Is it possible for you atheists to disagree and be pleasant and respectful? Must you always disagree with Christians in the rudest way possible?
2007-09-27 12:05:50 · 25 answers · asked by My Name Is Ken 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If I ask a question here regarding something about Christianity, I usually get more answers from atheists, and by the time I'm done reading the answers, I feel like I've been called every bad name in the bad name dictionary.
2007-09-27 12:10:29 · update #1
I agree! I haven't called anyone a nasty name in here or called them stupid.
The atheists are almost always the ones who are vulgar, rude, and extremely offensive.
2007-09-27 12:08:54 · answer #1 · answered by Suzi♥Squirrel 4 · 3⤊ 10⤋
I've read similar complaints from Christians many times, but I see no such rudeness. I've even gone back through old postings where rudeness was alleged to have occurred and found none. I suspect the perceived rudeness is because believers and atheists have markedly different ways of looking at the world.
I imagine Christians are used to attending churches and Bible studies, where all the members have been carefully selected to have similar philosophical views. For example, I don't think I've ever met a believer who wasn't (usually unknowingly) a solipsist.
Atheists, on the other hand, especially if they're scientists, are used to the rough and tumble of spirited debate. Nobody ever agrees with anybody in the realm of critical thinking and data analysis. In this group, one gets ahead by winning the debate and winning the debate means you are able to prove your position is valid and correct. I've never met a good scientist who was not a skilled debater, nor who was a solipsist.
Perhaps pleasant and respectful is standard behavior within a religious environment where each person's opinions, no matter how far-fetched, are expected to be treated with undeserved respect. In the world of atheists and science, there actually is a right and a wrong, and we debate and disagree with each other loud and long to discover what's true and what's false. I suspect the "rudeness" Christians perceive stems from their protected authoritarian environment, where genuine debate seldom occurs, because God and the Bible are presummed to be inerrant -- as well as from the seemingly universal Christian persecution complex.
2007-09-27 19:37:49 · answer #2 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, since Im not included in this group, I guess I cant respond....
I would like to point out, however, that "Youre going to HELL!" is hardly a pleasant and respectful way to communicate towards us as well. Just look at the guy below me - what kind of loving Christian response is that?
2007-09-27 19:10:28 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Ahh..they are all probably tired of having to chase us believers around trying to contradict what we answer...lol! Wouldn't you be a little cranky too? I just pray for them and try to be as kind as I know how to be...show them love and patience...that we tell them we have from Christ. They are not bad people...they just do not have the faith that we do that gives us something to look forward to and to be proud of and to share kindly with others. They do not have the same meaning for their lives as we do :-)
EDIT
If Christians are tired of the responses from atheists and the other way around...then why do we all go to questions posted for the others to respond? If you do not like what you hear from us Christians then go back to a different page on yahoo R&S...and vice versa. And, I have not yet read here of a Christian telling an atheist that they are going to hell...all I read is us telling you all that God loves you and we all need to be forgiven of our sins. Unless...am I too new to this group to have read every Christian's answer?
2007-09-27 19:14:44 · answer #4 · answered by Jenny 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No good point. We should be polite. After all, it's attrocities such as the crusades, the inquisition and the Salem witch trials which contributed to our turning away from christianity in the first place. We certainly should not be lowering ourselves to such standards.
2007-09-27 19:19:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't confuse rudeness and hatefulness with Atheism. It's the person not the creed. There's plenty of rude and hateful Christians too.
2007-09-27 19:10:17 · answer #6 · answered by LG 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I should be more like the Christian who answered my last question by calling me a "lying, thieving, adulterous murderer".
The difference is that I don't presume ALL Christians are like that. You should do us the same courtesy.
2007-09-27 19:54:22 · answer #7 · answered by Dazcha 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps, you aren't reading what I'm really writing. Perhaps my intent is lost upon you. Certainly possible.
I still think all religion is a sham, and if you find that personally disrespectful, then you're the one who can't separate the religion from the person.
2007-09-27 19:09:41 · answer #8 · answered by serious troll 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I haven't seen all being hateful, just as many as there are people of Christianity, so it balances out, but I would prefer peace so I'll say my normal statement when a question that doesn't show peace is asked.
Keep the Peace
(((((((HUGS))))))
2007-09-27 19:15:54 · answer #9 · answered by JFK fan--(Hug Brigade) 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I find it to be quite the opposite generally.
No Atheist has ever told me I am going to hell or called me names simply because I believe in a different God.
2007-09-27 19:12:11 · answer #10 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think that the ones who come here are very childish and argumentative. I wouldn't judge all atheists by the group who come here.
2007-09-27 22:23:58 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋