Why do so many atheists on yahoo answers disrespect other poeple's beliefs?

Question

I'm not saying all atheists do that, but here on yahoo answers there seem to be hundreds of christian-bashing questions, and also questions lambasting religion in general.
There are hundreds of questions asked by atheists who are pretending to be christians to make christians look bad.
Do you "evangelical atheists" (that's what i like to call radical atheists who never respect other poeple's beliefs) really think you look so much better than christians when you ask christian-bashing (and religion-bashing) questions? Don't you realize that those questions reflect poorly on atheists? And the evangelical athesists go on and on about how stupid you'd have to be to believe christianity, but somehow they're not smart enough to actually prove they're better than christians by being more respectful and tolerant of those that differ from them.
Don't you evangelical atheists have anything better to do than insult other poeples religions?
I know not all atheists are like this, so no offense.

Answer 1

Atheists want freedom to believe in nothing. They want the right to be "free thinkers", they say how Christians are hateful and disrespectful of them and their lifestyle, how we think that we are the only kind and compassionate ones on earth. Then they get on here and treat us as they claim we treat them. They want everyone to be tolerant, yet they are not tolerant of people who have beliefs. Most are hypocritical. They say how they hate when Christians shove religion down their throats, then they get on here, frequent the R & S catagory, and post belittling questions about God and those who believe. And we are the intolerant ones!

Answer 2

I would have called myself an atheist a year ago when I took a philosophy paper at uni, before that I had a very vague belief in God. Right now I'm studying Theology and I would call myself an agnostic at best. I totally respect the fact that people believe in God but I am disappointed that so many people slop their faith about with very little understanding of the Bible and the fact that it can be interpreted in a metaphorical and historical sense. In all honesty I think that staunch Christians and atheists are as aggressive as each other. In this type of forum, people have the luxury of anonymity and I see both sides asking inflammatory questions just begging for equally inflammatory answers. I truly believe that blind faith is not enough to qualify somebody as a Christian. A deeper understanding of the Bible and a realization that times have changed should be compulsory education. It breaks my heart that Christians stand by the "homosexuality is sin" rule when there are so many other messages in the Bible that Christians do not respect eg wearing clothes weaved from more than one type of thread. This is just my rant. I'm trying to grasp a deeper understanding of these things and I think that is more important than labeling myself either way.

Answer 3

I think the reason is that the internet provides (essentially) an anonymous place where people can freely say inflammatory things - or just throw around insults and be disrespectful of others without really any consequences. People feel free to be rude... not clearly explain themselves... get easily offended... and attack others.

Based upon the limited experience I've had on Y!A in the past month - the demographic of the average user here is probably a bit younger than we suspect. Therefore, we cannot always expect them to take the best course of actions or act in the most respectful or mature manners.

It's not just atheists (or "just" any other group for that matter) -- but just a (sad) general state of being when it comes to an open-forum.

In terms of atheists, at times, the people are lashing back at (what they perceive to be) prior offenses... many, many years of being told that they are "evil" or "are condemned to hell" for their beliefs. Although logically, they may not put a lot of stock in these statements - they're still hurtful. So, they strike back... and unfortunately, (sometimes) they do so with the same indiscrimination and callous attitude which they fell victim to at the hands of the religious.

Answer 4

Many feel like they've been let in on some sort of "secret" that the rest of society hasn't. Therefore, they feel that they are more intelligent than everyone else. They feel that they have the universe figured out, and that there is no God. It is the same way with Evangelicals of any religion who think they are above everyone else because they have the universe figured out. However, both sides should understand that really none of us have the whole world figured out, and it (ironically) takes a leap of faith for atheists and religious evangelicals. They are entitled to their beliefs, however, it is very annoying often.

Answer 5

Most people in general have been hurt or disappointed in religion. That is why i think most turn to Athiesm. On a general basis if you are true to whatever religion you are open to that of others and are not going to bash them for their beliefs. The people that do this do so b/c they have no knowledge of the others beliefs and feel that if they are tolerant of them it will show on them. Then there are just general pessimistic people. Then there are those people out there that nobody wants to be associated that are prejudice towards others in a religious sense and do so vocally. There is just a negative something in people like this and that is how they express themselves. Usually due to some form of hurt they have suffered in their own life.

Answer 6

I understand what you are saying about atheists, but I don't think christians are known for being the most respectful/tolerant group of people.

You guys give many atheists reasons to be disrespectful to your beliefs. No-one needs to make christians look bad, they do that well themselves.

I hate it when religions believe they should demand respect for no good reason. In this world, you have to earn respect - not something I see many intolerant, bigotted, homophobic,mysoginistic "christians" doing.

Answer 7

I'm a Christian, but I can't sit here and point a finger just at the atheists. In fact, I see plenty of so called Christians in here instigating trouble and stooping to the same level. In fact, I hold the Christians MORE responsible since they are supposedly upholding a higher stander and setting an example. Why do you expect as much from Atheists? Why should they respect anyone else's views?

With that said-- Yes-- there are plenty of atheists that do what you say they do.

Answer 8

I don't generally disrespect other people's beliefs, but I have to ask, what is so special about beliefs that everyone on the planet must show respect for them, no matter how ludicrous they are? The fact of the matter is, it's perfectly okay to disrespect another person's belief, if that is how you feel about it. Religion does not get some universal get out of ridicule free card. It is just as subject to opinion and criticism as any other issue (politics, sports team preference, philosophy of economics, etc.)

It would show that you are a better person to show a modicum of respect, but you can't expect ridiculous things to escape ridicule.

Answer 9

I'm not offended because I do not disrespect other people's beliefs. However, I do call out "Christians" who answer questions about Catholicism and other Christian sects with hatred and lies. I answer sincere questions that people ask about their faiths with facts. I have no desire to convert them to my way of thinking. I think that members of most religions are guilty of disrespecting others in here. I just have more trouble understanding why Christians bash other Christians.
For example look at the "Christian" answers to this sincere question.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhvJ8M2hpWPmKnB92j.9TI3d7BR.?qid=20070815141728AADv2i3

Answer 10

Let me say, it's yahoo answers, all of it, and not just religion and spirituality. It's a side effect of the ability the net gives people to hide and vent. You'll find it on parenthood boards, society and cultures, art and humanities, health, you name it. It's this place. Verbal hit and run is the method, and trying to feel better by making someone else feel bad is the game.

Answer 11

Your assessment is correct; there's lots of trolls here. But there's plenty of Christians and Muslims bashing each others, as well as Atheists. My point is that attention-seeking morons are fairly evenly distributed among the faiths. My only comfort here, as an Atheist, is that at least Atheist freaks don't think God's on their side.