If an atheist can "tear down your beliefs", how solid were those beliefs to begin with?

Question

Almost daily, the question is asked : "why are atheists here?". Often, theists will state that atheists are only here to "tear down the beliefs and faith(s) of others".

If a theist's beliefs are shattered -- or even put into question -- by a question or an answer from an atheist, then how strong were those beliefs anyway?

Answer 1

I think we've already established that reasoning and logic won't work :P

Answer 2

You always ask great questions.....I for one don't have my beliefs shaken by atheists' questions...I enjoy the discourse, especially when questions (such as yours) are asked in an adult manner with no name calling. My answer to you would be that believers who ask that question take personally all the attacks and rude questions that some people ask and they get defensive....alot of the believers on here simply lack the sense of humor that alot of atheists have.

Answer 3

Yup I agree with you.
I love Atheist. They make me think and not blindly accept things that are told to me. They make me question and that has molded what I believe along with anyone who asks me questions. I like the hard ones. I don't follow the book, I follow my heart and atheist have a place there. Of course I'm married to one so that probably helps. :) While athiest and even Christians challenge my beliefs, they are not changed.

Answer 4

I find being questioned on my beliefs leads me to question them myself and (after some thought) strengthens them - until the next period of doubt.
Such is the nature of belief - questioning is healthy.
Best wishes,
Joan.

Answer 5

Good question Deke.....as always.

Not that I know everything about everything....believe me....I'm not an Einstein. But the truth is: You're right. If a believer can be swayed by an atheistic view, then it's my belief that that particular believer's beliefs were never truly grounded in Christ.....and therefore, easily shaken.

Believe me when I tell you, even as a born-again Christian......doubts creep in sometimes. It's simply a ploy of the enemy though.....he's been defeated already.

Answer 6

"tearing down" as you put it, does not mean that the theists beliefs have been shaken, it only means that the atheists are only here to attack and deride believers.

Everyone has a right to express themselves and we should not lose ourselves when they do. Atheists should remember this when they object to public (or even private) displays of anothers beliefs. Freedom of speech should be protected at all cost.

Answer 7

I wondered this too. I used to use the name 'Mysticathiest' but quit because of so many negative reactions to the name.

I kept being told I shouldn't rob people of their rightful place in heaven.

One person even called me Satan and accused me of all sorts of BS. I do not use that name much anymore due to the wierd reactions it provokes.

Answer 8

i dont know becuase i cant relate to that. my faith is too strong and i have not doubted once due to anyone on here. if anything it just strengthens my beliefs and further proves that other religions or atheism are wrong and mislead theories.

Answer 9

Very good question! A point I try to make often about just about anything... nobody can change your mind on anything but YOU.

_()_

Answer 10

I read a quote by a catholic priest several years ago that basically said fundamentalists are that way, not because of their faith, but their lack of faith. They need to "put up walls" around their religion so nothing can get in that might cause them to think too much. I wish I still had the quote. If anyone knows it, please email me with it.

Answer 11

Amen, my atheistic friend. Jesus described these folks as lacking "roots" in His "Parable of the Sower."