Atheist, why do you "like" pagans more then Christians?

Question

We pagans were informed that atheist should ridicule us more because our beliefs were far more ridiculous (ancient gods that "no one" believes in anymore) then Christianity. So should you be bashing us more?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An8ymdk07Y5ZHk1GInRRgyzty6IX?qid=20070829085114AAyyWu8&show=7#profile-info-AA11067857

LOL well thanks wondermus and skalite. ;)

I was thinking it was because we have better parties myself......

You asked Ghengis. They answered. Do you feel better now?

Siar I swear you are one of the coolest atheist ever. LOL

Answer 1

I will give you my personal opinion.

There are a few reasons.
Historically, religious freethinkers- from the Arians to the Cathars to the modern day Wiccans have been pacifistic, tolerant and horribly persecuted, i feel that both of our mindsets in this sense share a certain degree of empathy for each others situations and a similiarity in our mindsets.

Most pagans are remarkably sensible when it comes to having a healthy respect for the scientific endeavour and for freedom of religion and rights for mankind- so on this we are agreed, the point of contention with an atheist and most pagans, is that they personify or deify, what both atheists and pagans define as 'nature', this is a point of perspective, what is science now was once magic.

Nature is what nature does however, both atheists and most pagans are of likemind on that issue- pagans are not generally dogmatic and their beliefs are quite slippery for poor atheists to really pick on. Some pagans have far-out and simplistic ideas about nature that do bug me, but in the majority i have found pagans to be sensible, tolerant, and peaceful individuals.

Philosophically, as an atheist, i recognise the incomplete picture our science views of the world. I also recognise that many people have recorded 'godly' or 'spiritual' occurences, of seeing ghosts, of rainmaking, of ritual power in action and all sorts of things for the entirety of recorded history and continuing to the present- how can i totally discount that which does not fit into my ideology, that would be unscientific. Whilst i take the initial tendency to look to psychology and science to explain such occurences, i cannot explain, nor should i have to explain everything, the key here is too know that you do not know and to be open to all possibilities -eyes wide open. I am not therefore totally intolerant of people who practice 'magic' or have beliefs that are dissimiliar to myself- what absolutely pees me off though, is hypocrisy and inconsistency- this is the kind of 'magical' thinking i despise- because it breeds intolerance and thoughtlessness, Pagans as a whole are bereft of this in my experience, whilst many christians harbour a whole lot of it.


I'll stop there.
What is not too like?

Answer 2

Well, whoever posted that question is just ignorant. I used to be Pagan before I turned Atheist, and I never saw magic as anything more than a ritualized prayer. I don't think Pagans are more worthy of bashing than Christians because Pagans are the only group of religious people I know that are truly open-minded and accepting of others, even others of another religion.

Answer 3

LOL I've seen that stated by Christians more times than I can count. As if it gives their beliefs more credibility to bash others'.

I "like" Pagans more than I "like" most Christians because Pagans are, for the most part, much more respectful of other people's beliefs than most Christians.

Pagans recognize all spiritual paths as valid paths. Different paths, perhaps, but still valid. Therefore Pagans do not bash other people's beliefs or tell them (or us) that they/we are wrong. Pagans do not condemn people to some sort of Hell for not believing the same as they do. They do not result to fear tactics in saying that bad things will happen to people who do not believe in their gods. I've also never heard of Pagans trying to legislate their beliefs into school systems and laws.

*Note: This is a generalization. I recognize that not all Christians do what I have stated above and not all Pagans don't do what I have stated above so I am speaking generally.

It just goes to show that you receive the same respect that you give.

Answer 4

I have yet to have a Pagan tell me that I am going to hell because I fail to believe in the right god.


Generally I have found pagans to accept the scientific evidence around them and will admit that their belief is just that - a belief.

Many Christians are like this too, and I have no real issue with them. It is just the ones that claim their book is right and science is wrong, and that the existence of the world means that their god, and only their god, must be real.


Now, if you want claim that my daughter needs to be up on that alter stone next winter solstice else spring will not come, I will go get my big hammer and start bashing. (LOL)

Answer 5

Ridiculing others for their beliefs, contrary to -popular- belief, is not in an atheist's job description. However, a majority of "ridicule" comes about when people start attacking other faiths or lack thereof - I haven't met a pagan yet who goes around saying, "Damn girl, you're an idiot for being an atheist." I can give dozens upon dozens of examples of SOME Christians doing this (and for that matter, people of other faiths as well, though Christians here are most dominant in that field).

Answer 6

I follow the teachings of Christ and I find Pagans better company than Christians. Pagans are more Christ like generally. They don't judge and they experience the joy in life, so they live life abundantly. Atheist tend to be great people if you leave them be to search out their own paths. I've had a number of Atheist friends take up Buddhism. Try to tell the "Normal" Christian that some Atheist are spiritual.
LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh-1JVctSOY
♥Agape♥
♥Blessed Be♥
♥=∞

Answer 7

Despite the fact that I disagree with the concept of religion and religious doctrine, in particular the Abrahamic religions, have nothing against Pagans nor Christians who respectfully keep their views to themselves.

I have good friends whom are affiliated with both, neither of us shove our beliefs or views down each other's throats, which is why we can get along, even when debating.

I usually like people anyways, no matter the religion, nationality, gender, sexuality, etc. As long as they are sincere and do not impose their way of thinking upon me, I will do the same in return, respect their views and be honest with them.

Answer 8

Atheists and Pagans have a common enemy, Christianity. In the past the Church persecuted Pagans mercilessly, executing countless thousands. Thankfully, those days are gone forever.

Now we have Christians working harder than ever to undermine human progress and there is great value in Pagans and atheists working together to defend against Christian intolerance. Pagans and atheists are united by virtue of their common enemy, Christian totalitarianism. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Bottom line: No Pagan has ever told me I was going to spend eternity suffering in Hell, merely because I don't believe as they do. For that alone, Pagans have earned my respect and admiration.

Answer 9

When I was an atheist, no Pagan attacked me. I can't say that about Christians.

When I became a Pagan, and found myself and atheism incompatible, no Pagan went around gloating that they'd saved an atheist. I've seen Christians do that.

By the way...in answer to the first question. Zeus doesn't make lightning bolts, Haephaetus does, and that's only the ones not caused by natural phenomena or human intervention.... I'm pretty sure he can't control them at all once loosed.

Answer 10

I have found that Pagans do not actively try to convert people or try to have their beliefs placed in government or in school or use their beliefs to legislate or place their beliefs over the beliefs of others or discriminate against people based on their beliefs or try to make their beliefs the only established beliefs.For these reasons, along with the fact that Pagans are generally-though not always- nicer, I tend to like Pagans more.