Serious Question to Athiests?

Question

If you come onto YA and ask Christians questions about God (be they serious or just for the sake of getting us upset), and you aren't going to believe the answers we give you, then why do you ask? I mean, what's the point? Are you just trying to make us mad? Are you trying to get us to doubt our faith? If so, why? I just don't get it.

I mean, we don't come in here saying, "Hey, Athiests, you're stupid for not believing in what we believe in!" Yes, we tell you that you will probably go to Hell if you don't believe, but that's part of our duty as Christians. How could we call ourselves so if we didn't tell you what you should know, should you ever decide to give God a chance? But Athiesm isn't a religion, it's a lack of one, and what you say to us, if we believe you or not, does us no good either way.

Just a quick quote: To those who say there is no God, for your sake, I hope you're right.

I understand if you're trying to understand, but why not let us believe in what we want to believe in? Besides, what if you are wrong? Just think of it. If, and I'm saying 'if', you are wrong, do you want to take the chance that you'll drag us to Hell with you. Again, I did say 'if', I can't stress that enough, because I know you don't believe in hell or heaven.

I'm not telling you not to seek answers to honest questions you have about our faith. In fact, I encourage you to do so. But, why ridicule us? If you can believe in monkeys evolving into humans, can't we believe that we came from something better? Do we not have that right?

And I'm not saying "if you don't believe in God, you're a bad person." No, many Christians believe that some of the best and nicest people go to Hell. At the same time, some of the less nice and decent people may make it to heaven. That's why we're told not to judge others. Some of us do, I know, but does that mean we're all the same?

Answer 1

I'm less interested in is there or is there not a God, and more interested in why people (so many people) believe that there is. Most of my questions are to understand that perspective, get inside your heads, sorry if feels like I'm messing with it while I'm in there.

Answer 2

You know...it just isn't enough. People are so tired of religion these days that no matter what you say, what you do, what evidence you propose...it no longer matters. People who don't believe in God the way the Bible tells them too will not go to the New Jerusalem, but who are we to tell them anymore? They know, and they probably know better than we do.
It's funny...a philosopher once said that all fact is based on several agreed upon theories. We assume that because we've received a constant answer to a common question, the result is fact. Fact is conceptual, and so are all theories that follow it. Or what about "History is written by the victor"? Science is written by the hopeful. They HOPE that they are right, they HOPE that if they can prove the theory of macro-evolution and that if they can prove that Judas was a good man and Jesus got married and that someone in the Bible didn't exist as the Bible said they did (Sargon), they can finally shut up us Christians.
Why is it that atheists proclaim and shout, hope and holler that God is not real? They try to bog people down with "reason" and "logic". They suppose that evidence immediately disproves God. They try and use the "technical" terms of psychology and science. It still doesn't work.
You know what I think? I think that when faced with their own mortality, they fake calm and state things like "I don't care, there is no after life, so what does it matter?" and "There is no God, why would I care what happens when I die?” They grab at the smallest glimmer of evidence against God, and then blow it up to blimp like proportions.
I wonder sometimes what it's like to be atheist. Then I think...well, if there is no afterlife...why do we actually exist? How can there be life with no afterlife? For every action there is an opposite but equal reaction. That applies here too. Our lives are action, so what is the opposite but equal reaction? They can't tell me that. Life must be the true enigma.
Honestly, there is no evidence against God. EVEN if we evolved from "proto plasmic globules", where do they come from? Chance? Little protons and electrons (that also came from nowhere) just started hitting against each other? I once saw an idiot on here quote a website called Talkorigins.com. ROFL.
It was a riot. But in the honest attempt of science, he did prove a very good case.
I found he always countered Christian themes, but never offered the origin himself. The true origin. One question that no one can answer.
Atheists are like ostriches. They both stick their heads in the sand, and they are both going to be taken by wolves. They can hope and hope all they want. This is the way I think of it.
If I'm right, you go to hell and burn. If you’re right, we won't know the difference.

Answer 3

If you come onto YA and ask atheists or agnostics questions about God (be they serious or just for the sake of getting us upset), and you aren't going to even consider the answers we give you, instead bombarding us with scripture or doctrine or other religious rhetoric, then why do you ask? I mean, what's the point? Are you just trying to make us mad? Are you trying to get us to doubt our respective philosophies? If so, why? I just don't get it.

I mean, we don't come in here saying, "Hey, Christians, you're stupid for not believing in what we believe in!" (wellll ok some of us do...) Yes, we tell you that you probably are being blind to other possibilities if you devoutly believe without question, but that's part of our duty as atheists or agnostics. How could we call ourselves so if we didn't tell you what you should know, should you ever decide to give atheism or agnosticism a chance? But Christianity isn't a science, it's a lack of one, and what you say to us, if we believe you or not, does us no good either way.

Just a quick quote: To those who say there is a God, for your sake, I hope you're right.

Answer 4

Chaotic, if you stick around long enough you'll see that many of our fellow Christians DO call them stupid for not believing. Some of our trolls are just as hateful and ugly to them as their trolls are to us. It goes both ways. Lighten up. They want a good discussion. They want a debate. Don't be threatened by that. Enjoy it for what it is, if you can. It's unlikely that any of us are going to sway the other. Sometimes there are fun jabs, and sometimes there's outright trolling... but we do it to each other. Sometimes they make very good points too.

I do get tired of people asking why atheists are here, claiming that atheism isn't a religion and this is the R&S board. The fundamental belief that there is no God and that religion is illegitimate IS a religious viewpoint, and therefore worthy for discussion in a religious forum. Just go with it, or don't respond to those.

Answer 5

It took me quite a while to realise that there were several levels of Atheists. These seem to be:-
1 Those who are seriously trying to learn something about religion and the ways it looks at things. Perhaps with the idea that if they find the right 'trigger' then they would be prepared to change

2 Those who are seriously trying to find out why we think that way, without any real ulterior motive

3 Those who just question to see if they to find find flaws or lack of coherency in our beliefs, seemingly not adverse to using mild scornd and sarcasm.

4 Those who think we are living in cloud cuckoo land and want to take us out of it.

5 Those who basically think we're nuts and want to drag us out of it, using whatever they can find

6 The fundies, who seem to be inspired by evil, and whose only desire is to make us squirm and will stoop to insults, often using disguised bad words, and ask totally stupid questions, such as Why is God the inverse of dog?

It would be an advantage to all concered to ignore this last class and not provide any answers at all, but there are always the two point grabbers.

When I learn which is which, then I will only answer questions from the first 4, thus following the bible teaching of not casting pearls before swine. I intend to apply the same rule to the Religious equivalent as well.

Answer 6

I would say your veiled argument is no less and attack, or instigation of anger.

I don't know what to consider myself, but I do have problems with organized religion. They are responsible for as much death, hurt, and desolation as war! Think of how many problems, how much hate, and anger are caused by the three most populous religions (Christianity, Judaism, Muslim), and they all share much of the old testament....just quip over such things as who and whether the messiah has come yet, and doctrine....the life lessons, the golden rule, and the way you should treat eachother, with respect, kindness are very similar.

Do I believe in a higher power...maybe....but are the Christians right? I don't know...I live a good life, treat people right...if that doesn't get me in, then its rigged anyway. Oh, and for such a Christian, I am sure you are aware....it is not for you to pass judgement on others souls, Jesus died so to forgive our sins, and we all must come to god personally, in our own time......How many people in the bible, struggled with believing, or converted only when they believed and not before?

I am all for open discussion....have you ever thought, that difference of opinions, asking questions to learn, and critical thinking, by both atheists and religous people....could in fact make matters better....there is way too much radicalism and over zelousness on both sides i would say

Answer 7

I ask questions about the Christian belief because I want to get a better understanding of it. No, I don't believe in it, but I do value your viewpoint, and your input. I love to get people's takes on the world, the universe, the afterlife, why to believe in God and why not to, all that good stuff. I find it interesting. I try not to be offensive, but some people mistake having a question in R+S, and automatically regard it as offensive.

:)

Answer 8

Actually most of the Jesus Freaks posting in here are calling everybody who does not believe as they do stupid.
They take it beyond just the atheists though.
They feel free to attack all of the other religions too.
They are especially eager to attack the other Christians.
You did not see this board before your most hated atheists started riding it.

The stuff you see once in a while against Mormons, Muslims and Catholics is merely a faint echo of what used to be here. If you hear people complaining about malicious reporting keep in mind that this is after several fixes from Yahoo trying to eliminate that problem.

Here is a quote in return for the one you offered,
"The nature of religion is to eliminate the other ones."
Tuberoot. Oct 9, 07

Answer 9

Part of our duty as christians? That is absolute nonsense. I ask questions here whether it be to christians or just generally everyone because it is something that I am interested in finding more about or that I dont understand. If you have such strong faith then our questions shouldnt bother you, or do they make you question some things? There is no god and until there is proof many people who have common sense and logical thinking will continue to say there is no god.

Answer 10

"Yes, we tell you that you will probably go to Hell if you don't believe, but that's part of our duty as Christians"

I wasnt aware that being a douche was a duty when part of a religion.

You just answered your own question, Athiests have to deal with all the crazy religious people telling us we are going to hell and burning for our sins, we are questioning you.

Fair game