If you don't believe there is a God, why do you care if Christians do? And why always target Christians, what about other faiths?
2007-09-20 20:41:21 · 17 answers · asked by heismanu 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."-George Washington
Who's changing what?
2007-09-20 20:59:50 · update #1
Thomas Jefferson wrote, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever" (From his 1785 Notes on th State of Virginia).
2007-09-20 21:02:56 · update #2
Opposed to medical progress?....Most hospital and Medical organizations where started by Christian. Same with famine relief, etc. What have the organized group of Atheists done?
2007-09-20 21:08:28 · update #3
Holy War??? Aren't you an Atheist? I'm not at war, and I fully agree that Religion has harmed many. I love all people and love to hear opinions. Don't declare war....you said thats our job,lol.
Just seeking answers on Yahoo Answers :)
2007-09-20 21:23:14 · update #4
Hahaha...good try! Now read the whole letter in context.
2007-09-20 21:26:06 · update #5
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=123
2007-09-20 21:39:00 · update #6
Christians are really the only group that try to legislate their beliefs into the laws of my country. They want to determine whether or not I should be able to get married, they want all kids praying to their god in public schools, they want to deny children their right to a good education in science.
Stay out of my laws, and I'll stay out of your religion. Plain and simple.
**Edit -- James Madison, the principal drafter of the Bill of Rights, said this, " ... no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."
Our country was founded on the concept that religious affiliation would, in no way, affect one's civil rights.
Oh, you want to quote Thomas Jefferson? Take a look at this:
"I have examined all the known superstitions of the World, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike, founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the world . . . . The clergy converted the simple teachings of Jesus into an engine for enslaving mankind . . . to filch wealth and power to themselves. [They], in fact, constitute the real Anti-Christ."
Jefferson also said, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."
And just for good measure, I'll quote George Washington as well, "I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction. To this consideration we ought to ascribe the absence of any regulation, respecting religion, from the Magna-Charta [Constitution] of our country."
So, is this enough to show you that our founding fathers didn't intend the US to be a "christian nation"?
All you've done by posting that is prove my point.
2007-09-20 20:48:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 12⤊ 1⤋
Because many (not all) christians are advocating changes in public policy and new laws that support their beliefs. And many of those beliefs made policy, would infringe upon other people's rights.
As a 'special interest group', evangelicals have gotten more than their fair share of attention and influence in political debates.
Indeed, if they kept their religion to themselves and others like them, I would have no complaint. But they want to enact laws that affect not just themselves, but EVERYBODY!
I've never met a Hindu or a Buddhist that has told me that America is a Christian nation founded on Christian values, and if I don't like it, I should leave.
I can quote Jefferson too:
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and State.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Danbury Baptist Association, CT., Jan. 1, 1802
Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814
2007-09-20 20:51:37 · answer #2 · answered by hypno_toad1 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
There are groups of free thinkers and humanists in every country that allows some degree of free speech. This includes India, Japan, China, etcetera. In the US, Christians in their various forms are the majority, so American atheists feel most persecuted by Christianity. Indian free-thinkers spend most of their time denouncing Hindu Shamanism. In Japan, free-thinkers try to convince the devout that Shinto is a silly silly thing. The Chinese government is officially atheist, but they still face a lot of resistance from Buddhists who feel that they are the persecuted ones, and they probably have a point.
The problem with American Christianity is that a small but vocal minority of Christians insist on pushing their faith on all of the rest of us. They want it taught in science class under the guise of "Intelligent Design." They want it displayed in our courthouses and on our currency. And if you don't think GWB's own idea about God are in some way responsible for the mess this country is in now, then you just haven't been paying attention.
The truth is, belief in God (or any paranormal divinity) is fine until it interferes with science or medicine or education or foreign policy. And somehow it always DOES interfere. And that makes it dangerous.
2007-09-20 20:59:03 · answer #3 · answered by some_mystery_for_u 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Personally, I target Christians because they're the ones who are out protesting about how I live my life and trying to constantly convert me.
Gays are abominations. They shouldn't get married. Women who have sex before they're married are evil and going to hell. You're only worth something if you're a virgin. If you have an abortion your a murdering sl*ut. Ect.
Christians tend to shove their noes where they don't belong and think that they own this country (America). Religion should not be the foundations for laws which so many Christians seem to think.
And how many people have been killed by those who believe in your religion?? How many cultures completely annihilated in the name of your God?? Nearly my entire culture (native american here) was wipped out by Christians. Not allowed to speak our own language, forced on to the res, killed for practicing our religious beliefs, ect.
2007-09-20 20:54:08 · answer #4 · answered by Dreamer7787 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Many horrible crimes were committed in the name of Christianity.
This is ironic, considering the 'Christ' in the word 'Christianity' preached love and humility. One specific thing He said was to love your enemies as much as your friends. He also said to 'turn the other cheek.'
Basically, PEOPLE calling themselves Christians decided to persecute others in the name of faith. I'm not sure how you convince people that Christ came with a message of love when you're going genocidal on folks.
There will always be people who use religion for their own means. I am a Christian, but I can't stand the connotations that come with that word.
I believe that salvation comes from faith and faith alone. I believe that Christ is my savior. I know that a man who preached love and peace would never want someone to die in His name.
People may 'target' Christianity because of the atrocities that have been committed in the name of it. However, what people don't always realize is that Jesus never encouraged anything of the sort...He encouraged His followers to go out and spread the word that God loved them. That Heaven was waiting for them.
I'm not sure how some people could take the words of Jesus and use them as reasoning for genocide, murder, etc.
It was Jesus who said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." These people ignored this.
I'm actually to such a point where I would rather tell people I am a believer in Christ and in God than say I'm a Christian. I believe in a God of Love, and I'm angry that people have made Him look like someone full of hate and damnation.
I don't think all atheists target Christians and Christians alone. I think atheists in general probably aren't that concerned with religion. When someone targets anything, they're angry with it on a personal level. It may be that they've had unpleasant experiences with people saying they are Christians, but who don't act like it.
As for those who dislike Christianity, I hope they can realize that the fault is human. I wish that they could meet some of the people I've known who believed in Christ and went to church with when I was younger. I'm far from a perfect person, but when I went there, I knew there were dozens of people who loved me and were glad to see me. I think it's the feeling that we all long to have somewhere in the world. It's sad that so few ever find it inside the church...because that's where it's SUPPOSED to be.
2007-09-20 21:11:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
No atheist knows how the universe replaced into created. the assumption of the large bang presently suits what we do comprehend besides the undeniable fact that throughout regards to the increasing universe. Now the assumption of the large bang replaced into initially pronounced by employing a catholic priest so this isn't in conflict with faith in step with SE. the subject which comprise your fact that each thing demands some thing to create it is which you do no longer likely comprehend that the two you basically have faith it with the information you think of you have in front of you. the theory that god existed with out writer would desire to offer you some theory how we could have faith that count number exists past to existence as all of us comprehend and would have actually continuously. the large bang would have exceeded off billions of situations shriveled and exceeded off back in accordance to a pair theories. The invisible hand of god is used as a default here, by employing asserting because of the fact we do no completely comprehend the creation of the universe than it would be attributed to an invisible being. nicely the early cultures did no longer comprehend the sunlight and that they attributed it to a fiery chariot pushed by employing a god. comparable premise in my concepts because of the fact i won't conceive of a few thing at this point does no longer make it impossible, yet i do no longer would desire to motel to the default place of attributing it to a god.
2016-10-09 14:10:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a valid question. Yet I dont understand these answers. One feels religions have been responsible for many deaths in the past, so Christians here have to pay reparations by hearing them constantly insulting our religion on Yahoo QA? Im wondering if one is a white american who's forefathers owned slaves...is that current white american responsible for the wrath of the african's descendants? How about everyone owning up to their actions, period. If youre rude to an entire group of people because youre a bigot, dont cloak it in a bunch of crap about some power and greedy war mongers years ago who killed in the name of God. Just admit you are. If you dont like it cause your best friend Sally converted to Christianity through youth group in the 10th grade and damned you to hell...that doesnt make it OK to be a bigoted jerk to every "Sally" you meet. In a world where "tolerance" seems to be such an often used word, why is this concept so hard to grasp for some people?
2007-09-20 20:57:56 · answer #7 · answered by Loosid 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Let's make a deal: You promise me that nobody ever gets hurt by your religion again, and I'll never discuss it again.
In the meantime, more americans are killed every year by christian opposition to medical progress than by terrorists.
Read Letter to a Christian Nation if you want to understand how harmful your religion is.
In the meantime:
http://www.abarnett.demon.co.uk/atheism/harm.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_religion
And as for other faiths: only the abrahamic religions are this harmful - the dharmic religions are actually very nice, and I've never seen a pagan behave like "loving christians".
2007-09-20 20:47:37 · answer #8 · answered by Dreamstuff Entity 6 · 5⤊ 3⤋
1. Christians are the only religion that has ever aggressively harassed me, tried to convert me, and told me I'd suffer if I didn't.
2. Christians are trying to force their beliefs on America through law.
I don't care what you believe in. Just keep it out of my government and out of my face.
An Agnostic
2007-09-20 20:52:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
I am thinking .... when was the last time a whatever come up to me and say "If you do not believe in my god, you go to hell" ..... nope ..... only christians do that.
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You are right, he said that, except he is not a christian.
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Perhaps you should tell us who are the organised groups of atheists?
2007-09-20 20:54:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋