Who else is saddened by the intolerance shown to atheists on this site.?

Question

I always try to be respectful when responding to questions regardless of anyone's beliefs.. yet seem to receive the worst abuse from so-called Christians. What is it with all this taunting and preaching?

If they don't want to know what we honestly believe - why do they invite it?

Sorry, maybe I just needed to get this off my chest.

Leo...I'm not talking about God...I'm talking about people's attitudes

Cinnamon, I respond to questions directed at me in the spirit of mutual understanding. I've never abused anyone

To those of you who took this question in the spirit of education, enlightenment and true 'brotherhood' regardless of everything.. Thank you.

After I posted this question, I realised that perhaps I hadn't quite couched it right.

I attended church up to the age of 13 when for private reasons I found myself profoundy disillusioned with both the Church and religion in general. I did however carry away the lessons of being a 'good Christian' in my outlook and treatment towards others and these have mostly stood me in good stead in the wider world. Having stood on both sides of the fence, forgive me if I find it hard to accept that certain (but not all) people who profess to be practicing Christians can then behave so badly towards those who do not share their beliefs.

There were at least six excellent answers here deserving the vote as best, from both Christian and Atheist contributors... I'd like everyone to read through with an open mind and vote with your conscience.

Thank you to absolutely everyone who responded.

Answer 1

I am. I'm a Christian, and have stood up for atheists many time on this site, and in real life. I disagree with atheism theologically, of course, but I dislike seeing anybody's religion or philosophy being needlessly bashed. I understand that not everybody shares my faith, and if others choose not to believe, that's their right. I also realize that cutting down people's religion (or unbelief) is the fastest way to turn them off of religion forever. However, I've also seen a number of atheists openly mocking Christians, so it works both ways sometimes.

Answer 2

Look this is Y/A. Not an intelligent place of discussion for the most part. I think when atheists come on here it's basically to see what ridiculous things religious people have to say. It really is unbelievable sometimes. Because there is nothing you can say anyway to a believer to see things in a logical way people just vent and revert to insults.

Answer 3

The truth hurts. Often when theists are forced to think about the beliefs they are unable to justify they get frustrated.

That isn't exclusive to theism. I've certainly done it before, we probably all have in regard to something or another.

I think the difference with theism is you add that frustration to the emotional dependence they have on it and it becomes much more... intense. Often what you represent as an atheist is the idea that those feelings are invalid. They are usually unwilling to consider that we, as atheists, could feel those same things about hummanity, life, nature, etc... as part of the dependence, so it's very hard to break.

Taunting is the along the same lines but it is an agressive version. They taunt to elicit responses from atheists that they can categorize as "bad" or "angry" and thus feel better about their religion, when this backfires it is frustrating because the atheist isn't conforming to what they need atheism to be... thus threatening them. So they get frustrated, insult the atheist, and feel they have "won" giving them the gratification they were seeking.

That is what I've observed anyway, there are obviously more complexities but I think those are the basics.

Answer 4

It saddens me. I'm a Christian but I completely respect atheists and their opinions. I think it's great that they don't just accept things without questioning them first. Also atheists are great at finding and pointing out valid flaws with organized religion that need to be understood and addressed. Flaws such as intolerance and violence in the name of religion are problems that some Christians would unfortunately never dare to point out themselves, so we need people that are unafraid to criticize and show us what we are doing wrong.

Atheists are just logical and skeptical people, who find themselves unable to believe in God. That is how they are, they can't force themselves to believe something they don't. So instead of lying and pretending to be religious anyway, they are truthful and are proud of their unbelief. And if you can't accept, respect, and embrace that, then you're not really a Christian after all.

Answer 5

I, too, try to be respectful, and I am on the other side of the spectrum. I'm a Christian, and I get just as much intolerance and abuse from people who don't share my beliefs.

I do, however, strongly encourage open debate here. I think all of us should be well informed and state our opinions and beliefs according to that information. I am open to hearing what others think. I don't think we should use this board to ridicule one another but instead we should see it as an open forum to learn about others and what they believe. It is okay to disagree, and that should be respected, not berated.

Answer 6

Hey Trebs. How can you not believe that in God. If you have the courage to tell the world that you don't believe. You should not be so easily hurt by what some IDIOTS have to say about how you feel. Be strong. Just remember the mentally challenged can't help being the way they are. What can Christians claim as their reason for being delusional.

Answer 7

I think your view of intolerance on this site is a little skewed. There is plenty of disrespect and intolerance by both the Christians and the atheists. The Christians are preaching and trying to convert while the atheists say Christians are not intelligent.

Answer 8

Its nothing new. Atheists get treated like dirt around the world. Why should this place be any different? It just shows you why Atheists dislike most Christians so much.

Answer 9

A large percentage of atheists and christians are just here to start trouble and insult others. Please don't use this forum as a factual representation of any group. Many people on here are just here to act like morons and try to make other people look stupid. I feel bad when someone ask a question asking for some genuine insight and guidance and all they get is this stupidity from both sides.

Answer 10

I have actually found about 50% are respectful and 50% are just... resentful, I suppose is the best word for it. And some of them honestly have a reason to be pissed, not all atheists are exactly boy/girl scouts either you know...