Just curious.
As an Atheist, (former Southern Baptist and AA member- I have been exposed to Religion and a healthy lack of respect for it and the harm it causes is my honest opinion!), I have noticed the percentage of times the fur flies between Atheists and Christians (especially on R & S) is much greater than the times Atheists and Neo Pagans or Atheists and Muslims or Atheists and Jews have at it.
Is this because of an American slant. Christians hold power here. A Minority of Christians have declared Atheists as Unamerican and we have no doubt whom is going to be the first into the ovens (so to speak) if Fundamentalists get their dream of a Christian "Republic"
We'll probably be right beside the Neo-Pagans in the showers.
Is this the reason Neo Pagan superstition gets a free ride (or seems to sometimes) and Atheists and Christians seem to have at each other?
2007-09-21 11:41:58 · 38 answers · asked by Chessmistress1000 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh, logical atheists criticize pagans too from time to time.
Only, people don't get so worked up over it, because most pagans are content to leave atheists be and vice versa.
Pagans don't tend to try to spread their faith or push it into laws and schools, which is what most atheists get riled up about in the first place - they don't care what someone wants to believe, they only care when it affects them. Mostly. A few atheists get annoyed that anyone believes anything.
2007-09-21 11:48:34 · answer #1 · answered by KC 7 · 11⤊ 1⤋
Atheist, formerly Episcopalian. Process began as a child... perhaps at nine or ten... when I received The Picture Bible, a hard cover version of the Bible as a comic book. You can still find it if you Google it. It was interesting, and I read it cover to cover, but it astounded me that people believed the stories. Became a "Born Again" Christian as a teenager. Read the KJV. Didn't find much different from the comic, except that the KJV was more graphic, lurid, and violent. Went to college; stopped attending church services. Dated a Mormon girl and became involved with her temple. Later became baptized, but only after compromising my own beliefs. Disgusted with myself, I left the church the day after my baptism and my agnostic phase began. I was 24. After a few years of reading, taking courses in religion in college (one on world religion, one in comparative myth, one on Christianity, and one on Buddhism) and reading a NIV copy of the Bible along the way, I realized I was clearly an atheist. That was about ten years ago. I've since realized, perhaps a few years ago now, that I was also anti-theism. Not anti-theist, mind you. I love people. I just hate some of their belief systems. I also realized that my life was not defined by what I was not, so I began focusing more on those things. Education, writing, donating my time. And I identify as a scientific naturalist these days... or an ethical hedonist, depending on the conversation. I am currently 40; just thought I'd cap that time line. Edit: Atheism is not a faith group, though you may not have intended to imply that it was. Poor use of a parenthetical, I am afraid. What other "faith group" could exist, however, since you listed "pagan"? For a Christian, that covers anyone of any other religion.
2016-05-20 04:56:42 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont really think neo-pagans get a free ride from Athiests. I think that quite a few of the Athiests arguments may be made with the intent of "taking a shot at [the christian] faith" but I think that most the Athiest arguments I see take a shot at any faith. Anyone that follows a God or Goddess is, from what I've seen in most athiest arguments, void of free will and following an "invisible sky-being". Now personally I am a Wiccan. and personally I believe what I believe and let others do the same. But I think that mostly I see arguments against faith in general rather than one specific religion.
2007-09-21 12:01:37 · answer #3 · answered by Lorena 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suspect,you are very young. Because your belief in Christianity has been somehow compromised,and your belief that AA has done you no great change in your life,do not be despondent. I grew up,as an adopted child, into a reformed Jewish household.I am an Alcoholic. I did not do well with the 12 steps,actually going to a meeting made me want to drink more. Judaism did not work for me , but somehow, when I pray to God through his holy Son ,Jesus Christ, my prayers really do get answered. Be it Jesus,Mohammed,Buddha,or whatever power you could possibly choose,They are all the higher power, I personally cannot believe there is nothing to console me or even work a miracle on my behalf. I do not subscribe to a particular branch of Christianity, but for some reason ,I find my prayers answered. You do not have to be a member of any church, just ask for the Lord's help. This sounds incredibly Corny, but I will stand by it.My female Rottweiler has informed me it is time to go outside. I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for,Steve.
2007-09-21 12:17:15 · answer #4 · answered by Gootman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never really thought about it, but apparently you have, lol. There are more Christians on here and in the USA, so that's probably the reason. You know, most Christians just want religious freedom to continue, not freedom from religion to take over. Abortion is NOT just a Christian issue. I didn't believe in abortion back when I didn't believe in God, so I know some atheists feel the same way. So you don't have to worry about "the ovens". The vast majority of Christians really do believe in loving everyone. Could you imagine if we didn't? 2.5 billion people could do a lot of damage and make a lot of changes if we really were out to force our beliefs on everyone. Sometimes I think you guys are just a bit paranoid.
2007-09-21 12:02:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Hellenic Polytheist, I agree that you and I would likely be standing next to each other in the Fundamentalist Christian camps if a Christian Theocracy would ever happen in the United States
However, I have had comments from Atheists that many of my beliefs simply make more sense to them than Christian ones so I think that is part of it. I realize that you consider my religion to be merely "superstition" and acknowledge that you have a differant opinion than mine. I also recognize that "someone convinced against their will remains unconvinced in truth" which is something that many Christians do not.
This, more than simple numerical advantage, is the major reason that more shots get taken at Christians than at Pagans -- at least in my opinion
2007-09-21 11:53:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You obviously haven't seen some of the responses Neo-Pagans get when they post a question! Some atheists can be just as nasty to them.
But yes, the hostility doesn't seem to be nearly as pronounced between atheists and other non-Christians. This is probably because we Neo-Pagans or those other groups you mentioned trying to change the laws, push their religion on other people, or get megaphones and threaten "unbelievers" with metaphysical punishment.
2007-09-21 11:46:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Think of it this way. Over 75% of Americans claim to be Christian. Less than 1% fall into the Neo Pagan belief category. Who is the biggest "threat to athiests?
j
2007-09-21 11:58:32 · answer #8 · answered by The man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have yet to see a Neo-Pagan who has tried to get their religious beliefs passed into law.
For the record, I think their beliefs are just as silly as anyone else's. Regardless, I am happy to let them believe what they believe, so long as they don't try to impose that belief on me. As of yet, I haven't seen that happen. The same cannot be said for Christianity.
Yes, this is an American phenomenon. If I lived in Morocco, I would probably have similar problems with Islam. If I lived in Israel, I would probably direct my criticism towards Judaism.
2007-09-21 11:53:04 · answer #9 · answered by marbledog 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it's not just Neo-Pagans that you stated. As you mentioned, it's Muslims, Jews, Mormons, and many other religions, at least in this forum. Atheists will far more likely be in here slamming Christianity (at least those outspoken "Atheists" who are just trying to get a rise out of people) than other religions. You don't see those people come in and badmouth Jews as crazy, Muslims (well, aside from people that just seem to equate Muslims with terrorists) as morons, Christian Scientists as the bunch of fools... You might see the occasional dig, but not nearly the prevalance of pointed attacks as are directed squarely at Christianity.
2007-09-21 11:49:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋