why do Atheists get so offended when someone tells them they are going to a place they don't believe exists?

Question

I mean if it don't exist where is the insult huh?

so far some very good answers. I personally have not said this to Atheists but, I have seen some answers that prompted the question. Thanks for all the input and I can see some of your points

Answer 1

Okay, work with me:

It's like telling a kid, "You'd better behave, or Santa won't bring you any presents" -- except the kid is eighteen years old.

Answer 2

I think the offense is in the asumption that we are not good people because we don't believe in God.

For instance, I could say to someone that they've just bought a one-way ticket to Boring Town. They would not have to believe that Boring Town actually exists to understand the implication and be offended.

Answer 3

I am offended regardless if the place is real or not because THEY think it's real and THEY believe we atheists will SUFFER for all ETERNITY and that's the utmost disrespect towards other humans and is discrimination. It's disgusting.

... but, then again... we aren't offended any more because we know they are just deluded freaks who have nothing better to do so now all this threatening is just funny to us.

Answer 4

If it is not meant to be offensive, why do Christians bother to tell atheists they are going to a place the Christians know the atheists don't believe exists?

Answer 5

Just because someone does not BELIEVE in something does not mean that it does not exist. Therefore, atheists alot of times get insulted because they are tired of fake Christians rubbing it in and being rude resulting in them not believing in the first place! So I KNOW my God and Savior Jesus Christ exists, but an atheist can't truly say that HE does not exist which makes them mad!

Answer 6

Think about it logically. If somewhere doesn't exist then the only way you can get there is if you don't exist. So every time someone tells me I going to hell its like say that they think I don't exist.

Did that even make sense?

Answer 7

I think it's b/c no one wants to be judged. Plus, it seems just a wee bit hypocritical for a Believer to condemn someone to Hell, no matter what the "offender" has done: the Bible does say "Judge not lest ye be judged", and "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

It is good, and perhaps a Believer's "duty" to point out The Way...but I don't think it should be taken to the point of doling out future torment and punishment if that Way is not followed. Present the reasoning, the teachings, and allow them to decide for themselves.

Just a thought :)

Peace.

Answer 8

OK, Midge! I think because of your very rude, and judgmental attitud. you will spend an eternity boiling in a lake of hellfire!

Now, doesn't that make you feel really bad, and upset you you,just a little bit?
So.there you have it, in a nutshell! Wouldn't you feel offended, if you were told that every time you stated you tenets!

Take us, or leave us, but don't put us down!

Answer 9

It's extremely rude to threaten someone. The fact that it's an empty threat doesn't change that, especially when the person making the threat believes it.

Answer 10

This is nonsense.

It isn't that someone may say "Atheists are going to hell", it is the implication that the life style and choices I have made are so evil and immoral that I deserve eternal punishment, torture and suffering for them.

Your hell is fictional, but the fact that "you" are so arrogant and self-righteous as to judge me, without even knowing me, to permanent eternal suffering IS INSULTING!!

Answer 11

I'm not offended by that. But I am appalled by the ignorance of the people who make those kinds of statements.