Atheist and other non-christian theists, what would you think about always specifying religious deities by?

Question

the religion in question, as opposed to just saying God? Christians are under the assumption that their deity is the only deity and their belief is the only correct belief, and frankly, I don't think it's fair to support their belief by making their deity the default deity in question when someone refers to god. This only encourages their belief and practice.

I think a great solution would be to make them specify which god they are refering to when they post questions about God. It would help them to realize that theirs isn't the only one out there, and definitely not the default deity that everyone references when asking theological questions.

Once they can accept that there are other ideas and concepts of god that are believed in just as much as theirs, they may eventually start to realize that other ideas are just as accepted as valid as theirs is, and just might make them a little more tolerant of others. What do you all think?

Answer 1

I couldnt have said it better myself.

The reason this question and comments that go with it, make so much sense is that: 1. youre right., 2. it is a serious insult to a persons deity if they constantly say the word 'God' and the christian sitting across thinks it means the God that became flesh.

Well, it is to me as a muslim anyway.

But theres a slight problem here.

When I say Allaah, people make a lot of fun, and since Allaah is the Creator for me, I feel like Im giving them the opportunity to insult the Creator. Hence, I feel guilty.

So for the purpose of better communication (without the hinders of linguistic bias and cultural ignorance) I use the word 'God' to refer to the Creator who has created everything in my opinion.

But I cant help but think youve a valid point as well. Because when I say God, I mean the one what is so forgiving, He forgave Adam when Adam realized what he had done. He is so merciful that He has saved 99 percent of His mercy to the hereafter where we will be judged, and has given His creatures only 1% of His mercy, by which a mother bird feeds its young. I mean the One who has no sons, no relatives and no end or beginning.

I mean a lot of things, and maybe ...just maybe, a Christian might understand someday....someday.

Answer 2

Hmm interesting question, I've never even heard of pantheism, but I can see the similarities with atheism, The difference between the two isn't really a philosophical difference, but more of a scientific one. A god is a being that is everywhere, knows everything, and can do anything. I believe, as an atheist, that the universe is bound by laws, and can not do anything, I also think that if there is no evidence to believe that the universe is a being that knows everything, you should not assume that it is. The only problem to atheism is the question "where did everything come from" and that question is unanswerable, and I see it as not being a low point. I really don't see any problems with the basics of pantheism, other than you are changing the definition of the word god to be both an inanimate object and an animate object.

Answer 3

I agree with your point, but I don't think it will help. I don't know what the answer is, though! It is not about getting them to believe that other people have different ideas about God, from theirs. It is about getting them to understand that the other ideas are just as valid as theirs. I don't know where they got the idea that only one path can be the right path, and it has to be theirs. And I don't know where they got the idea that there are dire consequences to anyone who does not accept their path as the only right one. The path they are following is the right one for them, or they would not be following it, and there is no reason why they should have to change what they believe...as ridiculous as it is to the rest of us.....but, the problem is that they fail to understand that the same also applies to the rest of us. All our respective paths of belief are the right ones for each of us, as well....and NO ONE is going to hell for not believing a certain thing. The problem is not in getting them to change their beliefs, the problem is getting them to see the arrogance of their "I am right, and everyone else is going to hell" attitude! The problem is also getting them to understand that no one is completely right, and no one is wrong either, and that we are all required to follow our own path, and we were never...and I mean never...intended to all believe the same thing! *sm*

Answer 4

I did my research.

Mo University Lecturer Atheist with degrees in Theology Comparative Religious Studies and Philosophy of Religion

Answer 5

One is no different from the others as far as I'm concerned. I suppose it's simpler to just say that all belief in a deity is a delusional thought process. Until they get past that thought process, I don't see the different sects being tolerant at all of other's beliefs. That would be some change if it happened.

Answer 6

Agreed. They should specify. They should also specify which Biblical image of their God they are using as well... the OT God full of wrath and hatred for anyone that does anything wrong (He hates all who work iniquity)... or the NT God who loves everyone so much that he was willing to kill himself/his son in order to keep his wrath in check so that he didn't fly off the handle, like during that Noah incident, and destroy the entire world.

I don't know if it will make them more tolerant, but it should put things into perspective on how they expect others to treat them and respect their beliefs. Personally, I can respect their beliefs... it's their attitudes and treatment of others I don't respect.

Answer 7

In reply to the first answer here, I have to wonder how *not* giving the Christian god special status is "showcasing bias against Christians." Edit: Uh, the title of the post asks non-christian theists for their opinion. The whole post is about the privileged position the Christian god gets in conversation. Allah does not get that kind of automatic assumption, at least in the U.S.


I sometimes talk about a generic God figure, but I prefer to say the [insert religious name]'s god, since there is no real difference between any of these and, say, Freya, except that Freya is cooler.

Answer 8

I always request further information, asking them to clarify which god/gods they are speaking about.

But it would be nice, if they just put which god/gods they are referring to right in their question.

By requesting this of them, each time they write God, they would be thinking about all the other god/gods that the rest of the world population still maintains a belief in. Thus, they would realize they are not so unique and don't own the word god...

Answer 9

Keep in mind that unless you specify in your question who or what religion you are refering to, you will get answers based on that individuals belief.

If you ask a general question of religion, & a Muslim answers, it will be based on a Muslim perspective. If you ask without specifying what you are talking about, thats what you get. Who ever answers, you get that persons feelings & experience.

Same with asking questions. 9 times out of 10, everyone here specifies who they are talking to. Athiests are the ones who interject thier personal feelings on Christians regardless of the actual topic.

I would have to agree with the other poster saying that you are just trying to alienate Christians & pick on them b/c you dont ask otherwise. In addition, the majority of athiests tend to only address Christians in their attempt to insult-- I mean, to ask questions about religion.

Every major religion believes that they have one true God. Muslims dont have multiple Gods. If that were not the case, we would not have multiple religions & denominations in existance now. Your question is very uninteligent to think & say that Christians are the only ones that believe in one God. That is EVERY religion.

Answer 10

Most questions about God, are also accompanied by questions about the particular religion. For e.g. If someone talks about Muhammad, no christian is going to assume, its their God.

And yes, Jesus is the most popular man in history, you either love him or hate him but you can't ignore him. Go, figure.