It did for me before I became one. Your thoughts?
2007-10-15 11:17:07 · 21 answers · asked by Future 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It does for many people. I remember being very young and occasionally arguing for the existence of God over the nonexistence of God but I don't recall thinking cruel or horrible thoughts about atheists.
People consider "atheism" and "atheist" to be bad words and bad "conditions" because faith is considered a virtue and a lack of faith a fault or flaw.
2007-10-15 11:23:50 · answer #1 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It does for some people. I get the impression from certain fundamentalist christians that "athiest" has a negative connotation as it implies that person is a lost soul who is condemed to hell and out to convince everybody that their God does not exist.
I'm a Catholic and I have no problem with atheists, and I am sure that there are a number of other people who believe in God or gods who have no problem with atheists as well. I respect all beliefs. I just view athiests as another set of beliefs(or non-belief) the same that i would view a hindu, muslim, buddhist. everybody is entitled to their own beliefs and we should all respect each other's beliefs whether they believe in God or not. Then again, i'm sure that many of these "Christians" think that Catholics arent Christians for some reason.
2007-10-15 19:27:05 · answer #2 · answered by vsbk2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the word in and of itself implies anything bad. But it certainly has gotten a negative stigmatism. I think this is largely due to propaganda from the Cold War and "Red Scare" of the 50s.
I am curious though as to why certain people have such a problem with others being atheists. There are of course the irrational fears that being an atheist means not having any code of ethics, idea of taking responsibility for one's actions, etc. but that's of course bogus. I guess the other negative stereotype of atheists is that they've never experienced things beyond the mundane. Again, I don't find this to be true at all. You can have your own exciting and enriching experiences in life without having to attach metaphysical meaning to it.
2007-10-15 18:20:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
When I was young and attending Catholic school I thought of the term for someone who had no hope in life and lived an empty existence.
As I grew up and became more educated outside of my little religious bubble, I became one and now use the term to describe "an independent free thinker." Although I'm not an atheist, I'm agnostic, but consider all atheists my fellow enlightened folk.
2007-10-15 18:22:34 · answer #4 · answered by freejunkmail2004 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I was in 6th grade we had a new student come into the class. She didn't stand when we did the pledge of allegiance cause she said she was an Atheist. I thought that was weird. That was my first introduction to an alternative from what I had been taught. For a while I thought they were just rebellious. Then I picked up some books and saw for myself.
2007-10-15 18:23:40 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ Meme ♥ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's taught that Atheist is a bad word defining bad people.
It doesn't bother me. I rather enjoy the shocked looks when people I know discover I'm atheist.
2007-10-15 18:20:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I love the word! It makes me happy to know that there are a growing number of people like me! People with common sense! Ethics! Brains!
2007-10-15 18:21:56 · answer #7 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it's a though about the world, given a name.
it's just viewing the world in a certain way. Not necesarily in a worse off way. It doesn't seem negative to me.
2007-10-15 18:21:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, I am a Christian, and it does not have a negative connotation at all.
Why would it?
2007-10-15 18:20:55 · answer #9 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes I believe it does. People think that godless people are immoral and full of evil and hate, or it's associated with the devil. Its' pretty ignorant really.
2007-10-15 18:20:37 · answer #10 · answered by Mal 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋