Doesn't it show a lack of intelligence to argue vehemently about something you don't believe in?

Question

Would someone please point to the space where I directed this question to only Atheist! I don't see it. What I do see, are a lot of answers form Atheists making assumptions.

Catherine E., your argument comparing Atheism to slavery is like comparing apples to butter. Still where am I adressing Atheists/Atheism? this question can be applied to anything.

Answer 1

It most certainly does.

Why would anyone spend all that time arguing and attacking someonein whom they did not believe? Why continue to ask questions, etc.? It makes no sense at all.

Answer 2

You see a lot of answers from atheists because you're asking a question about atheists. You also seem to me to be making assumptions as to why we argue about religion.
Let me put it this way...if slavery was still legal in this country, and you didn't believe in it, wouldn't you argue about it with people that did?
It's the same thing here. I don't have a problem with other people's beliefs, but those beliefs are affecting ME. They're affecting my life, and my children's lives. When we can live our lives without having other people's religious beliefs in our laws, schools, and government, like a yoke around our necks, then we won't argue the issue any longer.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out you're talking about atheists. Come on...
And the point about slavery is to say that one needs to stand up and argue against something you don't believe if it affects the rights of others. Something that affects YOUR life and YOUR rights.

Answer 3

Dang ! maximom stole my answer.
Edit
In all seriousness there is a very real fear among non -believers and believers of all faiths that don't subscribe to the Fundamentalist Christian doctrine that our country which began as the greatest achievement of the Age of Enlightenment could be plunged into a new Dark Ages as a result of Fundamentalism.
One of more interesting things about America is that our Founding Fathers ,many of whom were extremely devout good Christian men, had the opportunity to make The United States of America an official Christian Nation and they said " No we're not going to do that on these shores"
The question of course is Why not ? What did they know that we seem to have we forgotten ?The answer is that they knew that the coalition of Cross & Crown has a very negative effect on personal liberty .
The fear among many of us is that once again the Church will ask the State to enforce it's own particular morality -and the State will do it's bidding.
Take a simple issue like gay marriage .It's an open & shut 14th Amendment equal protection under the law issue. Since the State issues marriages licenses with few if any restrictions or requirements , what's the State's reasoning for arbitrarily establishing a requirement that the couple be of two different genders and the answer is that there is none. In fact the opposite is true. It is in the best interest of the State to discourage promiscuity and to encourage healthy stable long lasting relationships regardless of the sex of the individuals involved.
The Fundies of course don't see that logic and though they know that will will inevitably lose they don't seem to have any bad feelings about the innocent people they will hurt on their way to defeat.
and the list goes on but the caffeine is wearing off

Answer 4

I frequently discuss issues in which I do not believe, but I back up my argument with sources and FACTS. Atheist have only presumptions and could not win their case in a court of caw. In fairness I must also point out that neither could Christians, so what's the point of all the blather put forth by those who know in their heart, but do not believe?

Answer 5

Again, a good question!

I just don't understand why they (some non-believers) insist on arguing with malice and contempt. I would love to have a conversation with a non-believer one day that was fair on BOTH sides.
I had this conversation once with a KKK member in Georgia, and it was the BEST conversation I had ever had. He had his opinions and beliefs and I had mine, the great part of it was that we respected the opinions of each.
If we (both sides) respected the others beliefs and just loved the person, this would be a nicer forum to visit more often.

i know that this question isn't a "religion" question, but wanted to point it out as well

Answer 6

No. But I do believe than when you live in a society that tries to force you to believe (or at least live under the arbitrary and absurd rules of) something you don't believe in, then it shows a lack of courage NOT to argue vehemently about it.

Answer 7

No, but it shows a lack of intelligence to make assumptions about other people.

We live in a country run by people who believe in things we don't. Those people try to make laws based on their beliefs that unfairly bar others from their rights. This is unconstitutional and morally wrong, but normal people like us can't do much more than vote for the (very, very few) people who might stop this atrocity, and try to make people see reason.

Answer 8

Please, let's not go bashing Atheists like some of them bash us Christians. It just makes you look as bad as the bashers. I think it's fine for them to defend what they feel, as long as they can do it respectfully. That's one reason why we're here; to understand what other people believe, or why they don't believe. So just relax and keep Jesus in mind when you post.

Answer 9

No. However, refusing to see why one would fight against something harmful shows immense lack of intelligence.

Using your "logic", King Georgie and his minions must believe in terrorism or lack intelligence. Hmmm... This might shine a new light on the situation...

Answer 10

No, on the contrary, it's just the opposite.

Part of being able to really think is the ability to see all sides of an argument. That is what debate is about.

Debate teams in high schools and colleges all over the world do it every day.

Don't confuse personal beliefs with the ability to think and reason logically on any point.

Answer 11

Depends on who starts the argument