answering a question on Yahoo is not. Surely you can see the difference.

I personally don't care what you all believe as long as you keep it out of the schools and the law books.

Answer 7

I know what you're talking about, and I know there are some really stupid Atheists on here that go around answering every question as "There is no god" or something similar to that.

There are some smart ones on here, that don't try to make you stop believing, but to say what they have to say to certain questions, especially those about Atheists.

Do you know how many believers are trying to get Atheists to believe or telling them that they will burn in hell?
Do you know how annoying it is?

Do you also know how annoying it is to use the same answer over and over again because some believers just don't get it?

Answer 8

What is Yahoo Answers for, if not to conversate with those who think differently than you do? They must believe it is somehow useful to discuss a subject from opposite points of view. Perhaps they believe that they'll learn something, or that someone else in the conversation will learn something.

If you're wanting to discuss the Bible with people who share your views, I think Bible Study would be appropriate. Personally, I enjoy seeing opinions from a variety of people. Variety is the spice of life...

Answer 9

H & S : Atheists do not know any "better"; whereas, Christians are supposed to both, know "better" and accomodate those who differ with them. "Tact" - not AT"tack" is the hint. Because God as afforded the opportunity of a spiritual relationship to His elect now, does not make everyone His elect -YET ! It is of God's own choosing, that humans are elected by Him to become disciples ["learners"] (see: John, chapter 6, verse 44). When people attempt to convert or change others, trouble is a natural consequence. Christians need to leave the converting in God's hands - where is your faith, within yourself ? Preaching or proclaiming the Gospel is a message not an exercise in converting others. I'm a Christian and we all have a lot of spiritual maturity to attain to . Your observation is correct "Hide & Seek" - shoving one's beliefs down anyone throat will ultimately, do more harm than good. Christians need to practice what they preach FIRST without employing threats of "hell" to those who dare to differ with him or her. God is in the SAVING business - not the "I'm going to get him or her" business.

Answer 10

Sorry honey but it's an open forum. Atheists have just as much right to state their opinions as everyone else does.

As far as "utterly ridiculous", have you read any of the posts from Christians trying to make people believe in their magic story? "Oh you have to believe or you burn in the bad scary place forever". Puhlease.