"Most atheists don't give a monkey's rear end what you believe"?

Question

I'm sorry, but I just have to ask. If that's true, why is so much time and effort expended here arguing against that belief. Surely there is something you'd rather do than argue about something you don't care about.

And if this is offensive, I apologize, but I mean it seriously. I really do wonder about the reason.

Ray - so, you find it amusing to insult other people's beliefs? I rather expected this answer and several similar, but I honestly don't understand it any better than the original statement.

Round 2 - I don't recall President Bush saying that atheists shouldn't be considered citizens, and I'd appreciate a link to where he said that. Obviously, if he said it, he was dead wrong.

As for religion being written into law, I quite agree. The problem is that gray area where legislation touches on morality. Are we criminalizing gambling because we feel it's immoral or because of the measurable detrimental effects it has on communities? Are we criminalizing murder because it's immoral or because we think (for no obvious objective reason) that human life is somehow important? I think pretty much any law has a moral component to it, and while "moral" doesn't necessarily equate to "religious", it can't be denied that it does in many minds.

As to "shouting it in your ear on street corners" - umm, free speech, anyone? It also applies to speech you find offensive or irritating.

Answer 1

As an atheist I care what people believe because beliefs inform people's actions. It was the beliefs of the 9/11 hijackers that made them fly planes into buildings, it's the beliefs of Christians in America that make them oppose stem cell research and gay rights. It's the beliefs of missionaries in Africa that make them tell people condom use is a sin thus ensuring the spread of AIDS. These beliefs lead to evil actions.

Answer 2

Ok-I am on YA to defend my position. Most of the questions I answer are like this-TO atheists. If I am saucy in response, it is not because I initiated the interaction.
Here's to answer your details: Legal issues is a very valid point-and it being a "grey" area doesn't mean I won't fight tooth and nail against the christian right and their history of oppression...one that continues today with homosexuals still not having all the rights hetero's do (and it's 2007 for pete's sake!).

Free speech...well, then why ask us your question then? We don't care what you believe, but hey-it's free speech honey. I can share my opinion just as much as the other person.

What did I miss?

Answer 3

I just want to point out that most of the religious people on here are being just as offensive as the atheists. If I have learned one thing on Yahoo! Answers it is to stay out of the religion and spirituality section. No one can discuss anything civilly on here without being belittled or mocked. Both atheists and theists are to blame; don't even bother trying to convince me otherwise. I'm going to go to another section now, where I can coexist.

Answer 4

George H.W. Bush (not the current President, but his father) is the one who mistakenly said that atheists should not be considered citizens.

He said this _while he was President_, which I find amazing. You'd think that LONG before becoming President he'd have learned at least a little about what it means to be an American.

Answer 5

I do care when what people believe begins to creep its way into legislation. Or when the president of the country I live in says atheists shouldn't be considered citizens. Or when the same president believes that "the end times" would be a good thing, and he controls the most powerful nuclear arsenal on the planet...

Answer 6

Because what theists believe affects us.

If the religious would just keep their religions to themselves and not try to get them written into law or shouted on street corners a lot of us just wouldn't care.

Answer 7

Respectfully:

Suppose atheists stopped defending their position. Would you expect Christians to stop attacking atheists? Would Christians stop teaching their children that atheists are "working for Satan"? Would the demonizing stop?

Would Christians stop assuming that the United States is based in Christianity? Would jurors stop consulting the Bible when they deliberate? Would the anti-abortion rights folks and the creationists pack up and go home?

I could go on, but I'm not going to. You see the point. The problem here is Christians, largely, and Muslims to a lesser degree. Atheists aren't going to just wave the white flag and give up.

Answer 8

"I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." — President George Bush

The former American President said this. His son is the current President. I am interested in what Christians believe as their beliefs affect me, and everyone else - in the US and overseas.

Answer 9

Because you don't leave us alone - notice the pro-life movement, discrimination against women and gays, still "blue laws" some places, censorship, "under god" in the pledge/"in god we trust" on money, the Christian War on Science, etc.

Also, wouldn't you try to explain to someone that thought 2 + 2=5, or cat was spelled "k-a-t" or pouring ice cream into computers mmade them work better, why you thought they were wrong?

Answer 10

I really don't care what other people believe (or don't believe) until they start trying to force their beliefs upon me. Examples: attempting to teach their religion in public schools (or worse, attempting to pass it off as "science"); passing legislation that deprives women of their reproductive rights, prevents same-sex couples from marrying, prevents the sale of certain items on Sunday or otherwise favors their religious beliefs over others; using intimidation to convert others to their beliefs, etc.