Why do so many atheists criticize christians for evangelizing, and then try to convert people to atheism?

Question

I'm not saying all atheists are like this, most atheists mind their own business and respect other people's beliefs. But there are some atheists who say that religion is silly and stupid, and are always trying to inculcate others with their beliefs. I like to call them "evangelical atheists". Evangelical atheists often criticize christians for evangelizing, and accuse them of "cramming their beliefs down people's throats". But it seems to me that Christians and Evangelical Atheists have a lot in common, they both try to inculcate others with their beliefs. But christians do that because they believe people will go to hell unless they're christians. But atheists obviously don't believe in hell, so i can't help but wonder why they find it necessary to evangelize. Even if religion is indeed just "myths" as so many atheists claim, why does it bother themso much if anyone believes in them?

By the way, if you are an Evangelical Atheist, why do you find it necessary to evangelize?

Of course i've never had an atheist knock on my door trying to convert me, but there are only a few christian denominations that actually do that. I'm mostly referring to all the questions and answers on here calling religon "silliness", and calling people who believe in god stupid and silly. Of course there are plenty of atheist-bashing questions on here as well, and i don't approve of those either, but it seems like there are a lot more
religion-bashing questions, especiall christian-bashing questions, and the Evangelical Athesist always seem to be the rudest people.

To Adam G:
I don't see how "spreading enlightenment" is so different from converting, just another way of saying it, really. And yes, you can convert someone to non-belief, that's what you do when you convince someone to stop believing in whatever religion they follow and become an atheist. I guess you're either offended by the word "convert", or you just want to sugar-coat what you're doing by calling it "spreading enlightenment".

To LuckyJohn19:
At least 2 of those laws you mentioned have nothing to do with christians.
Drinking before age 21 is illegal because people younger than 21 are more succeptalbe to alcohols effects and to alcoholism. There are plenty of non-christians who support that law. Dope is illegal because people can become addicted to it, they can be dangerous while under it's influence, and they can do stupid things while they're high and end up being dangerous to themselves. You'll find that most people, non-christians included, support this law. Banning homosexual marriage is one case of christians making their beliefs into law, and i don't approve of that, because homosexuality does not actually harm anyone else. But the problem here is not christianity itself, but the way some christians try to force their beliefs on others through law.

I guess you just have to blame all your problems on christians.

Answer 1

Those would be the Fundamental Atheists you're talking about.

And yeah folks, it is the JWs and Mormons that go door to door, not every Christian denomination.

Atheist don't preach door to door, but *some*, not all mind you, certainly preach on here.

Answer 2

I call these people anti-theists rather than evangelicals since the word evangelizer carries the meaning of someone who proclaims glad tidings, or good news. Anti-theists are, as you have pointed out, different from run of the mill atheists, who do not feel the need to trample on other peoples beliefs for no good reason. Ant-theists blame God or religion for all (or most of)the evils in the world so they feel they must "save the world" from this evil influence.

EDIT: reply to Roman: I guess all the good atheists are behind the bad atheists also.

Answer 3

Atheists knock on our doors every day byway of this medium. OK, so it's not a physical door, but neither is the door Christ knocks upon in our hearts.

They MUST have approval, because they cannot face the truth. You know the movie, and the Jack Nicholson line. Well, it's never been more true than it is on this forum.

You see, Balaam's donkey and good ole Jack have a lot in common. They were both prophetic, yet both unsaved.

Answer 4

Atheists will say that people who grew to develop into Christians weren't "real" atheists in the 1st place. Lol, merely being a jackass right here. i could desire somebody ought to certainly placed up some documents with a reference so all of us are not merely speaking out of our asses.

Answer 5

Like the first poster said, when is the last time one came to your door? The only reason you see "evanglizing" by atheists here is because it is an open forum! There is a free flow of ideas and beliefs here, which is fantastic, and helps us all at least understand each other. In real life I just mind my own business, but if someone asks me what I believe in I say atheism, and if they say why I tell them. Thats all.

Answer 6

Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses knock on people's doors.

Some of the atheists here are fanatic about pushing their beliefs on others, going so far as to call them idiots, deluded, telling them they are not worthy of anything but ridicule...just because they believe in God.

Answer 7

We don't convert anyone.
We just can't work out why
some people just follow this stuff.
The only time we criticise the Christians
is when they do this to us. Come on, letting them say the things to us with out a reply from us is hardly fair.I believe their is some good Christians out their it's just that I have not seen many on here.They are behind all the bad ones.

Answer 8

I think its hillarious that you use the term "Evangelize" which is usually associated with Christianity. That is, the concept comes predominantly from religous people pushing their beliefs (ok, "Bringing the good news") to others.

Some people do feel it necessary to inflict their beliefs on others.

Some people (myself included) find it necessary to point out the flaws in reasoning when it is being presented as fact vs. opinion.

Throughout watching this group, I've seen a LOT of arguing, but absolutely nothing to convince me either way. That is, no proof of existence, no proof of non-existence.

But a whole lot of rancor!

If God exists, he surely has a wonderful sense of humor.

Answer 9

I don't know but for Atheist proclaiming that they don't believe in a higher power, they sure are passionate about it. I wonder if it's because they are trying to convince themselves. I would like to know if you didn't believe in life after death than why would care what others thought? It's not like Christians are going to Athiest purgatory if they are wrong. Atheist way of thinking - we will just cease to exsist. Seems like a lot of passion for something thats just going to end.

I totally agree with you.


I am a Christian and I have a reason for my passion, I am appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ to be a fisher of men.

What's the atheist mission statement?

Answer 10

i have a nice handful of hand who are atheist, I am christian myself. They don't critize christians or anyone that I know of. But there have been a few people that I knew that kept talking bad about christians and how the lord never was here,and bla bla bla. I just chose to ignore them, because I know that he was, and if he wasn't real, then how do miracles happen?! I know he's real. I can feel it.