BELIEVERS: How well (0-to-100%) do you understand Atheists' thinking? ATHEISTS: Believers' thinking? (DETAILS)

Question

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Please say what convinces you that you've chosen the appropriate percentage for your own understanding.

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Answer 1

Since I used to be a believer and I have frequent discussions with my religion family, I'd say I understand their thinking about 50%. I have a pretty good understanding of their concepts of God, afterlife, morality etc. And I do think that some of their values are very good ideals.

But I don't estimate my understanding of them ay higher because there are some basic things about how they think that I just don't get. Such as how faith can be seen as a reliable incator of knowledge. I don't understand that. I also don't understand how they reconcile the ideas free will and God's plan, or how they can be sure they are right while being aware of the great multiplicity of religions.

Answer 2

I'd say that I understand the believers mind anywhere from 90-95%.

I was raised Christian, and I learn about everything that I am involved in. This, and my inordinate fondness for usless trivia means that I know a lot about Christianity. (read into that statement what you will) I participated in bible quizzes at the church, and I never lost. I led a confirmation group for a year (something I don't actually regret), and two pastors and about a dozen of the members of the congregation tried to convince me that I should go to seminary. Seriously, I thought it was an intervention when I got there. I have no idea why they thought that would work.

Still, intellectual understanding doesn't get you to 100%. I can understand the justifications, the holy texts and all that song and dance, but I will never understand HOW someone can believe. I just can't do it, and after trying so long, I realized that my prayers fell on deaf ears, the bible was nothing more than a collection of some good, some bad and mostly boring or irrelevant stories and that I was sick of trying to be something I wasn't. Truth be told, I'd say that I know more about Christianity than most Christians, but I still don't know how they believe. That's my justification for the percentage.

I say it's only ten percent, at most, because that seems to be the percentage that most people seem to place on it in terms of their relationship with god. They neglect the validity or reasons for accepting the relationship and instead focus on the relationship itself. Why they have it isn't as important as that they do. So yeah, 90-95%.

Answer 3

Ive something called: secular thought

This thought pattern has developed over the years, especially when Ive read about things like: Critical thinking

Thus when I make decisions, especially when theyre about to effect other people, I make sure my decisions are not a projection of my religion, but a projection of my tried and true good human virtues.

Thats why I can understand atheists. They have formed a secular thought pattern that governs their entire life, and they dont have a spiritual facet that needs to be fed.

I do tho. My spirituality isnt perfect, neither is it loose. It is based on very disciplined teachings that I refer to as religion.

I live both a religious and both a logical life that I see as facets of my human existence and neither are weaknesses for me, as long as they develop for the best all the time.

Answer 4

A lot of atheists have drank from the cup called religion which is full of vile and distasteful things, so they well understand what it's all about. So I'd give atheists an 80%. Believers understanding atheists I'd give maybe 15%.

Answer 5

I think that intellectually, I'd average at about 80% (depending on the religion). I can usually understand very well the history and theology of a faith well enough to know where the person is coming from. I'm most familiar with Christianity, as I live in a mostly Christian community.

Emotionally, I don't understand at all. I can't relate; the whole concept of "faith" in something unproven and unproveable makes zero sense to me.

Answer 6

100% because at one time I was actually really involved in church. I was even a bible school teacher for a while. (My friends now are shocked about that little bit of trivia about me!)

Too many Christians seem to be obsessed with what the rest of us do or do not believe. They all spend so much time going on about how right they are and how wrong the other denominations are that it drives me batty! I think if people would just leave religion out of things and follow their internal moral compass then the world would be a better place.

Answer 7

100%. I can make a more persuasive anti-Christian argument then atheists can. If Dawkins, Harris, and Karen Armstrong are the best the atheists have to offer, they are on about a 2nd grade level of intelligence.

Answer 8

I understand both 100%..

I too used to have the mind of a child, infantile concepts of the natural world, and had religion forced upon me as a child..

And I too became scientifiaclly literate, and embraced mainstream scientific principles, descriptions and explanations of the natural world, and using a holistic perspective of history and the role religion has played within, the atheistic perspective is now a logical one..

Quite simple really..

Answer 9

I'm going to say I "get" atheists thinking 85%, and that's as low as it is because I can't really understand the ones who say that they are on some sort of crusade to get me to "just wake up to reality". That's WAY too much like the crusade to get me to "just accept Jesus" or "just read the bible the right way".

*wry smile*

Actually, I have more trouble with believers' (monotheists', that is) thinking.

Answer 10

i would say i understand about 80% of christianity and all other religious beliefs. I think it is just a way to cope with life for them.
And i think once you get down to the bottom of things it makes people feel better thinking they will see their family members when they pass away and it gives them a since of belonging.
I choose to cope in different ways and i feel like i fit in the universe differently than most.