How come atheists and agnostics only focus on the negatives of religions?

Question

I, as a Catholic, have seen many people try to discourage me from partaking in my religion. The atheists and agnostics only take notice of the few bad things, but what about all of the overwhelming positives?

To those who just post to get points, please don't. I'm a 14 year old boy who wants to learn about why people seem to be so intolerant. I'm learning in my Honors History Class about Islam, Judaism, and Christianity and it really has helped be more open-minded.

Answer 1

It has been my experience that people only comment on what they actually know. So perhaps this is all of the information these people had on the Catholic religion....no one can say for sure...
But we all know that there are overwhelming positive traits as well as negatives to everything.....it what we choose to concentrate on that makes us who we are!

Blessings!
)o(
Trinity

Answer 2

It sounds like the problem is the people who give you grief, not the religions that they have. If they were atheist and you were, ah, lets say roman catholic, they'd give you the same amount of grief, but for different reasons. The people today have actually made PEER PRESSURE in believing in god, which is pretty hard to believe. If there is a god, and he's as great as everyone claims he is, he would love everybody, and I mean Absolutely EVERYBODY, no matter WHAT religion they are. I sometimes wish there were people like that, and not just a holy soul that may not exist. You're one of the nicest and smartest people I know (well, in the VIRTUAL world), so people ought to judge you on that, not what you believe in. I'm a unitarian, but when I get older, i'm hoping it's possible that I can convert to Wiccan. My parents laugh at me now, but when I get older and they actually understand that i'm SERIOUS about it, which i am, I'm scared of what they'll do. I suggest that you ignore these people and do what you want. Tell these people that it's your life, and you dont care what they think. Good luck, Glenn! -Arleney

Answer 3

That's like asking why focus on the bad parts of Stalinism when examining 20th century Russia. The WHOLE thing matters, good and bad.

If one claims to have divine instructions on life, and the complete blessings of the ruler of the universe, one would expect that that group of people would be superior in morals and existence then others.

The simple fact is, they are not. So by pointing out the deficiencies of religion (something that was largely prohibited for the last 2,000 years under pain of death), one is able to elucidate the fact that perhaps the claims of the religious are empty.

That being said, there is no doubt that religion can have some positive effects, but so could believing in unicorns. The fact that there are benefits doesn't make the thing true.

Answer 4

I have never agreed with someone more. I am only 14, and I have seen more religion can do. For the people who say what positives are there about religion, I have one for you. me. The church saved my life. I was on the wrong path, I was going nowhere. And it may sound cheesy, like on a TV show or something, but my mother, signing me up for religion classes and making me go to church, probably saved my life. I'm not saying that what we have done, the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the forcing religion on others have not been terrible and vile thing's perpetrated by terrible and vile men. But I know there are millions more like me who come without the belief in something would be so much less so I owe my life to my church

Answer 5

And what "overwhelming positives" are there? I don't try to discourage anyone of their religion. I realize some people need religion, a personal relationship with God, whatever.

Answer 6

its not just atheists and agnostics. more like everyone. Personally, i have a pro's and con's of every religion i learn about.. i know the bad, and i know the good too. most people seem to only have a "cons" list.

Answer 7

I think a lot of people worry that their argument seems weaker when they acknowledge benefits of the opposing view.

I find christianity very pushy, pompous and dangerous but I have to admit their are parts that if nothing else can be used as good moral parables.

Answer 8

I'm sorry, but since religion is false and the cause of most of the world's wars, suffering and killing, I feel those are very important reasons to be against religion.

Here's an interesting video:

Why do atheists care about religion?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4fQA9mt-Mg

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Answer 9

I've seen precious few good things that people will only do because of their religion. But I've seen plenty of bad.

Answer 10

There are only negatives. Any positive things you can say about religion, you can say about anything or anyone.