Are you a prideful atheist? I really am just curious...?

Question

I just saw a woman ask a similar question and she got LOTS of answers, REALLY fast!

NOTE: I don't think you are "closet theists" LOL. I respect your beliefs, but I have asked (respectful) questions where atheists have taken a very disrespectful stance, against me, in reply.

I was wondering how many atheists think its okay to mock things that they do not understand?

I had a conversation with one atheist who immediately started insulting me as soon as I started trying to describe things of which he had no experience (but of which I have experienced a lot).

I respect atheist beliefs. I understand that to some people, there being a God makes no sense to them.

But do you, as an atheist, consider pride/arrogance (ie saying insulting things) to be a weakness?

P.S. Buddhists are atheists, yet they believe in being humble.

Chippy - I don't assume that you are uneducated, or unlearned in regards to religion. It is not my religious education that I was trying to explain... but rather my spiritual experiences.

I think it's very arrogant for a person to assume that someone else's experience is a delusion, just because one has not had the same experience (yet).

Terrific Tig... I agree with you 100%. Self-confidence (or faith in self) is great and necessary. It is possible to have that, and also humility - humility being an acknowledgment of the value of other people's points of view (ie a willingness to learn).

I've seen plenty of pride in religious people, too. I just want to know if atheists are aware of the wrongness of arrogance/hurting other people.

Wow, lots of pride on display here. Would it be too much to ask for a little more introspection?

You guys are making me think that the reasons atheists don't "feel" anything is because you can't stand introspection.

I know there are atheists who DO introspection (Buddhists). But is it a common thing for non-religious atheists to lack this ability? ie introspection and a desire for personal improvement.

atheist - so what you are saying is that your perception of logic is clearer than someone elses? How do you know that?

People's perspectives are different. You might actually be wrong in your assumptions of their logic... then you have mocked something you have not understood (but have not even understood that you misunderstood).

Mockery may seem justified, but you can never know for certain that it was warranted. Usually, it's not.

Stym - THANK YOU! xo :-)

Whoa - I wouldn't have asked this question if I already assumed that all atheists were prideful, or did not understand. I was trying to find some who DID understand, and have respect. You seem to be one of the kinder ones.

Eleventy. Beautiful answer.

To me "pride" means only "disrespect of other people" (or devaluing them), plus a mind that refuses to listen, or give "the benefit of the doubt" (ie not teachable). Often prideful people are very confident... until someone points out their weakness, and then they go on the attack. A truly confident, humble person can accept all parts of themselves - both good and bad, and love themselves just the same.

Then there is no reason to get defensive. Live and let live.

Of course, the thing with words is that they are rarely as accurate as we would like. If I come across as arrogant, perhaps I am, or perhaps it is just that I haven't explained myself clearly.

Effective communication is difficult, so patience (rather than insults) is necessary for two or more people to come to a point where they understand each other.

Athée StarChildVT - Thank you for your thoughtful response.

Thanks ɹɐǝɟsuɐs and khard. It seems the more thoughtful responses are (as usual) a little further down the page. Maybe I should have read you guys first! :-)

As for Christians saying atheists will go to hell, I don't believe that, and I've never said that. Peace. I have no particular belief that I am saved, either. I'll just take it as it comes, and do the best I can.

patisallano - xo. (tee hee) ;-)

nurdee, I understand what you're saying. If I quote scripture it is often in an attempt to explain my beliefs, not to prove them.

As a person of faith, proof isn't the focus of my communication. Feeling and connecting is. On this forum, it is very hard to know what a person's inner motivation is...

(hence it makes sense not to take offense, when offense may have not been intended).

RoboJeef V 2 Point 5 - You've assumed I'm a Christian. I'm not. I haven't assumed you know nothing about Christianity. But you do know very little about me, and my personal experiences. It's not arrogance to assume that total strangers know nothing about me.

gorgeoustxtemptress - GIRL! Are you having a bad day? Where in my question did I say anything about hell? Take a look at my Q & A - I've never assumed ANYONE was going to hell.

AuroraDawn I wasn't trying to offer any evidence! Just simply asking what you believe about arrogance. Do you believe arrogance is a weakness?!!

MY GOSH. I think I shall cease trying to understand the atheists perspective!!

green_meklar - thank you for your thoughtful response. I agree with most of what you have said, except for the idea that calling Buddhists atheists is misleading.

Some Buddhists may be Buddhists in an arrogant/dogmatic/faith-based way, but other Buddhists practice that which works (has evidence) while avoiding unproven dogma. I realise that no label ever accurately describes the complete essence of a person.

Answer 1

Keep in mind most atheists here are former christians. We do understand a great deal about christianity, the part that got us to stop believing as much as the part that makes you still believe.

Being insulting is a weakness. Questioning is not. Some people on both sides in this section of Yahoo!Answers tend to believe that hurling insults is a good substitute for an argument. You should be able to see who is merely insulting and who is gently provocative (and ignore the former ones).

Answer 2

Can o worms, girl....

Is it okay to mock things that we do not understand? Of course not - so then why do Christians continuously mock science and evolution when it is OBVIOUS that they have no understanding of it? See the problem?? Of course, the other issue is that 9 out of 10 atheists on this board are recovered Christians - so we do understand the religion.

You say that you asked a respecful question - it may have seemed respectful to you, but perhaps was not. For instance, in corresponding with another Christian from this site, he wrote that secular humanism is a false religion. He then wrote again and apologized, saying that he realized that if I had said that Christianity was a false religion, he would have gotten pissed off, so he wanted to make sure he hadnt pissed me off. Perspective - what upsets you doesnt upset others. What is offensive to you is not to all.

Yes, I consider arrogance a "weakness" (more a pitiful personality trait.)

Answer 3

A true Atheist knows all there is to know about god. And there is nothing to know. There is none. Most have read the bible at least once, a lot have studied it in depth along with the tenets of all the major religions.

Our knowledge of it is why we are Atheists. To imply that because we don't know your god, somehow that is why we don't believe it exists, is an old, and very illogical argument.

As far as being "prideful Atheists" we just don't think or speak like that, we don't believe in god(s). That's about it. This is 2007, if you want to talk like a 16th century puritan, be my guest, but do not be surprised when you are called on it.

Answer 4

>Are you a prideful atheist?

I'm an atheist, whether or not I'm a prideful atheist depends on what you consider 'prideful'.

>I have asked (respectful) questions where atheists have taken a very disrespectful stance, against me, in reply.

It is natural that this will tend to happen. There are nasty, militant atheists on the Internet just as there are nasty, militant theists.

>I was wondering how many atheists think its okay to mock things that they do not understand?

I'm not sure. Ideally I would say that it is necessary to understand something to the extent that one understands why it is false before one can validly be condescending towards it. That said, I would advise you to be careful with your wording here. In my experience, theists mock things they don't understand FAR more than atheists do, and atheists tend to have an understanding of religion which is on average at least as great- in the areas relevant to the debate on the existence of God- as that of the theists. I think this is because atheists require evidence to believe more often than theists do, so they tend to know more of the evidence in existence while a good portion of theists continue to believe entirely on faith and don't even try to consider the evidence.

>P.S. Buddhists are atheists, yet they believe in being humble.

Saying that buddhists are atheists, while technically correct according to the dictionary definition, is horribly misleading when it comes to the debate on religion. For all practical purposes, defining 'atheist' as 'one who does not have a religion' rather than 'one who does not believe in God' is far more useful. The distinction between irreligious people and people whose religions do not include God is very important, and including buddhists along with all other atheists ignores that completely, which I don't find to be very valid.

Answer 5

> Are you a prideful atheist?
Shh! I'm not really an atheist! I'm a Pascalian Protestant Christian! Don't tell anyone, okay?

> I was wondering how many atheists think its okay to mock things that they do not understand?
All of them. How many of them really understand the Noodly Appendage of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and nonetheless mock it? How many have dressed up in pirate regalia at Halloween, not knowing whence the tradition stems?

> started insulting me as soon as I started trying to describe things of which he had no experience (but of which I have experienced a lot).
Whenever I go to the zoo and talk to the chimps, they point and laugh at me. They don't care at all about what I'm saying, but they think my feet and legs and arms and face are deformed, and laugh at my "disfigurements and infirmities." I am just an endless source of merriment for the chimpanzees. I don't have a whole lot of respect for the chimps any more, and it's pretty clear that they'll never understand my life experience as a human being no matter how much I explain it to them.

> I respect atheist beliefs
Then you don't understand atheism at all! Atheism is about a lack of belief, not a belief.

Answer 6

Arrogance is a weakness, but everyone has pride. It's how you react with the pride you have that matters. I don't mock anyone because of their beliefs, why would I and what would that prove? The only beliefs I have a problem with are the ones that I am forced to live by, as we all are entitled to freedom of religion and life. To each their own...random insults only mean a diminished intelligence.

And thank you for not calling everyone "closet-theists" :)

Answer 7

it's just flat out ignorant to automatically suppose that atheists don't know what they're talking about with christianity.

i only insult where insult is deserved. i will not insult a christian for being a christian. i will insult a christian who will only take jesus for an answer and won't even try give something else a chance

and i insult christians that give the same "drink" arguments over and over

i do have respect for christians on here that will give an actual argument without trying to use bible preachings as an arguement. (as lacking as that is)

back to the "of which he had no experience " thing

you can't just suppose atheists have no christian experience. i have christian experience, and also most atheists have. many atheists even come straight out of christian/catholic schools.

the strongest atheists i know where christian at one time.

Answer 8

One by one.
1. Yes, I am generally proud of my accomplishments. I don't suffer from poor self-esteem.
2. What don't I understand? Why am I mocking it, and how can I if I have no understanding of it? The best mockery comes from knowledge and a healthy amount of doubt. Do not assume we don't understand, simply because we don't agree with you.
3. No, I don't consider it to be a weakness unless it's unfounded. Why should modesty be a virtue, when it has no use but to make others think well of you? Honesty is preferable.

Answer 9

I am not a "prideful" atheist but I am a"NO". I do not know where you would class me from your point of view. Check out my profile then you email me and let me know.

Is not most everyone full of pride no matter what religion [belief system] he/she declares she has or belongs to. Is it not very consistent for one to accept the fact they are right in what they believe and normally express pride in the fact they have found the truth? The way U view things pride is a tough thing to set aside and only God, the God of the Bible can do that for anyone.

Do have a great day and just let other be themselves for that is their nature as it is both your nature and mine to be ourselves..

Answer 10

I don't mock what you believe, I don't believe in it. So why should I take it as any evidence? You say that you know that we are not "closet theists", yet all you bombard us with to make sense of what you believe is theist evidence...which amounts to nothing but blind faith. We don't believe in that. So, if we are not willing to accept that...you say we are mocking you.

I have never seen anything so prideful and filled with arrogance than a Christian spouting off their testimony to their belief in Jesus (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) and the certainty that they have that they are going to heaven and that I am going to hell.

@>}---}---