2007-09-17 07:46:56 · 20 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I smile at skepticism. :D
2007-09-17 07:50:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
The reason that this is frowned upon is because for millenia religion WAS the government ( and still is in some parts of the world) and if you question authority and challenge the status quo you're a dissident and rebellious and you are not "playing the game" so to speak. This attitude has carried over to the modern day and now you have everybody fighting over which ones better which ones right etc. and it's only created more problems. Plus, if you challenge something that somebody has been taught from their first days of life you are ,fundamentally, challenging them and their ego...if their beliefs are wrong then THEY are wrong..they identify with their beliefs so strongly that they become part of their identity, and that is the other dangerous part of religion, becausein my opinion you can only know god through the ability to leave all of your Human-ness behind you, then you can hear IT
2016-05-17 06:00:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it can come from one of several sources.
There are many people simply don't know anybody who's an atheist, at least not openly. Even if they might not know anybody who identifies as "Jewish" or "Presbyterian" or "Methodist" either, they still get the idea of "OK, they do recognize spirituality in some way, and maybe go to a building once a week like I do, and adhere to some chiseled-out moral code more or less." So that doesn't seem as foreign.
There's also the strong association people make between atheism and things that don't have anything to do with deity one way or another. Even many people who don't consider themselves religious still tie in morality or the awes and mystery of life in with deity (and assume this is the only way to do it). So this leads some to falsely associate atheism with immorality or not enjoying anything beyond the cold, calculated mundane day-to-day world. Some feel threatened that an atheistic view could take the fun out of things.
2007-09-17 07:52:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
It is because all people who claim a religion use parts of it as a security blanket ( The old there are no Atheiests in foxholes joke .) .
Atheists are telling them their security blanket or teddy bear or St. Christopher statue , or whatever really doesn't help things .
The people with a religion say it at least makes them FEEL better and the Atheists shouldn't deny them that comfort .
The Atheiests respond that the world would be better off if it were not filled with adults who believed in Santa Clause and a "God" telling them to become hateful of people with different beliefs .
2007-09-17 08:04:48 · answer #4 · answered by allure45connie 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is a good point. If someone rejects another religion's gods and goddesses, they shouldn't be offended when other people reject theirs. There seems to be an unspoken rule that everyone must choose a religion, so atheists are frowned upon for not picking any. I think the tide is slowly changing, though, and being an atheist will eventually be a non issue to most people.
2007-09-17 07:52:01 · answer #5 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Excellent question. I guess people who have faith can't handle people not having it. But I suspect something darker. I think a whole lot of people who claim to have faith do not. They go through the motions and recite the creed in church because they want approval, not because they literally believe it all. So when they see someone actually speaking out boldly that they do not believe, it reminds them of their cowardice, and they feel like they are being "shown up." Of course they resent it, the same way the kids in school resent the one who gets straight As and ALSO the one who tells the teacher the lesson is stupid.
2007-09-17 09:52:18 · answer #6 · answered by auntb93 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because were not just saying that we worship differently, or pray differently, we are actually rejecting the idea of a God, or a higher power. It's a much larger rejection of their beliefs.
2007-09-17 09:50:36 · answer #7 · answered by martin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it's not very threatening, really, to point at someone else's pink fuzzy magic rabbit and call it silly. That doesn't call the queston of God into question.
Atheists on the other hand present a stark challenge to the whole concept of religion and a supreme being.
2007-09-17 07:57:12 · answer #8 · answered by Brendan G 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well... religion hates and fears knowledge and reason...
"Reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed. Faith must trample underfoot all reason, sense, and understanding, and whatever it sees must be put out of sight and... know nothing but the word of God." ~ Martin Luther
"Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but... more frequently than not... struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God." ~ Martin Luther
... and regards gullibility, self-delusion and willful ignorance as virtues.
Even though their specific beliefs and dogma may differ, all religions have these things in common... virtue and fear of knowledge and reason... and atheists DO NOT.
Atheists represent what they fear... knowledge and reason... and lack what they value... gullibility, self-delusion and willful ignorance (virtue).
So... we're screwed.
.
2007-09-17 08:03:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Because atheists are perceived as having the logical high ground -- They are open to all ideas religious but seemingly moved by none.
2007-09-17 07:52:11 · answer #10 · answered by Ace 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Skepticism is fine. But being condescending isn't. That's where atheists cross the line.
2007-09-17 07:56:57 · answer #11 · answered by JohnFromNC 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋