Why do athiests and christians feel the need to judge one another?

Question

I have been on Y! Answers looking at the different questions on religion and I've seen questions being asked by and to christians and athiests pop on and down talk their beliefs and christians set up answers to show that they are judging the Athiests for not believing in God.

It seems as if no one is happy to let each other live as they would choose. But christians, doesn't this contradict Jesus' law of Love one another? And Athiests why do you complain of being judged and then turn and judge other people?

I dont understand. Why is it SO IMPORTANT to prove one another wrong?

I of course aknowledge this goes as human nature to judge other people but of two denomitations so willing to speak up why is it that in the course of proving our own point we need to attack anothers personal belief?

Answer 1

Very interesting question. However, I must point out that now and then there is some useful debate :)

Speaking for the athiests, I don't think the aim is necessarily to prove the Christians wrong. I think the aim is to get a well-reasoned, logical answer out of them! It's the lack of logical thought that gets us so very very annoyed. Stock answers like "it's God's will" or "the Bible said so" don't come across as well thought out answers, or answers that can be supported with any kind of evidence (or even logical argument).

For those of us who are scientists, it's even worse. Blind belief is something we can't understand - we are taught to question, question question...

Answer 2

Not everyone can get along...

You are asking a lot for the human race right now. A lot of the time, Religions just clash...

I am an atheist and I also HATE being judged by others simply because I dont believe in a being without ANY evidence... I get upset about adding GOD in the pledge of allegance... I am upset about our politicians NEEDING to have a Christian background in order to be elected... I am upset that there are people willing to Kill others over a books that were written 2,000 years ago...

I think that this is the perfect place to "Judge" eachother... The bible has many Horrible stories that talk good of Genocide and KILLING ATHEIST but those are always ignored during the Sunday Sermons...

Just to recap, I often get judged because I dont thank God for the accomplishments that I have done or blame him when something goes wrong. If someone who was 25 still believed in santa clause, wouldnt you try to pursuay them that they were wrong??

By the way, both my parents are very religious. All my siblings and I are all Skeptics...

Answer 3

It sounds like you're still young and just figuring out what you like. I'd say for right now, follow your heart and go with what seems right. As a fellow Christian myself, I've casually dated atheists and for some it worked and for others, our beliefs got in the way of establishing a relationship. It depends on the atheist. Things might get complicated if your dating an atheist and your relationship might transition to a more serious one. Talks of marriage and raising children come up and that's the real challenge. Your 16 so you shouldn't be even worrying about that but it's just something you should stay aware about when you make such decisions.

Answer 4

I judge this to be a good question. Good point on the Christians -- many don't behave in a Christian manner. Atheists do it too, and while they may feel it's justified in retaliation for being outnumbered, dominated, and told they're going to hell; it really isn't. Debating beliefs is one thing, but judging people for their beliefs is a downward spiral.

If I were to judge Christians, I'd have to judge 95% of my family, and 80% of my country.

But sadly, many have judged me, from outsiders to my own family. My beliefs are my own, and while I'll debate Christians (and other faiths) based on my beliefs and world views, I'd never condemn them to eternal damnation.

I'm not atheist - I'm agnostic. I reject all dogma... dogmatically. =)

Answer 5

You forgot to mention when ATHEISTS ask questions and Christians give rude, judgemental, patronizing, "you're going to hell" answers.

What's the point of having a forum like this if we can't debate different point of views? Where religion is concerned, you will NEVER get people to agree to disagree. That's just the way it is and it's something we have to get used to. And I'm sure you're guilty of doing the same thing--judging others--from time to time. So am I. We are ALL guilty of judging others at one time or another. Nobody's perfect.

Answer 6

i hope that you don't think that you're immune to such impulses? i suspect it's a human thing, not limited to atheists and christians. however, it would not do to get too upset about it i think - no one is being threatened with physical violence here, as might happen "in real life". also i suppose there is a fine line between explaining and defending one's beliefs and attacking others, and perceptions of who is being attacked may vary.

well fundamentally, they believe in gods. i don't. we can't both be right. i suppose it might be the case that neither of us really knows anything, and it could be that we are both right for our own reasons in our limited domains of interest. we may never know, but it sure is fun to speculate and debate it.

Answer 7

It passes the time. I know that most of what I say will be ignored anyways.. So there is nothing to prove. I answer questions I find interesting, and ask questions when curious.

Answer 8

I respect everyone's belief I wish everyone could....I personally don't believe but if someone wants to or needs to then that is their right. I don't judge and I don't wish to be judged.....Imagine how much better this world would be if we could all learn to accept and respect each others beliefs.

Answer 9

I know what you mean, but I do believe that sometimes we must go a long way to prove what we know is right , for our own benefit anf for the greater good of people.

Answer 10

I think people want to prove others wrong because of pride. There is no peace or anything good to come from telling people they are wrong or stupid, just so you can make yourself feel like you are smart or better.