Why do some of you approach us with such hatred?

Question

I'm not trying to make a generalization here but I've noticed a lot of the atheists/agnostics on here are very hateful to Christians (a lot have asked genuine questions to better understand why we believe what we believe and we appreciate your kindness and interest).

I can't remember having every forced my beliefs on anybody and I believe that people should believe what makes sense to them.

So...Why all the unprovoked meanness?

I know there are many Christians who act equally hateful but that's contrary to what Christ taught so they're not really Christians, just people raised it the church who have a problem.

I have nothing wrong with a person being an atheist or Muslim or Jew or Hindu or anything as long as it makes sense to them and they are sincere in their convictions.

Answer 1

I'm not Christian but what people are doing is wrong. It takes a big person to disagree with someone but respect their choice that brings peace into their body and soul. We all need some sort of self understanding of how we became and what happens after we die. It is what brings true peace to one that is important. But I get shamed for not believing as Christians do and wonder why they too don't understand why I just choice a different path. And why they can't respect me without feeling I need to be saved. What a wonderful place we all could live in if we could just respect each other without having to understand. Best of luck in your journey of peace! :)

Answer 2

It is inexcusable behavior. It just goes to show that our beliefs don't necessarily make us good people. Some of the 'tit-for-tat' arguments that I've seen some atheists make are so irrational that I'm starting to believe that, for some, atheism is a religion.

I don't force my beliefs on anybody either. One can't really force a belief on anyone on Yahoo! Answers. One can only float them.

There is a lot of unprovoked meanness all around. The best that people like us can do is rise above it and hope to have a healthy debate when the opportunity presents itself.

Answer 3

as a wiccan, i take a lot of crap from christians. i try very hard to respect them, so a lot of comments i try to be nice about, but some are very ... uhhh ... difficult not to be annoyed by. you see, religions dont understand each other because they think they are the only right one. the truth is, all are right, and all are wrong. im not speaking for all religions or people. the majority of people in europe and north america are christian (from what i understand) so its seems like there are more bad christians when really theres the same percent of bad christians as bad pagans or jews or buhddists or atheists. i believe all religions are equal and everyone should pick the one thats suits them best.

Answer 4

I don't believe that I've ever been hateful to anyone in my life. I'm honest, that's all.

I don't know you, but some people on here have a strong animosity towards atheists. The only hate mail I've ever received was from Christians. Nasty stuff.

I show respect where respect is shown. I can tell you that almost all the people I love are Christians. I have no hatred towards them.

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Answer 5

You proceed from a false premise.
That it's unprovoked.

Christians (as a general rule, perhaps not you, personally, and certainly not ALL) are arrogant, hateful, judgmental, and generally act like jackasses where any other religion than theirs is concerned.
They set the confrontational tone.
We don't suffer fools well, and are likely to respond in the manner in which we're confronted.

It's a simple matter, really... treat others with respect and be treated with respect in turn.
Treat others with disrespect, and be treated with disrespect in turn.

It's an extension of that golden rule... treat others as you wish to be treated. If you are a jackass to others, then you obviously want to be treated like a jackass, and thus you've no right to whine about being treated like a jackass.

Answer 6

I haven't been mean to anybody, but I can understand why some people are. My experiences with Christians have been 99% horrible. A Christian church tore my family apart, there is sooo much hate and cruelty going around protected by so calle Christian value. There are thousands of support groups out there for people trying to recover after suffering abuses of the Christian church. I have met a few Christians who actually do what Jesus said to do, but in my whole life, I've honestly met less than ten. So even though you may be one of those few Christians actually doing what you are supposed to, most of your fellows do not do that, and so you may be the unnecessary recipient of a lot of hatred. Actually, it is more mistrust than real hatred. Better to attack than be attacked is the motto of some.

Answer 7

It goes both ways. Christians are equally hateful to atheists.

I am an atheist, but I have not really noticed agnostics making hateful comments about anyone.

Answer 8

A lot of Atheists I've met or know came from religious families. They were forced to read the Bible, dress up and go to church services that they did not care for. They've internalized a type of rejection for religion. A lot of things we pick up as children or youths stick with us, such as the things we like, the things we hate, our habits, and the way we see the world.

Maybe that explains why a portion of Atheists are bitter towards Christians.

Answer 9

Its not hatred it is people asking questions that people want to know I ask all kinds of questions In order to seek proof of what you are preaching on one hand you claim you believe in prosperity and then ditch people who seek it in my religion you can have it all and my God has provided the success and riches I desire so don't misunder stand question and comments you should be willing to offer proof of what you believe instead of quoting for a book I don't hate you I just question the power you have like I said my religion has made my dreams come true has yours

Answer 10

I think it is because we, the church, have failed in our mission to be the body of Christ on earth, to heal a broken world.

We can't even get ourselves together, and over almost two thousand years we have at times been unwelcoming and judgmental.

And some of these "atheists" are people who used to go to church but experienced some emotional or spiritual harm there, so who would blame them for rejecting it?

Let's just do a better job at representing Christ's love and see what happens.